Milwaukee received: 2020 1st round pick, 2021 2nd round pick, 2025 2nd round pick

Indiana received: Malcolm Brogdon

Let’s make this fairly short and sweet: the Pacers are over the moon with this trade. Brogdon has gone from a wonderful role player to a borderline All Star in his first go around in Indiana. Averaging 16.4 points and 7.3 assists per game, Brogdon and newly anointed All Star Domantas Sabonis have kept the Pacers in contention at the top of the conference whilst Victor Oladipo returned to health. This is a no brainer – it’s a win for Indiana.

All is not lost for Milwaukee, however. The 2020 pick will likely fall in the late teens, where value can be had. The Bucks have traditionally found value in the 2nd round. In the past 20 years – a long sample size – they’ve drafted: Michael Redd, Flip Murray, Ersan Ilyasova, Luc Mbah a Moute, Jodie Meeks, Jon Leuer and Norman Powell in the 2nd round. They also traded for a young former 2nd rounder in Khris Middleton and that seemed to work out pretty well.

 

San Antonio received: DeMarre Carroll,

Washington received: Davis Bertans,

Brooklyn received: Draft rights to Aaron White (!) and Nemanja Dangubic (!!)

The Spurs have already waived Carroll. It didn’t go well for them.

Brooklyn got out from under Carroll’s salary for the ‘rights’ to a pair of players that I may have just made up. They’re happy.

Washington have perhaps the best sniper in the league (non injured Warrior division). Bertans has averaged 3.6 makes from deep at 42.4% for a depleted but incredibly fun Wizards squad. He’s an expiring contract, but the team steadfastly refunded to entertain deals for the Latvian, suggesting they’re more than happy to pay him in the off season. This trade is all sorts of thievery for Washington.

 

Boston received: Kemba Walker, 2020 2nd round pick

Charlotte received: Terry Rozier, 2020 2nd round pick

This is a weird transaction. At the time, it was seen as yet another Danny Ainge orchestrated robbery, yet it has to be acknowledged that the oft maligned Rozier has been really good for Charlotte. Head to head, the stats are surprisingly close:

  PPG RPG APG SPG 3PFG 3P%
Rozier

17.6

 4.5 4.1 1.0 2.6 39.5%
Walker 21.8 4.1 5.0 1.0 3.4 38.8%

Records matter, and Walker holds a huge edge, here. Of course, while the Celtics are playing winning basketball, pushing for top honours in the conference, Rozier is a part of a rebuilding effort in Charlotte – it's not really fair to hold that against Rozier.

Despite the relative parity in production, no reasonable observer could conclude that Kemba isn't a far superior player. Walker was brought in to raise the Celtics playoff ceiling. With the ascendancy of Jayson Tatum, Walker can now slide comfortably into his natural role: the #2 option on a contender. In Charlotte, Rozier gives the Hornets a young piece to build with.

This was supposed to be a steal, but I think that both teams will be happy with their handiwork.

 

Los Angeles Lakers received: Anthony Davis

New Orleans received: Lonzo Ball, Brandon Ingram, Josh Hart, draft rights to De'Andre Hunter, 2021 and 2024 1st round pick, 2023 1st round pick swap.

This is the quintessential win-win trade. The Lakers, being on LeBron time, needed to find The King an elite running mate. Unfortunately, years of ineptitude meant they were stocked with a series of high draft picks that had yet to actualise their potential. New Orleans had a want-away superstar in his prime, but – Jrue Holiday aside - little to no support around him. The clubs put 2 and 2 together and came up with a trade that suited the other perfectly.

The Lakers got their superstar. Anthony Davis is arguably the most talented teammate LeBron has ever had (I'll still plump for Dwyane Wade, but it is at least debatable). The marriage has worked, with the Lakers storming to the best record in the Western Conference.

Despite a shockingly slow start due to a slew of injuries and an inevitable bedding in period after turning over 75% of their roster, the Pellies are coming home with a raging gale behind them. The pieces they've received from Los Angeles have slotted in wonderfully. Brandon Ingram has blossomed into an All Star. Lonzo ball is shooting the ball better than ever, and continues to play excellent defense. His passing remains elite. Josh Hart is the perfect junk yard dog off the bench. And that's before we even acknowledge that there are draft picks to come.

No matter what way you slice it, both teams are very satisfied with the outcome, even if the process left a bitter taste in a lot of mouths.

It's looking increasingly likely that New Orleans can steal the 8th seed. As much as I love the Grizz and what they're building, I'm so desperate to see a Lakers vs Pelicans 1st round match up.