Levi Hylton
Staff Writer
The 2024 NBA trade deadline was less tumultuous than last year’s with the absence of big names being moved. As in last year‘s trade deadline, the most notable trades coming up to and right before the deadline, were when Brooklyn sent Kevin Durant and Kyrie Irving to the Phoenix Suns and the Dallas Mavericks respectively. But that doesn’t mean this trade deadline was meaningless as contenders used this time to fill out the weaknesses on their rosters.
Starting December 30, the New York Knicks traded the former third pick in the 2019 draft RJ Barrett, Immanuel Quickley, who finished second in Sixth Man of the Year voting, and a 2024 second-round pick via the Detroit Pistons to the Toronto Raptors. For OG Anunoby who is a tremendous defensive player and shoots 38% from the three-point line for his entire career. In the deal, the New York Knicks also acquired Precious Achiuwa and Malachi Flynn for salary- matching purposes.
On January 17, the Indiana Pacers traded Bruce Brown who was a key player for the Denver Nuggets during their championship run the previous season, Jordan Nwora, Kira Lewis Jr., and three first-round picks for 2019 NBA champion and two-time All-Star Pascal Siakam, pairing him with all-star point guard Tyrese Halliburton.
Five days later on January 23, the Miami Heat traded Kyle Lowry and a 2027 lottery-protected first-round pick to the Charlotte Hornets for point guard Terry Rozier. In this trade, the Miami Heat replaced a declining 38-year-old who had been struggling to score for an electric combo guard who is having a career year that could provide the spark to get the Miami Heat back on track as they have been struggling with their offensive consistency.
The day before the trade deadline was a busy one as many teams sought to complete deals as the clock was ticking. First, the Minnesota Timberwolves secured more guard depth as they finally found their backup point guard as the Timberwolves traded Shake Milton, Troy Brown Jr., and a 2030 second-round pick for Monte Morris. Morris has a reputation for being a steady point guard who doesn’t turnover the ball much, which is seen as a welcome addition to a Minnesota Timberwolves team, who is currently the first seed in the Western Conference and trying to compete for a championship.
The day of the trade deadline, February 8, 2024, teams were in a frenzy, trying to either get rid of contracts for players they would not retain next season or trying to acquire players. They could help them either create the foundation of or further support a championship team. The Philadelphia 76ers acquired sharpshooter Buddy Hield, who is on an expiring contract due to contract disputes with his former team, the Indiana Pacers, who dealt him for Marcus Morris Sr, Furkan Korkmaz, and three first-round picks. 76ers superstar Joel Embiid will be sidelined indefinitely due to a tear in his meniscus. So, this trade should provide them with the offense of firepower to keep them afloat until their superstar returns.
The Mavericks acquired their backup center Daniel Gafford for Richaun Holmes and draft picks. The Mavericks also acquired PJ Washington from the Charlotte Hornets for Grant, Williams, Seth Curry, and a 2027 first-round pick. The Mavericks have lacked front-court depth which they have solved by acquiring a power forward and a backup center that fit the play style of the team.
The Knicks also acquired sharpshooters Bojan Bogdanovic and Alec Burks for Evan Fournier, Malachi Flynn, Quentin Grimes, Ryan Arcidicono, and two second-round picks, increasing the amount of three-point threats on their team.
