During the 2015 NBA draft there were nine trades executed and while 2016 seemed super hectic, there were technically the same amount — nine. The 3-team trade involving Jeff Teague, George Hill and the No. 12 pick went down on the eve of the draft, so if we count that then we hit double digits.
Boston came into draft night owning eight of the 60 selections (three in the 1st round) and surprising Danny Ainge only pulled the trigger on one stinkin’ trade! What gives?!
Regardless there were plenty of fireworks all over this draft and there will certainly be ramifications for the trades that went down. Upside & Motor has your winners and losers too!
Phoenix acquires Marquese Chriss, gives up two 1st round picks
Phoenix gets: Marquese Chriss (No. 8 pick in ’16 Draft)
Sacramento gets: Georgios Papagiannis (No. 13 pick in ’16 Draft), Skal Labissiere (No. 28 pick in ’16 Draft), rights to Bogdan Bogdanovic (No. 27 pick in ’14 Draft) and a 2020 2nd round pick
Phoenix really knocked this out of the park. They kept the No. 4 overall pick (Dragan Bender) and acquired another 18-year old with tremendous upside in Chriss. They were rumored to be super high on Chriss at No. 4 and this move allowed them to utilize later picks to get both players they wanted.
The Kings really KANGZ’d this trade. The trade itself was great. They didn’t like anyone at No. 8, so they trade down to add two 1st round picks and then use No. 13 on a guy who was projected in the early 2nd rd, at best. Weird, weird move honestly. Dave Joerger has his work cut out for him and clearly his star DeMarcus Cousins was NOT amused by the pick/s.
Orlando/Oklahoma City swap Ibaka and Oladipo
Orlando gets: Serge Ibaka
Oklahoma City gets: Victor Oladipo, Ersan Ilyasova and Domantas Sabonis (No. 11 pick in ’16 Draft)
I’m at a loss for what OKC is doing here. Ibaka is one of the more truly versatile power forwards in all of The Association and he played a pivotal role in their defense against the Warriors in the WCF. Though they came up short, it seems short-sighted to move him with their team on the cusp on a championship. However, I’m definitely here for a Westbrook/Dipo backcourt!!!
I really like this for the Magic. A lot of people think they gave up too much, but Swiss Army knife-like players like Ibaka don’t come cheap. Ilyasova can be a solid contributor but has never been truly consistent. They didn’t need Sabonis and Ibaka gives them the rim protector they needed next to defensive liability Nikola Vucevic.
Boston trades two 2nds for a future, conditional 1st
Boston gets: 2019 1st round pick (via Clippers)
Memphis gets: Deyonta Davis (No. 31 pick in ’16 Draft) and Rade Zagorac (No. 35 pick in ’16 Draft)
Boston had eight picks and no room for all of them, so a move had to be made. While the No. 3 overall pick had been the one rumored to be traded, it was two 2nd rd picks. Not the splash Ainge was hoping for I’m sure.
Memphis got a lottery-level talent in Davis and a solid international prospect in Zagorac. Great move by the Grizzlies. Add these picks to Wade Baldwin IV (No. 17 overall) and their draft haul was quite amazing.
Pelicans acquire rim-running Cheick Diallo
New Orleans gets: Cheick Diallo (No. 33 pick in ’16 Draft)
Clippers gets: David Michineau (No. 39 pick in ’16 Draft) and Diamond Stone (No. 40 pick in ’16 Draft)
The Pelicans move up to snag a guy who some thought was a mid-late 1st round selection in Diallo. His freshman year at Kansas was less-than-stellar, but he showed off his athleticism and rim protection during the combine. I like the move for NOP.
The Clippers acquire Diamond Stone who I really liked coming into this draft. The draft was just so deep with talented big men, so he slipped a bit. Quite honestly I just found out there’s a human named David Michineau in the world, and apparently the Clips like him. Who knew.
Golden State buys pick, select McCaw
Golden State gets: Patrick McCaw (No. 38 pick in ’16 Draft)
Milwaukee gets: “Other considerations” = CASH
The rich get richer (no, not the Bucks with this cash deal!) as the Warriors get quite possibly the best “3 and D” prospect in the entire draft. Yes, they had an epic collapse in the NBA Finals, but man oh man what a rebound. Oh yeah, they already signed him — smart!
Brooklyn/Utah swap 2nd round PGs
Brooklyn gets: Isaiah Whitehead (No. 42 pick in ’16 Draft)
Utah gets: Marcus Paige (No. 55 pick in ’16 Draft) and CASH
Whitehead is a local Brooklyn kid who attended high school at the famed Lincoln HS (think Sebastian Telfair and Lance Stephenson) and the Nets thought it was worth moving up to get him. He’s flawed as a true point guard but has the talent to be a solid combo guard.
The Jazz take Paige who enjoyed a fruitful 4-year career at North Carolina before making the jump. It’s difficult to see him making their roster next year.
Portland buys a 2nd rd pick from Orlando
Portland gets: Jake Layman (No. 47 pick in ’16 Draft)
Orlando gets: 2019 2nd rd pick and “Other considerations” = CASH
Neil Olshey just couldn’t stand the thought of not having a draft pick, so he called Orlando and said “Guys, I got money for you” and the deal was done. Good luck Jake!
Cleveland acquires Kay Felder
Cleveland gets: Kay Felder (No. 54 pick in ’16 Draft)
Atlanta gets: “Other considerations” = CASH
Felder rose to fame this year playing for Oakland as the diminutive point guard slashed and dashed his way into the hearts of many. LeBron James reportedly wanted Felder and what the champ wants, the champ gets.
Oklahoma City buys pick, takes Hamilton
Oklahoma City gets: Daniel Hamilton (No. 56 pick in ’16 Draft)
Denver gets: “Other considerations” = CASH
Sam Presti traded away Ibaka, but brought in a Husky, so all can be forgiven. Right? Guys? GUYS?!