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NBA Trade Deadline 2019: The 30-team mega-deal that solves nothing and makes everyone mad

By Ian Levy

PHILADELPHIA, PA - JANUARY 19: Jimmy Butler #23 of the Philadelphia 76ers in action against the Oklahoma City Thunder during a game at Wells Fargo Center on January 19, 2019 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. The Thunder defeated the Sixers 117-115. (Photo by Rich Schultz/Getty Images)
PHILADELPHIA, PA - JANUARY 19: Jimmy Butler #23 of the Philadelphia 76ers in action against the Oklahoma City Thunder during a game at Wells Fargo Center on January 19, 2019 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. The Thunder defeated the Sixers 117-115. (Photo by Rich Schultz/Getty Images) /
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OAKLAND, CA – JANUARY 11: Robin Lopez #42 of the Chicago Bulls walks back onto court after a timeout during the game against the Golden State Warriors at ORACLE Arena on January 11, 2019 in Oakland, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Lachlan Cunningham/Getty Images)
OAKLAND, CA – JANUARY 11: Robin Lopez #42 of the Chicago Bulls walks back onto court after a timeout during the game against the Golden State Warriors at ORACLE Arena on January 11, 2019 in Oakland, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Lachlan Cunningham/Getty Images) /

Golden State Warriors

Sending out: Shaun Livingston (HOU), Jacob Evans (CHA), Damian Jones (WAS)

Bringing in: Robin Lopez

To be fair, the Warriors don’t actually need anything. However, the rest of the league appears closer to them than they have at any point during this dynastic era and Robin Lopez’s defense, passing and size could certainly be useful in a few different hypothetical playoff matchups. Lopez may end up getting bought out eventually and arrive in Golden State for a much lower cost than the admittedly steep one they’re paying here. But in orchestrating this monstrosity of a league-wide trade I don’t have the luxury of considering back-up plans.

Evans looked like a value pick and Jones was giving them good minutes before a season-ending pectoral tear. But neither is doing anything for the Warriors championship odds this season and, despite all the talk of enjoying the ride, finishing the playoffs with a win is the most important goal. Giving up Livingston may be a tough pill to swallow, but he’s playing the fewest minutes of his Golden State tenure and shooting the lowest 2-point percentage he’s had as a Warrior. I won’t argue if you prefer Livingston’s added value to Lopez’s but these are the tough choices you have to make when you’re a basketball columnist pretending to be an NBA general manager.

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