Welcome To Hollywood
In a three-team deal between the Los Angeles Clippers, the New York Knicks and the Washington Wizards, Marcus Morris and Isaiah Thomas are coming to Cali. This trade puts the Clippers in tip-top shape to win it all. The Lakers also wanted Morris, but it’s the blue and red that won out. Welcome to Hollywood! What’s your dream? Answer: A NBA title.
Welcome to Miami
Andre Igoudala did not want to play for the Memphis Grizzlies anymore, like at all. Well lucky for him, the Miami Heat wanted to get a little hotter.
In a three-team deal between the Heat, the Grizzlies and the Minnesota Timberwolves, Igoudala, Jae Crowder and Solomon Hill go to Miami. Justise Winslow, Dion Waiters and Gorgui Dieng go to the Grizzlies, and James Johnson goes to the Timberwolves.
With this trade, the Heat are sitting pretty to compete in the Eastern Conference this year and beyond. For Igoudala’s part, he signed a two-year, $30 million contract extension that includes a team option in 2021-22.
From the Golden State to the Coldest State
Ask and you shall receive, even if it takes a little while.
The Minnesota Timberwolves have acquired D’Angelo Russell, Omari Spellman and Jacob Evans from the Golden State Warriors for the much-maligned Andrew Wiggins, a 2021 first-round pick (top-3 protected) and 2021 second-round pick.
It’s an important trade for the future of both teams and will be interesting to see if Wiggins can become the player he was expected to be with a change of scenery that includes coach Steve Kerr and will eventually see him play alongside Steph Curry.
The Four-Team Deal Heard ‘Round the League
The trade frenzy started on Tuesday with a four-team deal between the Timberwolves, the Houston Rockets, the Atlanta Hawks and the Denver Nuggets. Everyone gets the following:
Timberwolves: Malik Beasley, Juancho Hernangomez, Evan Turner, Jarred Vanderbilt and the Nets 2020 first-round pick – top-14 protected (from the Hawks)
Rockets: Robert Covington, Jordan Bell and the Warriors 2024 second-round pick (from the Hawks)
Hawks: Clint Capela and Nene
Nuggets: Shabazz Napier, Noah Vonleh, Keita Bates-Diop, Gerald Green and the Rockets 202 first-round pick
76ers Upgrade
The Philadelphia 76ers upgraded their three-point shooting game (which is important in basketball) by acquiring Glen Robinson III and Alec Burks from the Warriors in exchange for three future second-round picks.
Before the trade, Philly ranked 23rd in three-pointers made per game and 21st in the NBA in three-point percentage. These are not great numbers for a team that wants to be a playoff contender. Robinson and Burks should bring these numbers up significantly.