Trade Deadline Grades

[Celtics2021]

The Heat has one of the worst deadlines.  They need to get someone on the buyout market — all the did was give up  a pick to move Dedmon, which got them further away from the tax, but they haven’t made a secondary move to use that newfound space.

[Who]

The Heat has one of the worst deadlines.  They need to get someone on the buyout market — all the did was give up  a pick to move Dedmon, which got them further away from the tax, but they haven’t made a secondary move to use that newfound space.

Agreed. They had a disaster of a deadline.

Jimmy Butler is still the 2nd biggest player on the team after Bam Adebayo. No size at forward or center to help Bam in the paint or length on the perimeter to bother shooters. Such a small team.

I have them 7th in the East post-deadline. Big disappointment from where they were 2 years ago with their improbable run to the Finals when they had Crowder & Iggy at forward to help Jimmy and two skilled seven footers in Olynyk and Meyers Leonard to help Bam while providing high level spacing on offense. Never replaced any of those guys. None of them. I can understand failing to replace one but how do you fail to replace all 4 of them?! Terrible management and a terrible trade deadline.

They desperately needed to make moves to rebalance their team in order to have a chance in the postseason but they dropped the ball completely.

[jpotter33]

For existing contenders - Boston and Milwaukee get top grades. Both only needed marginal improvements at specific areas, and they got them. I give Boston the slight edge due to Milwaukee overpaying, questions about Crowder’s readiness, and whether he’s a rental. If we nab a solid wing in the buyout market, then I think we clearly win it in the marginal upgrades category of contenders.

I think Denver did well in getting a backup center, but I feel they really screwed the pooch on Bones. LAL did well, too, though they still have a lot of holes and spots to fill.

For new contenders - the Suns definitely need to be mentioned. Unclear whether they’ll have enough time and be healthy enough this year, and they still have lots of work to fill out the roster. They should be right up there with the best in the West, but it is a really large gamble given the age and health issues of KD and Paul. Not sure they’re durable enough to make it through a long playoff run anymore, especially in a now surprisingly rough West.

Golden State is a loser. Essentially gave up on the #2 pick and only marginally upgraded the roster otherwise in GP.