The tumbleweeds are blowing and the discussions are running dry in the league discord threads, which can only mean one thing- we have passed the trade deadline. Sometimes the NSL deadline can disappoint as there is always a chance, on a daily basis, that a blockbuster could go down. This usually means the league has taken shape prior to the last drinks bell ringing, whereas in the NBA the flurry of moves is usually held until the last-minute deadline for a miraculous display of fireworks. This year the NSL did not disappoint and the deadline was almost a perfect simulation of what you’d expect in the NBA. Contenders landed star players, horrible contracts were shipped off and a few teams sealed their fate for the remainder of the season cementing themselves as either contenders or rebuilders. Let’s take a look at the NSL trade deadline grades.

 

Toronto Raptors - B+

In: Aaron Gordon, Jalen McDaniels and a 2^nd round pick
Out: Dillon Brooks, Tor 24 1^st and two 2^nd round picks

I profess to being a fan of Aaron Gordon, his size, athleticism and NBA fit with Jokic is awesome to watch. GM Dylan has been subtly building throughout 2024 with precise moves that have constantly been additive. They continue to get better while remarkably getting younger. Gordon is 28 years old and will be an excellent defensive role player for years to come. For the cost of a good defender in Brooks and a first-round pick that will be selected this year this move makes so much sense.

Image: https://media.tenor.com/E_5v5qSbKYwAAAAM/aaron-gordon-denver-nuggets.gif

 

Cleveland Cavaliers- B

In: Julian Strawther, Bismack Biyombo, Orlando Robinson, and 3 2nds
Out: Sam Hauser, Mason Plumlee, and Moses Brown

Choosing to get younger but add players who can still contribute was a wise move from GM Shams who, after a flurry of injuries, might be one year away. In a couple of clever moves he was able to turn Plumlee into Bismack (arguable upgrade) and Sam Hauser and Moses Brown into two promising young guys in Strawther and potentially glitchy Orlando Robinson. The 3 second round picks on top is gravy. We’ve come to expect great trades from Shams and once again he hasn’t let us down.

 

Denver Nuggets- B-

In: Donovan Mitchell, Nick Richards, Danillo Gallinari expiring, Caleb Martin expiring, 40 GMs
Out: Stephen Curry, Thomas Bryant expiring, Toscano-Anderson expiring, 4 x 2nds

The Nuggets shocked the league taking part in the biggest deal of the deadline, proving GM Digga to be a man of his word, “Steph Curry will be traded by the deadline”. Steph’s NSL resume doesn’t need to be talked about in depth, we all know he’s an MVP and once again will be in the running for the award, in an engine that is built for his archetype. He now joins one of, if not the best team in the league and will set his sights for his first NSL title. The return of a star in Donovan Mitchell and a paint defender in Nick Richards justifies the trade for Denver. Out goes Curry, Bryant and second round picks (you could argue that Denver should be receiving the picks) and the deal is done. Donovan staying in Cleveland in the NBA is key to this deal for the Nuggets but Nick Richards must’ve enticed a GM who has been chasing size since Willy Hernangomez packed his bags for Europe. The general feel is the Nuggets missed out on a proper pay packet for an NSL MVP.

Image: https://cbssports.com/images/visual/whatshot/USATSI_8918131.jpg

 

San Antonio Spurs- C+

In: Kevin Huerter, Seth Curry, Luka Samanic (Free agent), Kobe Brown
Out: Hardaway Jr, Thanasis (waived), Jalen McDaniels, Dalano Banton

The Spurs parted with some size, potential and a proven scorer/ 6^th man candidate in Hardaway Jr and brought back an injured Kevin Huerter (though his game is good irl), two raw prospects in Samanic and Brown and an injured Seth Curry. The mentality here was likely that Seth can cover a portion of Hardawy’s role come playoffs, while some of the existing players on the roster can fill the SG minutes. The moves here won’t help the Spurs win this year’s title but might help in the future.

 

Phoenix Suns- B+

In: Bojan Bogdanovic, Patrick Williams, Kevin Love, Dalano Banton
Out: Kevin Huerter, Al Horford, Isaiah Jackson, Kobe Brown

The Suns had a low-key winning deadline moving off oft-traded, “Old man” Horford and a couple of younger guys to bring in proven vets Bojan Bogdanovic and Kevin Love with two promising young role players, Banton and Williams. The roster was made deeper and experience was added which will give them every opportunity to steal the last play-in spot in the West. Phoenix sit 6 games back from Memphis who have been fumbling over the last fortnight, they will need to find form soon or risk being snuck up on by the Suns.

 

Memphis Grizzlies- A

In: Terry Rozier, Rui Hachimura, Mason Plumlee, Lonnie Walker, Mavericks 2024 2nd round pick
Out: Bradley Beal, Marcus Sasser, Julian Strawther

The Grizzlies come out of the deadline as one of the winners after regrouping following a vetoed deal involving Fred Vanvleet, to hustle back value for the inflated Bradley Beal contract. Where does one go when needing inflated value for a terrible asset… Enter GM Klemm. *pray* He won’t like that, sorry Klemm. The Kings have once again let a top tier franchise off the hook in a move reminiscent of the Westbrook-Portland trade where the rest of the league looked on in helpless frustration. For the Grizz, they bring back Scary Terry who is better in this engine than Beal, they add Rui who is a solid role player though not great in game and a handy duo of Plumlee and Walker. The second-round pick is the cherry on top and navigating the apron will be a tad easier next season.

