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Arguably the most exciting night of the NBA offseason occurred Thursday night. Not just for the top college prospects to be selected during the NBA draft, but also trading players, picks, and future assets seems to happen more on draft night than any other day in the NBA calendar year. This year we saw a blockbuster trade, pick swaps, and even several trades in the second round. Here at OTG, we’re going to recap each trade from last night and do a quick breakdown for both sides. We will start in the order that they occurred in throughout Thursday night.
1.Chicago Bulls and Minnesota Timberwolves
Bulls receive: Zach LaVine, Kris Dunn and 7th pick (Lauri Markkanen)
Timberwolves receive: Jimmy Butler and 16th pick (Justin Patton)
Summary: The blockbuster trade everyone was expecting to happen kicked off the night with Jimmy Butler reuniting with his former coach Tom Thibodeau, and joining former 1st overall picks Karl Anthony Towns and Andrew Wiggins. This move should propel the Wolves to being relevant in the Western Conference, while the Bulls seem ready to start rebuilding from the ground up. With Rajon Rondo and Dwyane Wade’s days in Chicago numbered, Dunn and LaVine will look to lead the Bulls as one of the youngest teams in the Eastern Conference.
2. Portland Trail Blazers and Sacramento Kings
Trail Blazers receive: 10th pick (Zach Collins)
Kings receive: 15th pick (Justin Jackson) and 20th pick (Harry Giles)
Summary: This seemed to be an even trade for both sides upon further analysis. The Blazers selected one of the top centers in the draft according to the draft experts and should be able to help them spread the floor more and create open shots for their guards. As for the Kings, they were able to add depth to their young team. After adding De’Aaron Fox at number 5, the Kings were able to add arguably the most developed player in the draft in Justin Jackson. Harry Giles, on the other hand, is a bit more of a risk. He suffered torn ACLs in both of his knees over the past few years which led to many teams staying away from him. If he is able to stay healthy, then the Kings may have a quicker turnaround then most people expected.
3. Utah Jazz and Denver Nuggets
Jazz receive: 13th pick (Donovan Mitchell)
Nuggets receive: Trey Lyles and 24th pick (Tyler Lydon)
Summary: Donovan Mitchell could be the savior in Utah with George Hill and Gordon Hayward expected to be targeted by other teams in free agency. Mitchell can play both point guard and shooting guard which gives the Jazz some options with him heading into next season. The Nuggets are also receiving a young player in Trey Lyles who will get much more playing time in Denver’s young rotation. As for the former Syracuse forward, Tyler Lydon hopes to help spread the floor with his size as well his ability to hit an outside shot consistently.
4. Philadelphia 76ers and Orlando Magic
76ers receive: 25th pick (Anzejs Pasecniks)
Magic receive: First round pick in 2020
Summary: Although many people in Philadelphia believed the process wass over after acquiring Markelle Fultz first overall, but Anzejs Pasecniks may be a helpful addition to the team in a few years (He is expected to play another year or two in Latvia). The Magic seemed to want assets from the 76ers in this trade, while Philadelphia hopes the pick is not in the lottery.
5. Los Angeles Lakers and Utah Jazz
Lakers receive: 30th pick (Josh Hart) and 42nd pick (Thomas Bryant)
Jazz receive 28th pick (Tony Bradley)
Summary: The Jazz participated in their second trade of the night when they acquired North Carolina center Tony Bradley. Bradley played just one season at UNC, but proved to be one of the top rebounders in the country. The Lakers were able to add some talent around their 2nd pick Lonzo Ball in Josh Hart and Thomas Bryant. Hart led Villanova to one of their best seasons in the history of the school and was regarded as one of the best all-around guards in this year’s draft. Although, Thomas Bryant doesn’t have the best defensive skill-set, he can still score in the paint which will prove helpful to the young Lakers heading into next season.
6. Golden State Warriors and Chicago Bulls
Warriors receive: 38th pick (Jordan Bell)
Bulls receive: Cash
Summary: The Golden State Warriors must have seen something in Jordan Bell to pay the Chicago Bulls $3.5 million for the pick. Bell has size that can help the Warriors in important rebounding situations. If he works hard with the defending champs, he may find himself a role in their rotation.
7.New Orleans Pelicans and Charlotte Hornets
Pelicans receive: 31st pick (Frank Jackson)
Hornets receive: 40th pick (Dwayne Bacon) and Cash
Summary: Frank Jackson has a huge upside heading into the New Orleans backcourt as the first pick in the second round. Jackson missed team workouts prior to the draft due to surgery on his foot, but if he is healthy, the former Blue Devil can propel the Devils outside shooting. Although Bacon was selected late in the draft, he has proven to be a scorer for the Seminoles, leading them in scoring each of his two seasons with the team. He must make the most of his opportunities coming off the bench for the Hornets next season.
8. Memphis Grizzlies and Orlando Magic
Grizzlies receive: 35th pick (Ivan Rabb)
Magic receive: Second-round pick in 2019
Summary: Ivan Rabb was projected to be a lottery pick last season, but saw his draft stock collapse after a return to Cal for his sophomore season. He may still find his way into Memphis’s rotation with Zach Randolph expected to hit the free agent market this summer.
9. Indiana Pacers and New Orleans Pelicans
Pacers receive: 52nd pick (Edmond Sumner)
Pelicans receive: Cash
Summary: The former Baylor point guard almost lost his draft stock completely due to a torn ACL during his junior year, but the Pacers saw an upside in him that may prove to be worth it in a few years.
10. Memphis Grizzlies and Houston Rockets Rockets
Grizzlies receive: 45Th pick (Dillion Brooks)
Rockets receive: Future second-round pick
Summary: Brooks will be a project player for the Grizzlies who probably won’t see much if any action next season. He has an impressive three-point shot which might come as of value to Memphis in a few years.
11. Los Angeles Clippers and MIlwaukee Bucks
Clippers receive: 48TH pick Sindarius Thornwell
Bucks receive: Cash
Summary: Thornwell might always be remembered as the superstar who led South Carolina to the Final Four, but he still may find his way as a reserve for the Clippers. Who knows, maybe if the front office breaks up their big three, Thornwell may eventually find himself some quality minutes someday.