Within this article I have broken down each one of the trades that occurred from week 1-present in the NSL.  There has been a ton of movement in the early going of this season, including some big names on the move.  The feedback within this article is my own, and does not reflect the general thoughts or feelings of any GM�s involved in any trades.  Let�s get to it. 

 

The Utah Jazz send Moses Brown to the Washington Wizards. The Washington Wizards send a 2nd-Rounder (Por) to the Utah Jazz.

This trade could also have been slotted into the rebuilding moves category, as the Jazz amassed yet another pick in their cupboard of draft assets, but Brown has performed well enough as a member of the Wizards.  He�s only received about 10 minutes of run per game, but is shooting over 60% from the field and pulling in almost 5 rebounds.  A 7-footer is always valuable in the NSL, and for such a small cost, I think the Wizards got the better of this one here.

Winner: Wizards, in the short term.

The Phoenix Suns send Jaylen Nowell to the Sacramento Kings. The Sacramento Kings send Nick Richards to the Phoenix Suns

I viewed this move as a positional swap that allowed both teams to beef up area�s of the roster they were weaker in heading into the season.  Both players have found an increased role with their new team, and for Nowell he found a new form.  He�s doubled his shooting %, doubled his points per game, and raised his +/- be it by just a bit.  Barring a major jump from either player, this is as wash of a trade as it gets, a true win-win, or null-null for both sides.

Winner: Everybody, or nobody?  Time will tell.

 

The Dallas Mavericks send Myles Turner to the Phoenix Suns. The Phoenix Suns send Saddiq Bey and Aleksej Pokusevski to the Dallas Mavericks. The Dallas Mavericks send a 1st-Rounder (NY) to the Phoenix Suns. The Phoenix Suns send a 1st-Rounder (Atl) to the Dallas Mavericks.

This is quite the interesting swap to dissect.  On one hand, you have 2 teams fighting for relevance in the bottom of the WCF, as both teams seemingly tried to make a move here that would elevate their team to contention.  On the other hand, you have picks changing hands that I believe, were not expected to be valued at where they are currently.  It�s a fascinating one to look at.  Myles Turner has performed better in a Suns uniform.  He has increased his shooting percentage from 36% to 49%, while also taking on an additional half block per game.  His rebounds per game are up from 11 to 13 per, and his +/- number has drastically improved since the move.  Bey has also signinficantly improved his number almost across the board, though his shooting % is down a bit.  Not surprising with an expanded role.  The key to this trade from a player standpoint likely comes down to what the Mavs get out of Poku in the short and long term.  He�s a player with a ton of potential, much of it yet to be unlocked.  As touched on earlier, many around the league expected the Knicks especially, but also the Hawks to be contenders coming into the season.  After a stumbling out of the gate by both teams, you�ve got to wonder if there will be regret on one side or the other when these picks convey next spring.

Winner: Suns by a hair, though this one could go either way long term.

 

The Cleveland Cavaliers send Kelly Olynyk to the New Orleans Pelicans. The New Orleans Pelicans send Richaun Holmes and Trendon Watford to the Cleveland Cavaliers. The Cleveland Cavaliers send a 2nd-Rounder (Tor) and 2nd-Rounder (Was) to the New Orleans Pelicans.

 

Yet another contention minded move from the Pelicans saw them bring in another handy piece in Kelly O into the fray.  He�s responded well by shooting almost 60% from the field and from 3, while also doubling his rebound total.  Richaun Holmes has had some rekindling of his own, bringing back the memory of why he was one of the more sought after FA�s just a year ago.  He�s also increased his number almost across the board after the switch.  There must be some real belief that Watford can grow into a role player at least for this Cavs team, as the two 2^nd rounders headed back to NO are a bit puzzling for the package received.  It�s tough to doubt GM Shams with the run he has been on though, so we will trust him here.

Winner: Pelicans, in the short term.

 

The LA Lakers send Kristaps Porzingis, Shake Milton and Austin Reaves to the New Orleans Pelicans. The New Orleans Pelicans send Terry Rozier and John Collins to the LA Lakers. The New Orleans Pelicans send a 2nd-Rounder (Cha), 1st-Rounder (NO) and 1st-Rounder (Cle) to the LA Lakers.

