The NBA’s trade deadline featured a flurry of jaw-dropping deals. But the biggest name in the mix actually moved a week before the deadline when the Clippers sent Blake Griffin to Detroit.
The former No. 1 pick is the most decorated individual star to suit up for the Pistons since Grant Hill, but Detroit’s general outlook is far from rosy as they set to face the surging Toronto Raptors Wednesday night.
Prior to the trade that brought in Griffin, Willie Reed and Brice Johnson in exchange for Tobias Harris, Avery Bradley, Boban Marjanovic and picks, the Pistons were 22-26. That had them just three games back of the Miami Heat for the final playoff spot in the Eastern Conference — in other words, prime pouncing position. And they did pounce … initially. A five-game surge got them to 27-26 and eighth place in the East.
But since then, the team has won just two in 11 games. They are now 4.5 games back of the final playoff spot, which is still being locked down by the Heat, as the Philadelphia 76ers have jumped right past them in a chase for a home seed.
Griffin has seen his numbers take a dip, as he’s both taking and making fewer shots (his .406 FG% so far in Detroit would easily be the lowest of his career). Even worse, Harris has put up comparable numbers as the Clippers have responded with nine wins in 14 games (more below).
| G | MP | PTS | TRB | AST | STL | BLK | TOV | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Harris | 13 | 35.0 | 19.6 | 7.1 | 3.0 | 1.5 | 0.8 | 1.6 |
| Griffin | 15 | 33.0 | 19.2 | 6.9 | 5.7 | 0.4 | 0.3 | 2.8 |
The loss of Bradley has further decimated a Pistons’ backcourt already lacking injured point guard Reggie Jackson, forcing the likes of rookie Luke Kennard and one-time Raptor Dwight Buycks into larger roles than their production says they deserve.
Detroit has a lot of time for this one to work out in their favour as Griffin has three more years on his contract and a player option for a fourth. But the dollar figures attached to that contract make the lack of immediate results especially dispiriting. He’s slated to make over $100 million over the next three seasons, and his option is worth just shy of $39 million for 2021–22 — when he’ll be 32.
So that’s the Pistons. Now let’s take a look at the deadline’s other buyers, and see how they’re faring with their re-jigged lineups.
Cleveland Cavaliers
Traded Isaiah Thomas, Channing Frye, Jae Crowder, Derrick Rose and a first-round pick for George Hill, Rodney Hood, Larry Nance Jr. and Jordan Clarkson
Before the trade: 30-22, 4th in Eastern Conference
Since the trade: 7-4
Today: 37-26, 3rd in East
The Cavaliers were the biggest story of deadline day as they dramatically re-shaped their roster, getting younger, healthier and less cantankerous.
The result has been a rejuvenated LeBron James, who recorded his first-ever triple double in a calendar month. They’ve had quality wins against Minnesota, Boston and Oklahoma City, but lost to conference rivals Washington and Philadelphia, and gave up a whopping 126 points in regulation at home versus Denver.
Of the four Cavs newcomers, Nance is enjoying the best run of play, hitting career highs in points (11.3) and rebounds (7.6) per game while maintaining his sterling field-goal efficiency. He also put up 22 and 15 in 31 minutes in a 22-point beatdown of the Pistons on March 5.
Hill has been uncharacteristically up and down, but Hood and Clarkson are providing 24 points of secondary scoring per game combined even as the starting lineup changes by the day.
| PG | SG | SF | PF | C | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| vs. Pistons, March 5 | Hill | Smith | Hood | James | Nance |
| vs. Nuggest, March 3 | Hill | Smith | Osman | James | Thompson |
| vs. 76ers, March 1 | Hill | Hood | Osman | James | Thompson |
With Kevin Love hoping to return before the end of the month and players becoming more familiar with each other by the day, the Cavs should be set to host a playoff series and make a run as they have since LeBron came home.
New Orleans Pelicans
Traded Omer Asik, Tony Allen, Jameer Nelson and a first-round pick for Nikola Mirotic and a second-round pick (Feb. 1)
Before the trade: 27-23, 7th in Western Conference
Since the trade: 10-3
Today: 37-26, 4th in West
Now this is how you do a trade-deadline bump. The Pelicans’ on-off-and-on-again move for Nikola Mirotic went largely under the radar, but addressed a couple of major needs — outside shooting and bench production. He’s scored in double figures in all but one of the 12 games he’s played for New Orleans, which has helped fill the massive void left by DeMarcus Cousins, who was lost to a season-ending Achilles injury in late January.
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Utah Jazz
Traded Joe Johnson and Rodney Hood for Jae Crowder and Derrick Rose
Before the trade: 25-28, 10th in Western Conference
Since the trade: 9-2
Today: 34-30, 10th in West
The Jazz are smoking hot, but if we’re being honest that has little to do with this trade. Rose was waived right away, and Jae Crowder has been a mixed bag off the bench. While he’s upped his points per game total to 12.3 from 8.6 in Cleveland, it’s largely due to higher usage. In fact, he percentages have dropped across the board.
In reality, the Jazz’s surge is about Rudy Gobert getting healthy. Since the Stifle Tower returned to the court on Jan. 19 after missing 15 games, the Jazz are 16-4 and back in the hunt in the crowded West.
Miami Heat
Traded a second-round pick for Dwyane Wade
Before the trade: 29-25, 7th in Eastern Conference
Since the trade: 5-6
Today: 34-31, 8th in East
The Heat didn’t need Wade, but he’s having a nice bounce-back moment and has been able to stop the bleeding as backcourt mates Tyler Johnson and Wayne Ellington have missed time of late (Dion Waiter is also out for the season). He’s upped his per-game scoring total to 14.3 even though his shooting efficiency has taken a hit, and he hit a game-winner to beat Philly on Feb. 27.
That said, the team itself is just chugging along. They lost three close road games in a row in mid-February before winning two at home, and then getting embarrassed on their home floor by the Lakers on March 1.
The plus side? They’ve got only the Pistons chasing them.
