San Antonio Spurs trade Tiago Splitter to Atlanta Hawks
Grade- A+
The trade that started it all. Before free agency even officially began, the Spurs were on the horn and pulled the strings on what turned out to be the best move of the offseason thus far. In dealing Splitter to the Hawks, the Spurs freed up over $16 million in salary cap space which was then dedicated to the pursuit of LaMarcus Aldridge. First, and foremost, the Spurs proceeded to re-sign Kawhi Leonard to a max deal as well as Danny Green, whose self-proclaimed future was largely uncertain. It didn't take long for Aldridge to jump on board and he will undoubtedly make a gigantic impact as the future of the franchise. But the domino effect didn't stop there as both Tim Duncan and Manu Ginobili decided to stage off retirement and return to the court. A finalizing piece was added in David West as the Splitter trade came full circle. West turned down nearly $12 million and was clearly enticed by the Spurs' rapid offseason acquisitions as he accepted a veteran's minimum salary ($1.4 million) and will now fill the void left by Splitter off the bench at forward.
Detroit Pistons trade Caron Butler and Shawne Williams to the Milwaukee Bucks for Ersan Ilyasova
Grade- C+
The acquisition of Ersan Ilyasova simply aided the loss of Greg Monroe, who recently signed with the Bucks. Ilyasova, a 28 year-old power forward from Turkey, averaged 11.5 points in 58 games last season in Milwaukee. The seven-year veteran started 36 games and averaged 22.7 minutes per game. He gives the Pistons depth at the forward position and could very well take over as a starter at the four. On the flip side, the Bucks get a veteran in Caron Butler, who won an NBA Title with the Dallas Mavericks in 2011. Although the 35 year-old did not play in the postseason in 2011, he received a ring and carries with him strong shooting and the ability to play strong minutes off the bench. Butler even started 21 games with the Pistons last season. Williams also adds depth, but is not a strong scorer. Now on his eighth NBA team, the seven-year veteran will likely get decent minutes off the bench in Milwaukee.
Charlotte Hornets trade Lance Stephenson to Los Angeles Clippers for Spencer Hawes and Matt Barnes
Grade- C-
Stephenson has been a well-known agitator in the league and was unwanted in Charlotte. The 24 year-old is a cancer in the locker-room and could present a challenge in Los Angeles alongside Chris Paul. Stephenson, who has averaged just under nine points-per-game in his five-year career, will alternate with J.J. Redick and Jamal Crawford at shooting guard on a Clippers roster that has now decreased in size with the loss of DeAndre Jordan. The Hornets, on the other hand, added depth at the forward position. Hawes averaged around 13 points per game as a starter with the Philadelphia 76ers and could slide into the starting lineup alongside Al Jefferson. Michael Jordan's staff has built a solid bench for the Hornets-one that did not have room for Matt Barnes, who was traded to the Memphis Grizzlies.
Charlotte Hornets acquire Nicolas Batum from the Portland Trail Blazers for Gerald Henderson and Noah Vonleh
Grade- C-
After Gerald Henderson opted in to his contract, the Hornets traded the six-year veteran to the Blazers, who upgraded their depth by acquiring Vonleh as well. Unfortunately, it was merely a band-aid on a shark-sized gash left by a number of departures, including LaMarcus Aldridge and Aaron Afflalo. Vonleh, who is just 19 years old, will not be the immediate answer for a Blazers frontcourt that is also without Robin Lopez, who signed a deal with the New York Knicks. In fact, Damian Lillard is the only player who was a regular starter last season that is still on the team. Henderson will slide right in alongside Lillard, who agreed to a five-year extension to stay in Portland. However, it is hardly an upgrade from Batum, who now brings his 11.2 points-per-game average to Charlotte. Henderson, who is almost exactly one year older than Batum, averaged 12.1 points-per-game last season.
Atlanta Hawks acquire Tim Hardaway Jr. from the New York Knicks and two future second-round picks from the Washington Wizards. Knicks receive Jerian Grant. Wizards receive Kelly Oubre.