Perhaps the largest trade of the early going, is this one right here.  The Laker�s did what had been rumored since Cade�s injury, they moved towards the rebuild.  The Laker�s sent perhaps their 2 of their most impactful players from the early seasons going, along with their best shooter in a deal that brought them back a solid young pick, and a pretty solid guard in Rozier.  It hasn�t been the best of weeks for KP, who after 4 games has regressed in a Pelicans uniform.  He has brought in more rebounds in NO, so it hasn�t been all bad, but the Pelicans will surely hope to get more from the big man they paid a pretty penny for.  Both Milton and Reaves have plaid much larger roles with their new team, and will look to continue to build on their pecentages with their much larger usage rate.  Unfortunately Collins remains injured, though I am not sure that�s so unfortunate for the Lakers team obviously headed for a top lottery pick.  Rozier however has been okay in purple and gold through 1 week.  He�s doubled his usage in LA, and numbers are up across the board, outside of his dismal FG% of 36%.  He�s rumored to not be long for the Laker�s rebuilding roster. With the trade the Lakers have moved back into the 2024 1^st round of the draft, and it will be interesting to see how all of the picks and youth the Laker�s should bring in within the next few drafts will be utilized moving forward.

 

Winner: Pelicans, in the short term at least.

 

The Portland Trail Blazers send Patrick Beverley to the Utah Jazz. The Utah Jazz send Bogdan Bogdanovic to the Portland Trail Blazers. The Portland Trail Blazers send a 1st-Rounder (Min) to the Utah Jazz.

 

Yet another first round pick brought in by the Jazz.  GM Jase is giving a master class on draft asset addition.  He flipped an almost 30 year old sharp shooter here into yet another first round selection, and got a handy defensive piece in Beverley as well.  Even though Beverley�s number�s are down in Utah, this should still go down as a resounding win for the Jazz, unless Bogdonovic comes back from his absence and lights it up in Portland.  He is a long, and underrated scorer for a Portland team going for yet another trophy this season, and we know better than to count out JMAC.

 

Winner: Jazz, barring a total draft bust.

 

The Cleveland Cavaliers send Davis Bertans and Josh Christopher to the LA Lakers. The LA Lakers send Terry Rozier to the Cleveland Cavaliers. The LA Lakers send a 2nd-Rounder (Tor) to the Cleveland Cavaliers.

 

This is rumored to be an incomplete deal that will include more pieces come week 9, when additional player�s become trade eligible, but rather than speculate on that, we will go with what we have here in evidence.  The Cavaliers are bringing in a solid guard, who is now entering his 3^rd team on the season.  They are receiving him at a time when guard minutes will open up with a Dejounte Murray injury on the horizon.  The Cavaliers received an 80 overall guard for an empty salary Bertans, and a young guard in Christopher who has yet to make his was in the league.  Unfortunately, this trade just came in, and as a result we don�t have any in game impact to draw from, but there is something to be said for amassing talent and going for it the way GM Shams seems to be doing.  Another solid add, for an up and coming team, and GM.

 

Winner: Cavs

 

The Charlotte Hornets send Chris Paul and Brook Lopez to the Sacramento Kings. The Sacramento Kings send Nikola Vucevic and Buddy Hield to the Charlotte Hornets. The Charlotte Hornets receive 5 GM points. The Sacramento Kings trade -5 GM points.

 

The other early season blockbuster, saw a long time Hornet moved for 2 longtime Kings.  In what appears to be a move in which both teams are trying to bolster their contention stances, we see a swap of a guard and a big, for a guard and a big.  All players within this deal are approaching, or well past the age of 30, so why did this happen?  Well, you have a ball dominant guard already in Charlotte that is going no where soon in Luka Doncic, and GM Craig has always longed for a premier pick and roll/pop partner for his young guard.  The fact he comes from an oversees background is just a cherry on top, and should lead to greater chemistry within the organization.  Chris Paul once again becomes the lead guard, and leader of an organization that was sorely in need of a go to scorer down the stretch.  I personally think the Hornets are in a better position to succeed after the move, as they have long sought for a diversification of scoring between the front court and back court.  The Kings however walk away from this one with the highest rated player, and perhaps the player who will have the largest singular impact the rest of the way.  Another very balanced trade.

 

Winner: Hornets by a small margin, but both teams win here.