This NBA free agency season has already seen some fireworks, dramatics, and major movers. Let’s get into the biggest, best and worst ones.
The “High Risk/ HIgh Reward” Move
Dejounte Murray to the Atlanta Hawks
Dejounte Murray was sent to the Hawks for 3 first rounders and Danillo Gallinari (a pretty steep price). Let’s see how that stacks up:
Pros:
- Murray is a stat sheet stuffer. He almost averaged a 20 ppg triple double last year.
- Murray is young (only 25).
- His game compliments Trae Young’s game well. (Long, Elite perimeter defender).
Cons:
- Price. They gave up 3 first rounders and one of their best players.
- Ball-dominant. Murray is closer to a pure point than Trae Young. Both players will have to step their off-ball offense up to make the chemistry work.
At the end of the day, this is one of my favorite deals for both the Hawks and Spurs. The Spurs were going to lose Dejounte Murray in a couple years anyway, and the Hawks needed to get Trae Young a co-star.
The “EH” Move of the day goes to… the Minnesota Timberwolves
Rudy Gobert to the Minnesota Timberwolves
The Timberwolves acquire Rudy Gobert from the Utah Jazz for 5 players, 5 picks, and the left arm of the Minnesota General Manager.
Pros:
- Rim-protection. The Timberwolves were not a good paint protecting team last year. That should change now.
- Karl Anthony-Towns can play like a true power forward. KAT’s natural position is a stretch 4 not a center, which is what he’s been playing.
Cons:
- Too early. This move seems too early with the timeline of Anthony Edwards development. The Wolves aren’t a championship contender, until Edwards is ready to lead them there.
- Slow feet don’t eat. The Wolves just built the foundation of their team around two slow-footed players. This might become a problem against fast-paced teams.
Grading this trade is going to be hard, until we see it on the court. There are some obvious drawbacks to having Gobert and KAT on the court together; you can’t deny the potential of having two trees in your front court. I’m not a big Gobert fan, but KAT elite shooting ability gives me optimism on this one.
The “Sneak-Best” move
Malcom Brogdon to the Boston Celtics
The Celtics took advantage of Indiana’s backcourt mis-management, and snagged a great point guard.
Pros:
Roster fit. The Celtics needed a point guard more than anything. This will allow Jaylen and Jayson to play like true wings, and free up Marcus Smart to roam.
Underrated value. Malcolm Brogdon is a 6 foot 6 inch point guard, who can score, defend, and facilitate. Players like that don’t come around often.
Winner. Malcolm Brogdon fits the culture at Boston. He’s a tough, defense-minded winner.
Cons:
3 point shooting. The Celtics aren’t a great shooting team as it stands, and Brogdon won’t do much to change that.
This was an excellent pick up by the Celtics. I still think they need to find a way to improve their overall shooting, and offense execution to be my favorite for the title next year. But, this pick up puts them on even ground with Milwaukee as the favorite in the Eastern Conference.
