The NBA’s 2024 trade deadline came and went on Thursday, with 18 deals officially completed on deadline day. It was a busy day filled with teams moving draft capital in exchange for rotation players to bolster playoff runs.
The Pistons made the most trades at the deadline, bringing in the likes of Quentin Grimes, Simone Fontecchio, Evan Fournier and Shake Milton. In the process, they moved on from Bojan Bogdanovic and Alec Burks, along with waiving former No. 7 overall pick Killian Hayes.
Bogdanovic was one of the top talents moved on deadline day, having been traded to the Knicks alongside Burks in exchange for Grimes, Fournier and more. New York, who is 16-4 since the New Year, bought in on its roster while maintaining flexibility to pursue a star in the offseason by adding a large, but partially guaranteed, salary in Bogdanovic ($19MM with $2MM guaranteed).
The Hornets, like Detroit, sold a pair of players in P.J. Washington and Gordon Hayward for various players and picks, including bringing in Grant Williams, Tre Mann and a 2027 first-rounder. Charlotte got a decent return in exchange for two players who likely weren’t in their long-term plans while sending Washington (to Dallas) and Hayward (to Oklahoma City) to a pair of Western Conference contenders.
In addition to getting Washington, the Mavericks brought in Daniel Gafford from the Wizards for a first-round pick. The Thunder moved off a handful of players who weren’t seeing minutes for Hayward, who can still pass, dribble and shoot at a high enough level.
The Sixers made a handful of deals at the deadline, acquiring Buddy Hield — who earlier requested a trade from Indiana — in exchange for some second-round picks and salaries. They then swapped Patrick Beverley for Cameron Payne and traded Jaden Springer to Boston, recouping up a second-round selection in both deals.
Brooklyn didn’t end up trading Dorian Finney-Smith, who was a popular target, but sent out Spencer Dinwiddie and Royce O’Neale in separate deals to Toronto and Phoenix, respectively. The Nets brought in Dennis Schröder, as well as Keita Bates-Diop in the series of moves. The Raptors later waived Dinwiddie, but were able to move off future salary by sending out Schröder. They also added Ochai Agbaji and Kelly Olynyk from the Jazz in exchange for Otto Porter, Kira Lewis and a first-round pick.
Other veterans on the move at the deadline included Simone Fontecchio (to Detroit), Xavier Tillman (to Boston), Doug McDermott (to Indiana), Monte Morris (to Minnesota) and Yuta Watanabe (to Memphis).
While there were plenty of storylines from the teams that did make trades, some of the names who weren’t moved were equally intriguing. The Hawks didn’t make a deadline-day deal after having conversations regarding the likes of Dejounte Murray, Clint Capela and AJ Griffin. Murray, the biggest name on the list, was sought after by teams like the Pelicans and Lakers, but neither team got a deal done.
The Lakers didn’t make any moves after being one of the more active teams at last year’s deadline. They’ll be banking on the team’s health improving over time and improved play from their rotation to make a postseason run akin to last year’s Western Conference Finals appearance.
The Bulls didn’t make a trade deadline move for the third year in a row despite having conversations regarding Zach LaVine, DeMar DeRozan, Alex Caruso and Andre Drummond and will instead continue to try and compete for a playoff spot.
Most of the available talent on the trade market was moved before deadline day. Nine in-season deals were completed before Thursday, including All-Stars James Harden and Pascal Siakam switching teams. The Knicks might not have been as aggressive if they hadn’t already acquired OG Anunoby and moved toward the top of the Eastern Conference standings. Meanwhile, the Heat got one of the top guards on the market in Terry Rozier a couple weeks ago.
In total, Thursday capped off an NBA trade season with 27 in-season deals.
We want to hear from you. Which teams do you think did the best for themselves at the trade deadline? Which teams made the wrong moves? Were there any trades that surprised you? How do you feel about the teams who stood pat?
Personally, I’m most impressed with the additions the Celtics, Thunder and Knicks made without having to sacrifice many assets and staying flexible for the offseason.
Sound off in the comments below with your picks.
The Knicks killed it! The deepest team in the NBA… once they get healthy.
Lakers are trade deadline losers
Mavs got Washington and Gaffird
Raptors and Pistons did the worst, Jazz and Hornets did the best imo.
Raps created cap space, added another Canadian player who is a good player and added a younger version of Dort.
How’s that worse? To each their view but yea.
Lakers die nothing, hawks, warriors and bulls did f all too.
Schuff >No schuff
The Jazz didn’t do much, the Raptors did alright and the Hornets did horrible. The Hornets added salary beyond next year and all they need was a young PF and get rid of Bridges, yes the Pistons did horrible. What are you talking about lol. But the Hornets did the best lmao lol huh
To be fair the winner of this trade deadline is Detroit. They waived Killian hayes.
In all seriousness mavs won the trade. They got PJ washington an underrated power forward and Daniel Gafford who could be a good back up center behind Lively. All they need is to sign guys like Danilo, Dinwiddie or Lowry and they will be a threat in the west
Liked – Nyk Phx Indy Bos
Disliked -Dal – they might have gotten the most schuff but they also payed the 2 highest draft picks as well and possibly the 2 most valuable assets all day. Ofc paying for past mistakes led Dal into panic mode
* Split Okc – Wish they would have done more w the Bertans contract but the late first for Dal swap was savvy AF
knicks-A
Raptors-B+
pistons-B
celtics-B+
bucks-B+
mavs-B
sixers-B
wiz-D
pistons-B
grizz-B
hornets-C
lakers, ATL, warriors, bulls who did nothing…. – F
GSW, Lakers, ATL and Chicago all are losers, all sides are trying to win now and struggling to do that and didn’t make any moves.
Winners I’d say Knicks by a mile, then maybe the Mavs and also the Sixers if they get Lowry.
Knicks have a seriously deep team and added really smart pieces in order to win now, but didn’t give up a firsts and didn’t lose their flexibility in the offseason. Mavs moves are a little overrated PJ for Grant and a first is meh, Gafford I don’t rate that much. Bojan was picked up without a first same with Royce, Heild didn’t cost a first, Thad Young was waived and maybe Marcus Morris aswell. There were definitely cheaper options if you wanted to add a forward. Grants a better defender and shooter PJ has better length, finishing and athleticism. Sixers if they get Lowry are quietly a really nice side.
Lowry Maxey Oubre Harris Embiid
Melton Heild Batum Reed
Payne RoCo Bamba