These Are the NBA Trades Made Before the 2021 Deadline
Notable teams that made big moves include the Chicago Bulls, Dallas Mavericks and more.
The 2020-2021 NBA season has arguably been the most difficult to navigate in the history of the league. Due to COVID-19 and multiple injury reports, the season has seen seismic shifts throughout the course of the year. Prior to the trade deadline, fans have seen a number of big trades, including the four-team blockbuster deal between the Houston Rockets and the Brooklyn Nets. Most recently, fans saw Blake Griffin join the Brooklyn Nets, adding to the already star-loaded team.
Now that the NBA trade deadline has officially closed for the year, here is a roundup of all the final trades made for the 2020-2021 season.
Miami Heat
Heat take: Victor Oladipo
Rockets take: Avery Bradley, Kelly Olynyk, draft swap
The Miami Heat makes a buzzer-beater as they trade Avery Bradley, Kelly Olynyk, and a draft swap, for former All-Star guard Victor Oladipo. The vital scorer, Oladipo, averages 20 points, 5 rebounds, and 4 assists a game, will complete the starting lineup alongside Jimmy Butler and Bam Adebayo. Miami hit the lottery without having to give up the essentials such as Duncan Robinson or Tyler Herro. Rumor has it that the two-time All-Star Oladipo has been interested in the Heat for a while now, so now we’ll be able to see how well this plays out with this new dangerous roster. This will give Pat Riley and Miami a chance to see how well he fits in the structure, in order to decide whether they’ll lock him in as a free agent this summer or not.
Jimmy Butler x Victor Oladipo x Bam Adebayo.
It's a new era for the Miami Heat 🔥 pic.twitter.com/Mgx973KoOR— ClutchPoints (@ClutchPointsApp) March 25, 2021
Denver Nuggets
Nuggets take: Aaron Gordon, JaVale McGee
Magic take: Gary Harris, RJ Hampton, future first-round pick
Cavaliers take: JaVale McGee
While the Boston Celtics have been eyeing the all-round forward Aaron Gordon, the Denver Nuggets swoop in for the deal with Orlando Magic. Trading out Gary Harris, RJ Hampton, and a future first-round pick for Gordon. The Nuggets have a chance to move up the ladder in the West conference’s top four teams, as the Lakers are currently shorthanded due to injuries.
Also adding onto defense, JaVale McGee will be flying out to Denver in trade for Isaiah Hartenstein for the Cleveland Cavaliers. With the power duo Nikola Jokic and Jamal Murray, Gordon and McGee have the chance to amp up the Nuggets especially on the defensive side.
The Miami Heat won the NBA trade deadline acquiring Victor Oladipo and Nemanja Bjelica. The Denver Nuggets came in second acquiring Aaron Gordon and JaVale McGee.
— Earvin Magic Johnson (@MagicJohnson) March 25, 2021
Chicago Bulls
Bulls take: Nikola Vucevic, Al-Farouq Aminu
Magic take: Wendell Carter Jr., Otto Porter Jr., two first-round picks
The Chicago Bulls snatch Orlando Magic’s franchise centerpiece Nikola Vucevic and Al-Farouq Aminu for Wendell Carter Jr., Otto Porter and two future first-round draft picks. A lot of excitement arose as the two-time All-Star, Vucevic will be balling alongside All-Star Zach LaVine. The deal gives Chicago another strong scorer with the possibility of pushing them into the top eight for the Eastern Conference in the postseason.
Thank you! Excited to be part of the Bulls family! https://t.co/0S94JlDpV6
— Nikola Vucevic (@NikolaVucevic) March 26, 2021
Atlanta Hawks
Hawks take: Lou Williams, two second-round picks, cash
Clippers take: Rajon Rondo
The Atlanta Hawks welcome back home three-time Sixth Man of the Year winner Lou Williams, as point guard Rajon Rondo heads back to the west coast joining the Los Angeles Clippers. Williams will be playing alongside Trae Young and will be able to lift up the Hawks bench scoring, as they’ve been averaging about 31.2 bench points, which is one of the lowest within this season. The Clippers have been looking for a point guard to play alongside Kawhi Leonard and Paul George, so future title possibilities for the Clippers are within view as Rondo joins the mix.
Hawks are trading Rajon Rondo to the Clippers for Lou Williams, source tells ESPN.
— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) March 25, 2021
Philadelphia 76ers
76ers take: George Hill, Ignas Brazdeikis
Thunder take: Tony Bradley, Austin Rivers, two second-round picks
Knicks get: Terrance Ferguson, Vincent Poirier
While there have been many rumors that the Philadelphia 76ers would be the top team to land Kyle Lowry, the 76ers appeared to have gone in a different direction, picking up George Hill as a part of a three-way deal involving the New York Knicks and Oklahoma City Thunder. While Hill, who averages 11.8 points this season, heads to Philly, OKC picks up Tony Bradley and second-round picks in 2025 and 2026. Austin Rivers is also set to join OKC from the Knicks. As a part of the three-way deal, the Knicks added up-and-coming guard, Terrance Ferguson, to their roster, in exchange for Iggy Brazdeikis to Philadelphia. Vincent Poirier lands with the Knicks, but sources have told ESPN that they plan on waiving the 7-footer.
The Oklahoma City Thunder are finalizing trading George Hill to the Philadelphia 76ers, sources tell @TheAthletic @Stadium.
— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) March 25, 2021
Dallas Mavericks
Mavericks take: JJ Redick, Nicolo Melli
Pelicans take: James Johnson, Wes Iwundu, second-round pick, cash
While the Nets were initially rumored to pick up Redick, the Dallas Mavericks has shown to be the greater competitor, landing one of the best three-point shooters in NBA history. Having chosen a defensive structure last offseason trading for Josh Richardson, the Mavs have now found a replacement for Seth Curry’s three-point shooting with Redick. New acquire, Melli is expected to help Luka Doncic as a strong floor-spacer for Dallas. In this agreement, the New Orleans Pelicans receive veterans James Johnson and Wes Iwundu.
Can confirm Pelicans are sending JJ Redick and Nicolo Melli to the Dallas Mavericks.
Pels getting back James Johnson, Wes Iwundu and a 2nd-round pick, source says.
— Andrew Lopez (@_Andrew_Lopez) March 25, 2021
Portland Trailblazers
Blazers take: Norman Powell
Raptors take: Gary Trent Jr., Rodney Hood
Prior to the trade deadline, the Toronto Raptors were at the height of the buzz, with many fans guessing whether or not Kyle Lowry would leave or return to the Raptors. The Raptors have instead traded Norman Powell to the Portland Trailblazers, slotting him alongside star-PG Damian Lillard and SG CJ McCollum. With this deal, the Raptors have acquired Gary Trent Jr. and Rodney Hood in the process. Trent Jr.’s parting with the Blazers may leave some fans surprised, but it appears that he will fit well with the Raptors organization, providing more defensive size than Powell.
The Raptors are keeping Kyle Lowry, source tells ESPN.
— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) March 25, 2021
