Re-grading every NBA Draft night trade from 2022
NBA Draft trade grade: Rockets trade for TyTy Washington Jr.
This was a byproduct of the very complicated trade that sent Christian Wood to Dallas. TyTy Washington was mostly relegated to bench-warming or G-League duties in his rookie season with Houston; the same can be said for Moore in year one with Minnesota. Another wash, for now.
Rockets: C
Timberwolves: C
NBA Draft trade grade: Grizzlies trade De’Anthony Melton to 76ers
The Sixers made out like bandits here. De’Anthony Melton was their best perimeter defender all season and it translated to the playoffs. After years of not being able to rely on their bench, the Sixers received 25+ minutes of quality two-way basketball from Melton on a nightly basis. He even started over Tyrese Maxey for a period.
The Grizzlies moved on from Danny Green at the trade deadline shortly after his return from a torn ACL. David Roddy meanwhile showed very promising flashes despite the sea of depth around him on the Grizzlies’ roster. The primary motivator for trading Melton was likely the fear of paying him in a couple years. If Roddy can become a bankable rotation piece, the Grizzlies could justify the maneuver — even if Melton’s elite defensive playmaking and near-40 percent success rate on 3s would have probably benefited the wayward Grizz.
76ers: A
Grizzlies: C+
NBA Draft trade grade: Grizzlies and Wolves fumble Walker Kessler
The Grizzlies, on the surface, made a very sensible move here. With a deep roster and a desire to contend, there was no point in stockpiling late first-round picks. Consolidating and getting a prospect they really wanted in the late-teens was the right decision. Jake LaRavia only appeared in 35 games for Memphis, but it’s hard to find minutes for 21-year-olds on the deepest contender in the West. He looked good in his sparse playing time and he projects as a solid long-term investment.
The Wolves, however, hit the jack pocket with young rim protector Walker Kessler in the No. 22 spot. Kessler’s rim protection numbers were off the charts as a rookie and he’s already trending in the direction of perennial All-Defense contention. Imagine if Kessler can serve as a sort of twin tower next to Karl-Anthony Towns in the frontcourt long-term. His shot-blocking and efficient finishing around the rim would, in theory, pair nicely with KAT’s long-range shooting.
Wait, what’s that? The Wolves traded Kessler and their entire draft future for Rudy Gobert? And now Kessler is the starting center in Utah, doing his best Gobert impression? Oh, well…
The Grizzlies, who sorely missed Steven Adams’ presence in the middle last season, probably wish they were the ones with Kessler right now.
Wolves: F (but should’ve been an A)
Grizzlies: D+