The 2022 NBA trade deadline passed at 3 p.m. EDT last Thursday, with numerous teams making moves to strengthen their rosters. Let’s take a look at what went down around the league.
In a true blockbuster, the Brooklyn Nets shipped superstar James Harden and Paul Milsap to the Philadelphia 76ers for a slew of players to bolster their roster around stars Kevin Durant and Kyrie Irving. Brooklyn received Ben Simmons, Seth Curry, Andre Drummond and 2022 and 2027 first-round picks. Following weeks of speculation surrounding Harden’s desire to remain in Brooklyn and Philadelphia president of basketball operations Daryl Morey’s willingness to meet Brooklyn’s demands, both teams got stronger. Numerous questions regarding this move will surround both organizations for the remainder of the season and beyond. Brooklyn moved on from Harden following just 16 games with their “Big Three” of Durant, Irving and Harden. Brooklyn went 13-3 within that span. In Ben Simmons, Brooklyn gets an elite defender and passer with mammoth holes in his game (most notably in his putrid three-point shooting and free throws) and it is unclear how he will mesh on the court with co-stars Kevin Durant and Kyrie Irving. Philadelphia received the definitive best player in the deal in Harden, yet the 2017-2018 most valued player (MVP) simply didn’t play as well in Brooklyn as he had in Houston in years past. Averaging 22.5 points per game on 33.2 percent from three-point range this season, Harden hasn’t been the 30 points per game superstar we grew accustomed to in Houston. His past two seasons have been marred by hamstring issues. The Nets and 76ers will meet in Philadelphia on March 10 in what will be a heated battle in advance of what should be a fascinating NBA playoffs in April.
The Dallas Mavericks sent Kristaps Porzingis and a 2022 second-round pick to the Washington Wizards for Spencer Dimwidie and Davis Bertans. Dallas received a talented guard and sharpshooting center to pair alongside superstar Luka Doncic as they prepare to make a playoff run. Washington bolstered its rebounding and scoring with a highly talented center in Porzingis, who is currently out with a bone bruise in his right knee. Washington lost star Bradley Beal to season-ending surgery on his left wrist. The oft-injured Porzingis will be expected to shoulder the load on offense for a depleted Washington roster for the remainder of the season.
The Boston Celtics acquired Derrick White from the San Antonio Spurs for Josh Richardson, Romeo Langford, a 2022 first-round pick and a 2028 first round pick swap. Boston got a talented guard to pair alongside stars Jaylen Brown and Jayson Tatum, while San Antonio received a slew of promising players and picks to bolster their roster as they continue to rebuild around guard Dejounte Murray.
Boston also received Daniel Theis in a deal with the Houston Rockets for Dennis Schroder, Enes Freedom and Bruno Fenando. Boston strengthened its depth at center while Houston added valuable pieces as they continue to rebuild around rising stars in Kevin Porter Jr. and Christian Wood.
The Milwaukee Bucks landed Serge Ibaka, two second round picks and cash considerations in a four team trade with the Los Angeles Clippers, Sacramento Kings and Detroit Pistons. LA received Rodney Hood (MIL), Semi Ojeleye (MIL) and Vanja Marinkovic (SAC). Sacramento acquired Donte DiVincenzo (MIL), Josh Jackson (DET), Trey Lyles (DET), David Michineau (LA) and a second-round pick (DET). Detroit acquired power forward Marvin Bagley (SAC). Milwaukee added additional depth at the center position as they prepare for a playoff run, while LA, Sacramento and Detroit bolstered their benches.
The Charlotte Hornets acquired Montrezl Harrell in exchange for Vernon Carey Jr, Ish Smith and a 2023 second-round pick. Charlotte got the center they were seeking to pair around budding stars LaMelo Ball and Miles Bridges. Washington strengthened their bench.
The Phoenix Suns added small forward Torrey Craig and received cash considerations in a swap with the Indiana Pacers for power forward Jalen Smith and a 2022 second-round pick. Phoenix also acquired guard Aaron Holiday in a deal with Washington for cash considerations.
The Toronto Raptors traded Goran Dragic and a 2022 first-round pick for Thadeus Young, Drew Edwards and a 2022 second-round pick.
The Orlando Magic landed Bol Bol, PJ Dozier, a future second-round pick and cash considerations from Boston for a 2023 second-round pick.
The Utah Jazz acquired Nickeil Alexander-Walker (POR) and Juancho Hermangomez (SA) in a three-team swap with San Antonio and the Portland Trailblazers. Portland received Joe Ingles (UT), Elijah Hiughes (UT) and a second-round pick (UT). San Antonio added Tomas Storansky (POR) and a second-round pick (UT). Utah strengthened its bench surrounding stars Donovan Mitchell and Rudy Gobert while Portland and San Antonio continued to rebuild their rosters.
The Oklahoma City Thunder added forward KZ Okpala from the Miami Heat in exchange for a 2026 second-round pick.
In a massive move, Indiana acquired Tyrese Halliburton, Buddy Hield and Tristian Thompson from Sacramento for Domantas Sabonis, Justin Holiday, Jermey Lamb and a 2023 second-round pick. Indiana added a rising star in Tyrese Halliburton (21) as well shooting and a veteran presence in the paint in Hield and Thompson. Both NBA executives and fans alike were shocked by Sacromento’s willingness to move Halliburton, a budding guard who had shown tremendous promise during time in Sacramento. Sacramento added an elite passer and dominant center in Sabonis and solid shooting in Holiday and Lamb.
Portland sent CJ McCollum, Larry Nance Jr. and Tony Snell to the New Orleans Pelicans for Josh Hart, Nickel Alexander-Walker, Tomas Satoransky, Didi Louzada, a 2022 first-round pick and 2026 and 2027 second-round picks. Portland continues its rebuild around superstar Damian Lillard by sending his elite co-star McCollum to New Orleans. New Orleans added a dominant guard to pair alongside forward Brandon Ingram and center Jonas Valanchutis while they await the return of star Zion Williamson.
The Cleveland Cavaliers acquired Caris LeVert and a 2022 second-round pick in an exchange with Indiana for Ricky Rubio, a 2022 first-round pick and two 2022 second-round picks. Cleveland, currently the three seed in the Eastern Conference, added a prolific guard alongside guard Darius Garland, forward Evan Mobley and center Jarrett Allen. Indiana landed a solid scorer in Rubio (currently out with a torn ACL) and bolstered their future with picks.
Portland sent Norman Powell and Robert Covington to LA for Eric Bledsoe, Justise Winslow, Keon Johnson and a 2025 second-round pick. Portland continued their rebuild while LA added another elite scorer in Powell and defender in Covington while superstars Kawhi Leonard (torn ACL) and Paul George (torn ulnar collateral ligament) continue to rehab from injuries.
Another jam-packed NBA trade deadline has come and gone. Full of truly unexpected twists and turns, it will be fascinating to see how these moves pan out as the playoffs approach in April.
