The 2024 NBA commerce deadline has formally handed, and whereas we did not see any high-profile names get dealt, a number of groups made impactful strikes. Listed below are 4 offers that did not dominate the headlines however may have vital implications down the street.
Mavericks land middle Daniel Gafford
The Mavericks made one of many extra notable trades on Thursday by buying former Hornets ahead P.J. Washington, however the Gafford deal was their greatest transfer by far. As a part of the settlement, Dallas despatched Washington a 2024 first-round choose by way of Oklahoma Metropolis and middle Richaun Holmes, who acquired inconsistent enjoying time, for Gafford, one of many NBA’s most underrated rim protectors.
The 25-year-old averaged 10.9 factors, eight rebounds, 2.2 blocks and one steal throughout 45 video games as Washington’s beginning middle this season however will probably assume a bench position in Dallas. Nonetheless, the transfer from a lackluster Wizards backcourt to enjoying with Luka Doncic and Kyrie Irving will likely be a night-and-day distinction for Gafford, and his skillset must be a really perfect match with the All-Star guards.
Other than the much-needed rim safety that Gafford will present for a workforce permitting the ninth-most factors within the paint per sport (53.5), his proficiency in pick-and-roll conditions will likely be a wonderful complement to Doncic and Irving’s skills. In accordance with NBA superior stats, Gafford averages 1.43 factors per possession as a roll man this season, the Nineteenth-most within the Affiliation.
Thunder add veteran ahead Gordon Hayward
Regardless of already having the items wanted to make an NBA Finals run, the Thunder determined to choose up a gentle veteran in Hayward to shore up their bench with out giving up a lot. Oklahoma Metropolis despatched Tre Mann, Davis Bertans, Vasilije Micic and two second-round picks to Charlotte to land the one-time All-Star.
In 25 video games this season, Hayward has averaged 14.5 factors, 4.7 rebounds and 4.6 assists whereas capturing 46.8% from the sphere and 36.1% from three-point vary. Though he hasn’t performed since Dec. 26 with a calf problem, Hayward ought to swimsuit up for Oklahoma Metropolis ahead of later, as he was deemed “pretty close” to returning to motion by Hornets HC Steve Clifford earlier this week.
Hayward ought to function a flexible piece on each ends of the ground for Oklahoma Metropolis and may very well be a extra environment friendly shooter now that he’ll probably play fewer minutes than he did in Charlotte. His locker room presence alone is already a useful asset to the NBA’s second-youngest roster earlier than it gears up for its first true postseason run, however a wholesome Hayward’s impression on the courtroom may swing a playoff sequence.
Nets flip ahead Royce O’Neale for draft capital
The Nets did not make as huge of a splash on the deadline as they may’ve, however they did execute two crucial strikes, even when they did not enhance their roster. Buying Dennis Schroder and Thaddeus Younger from Toronto for Spencer Dinwiddie is not significantly noteworthy, but it surely does liberate cap area for 2025. Even so, the return the Nets acquired for O’Neale of their three-team take care of Phoenix and Memphis is an enormous win for GM Sean Marks.
Brooklyn netted three second-round picks, together with ahead Keita Bates-Diop and guard Jordan Goodwin, in trade for O’Neale. A trio of second-rounders is a big haul for the upcoming free agent O’Neale, particularly since he was solely averaging 7.4 factors per sport this season whereas capturing simply 36.6% from past the arc. It is also price mentioning that Bates-Diop has a participant choice for subsequent season, whereas Goodwin has a workforce choice, so it will be intriguing to see whether or not both of their contracts will likely be packaged this offseason in one other commerce.
With extra draft capital at their disposal and ample cap area quickly to be accessible, the trail for the Nets to return to the playoffs within the coming years is clearer than it was earlier within the week.
Timberwolves choose up level guard Monte Morris
There have been loads of rumors swirling that Minnesota was trying to find a backup level guard, and it discovered its reply on Wednesday, buying Morris from Detroit for Shake Milton, Troy Brown Jr. and a 2030 second-round choose.
On the floor, Morris may not seem to be an impactful addition since he has averaged solely 4.5 factors and 1.3 assists in six video games this season after being sidelined for 3 months with a quadriceps harm. Nevertheless, if he can return to the extent of play he displayed over his 5 seasons with Denver and for Washington final season, he’ll be a precious piece to Minnesota’s title hopes.
Throughout his seven profession seasons, Morris has averaged 10.4 factors, 4.0 assists and a couple of.5 rebounds per sport. Together with the postseason expertise he is providing the Timberwolves, Morris’ three-point capturing (38.9% for his profession) will likely be a welcome addition to a workforce that ranks seventeenth in offensive ranking (115.1) and struggles to area the ground at occasions.