Stacking up West contenders after flurry of trade deadline deals
The NBA trade deadline struck at 2 p.m. CT Thursday and the Minnesota Timberwolves did not make any additional moves after acquiring Monte Morris from the Detroit Pistons on Wednesday.
The rest of the Western Conference was busy with a flurry of deals that could help shape the second half of the season and the playoff race, which entering Thursday's slate of games features a three-way tie at the top between the Wolves, Thunder and Nuggets, with the Clippers just a half-game behind them all.
The Clippers, Nuggets, Lakers and Warriors didn't make any moves. Neither did the New Orleans Pelicans, who were rumored to be targeting Atlanta guard Dejounte Murray, who wound staying with the Hawks. Sacramento traded for Robin Lopez but will reportedly waive him, so it's a non-factor for the Kings.
Let's run through the teams in the West that were active and why each move matters.
Minnesota Timberwolves
The moves: Acquired Monte Morris from Detroit in exchange for Shake Milton, Troy Brown Jr. and a 2030 second-round pick.
Why it matters: Minnesota desperately needed a point guard to improve the team's turnover issues and provide scoring punch off the bench. Milton and Brown Jr. were barely even in the rotation so Morris immediately makes the Wolves more dangerous on offense, while giving them even more depth for the stretch run.
Oklahoma City Thunder
The moves: Traded Tre Mann and Davis Bertans to the Hornets for Gordon Hayward.
What it matters: Hayward brings experience and scoring to a young Thunder lineup that is a legitimate contender. The 2023-24 impact could be big if he's able to return from leg injuries that have kept him sidelined since Dec. 26. In 25 games this season he's averaged 14.5 points, 4.7 rebounds and 4.6 assists. If he doesn't provide a spark this season for OKC, his $31.5 million contract comes off the books and gives the Thunder more firepower to spend this summer.
Dallas Mavericks
The moves: Acquired center Daniel Gafford from the Wizards for Richaun Holmes and draft compensation. Then Dallas went and traded Grant Williams, Seth Curry and a first-round pick to the Hornets for forward P.J. Washington.
Why it matters: Gafford is a starting center who in 45 games has averaged 10.9 points, 8.0 rebounds and 2.2 blocks this season. He's a defensive force who can take pressure off of 19-year-old rookie Dereck Lively. Washington can also jump into the starting lineup in place of Derrick Jones Jr. and provide offense and defensive versatility. The Mavericks have elite-level offense when Luka Doncic and Kyrie Irving are cooking but they're one of the worst defensive teams in the league, so this is definitely an upgrade.
Phoenix Suns
The moves: Royce O'Neale joins the Suns in a trade from Brooklyn that cost Phoenix three second-round picks. It was actually a three-team trade involving Memphis, which sent David Roddy to the Suns.
Why it matters: O'Neale is an excellent 3-and-D player who was linked to the Timberwolves in the weeks leading up to the trade deadline. The Suns needed an upgrade on defense and in getting that they also added scoring depth to go along with Devin Booker, Kevin Durant, Bradley Beal, Grayson Allen and Eric Gordon. Roddy brings physicality and toughness off the bench.
Nov 15, 2023; Phoenix, Arizona, USA; Phoenix Suns guard Devin Booker (1) reacts against the Minnesota Timberwolves in the first half at Footprint Center.
Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports
Utah Jazz
The moves: The Jazz, after back-to-back wins over the Bucks and Thunder, moved Kelly Olynyk and Ochai Agbaji to the Raptors for Kira Lewis, Otto Porter and a 2024 first-round pick. They also sent Simone Fontecchio to the Pistons for a 2024 second-round pick.
Why it matters: The first-round pick is reportedly the least favorable of the Thunder, Clippers, Rockets and Jazz so it's likely a late first-round pick, either from the Clippers or Thunder. But it's another bullet in the chamber for the Jazz to bolster a young nucleus around Lauri Markkanen, Collin Sexton, Keyonte George and Walker Kessler.
Summation
The Timberwolves, Thunder, Mavericks and Suns all have reasons to believe they're better today than they were earlier this week. The Clippers are the hottest team in the conference and trust what they have going on, the Nuggets are getting hot and carrying the confidence as defending champs, and the Pelicans are clearly going to give it a go without any drastic changes.
Without making moves, the Lakers and Warriors are trusting their aging lineups to put things together and give them a puncher's chance in the playoffs. The Jazz could be a scary opponent if they get into the playoffs, and they certainly have positioned themselves for a brighter future.
The next big moves will come via the buyout market, which could include some talented players looking to work for cheap as rental players on contending teams. The buyout market opens as soon as players are waived and clear waivers, though they must be signed by March 1 to be eligible for the playoffs.
One notable player who will not hit the buyout market is Doug McDermott. The 3-point specialist was a buyout candidate until the Spurs dealt him the Pacers. Minnesota was among the teams reportedly interested if he had become available on the waiver wire.
