Minnesota Timberwolves make 2 Trades - 2/10/15 (Analysis)
Raj Mehta-USA TODAY Sports
Today the Minnesota Timberwolves completed 2 trades. One involving Mo Williams, who many expected to be gone by the deadline, and another involving them getting another good prospect. Here I will give out my brief analysis on how these trades work out for all the teams involved.
Trade #1: Minnesota trades Mo Williams and Troy Daniels to Charlotte for Gary Neal and a future 2nd round pick.
Minnesota:
Not sure about this deal for the Wolves. There has been long speculation that they planned to trade Williams by the deadline, but I'm not sure why they made this deal. Gary Neal is reportedly expecting to be bought out for the Wolves, so Minnesota essentially traded 2 good pieces for a future 2nd round pick, that in the end likely won't be any good? I feel that they either could have gotten a better pick from Charlotte or maybe even another decent young piece from a veteran playoff team in a separate deal. GRADE: D
Charlotte:
Love this deal for the Hornets. With the injury to Kemba Walker, they needed to shore up their depth at point guard. They had to resort to starting Brian Roberts during this time as well as give Lance Stephenson a major boost in his ball handling responsibilities. With this trade they get a veteran guy in Williams that should be more than able to handle the starting point guard responsibilities until Walker returns. Also with this deal they get Troy Daniels, still a young player, but a great 3 point shooter and a guy that can spread the floor for them on offense, which is something they've been lacking for a couple of years now. And the best thing is, they barely gave up much to do this deal. GRADE: A
Trade #2: Minnesota trades a lottery protected 2017 first round pick to Atlanta for Adreian Payne
Minnesota:
Unlike the first trade, I like this deal for Minnesota. Adreian Payne is an older rookie, but he's a player I've really liked since his days at Michigan State. An underrated 3 point shooter, as well as a hell of an athlete. The first round pick they gave up in this deal is lottery protected from 2017-2020, and in the rise in the standings their expected to take in the next couple years, this pick won't mean much to them. Another great young prospect to add to their already impressive core. GRADE: B+
Atlanta:
This trade is interesting for Atlanta, but I can understand why they made this deal. Adreian Payne wasn't getting any playing time with this team, and this trade gives them an open roster spot for their more recent pursuit of Ray Allen, as well as the flexibility to bring in their 2nd round pick from 2014, 7'2'' international center Walter Tavares. This trade also opens up more salary cap room, so they now have $5M in salary cap space, so they can give Ray Allen, or another free agent, more money than almost every other contending team. GRADE: B
There ya go. If you feel differently about these grades, or how the trades worked out for any of these teams involved feel free to comment, or ask me on Twitter.
Twitter: @thomas_mooney1
