Analyzing The Trade Deadline

by Jeb Kush

DeMarcus Cousins to Pelicans for Buddy Hield, Tyreke Evans, Langston Galloway, 1st Round Pick, and Future Second Round Pick

This was probably the biggest shocker of the trade deadline, even to Cousins himself. Everyone is pretty well aware of what the Pelicans got here in Cousins. He is a proven veteran with former 5th overall pick talent, and is arguably in the prime of his career. Little has been made of the Kings’ side of this deal on the other hand. Granted, Langston Galloway is honestly pretty irrelevant. But, in this deal the Kings did receive some pieces that could serve as fundamental building blocks for the rebuilding process that seems inevitable now without Cousins. Tyreke Evans may not have lived up to his potential as a former fourth overall pick, but his a savvy veteran who (believe it or not) has averaged at least 14 points per game each year of his career with the exception of the current season. However, he is now back with the team that drafted him and he scored 15 points in his Kings debut. Buddy Hield is an unproven rookie; however, he was drafted 6th overall for a reason. Watch some of his Oklahoma highlights if you have any doubts. He was efficient in his Kings debut, shooting 60% from the field and scoring 16 points. The Kings may have actually won this trade considering the Pelicans don’t appear to have enough talent surrounding Cousins to make a deep playoff run. They are currently 11th in the Western Conference and lost by 30 points to the Rockets in Cousins’ debut.

Nerles Noel to Mavs for Andrew Bogut, Justin Anderson, and a 1st Round Pick

Gotta trust The Process here. Noel had nothing but love for Philadelphia and fans responded to his play and his personality. Most of the Philly faithful are sad to see him go, myself included.

Here’s the thing, we all knew the Sixers would trade either Okafor or Noel, and it just so happened that they got a better deal for Noel. The Sixers just had too many big men and were able to get some value in return for Noel. That being said, I kind of hate Andrew Bogut. He is my least favorite player to watch and may just be the least athletically gifted person I have ever seen on a basketball court. In Justin Anderson, they got a young shooting guard which is something they need instead of another big man, and the Sixers also got a protected top 18 pick, which will more than likely turn into two second round picks. You never no what you can trade that for down the road, or you might just find a diamond in the rough. So not all is lost in Philadelphia, but one thing is for sure, Hinkie wouldn’t have pulled this crap in the first place.