Image: https://media.tenor.com/dZFNGdf0qzQAAAAM/bradley-beal.gif

 

Dallan Mavericks- B+

In: Kyle Kuzma
Out: Rui Hachimura, Nassir Little and 3x 2 second round picks

Small moves with gradual gains, GM LJ upgrades Rui to a useful player in this year’s engine, Kyle Kuzma. I’ve never been a big Kuz guy but I can see the appeal of this deal for the Mavs. Rui isn’t a 2k guy and he’s undersized at PF, Little is a non-factor and 3 seconds isn’t worth mentioning when you add a useful guy. LJ has done well to not add a first-round pick. Nice deal for Mavs.

 

Golden State Warriors- B-

In: Nassir Little + 2027 NYK 2nd
Out: Bismack Biyombo

Adding a pick and a guaranteed salary is worthwhile for the Warriors though I wouldn’t want Little’s contract. Biyombo has some 2k appeal, I’d want more for him but when selling you get what you can.

 

Minnesota Timberwolves- B

In: Dario Saric, Cam Reddish
Out: Kira Lewis jr, Leonard Miller, Jordan Goodwin, 2x seconds

I might’ve got this wrong because I deleted the Finney-Smith for Melton part due to it being some time ago and not at the deadline, though a great deal and fit for Minnesota. The Wolves added Saric and Reddish who are both useful role players who fit the system well. Out go a bunch of nobodies with second round picks that were spent well the contending team. GM Ethan knows his build stacks up and he’s paid the price for a little insurance for his maiden title run. Good deadline dealing.

 

New Orleans Pelicans- B+

In: Al Horford, Isaiah Jackson, Kris Dunn, Kai Jones (free agency)
Out: Pat Williams, Kevin Love, Daniel Theis, Lindy Waters, Pho 2024 2nd, 30 point lux fine

Making a point of emphasis to add size GM Leeroy went and got a proven 2k commodity to start at PF in Horford and added a couple glitchy paint prodigies in Jackson, and Jones via free agency. Not forgetting Kris Dunn coming in will also give them a defensive identity when their gunners Luka and Kyrie take 5. The cost was Williams and some veteran role players which I think is a low-key bargain, though Williams has some potential and a guaranteed role in the NBA. After the deadline the Pels are one of the few teams that raised their ceiling and went from first round exit to finals potential. Make no mistake, they are a threat this year.

Image: https://media.tenor.com/Y6Ojg0ZI38oAAAAM/celtics-al.gif

 

New York Knicks- A

In: Dillon Brooks, Leonard Miller, 1st NY 24, 1st TOR 24, 1st NY 25, 2nd OKC 25, 2nd BOS 26, 2nd ORL 27
Out: Christian Braun, John Collins, Seth Curry, 1st SA 25, 1st MIN 24, 30 point lux fine

The Knicks might be the winner of the trade deadline, the more I look at the return. There were multiple trades which churned the butter and added flavour to this already stacked roster and they gained flexibility in getting their 2024 and 2025 first round picks and an extra one on top for good measure. At one point they had Aaron Gordon before he was moved onto Toronto. So, after the dust settles, Smokey essentially turns Collins, Braun and 2 projected late firsts in (SA and Minny) for Brooks, who I love, 3 firsts, 2 of which are his own and 3 second rounders. I’d argue Brooks for Collins is a good return straight up but Smokey gets his value once again. Clever dealing.

 

Philadelphia 76ers- Ben Scores it an A+, I’ll go with B

Nenjamin gets a second-round pick for GM points. He’s chuffed and the machine rolls on. Nenjamin could’ve been more active adding players to make a run at the East this year but he sat on his Guard x Center approach. He might’ve missed an opportunity at a deep run this season but he’s lost no assets at the deadline.

 

LA Clippers- B

In: Daniel Theis
Out: Drew Eubanks

Conley for Brown was done a while before the deadline so I won’t include it here, but the Clippers use their space to add Theis for Eubanks. Nothing to see here, fine deal.

 

Sacramento Kings- *sigh*

In: Bradley Beal, Santi Aldama, Marcus Sasser, Sam Hauser, Moses Brown, David Roddy, Pho 25 2^nd, Den 28 2^nd
Out: Kyle Kuzma, Terry Rozier, Lonnie Walker, Derrick Jones Jr, Jaxson Hayes, Orlando and SA 27 2^nd

Before writing this, I admit I haven’t come up with a grade for Sacramento. Surface level analysis says that Beal is the best rated player, Hauser has some potential but will likely never be a 2k guy, Aldama is big and getting some burn in Memphis- is he a long-term role player? The rest of the pieces aren’t really worth talking about. Kuz and Terry were probably the Kings best players and Lonnie, DJJ, Jaxson Hayes were all important role players for the squad that relied on glitch to upset good teams. And the three mentioned above aren’t old, all in their mid-20s. On a surface level it’s probably a B- but there is a lot in this.

Beal will be making $50 million next year, then more(!) the next two years afterwards. He is a glorified shooter in the NBA at current state and might be the worst contract in the league. Beal is always injured and he’s 30 years old so will probably never be durable. He is essentially who he is and the arrow is pointing in one direction. I’d hate to commit that money to him from a roster building point of view.  

Add to that the fact that Memphis GM Rootsy was hardcapped up to his eyeballs, had just missed out on a vetoed blockbuster trade 20 hours before the deadline and was scrambling to get off the Beal contract (though he put up an incredible façade- excellent GM work) with the timer running down. All leverage should’ve been with the Kings… And they gave up most of their roster and their two best players to accommodate Beal. It’s a tough pill to swallow for Sac fans.

Klemm is a legendary GM, an NSL Finalist and gun at the controls. He will make Beal look amazing and will get him firing on all cylinders throughout the back end of this season. But it looks like the Kings will be in trouble for the rest of this season and building a roster around Beal and Grant might not be a great outlook. The Beal contract is a big whiff but because I love Klemm as a mate, GM and personality of the league, I will give it a C+.