Grade- D
A player that was well respected by Carmelo Anthony, Tim Hardaway Jr. was shipped off to Atlanta on draft day and adds youth to the Hawks' bench. After Kyle Korver failed to show up in the postseason, Hardaway may be integrated into the starting lineup. The 23 year-old shooting guard started 30 games last season for the Knicks, averaging 11.5 points-per-game. Nineteenth overall draft pick Jerian Grant will attempt to pick up the slack in the Knicks' backcourt. Grant led Notre Dame in scoring as a fifth-year senior, averaging 16.4 points-per-game alongside 6.9 assists-per-game. The Wizards gave up picks for the fifteenth overall pick in the 2015 NBA Draft in Kelly Oubre. As a freshman at Kansas last year, Oubre averaged 9.3 points-per-game and will do well developing at the guard position behind John Wall and Bradley Beal.
Milwaukee Bucks acquire Greivis Vasquez from the Toronto Raptors for Norman Powell and 2017 protected first-round pick
Grade- C
One of many draft day trades, Vasquez adds experience to a youth-filled group of guards and will help the Bucks cope with the coming departure of Jared Dudley. In 82 games last season with the Raptors, Vasquez averaged 9.5 points-per-game and showed poise by hitting several late-game shots in big situations. The 28 year-old Venezuelan is another piece that works to complete a Bucks' bench that was already solid last season.
Brooklyn Nets acquire Steve Blake and Rondae Hollis-Jefferson from the Portland Trail Blazers. Trail Blazers receive Mason Plumlee and Pat Connaughton
Grade- C-
After Steve Blake opted in to stay with the Blazers, he was sent cross-country to the Nets along with 23rd overall draft selection, Rondae Hollis-Jefferson, in a draft-day trade. Outshined by Stanley Johnson, Hollis-Jefferson averaged 11.2 points-per-game in his sophomore season at Arizona and racke up a team-high 6.8 rebounds-per-game. He made half of his shots from the field and his 6'7" stature is promising for the Nets. Blake will serve as the primary backup to Deron Williams at point guard and, while his production declined from a season ago, a championship ring with the 2010 Los Angeles Lakers makes him a valuable piece on a Nets team that has struggled to find an identity. Meanwhile, the Blazers continued their attempt to regain a respectable frontcourt with the addition of Mason Plumlee. A 2014 Slam Dunk participant, Plumlee continued to improve last season, upping his scoring average to 8.7. His shooting, however, faltered, especially at the free-throw line. Nevertheless, the 25 year-old played all 82 games last season and is capable of starting for the Blazers-something he did 67 times in two seasons with the Nets. The final piece of the trade, Pat Connaughton, set an NBA Combine record with his vertical jump. A deadly three-point shooter, Connaughton averaged 11.4 points-per-game in his senior season at Notre Dame, making over 40 percent of his shots from long range. He is also no slouch on defense and led the team in blocks with 16.
Oklahoma City Thunder trade Jeremy Lamb to the Charlotte Hornets for Luke Ridnour and a conditional 2016 second-round draft pick
Grade- B-
Part of a series of moves invovling Ridnour, the Thunder were finally able to part ways with former UConn Husky, Jeremy Lamb. Although Ridnour was subsequently traded away, the Thunder salvaged a draft pick from the deal.
Memphis Grizzlies trade Luke Ridnour to the Charlotte Hornets for Matt Barnes
Grade- B
The third trade involving Ridnour sent the 34 year-old back to the Hornets in exchange for shooting forward Matt Barnes. Barnes was traded to the Hornets from the Clippers ten days prior and brings strong shooting to an already-deep Grizzlies bench. The 35 year-old veteran has been troublesome over the past several seasons (most notably the incident with James Harden's mother in last year's playoffs), but has game left in him that will make him the primary backup to Jeff Green at shooting forward.
Golden State Warriors trade David Lee to the Boston Celtics for Gerald Wallace
Grade- B-
The Warriors were expected to ship Lee and pulled through, dumping his $15.5 million salary to the Celtics. Lee showed he still has effective production left in the tank in the 2015 NBA Finals and brings much-needed size and leadership to a young Celtics organization. In the latest NBA trade, 14-year veteran Gerald Wallace was the compensation sent to Golden State. Wallace is coming off of the least productive season of his career and will likely spend extensive time on the bench behind young, talented forwards on the Warriors. Nevertheless, both teams got what they wanted out of the trade's centerpiece in David Lee.