NBA Trade Deadline: GIF grades

By Ian Levy | Feb 24, 2017

Oct 29, 2016; Milwaukee, WI, USA; Brooklyn Nets guard Bojan Bogdanovic (44) dribbles the ball in front of Milwaukee Bucks forward Giannis Antetokounmpo (34) in the fourth quarter at BMO Harris Bradley Center. Mandatory Credit: Benny Sieu-USA TODAY Sports /

We are all citizens of the modern digital age, which means words can only take us so far in the communication of ideas and emotions. If we really want to deeply grok something a pop culture GIF is really the only choice. As such, I have gotten in the habit of using GIFs to grade trades, draft picks and player performances.

Behold, GIF grades for every deal completed at (or around) the 2017 NBA Trade deadline. For a touch of nostalgia, all GIFs have been selected from movies that I remember fondly from my childhood. Please enjoy and let me know if there’s anything I got wrong. If you prefer a more conventional means of analysis, check out our NBA Trade Deadline winners and losers.

Changing backups

Rockets Get

Marcelo Huertas

Lakers Get

Tyler Ennis

Houston Rockets grade:

Los Angeles Lakers grade:

The Raptors aren’t done dealing

Raptors Get

SF, P.J. Tucker

Suns Get

PF, Jared Sullinger; Two Second Round Picks (2017 and 2018)

Toronto Raptors grade:

Phoenix Suns grade:

In with one stretch four, out with another

Hawks Get

Second round pick

Suns Get

PF, Mike Scott

Atlanta Hawks grade:

Phoenix Suns grade:

All about the Benjamins

Nuggets Get

C, Roy Hibbert

Bucks Get

Second Round Pick

Denver Nuggets grade:

Milwaukee Bucks grade:

Swapping shooters

Thunder Get

SF, Doug McDermott; PF, Taj Gibson; 2018 Second Round Pick

Bulls Get

PG, Cameron Payne; PF, Joffrey Lauvergne; SG, Anthony Morrow

Oklahoma City Thunder grade:

Chicago Bulls grade:

The Rockets free up some cap space

Rockets Get

Cap space

Nets Get

SF, K.J. McDaniels

Houston Rockets grade:

Brooklyn Nets grade:

The 76ers finally part ways with Noel

76ers Get

SF, Justin Anderson; C, Andrew Bogut; 2017 First Round Pick

Mavericks Get

Nerlens Noel

Philadelphia 76ers grade:

Dallas Mavericks grade:

Another piece of The Process

Hawks Get

PF, Ersan Ilyasova

76ers Get

C, Tiago Splitter; future second round pick; second round pick swap

Philadelphia 76ers grade:

Atlanta Hawks grade:

The Wizards address a need

Wizards Get

SG, Bojan Bogdanovic; PF, Chris McCullough

Nets Get

SG, Marcus Thornton; PF, Andrew Nicholson; 2017 first round pick (WAS)

Washington Wizards grade:

Brooklyn Nets grade:

Sweet Lou

Lakers Get

SF, Corey Brewer; 2017 first round pick (HOU)

Rockets Get

SG, Lou Williams

Los Angeles Lakers grade:

Houston Rockets grade:

The big kahuna

Pelicans Get

C, DeMarcus Cousins; SF, Omri Casspi

Kings Get

SG, Buddy Hield; SG, Tyreke Evans; SG, Langston Galloway; 2017 first round pick; 2017 second round pick

New Orleans Pelicans grade:

Sacramento Kings grade:

Toronto makes their move

Raptors Get

PF, Serge Ibaka

Magic Get

SF, Terrence Ross; 2017 first round pick (from TOR)

Toronto Raptors grade:

Orlando Magic grade:

The trade that started it all

Trail Blazers Get

C, Jusuf Nurkic; 2017 first round pick (via Memphis)

Nuggets Get

C, Mason Plumlee; 2018 second round pick

Portland Trail Blazers grade:

Denver Nuggets grade: