This article is part of our NBA Trade Tracker series.
Magic acquire Markelle Fultz
The Magic get: Markelle FultzThe 76ers get: Jonathon Simmons, 2020 1st-round pick (via OKC, top-20 protected), 2019 2nd-round pick (via CLE)
The Markelle Fultz saga in Philly, and along with it, The Process, has officially come to a close. The acquisitions of Jimmy Butler and Tobias Harris signaled a win-now mentality -- one that could no longer wait for Fultz to figure things out. The former No. 1 overall pick was unceremoniously dealt for a struggling bench piece in Simmons, plus a pair of dart-throw draft picks. The Sixers waited as long as they could, but Thursday's trade formally cements Fultz as a permanent punchline in Philly sports lore, and one of the strangest stories in NBA history.
Sitting at 22-32 at the time of the deal, Orlando has little to lose by taking a risk on Fultz. Simmons wasn't going to be a part of the Magic's future, and one could argue that Fultz's upside, as cloudy as it may be, is very much worth a protected first-rounder. It's still unclear when Fultz will return from his Neurogenic Thoracic Outlet Syndrome. But when he does, a starting job over D.J. Augustin may be lying in wait.
The Magic are still on the outskirts of the playoff hunt, though, lurking four games back of eighth-place Miami as of Thursday. If the Magic narrow the gap over the next couple of weeks and opt to make a run for the right to be swept out of the first round, there's a chance that could be prioritized over attempting to rehabilitate Fultz. - Alex Barutha
Stock down
D.J. Augustin: The 31-year-old has been starting at point guard for no other reason than he's a NBA-caliber player who fills the position. The Magic attempted to bring in a project at the beginning of the season in Jerian Grant to challenge Augustin, but that ultimately failed. My guess is the Magic will be more inclined to give Fultz a longer tryout.Wait and see
Markelle Fultz: This is one of the best scenarios Fultz could have landed in. The pressure will be off of him, and the Magic have all the reason in the world to give him at least sixth-man minutes. It's still unclear when he'll return, however, and if he'll ever recover properly from his injury.Jonathon Simmons: Simmons has been a mess this season, but the Sixers need wings and he needs a change of scenery.
Monroe traded to Nets, waived
The Nets get: Greg Monroe (waived), 2021 2nd-round pickThe Raptors get: Cash considerations
The Raptors cleared (another) roster spot and saved some cash, but the motivation behind the deal is still clouded. Monroe will become a free agent and should catch on with another team in need of a backup or third-string center. In 38 games for Toronto, the 28-year-old Monroe was averaging 11.1 minutes per game -- by far a career-low.
Blazers swap Swanigan for Labissiere
The Trail Blazers get: Skal LabissiereThe Kings get: Caleb Swanigan
In another deal that flew well under the radar, two Western Conference playoff contenders agreed to swap underachieving, former first-rounders. An excellent two-year college player at Purdue, Swanigan's old school game hasn't translated to the NBA level. Labissiere showed some flashes as a rookie, but he quickly fell out of favor this season given the arrivals of Harry Giles and Marvin Bagley.
Neither player is much of a fantasy consideration, but it'll be interesting to see if a change of scenery does anything to rejuvenate their careers. - Nick Whalen
Matthews bought out, to sign with Pacers
The Pacers get: Wes MatthewsTechnically not a trade, but the Matthews buyout stems from last week's deal between the Mavs and Knicks. The veteran played only two games in a Knicks uniform and will now join a Pacers team attempting to cling to a top-five playoff seed in the wake of Victor Oladipo's season-ending injury.
Tuesday's thrashing of the Lakers aside, the Pacers have been terrible on offense since Oladipo went down, and Matthews will bring much-needed shooting to an otherwise mediocre guard rotation. It's unclear if Matthews will start, but at the very least he'll be the first guard off the bench. - Nick Whalen
Shelvin Mack traded to Atlanta, waived
The Hawks get: Shelvin MackThe Grizzlies get: Tyler Dorsey
Not much to see here. Mack was seeing consistent minutes in Memphis, but he became expendable when the Grizzlies acquired Avery Bradley and, especially, Delon Wright.
Dorsey was in and out of the Hawks rotation and could have slightly more opportunities in Memphis, though his contract expires this summer. Atlanta waived Daniel Hamilton to facilitate the trade. - Nick Whalen
Lakers send Zubac, Beasley to Clippers
The Clippers get: Ivica Zubac, Michael BeasleyThe Lakers get: Mike Muscala
Well, the Lakers made their big splash. Parting with Zubac hurts, but in executing a two-for-one swap, LA freed up a roster spot to utilize in the buyout market. Will it become Carmelo Anthony? Only time will tell.
The Clippers shed an expiring in Muscala -- who came over from Philadelphia in the Tobias Harris deal -- and get a promising young big in Zubac, who was initially offered to New Orleans as part of an Anthony Davis deal. The Clippers parted ways with Marcin Gortat on Thursday, so Zubac should slot in behind Montrezl Harrell in a timeshare at center. - Nick Whalen
Stock up
Mike Muscala: While he has his limitations, Muscala can space the floor, which is more than the other centers on the Lakers' roster can offer.Ivica Zubac: With Gortat out of the picture, Zubac should be the primary option behind Montrezl Harrell, at worst, and it wouldn't be surprising if he ends up as the starter. Zubac had a nice run to end his Lakers' tenure (23 MPG over the last six games), and he'll no longer have multiple veterans to contend with for minutes. There will be nights when Doc Rivers leans heavily on smaller lineups, but in the long run Zubac's role should be less volatile.
Stock down
Wilson Chandler: This doesn't change a ton for Chandler, but Beasley -- assuming the Clips keep him -- adds one more body to compete for wing minutes.Gasol headed to Toronto
The Raptors get: Marc GasolThe Grizzlies get: Jonas Valanciunas, Delon Wright, C.J. Miles, 2024 2nd-round pick
With Kawhi Leonard's free agency looming, the Raptors are all-in, trading future assets for an established two-time All-NBA center in Gasol. He should immediately slot in as Toronto's starting center, pushing either Serge Ibaka or Pascal Siakam to the bench. The 34-year-old is seeing 33.7 minutes per night, which could decrease for the remainder of the season if the Raptors want to keep the veteran fresh for the playoffs.
For the Grizzlies, getting future assets for Gasol was important, and while Valanciunas is a bit of an underwhelming headliner, they ultimately achieved that goal. Valanciunas is still only 26, and prior to getting hurt was averaging nearly 25 points and 14 rebounds per 36 minutes. In Wright, Memphis gets a guard with excellent size who can fill three positions.
Most importantly, though, Memphis delivered its best player in franchise history to a contender, while getting out from under Gasol's $25.5 million player option for next season.
Wright is restricted this summer ($3.6M qualifying offer) and Valanciunas holds a $17.6M player option. - Alex Barutha
Stock up
Jonas Valanciunas: With Gasol gone, Valanciunas will likely start and hold a fairly substantial role at center. Even if Jaren Jackson gets the nod, Valanciunas figures to be a more featured part of the offense than he ever was in Toronto. Jaren Jackson Jr.: With a high-usage player in Gasol gone and JaMychal Green also out of the picture, it's possible we finally see Jackson settle into a consistent role of 30 minutes per night.Delon Wright: With Mike Conley still in Memphis, Wright's upside for this season may be capped, but his ability to fill both guard spots should earn him a boost for the next two-and-a-half months. That'll be especially true if the Grizzlies don't prioritize Avery Bradley.
Stock down
Serge Ibaka: Marc Gasol will presumably take Ibaka's spot as starting center, and it's possible coach Nick Nurse will opt to keep Siakam as the team's starting power forward. That would reduce Ibaka to a sixth-man role, at best.Wait and see
Kyle Lowry, Kawhi Leonard and Pascal Siakam: Siakam is at the greatest risk of seeing his minutes reduced, but the Raptors' core could all see their usage rates impacted by Gasol's arrival. Gasol, himself, could be considered a winner here, as there's a good chance he would've been heavily rested down the stretch had he remained in Memphis.Clips ship Bradley to Memphis
The Clippers get: JaMychal Green, Garrett TempleThe Grizzlies get: Avery Bradley
This is a bit of a head-scratcher for Memphis, which sends out a pair of productive players on expiring deals in exchange for a defensive specialist in Bradley, whose contract is partially guaranteed for next season. If the Grizzlies opt to hold onto Bradley for the rest of the season, they'll have until July 3 to fully guarantee his salary for 2019-20.
With Green and Temple both expiring, the Clippers cleared roughly $2 million in space (Bradley's partial guarantee), giving them $59 million in projected room for this summer. Meanwhile, Memphis creates a $7.6 million trade exception.
In order to accommodate Green and Temple, the Clippers will waive veteran big man Marcin Gortat.
The Clippers also added Michael Beasley and Ivica Zubac in a separate deal with the Lakers, so at this point it's unclear how the new-look rotation will shake out. - Nick Whalen
Stock down
Garrett Temple: Temple is much of a fantasy consideration, but he projects to take a step back after starting and averaging close to 30 minutes in Memphis.Wait and see
JaMychal Green: Green should have a decent chance at a bigger role in LA, but he'll have to contend with Wilson Chandler, Michael Beasley, and Danilo Gallinari for minutes.Ivica Zubac: With Gortat out of the picture, Zubac should be the primary option behind Montrezl Harrell, which should afford him a sizeable bench roe. However, it may not be as substantial as his starting spot with the Lakers (22.7 MPG over the last six games).
Pacers acquire, waive Stauskas and Baldwin
The Pacers get: Nik Stauskas, Wade Baldwin, 2nd-round pickThe Rockets get: Cap relief
Over the past two days, Stauskas and Baldwin have gone from Portland to Cleveland to Houston to Indiana, and the Pacers will now waive both players. Houston sends Indiana a second-rounder for its troubles, while the trade officially gets the Rockets under the luxury tax threshold.
With a pair of vacant roster spots, Houston is now expected to become a player in the buyout market. - Nick Whalen
Wait and see
Nik Stauskas: This year's version of Luke Ridnour, Stauskas appears to be on a quest to join all 30 teams before the 3:00 PM ET deadline. It's unclear where he'll ultimately land, but some team will give him a shot as a shooter off the bench.Mirotic to Milwaukee
The Bucks get: Nikola MiroticThe Pelicans get: Stanley Johnson, Jason Smith, four future 2nd-round picks
Mirotic was brought on by the Pelicans last season to help with a playoff push, and he made a significant impact with his ability to rebound and stretch the floor. The Bucks are hoping Mirotic, who is on an expiring contract, will be able to fill a similar role off the bench for the top team in the East. Mirotic has dealt with injuries this year, limiting him 32 games, but he's hitting 2.7 threes per game at a 36.8 percent clip and grabbing 8.3 rebounds across 28.9 minutes.
A calf injury has sidelined Mirotic since Jan. 23, but there's reason to believe he'll be able to make his Bucks' debut in the near future.
For the Pelicans, dumping Mirotic's expiring contract for a former top-10 pick and four future seconds makes sense given the context of the season. This trade signals New Orleans diving even deeper into a rebuild.
Only one of the second-rounders involved is actually owned by the Bucks, while the other three come courtesy of Washington (two) and Denver (one). - Alex Barutha
Stock up
Julius Randle: Randle was thought to be available at the deadline, but he'll remain in New Orleans and will be line for extended minutes with Mirotic in Milwaukee. There's some risk that the Pelicans could rest him periodically, but Randle doesn't carry the same long-term ramifications as Anthony Davis. And if Davis is ultimately shut down, Randle would be among the first to benefit.Stanley Johnson: While he has some defensive potential, Johnson wasn't going to play much for a loaded Bucks team. The Pelicans, on the other hand, are set to dive into a rebuild, so Johnson should find minutes in a what's currently an underwhelming wing rotation.
Darius Miller: MIller is averaging nearly 30 minutes per game since the start of December, but he's the most obvious candidate to cede time to Johnson.
Stock down
Ersan Ilyasova: The veteran is down to 10.9 minutes per game over the past eight contests and has already been ceding time to D.J. Wilson. Mirotic could cut into Ilyasova's minutes even further.D.J. Wilson: Despite making unforseen strides this season, Wilson will probably see his workload cut down in favor of the more skilled and experienced Mirotic.
Wait and see
Nikola Mirotic: Mirotic was already seeing 28.9 minutes per game with the Pelicans, and it seems unlikely he'll garner more playing time or occupy a bigger role with the Bucks. That said, it's possible playing for a better team will afford him more open looks, which could bump up his scoring by way of making more threes.Jahlil Okafor: An Anthony Davis trade would've been the best-case for Okafor, but he could still be viable if the Pelicans limit Davis in the second half.
Sixers add James Ennis
The 76ers get: James EnnisThe Rockets get: Right to swap 2021 2nd-round picks
Ennis became somewhat expendable after the Rockets added Iman Shumpert and Nik Stauskas to their stable of wings Wednesday, and they'll send him to Philly in an effort to reduce their luxury tax penalty. Ennis was in the starting lineup for Houston earlier this week, but the trade shaves $2.4 million off the Rockets' tax bill, while creating a $1.4 million trade exception.
In exchange for absorbing that money, Philly essentially gets Ennis for free, and he figures to be an option off the bench for what may now be the most top-heavy team in the league. A starting five of Joel Embiid, Tobias Harris Jimmy Butler, J.J. Redick and Ben Simmons solidifies Philly as a legitimate contender, but Wednesday's trade left an already-weak bench even more depleted. The Sixers will be major players in the buyout market, however, so at this point it's unclear if Ennis will be able to maintain a similar role to the one he held in Houston (23.3 MPG over his last 15 games).
In order to accommodate Ennis, the Sixers waived Malachi Richardson, who was acquired from Toronto on Wednesday.
Wait and see
James Ennis: Ennis should find a spot in the rotation, but the situation in Philadelphia isn't all that different from Houston.Wizards send Morris to Pels
The Pelicans get: Markieff Morris, a future second-round pickThe Wizards get: Wesley Johnson
Similar to the trade that sent Otto Porter to Chicago, this move feels reactionary toward John Wall's Achilles injury and is ultimately about getting under the luxury tax. In sending Morris, who is due $8.6 million this year, to New Orleans and taking back Johnson ($6.1 million), Washington has successfully navigated to $232,000 below the tax threshold. Both players will become unrestricted free agents this summer.
For the Pelicans, this is a no-lose scenario. Morris is expected to be out several more weeks with a neck injury, so he won't help improve the team's record should the Pelicans pull the plug on the season. For doing the Wizards a favor, the Pelicans also receive a future second-round pick, which could be of significance if the Wizards freefall over the next few years.
Fantasy-wise, the deal probably won't carry any ramifications. Morris hasn't played in more than a month and remains out indefinitely, while Johnson has essentially been out of the rotation since the end of November. It's possible Johnson could end up holding a spot in what will be a depleted Wizards' rotation down the stretch, but he won't be fantasy-relevant. - Nick Whalen
Mavs deal Barnes to Kings
The Kings get: Harrison BarnesThe Mavericks get: Justin Jackson, Zach Randolph
Shortly after dealing Iman Shumpert and picking up Alec Burks, the Kings made a bigger splash by acquiring Barnes, who will presumably slide into Shumpert's spot in the starting lineup. The Kings reportedly hope to keep Barnes long-term and will look to negotiate a new deal if he declines his $25 million player option for 2019-20. In the immediate future, Barnes is a sizeable upgrade on the wing, even if he's shooting just 40.6 percent from the floor. He's a much better spot-up shooter than Shumpert and should help spread the floor for the 9th-place team out West.
The Mavs have now traded four of their five regular starters as they shift their focus to 2019-20, when a healthy Kristaps Porzingis teams up with Luka Doncic. Jackson is a decent young piece, but the deal is more about the bottom line. By trading Barnes, Dallas now has more than $13 million in cap space and could have as much as $40 million to spend this summer,
With the Mavs' depth depleted, Jackson should be a every-night rotation player through the end of the season. After starting 41 games as a rookie, Jackson took a backseat this season to Shumpert, Buddy Hield and Bogdan Bogdanovic, though he still averaged more than 20 minutes per game off the bench. In 51 games, Jackson put up 6.7 points, 2.8 rebounds and 1.1 threes per game.
Randolph, meanwhile, hasn't been active this season, and it's unclear if he'll remain in Dallas or seek his release to sign elsewhere. - Nick Whalen
Stock up
Justin Jackson: He's taken a step back this season, but the Mavs have nothing but time to develop young players the rest of the way. Jackson could very well end up as the Mavs' sixth or seventh man.Stock down
Nemanja Bjelica: Yes, the Iman Shumpert trade frees up some minutes, but the Kings see Barnes as a core piece, and when he's not on the wing, he could cut into Bjelica's minutes at the four.Wait and see
Zach Randolph: Randolph turns 38 in July, but he's less than a year removed from putting up 14.5 points, 6.7 rebounds and 2.2 assists per night. It's highly unlikely he returns to fantasy relevance, but it'll be interesting to see if he lands with a team willing to give him consistent minutes.Harrison Barnes: As was the case in Dallas, Barnes will often be the second or third option, but he'll go from the 17th to the 3rd-fastest-paced team in the league. He should start right away and could continue to top 30 minutes on most nights, though the Kings have more mouths to feed than Dallas.
Three-team swap sends Shumpert to Houston, Burks to Sacramento and Knight to Cleveland
The Rockets get: Iman Shumpert, Nik Stauskas, Wade BaldwinThe Kings get: Alec Burks, 2nd-round pick from CLE
The Cavaliers get: Brandon Knight, Marquese Chriss, 2019 1st-round pick from HOU (lottery-protected)
Editor's note: The Rockets have since traded Stauskas and Baldwin to Indiana
None of the names involved are headliners, but the Rockets add much-needed depth in Shumpert, Stauskas and, to a lesser degree, Baldwin. While they'll forfeit their first-rounder, Daryl Morey has never been a pick hoarder, and the Rockets get the benefit of shedding the remaining $15.6 million on Knight's contract.
The pick is the reward for Cleveland, which is somehow going even further into tank mode, getting rid of a productive, by bad-Eastern-Conference-team standards, scorer in Burks and taking on Chriss, who may have been the most available player in NBA history.
The Kings swap Shumpert, who's enjoyed a bounceback season in Sacramento, for a younger (and cheaper) option in Burks. After coming to Cleveland from Utah in November, Burks averaged 11.6 points, 5.5 rebounds and 2.9 assists, though he shot just 40 percent from the field for the worst offensive team in the league. - Nick Whalen
Stock up
Marquese Chriss: Joining his third team in as many seasons, if Chriss can't make an impact for this Cavs team, the clock may be ticking on his NBA career.Matthew Dellavedova and Jordan Clarkson: It's unclear how much Knight will play, but dealing Burks opens up almost 29 minutes per game in the Cavs backcourt.
Bogdan Bogdanovic: The Kings swiftly acquired Harrison Barnes to fill Shumpert's spot in the lineup, but there will still be additional backcourt minutes up for grabs.
Stock down
Alec Burks: While he wasn't overly efficient, Burks put up decent numbers in Cleveland in more than 28 minutes per game. He'll have a tough time reaching that mark for a team in the thick of a playoff race.Wait and see
Iman Shumpert: Even in a bounceback year, Shumpert hasn't been fantasy-relevant, and while he's expected to be a key piece for the Rockets down the stretch, he's too inefficient to be considered in most leagues.Nik Stauskas: Stauskas has only played in six games since Jan. 1 and the Rockets need shooting off the bench.
Bulls get Porter, Wizards get Parker, Portis
The Bulls get:Otto PorterThe Wizards get: Jabari Parker, Bobby Portis, 2023 second-round pick
With John Wall (Achilles) expected to be out at least 12 months, it looks like GM Ernie Grunfeld is willing to pull the plug on the Wizards' core three, sending Porter to Chicago for a pair of rebuilding pieces. Parker has a $20 million team option for next season that will most likely be declined, unless he makes drastic improvement or the organization feels it wouldn't find a higher-upside player for the money. Portis has shown potential, himself, and is a restricted free agent this summer, so the Wizards will now have the advantage to match any offer he receives.
For the Bulls, acquiring Porter gives the team's young core an experienced face and, hopefully, some stability. Porter, 25, is the oldest of the group -- Kris Dunn (24); Zach Lavine (23); Lauri Markkanen (21); Wendell Carter Jr. (19) -- and has 31 games of playoff experience. Porter has struggled while dealing with injuries this season, but Chicago's hope is that he'll bounce back and earn the $55-plus million he's owed over the next two years. Over the previous two seasons, Porter shot 43.7 percent from three and averaged 14.1 points, 6.4 rebounds, 1.8 assists and 1.5 steals. - Alex Barutha
Stock up
Robin Lopez and Cristiano Felicio: These two are the only two true centers left on the roster, assuming Lopez doesn't get moved before Thursday's deadline.Stock down
Sam Dekker: There's little incentive to give Dekker minutes over Parker, who has higher upside despite his noted flaws on the defensive end.Ian Mahinmi: Portis could emerge as a future piece for Washington and should, at the very least, take minutes from Mahinmi, a 32-year-old backup center.
Wait and see
Otto Porter: Porter was already seeing around 30 minutes per night and it's not clear if a change of scenery will mean a change in usage.Jabari Parker: Parker hasn't been in the favor of his past two coaches, so it's unclear if he'll be able to garner more minutes under Scott Brooks. The Wizards don't have much to lose by giving him a shot over the next few months, though.
Bobby Portis: Portis has had trouble topping 25 minutes per night on a consistent basis over the past two seasons, and it would be surprising if the Wizards took away significant time from Thomas Bryant to make that happen. That said, there'll be plenty of opportunity at forward if Washington pulls back on playing veterans Trevor Ariza and Jeff Green big minutes.
Trevor Ariza, Jeff Green, Thomas Bryant: The former two players could see reductions in workload with the addition of Parker, but that would rely on the Wizards fully committing to a tank. Portis could cut into Bryant's minutes, but Bryant is playing well enough for that to constitute surprise.
Suns get Tyler Johnson
The Suns get: Tyler Johnson, Wayne EllingtonThe Heat get: Ryan Anderson
For the Heat, this deal was primarily about saving money. With Miami now about $1.2 million over the tax threshold, its luxury tax bill stands at $1.8 million. It was $9.7 million at the start of the day. Sure, Miami loses a rotational piece in Johnson, but he was already fighting for playing time with the likes of Rodney McGruder, Dion Waiters and Dwyane Wade. His role was especially in jeopardy once coach Erik Spoelstra decided to play Justise Winslow at point guard, and don't forget: Goran Dragic exists and should be ready to play after the All-Star Break.
We know the Suns want point guard to pair with Devin Booker and, well, they still don't really have it. Johnson fits the bill in the sense that he's a true NBA-caliber guard who has 142 minutes of playoff experience, but he doesn't fit the bill in the sense that he averages 3.6 assists and 2.0 turnovers per 36 minutes. He might help run an offense smoothly, but what's Johnson's upside for this tanking Suns team? He's on the older half of 26 and hasn't shown tangible improvement in three years.
The move is somewhat perplexing for Phoenix considering Wayne Ellington will likely be bought out, so the Suns aren't gaining a true asset in the deal unless the plan is to flip Johnson -- or make him a key part of the rotation -- next season. At the end of the day, they essentially flipped one bad salary in Anderson for another, but at least Johnson should see the floor consistently. - Alex Barutha
Stock up
Tyler Johnson: For all of his faults, Johnson could see more run in a faster-paced Suns offense. Simply by way of more possessions, his fantasy value could improve.Dion Waiters: Waiters' role has fluctuated since returning from injury, and Johnson being out of the equation could open up a consistent role of 20-plus minutes, if not more.
Rodney McGruder: McGruder has essentially fallen out of the rotation over the past seven games, collecting five DNP-CDs. He was a big early-season waiver wire acquisition (12.1 points, 5.0 rebounds, 3.2 assists, 1.0 steal in 33.3 minutes from Oct. through Nov.) and it's possible coach Erik Spoelstra carves out at least some role for him.
Wayne Ellington: Ellington has played in just five games since January, so essentially any role constitutes an improvement. If he finds his way onto a contender, Ellington could trend close to last season's numbers (11.2 points and 2.9 threes across 26.5 minutes) in a best-case scenario. The veteran waived his no-trade clause to facilitate the move to Phoenix, so a buyout or secondary trade seems inevitable. Ellington's hometown Sixers will likely be at the front of the line.
Stock down
De'Anthony Melton: It's possible Johnson starts at point guard. Or, at the very least, takes minutes away from Melton, who's averaging 20.5 minutes per game and has been an interesting DFS option, at times.Jamal Crawford: Considering the Suns' place in the standings, it has been surprising how much the 38-year-old has played. Johnson may be the one who ends up taking most of his role away.
Elie Okobo: Okobo has functioned as the backup point guard for Phoenix, but it seems all the point guard minutes will go to either Melton, Johnson or Booker.
Wait and see
Kelly Oubre, Josh Jackson, Mikal Bridges: All three have been seeing similar minutes, so we'll see if coach Igor Kokoskov favors Johnson over any of them.Bucks swap Maker for Johnson
The Bucks get: Stanley JohnsonThe Pistons get: Thon Maker
After falling out of the rotation, Maker had requested a trade from the Bucks in late January. Milwaukee found a trade partner in Detroit, which was willing to offer up Stanley Johnson, who, himself, has struggled to find a consistent role. Both teams are hoping a change of scenery will help each former top-10 pick reach their potential.
In Maker, the Pistons get a stretch-five who could provide some interesting looks next to Blake Griffin, aside from the usual options of Andre Drummond and Zaza Pachulia. Maker is a career 33.2 percent three-point shooter and has upside as a defender, racking up a combined 2.5 blocks/steals per 36 minutes for his career. His role should increase in Detroit, but it probably won't be enough to catapult him into fantasy relevance.
In Johnson, the Bucks get a versatile defender at 6-foot-7, 245 pounds that could help cover bigger wing players. That's especially important for the Eastern Conference Playoffs, as Kawhi Leonard, Jimmy Butler, Ben Simmons and Jayson Tatum could be met along the way. The main concern is Johnson's shooting. The fourth-year player has yet to shoot above 38.1 percent from the field or 30.7 percent from distance. On a team that prioritizes floor spacing, minutes may not be easy to come by. - Alex Barutha
Stock up
Thon Maker: Nowhere to go but up after falling out of the Bucks' rotation in mid-January. Will compete with Zaza Pachulia and Jon Leuer for backup minutes behind Andre Drummond and Blake GriffinLuke Kennard: With Johnson and Reggie Bullock gone, over 50 minutes and 17 shots per game have opened up on the wing. Kennard has been productive when playing at least 24 minutes, averaging 14.8 points, 4.4 rebounds and 2.4 assists on 42.2 percent shooting under that condition. Unless the Pistons add another wing -- which is a possibility -- Kennard will be the biggest beneficiary down the stretch.
Bruce Brown: The rookie has been a full-time starter since the end of December and could step into an even larger role, though his workload hasn't translated to fantasy value.
Glenn Robinson: Robinson has played over 24 minutes just three times this season, but he figures to see more run, by default. Per 36 minutes, the 25-year-old averages 10.8 points, 3.2 rebounds and 1.1 assists.
Stock down
Stanley Johnson: Milwaukee apparently likes Johnson's defensive potential, but minutes will be tough to come by on a successful Bucks team with an established rotation that emphasizes three-point shooting.Jon Leuer: Could see his already-minimal role evaporate if the Pistons opt to give Maker an extended look.
Wait and see
Tony Snell: Snell's role has fluctuated this season, and it's possible Johnson will create competition for Snell's wing minutes.Sixers go all-in on Harris
The Clippers get: Landry Shamet, Mike Muscala, Wilson Chandler, 2020 1st-round pick (lottery-protected), 2021 1st-round pick (via MIA, unprotected), 2021 2nd-round pick, 2023 2nd-round pickThe 76ers get: Tobias Harris, Boban Marjanovic, Mike Scott
What a feeling to wake up to 15 notifications and half are from Woj. In a deal that went through well after midnight on the east coast, the Sixers added a fifth piece to their talented core, bringing in Harris to complete what's now the most talented starting five in the conference. But acquiring Harris, who just missed out on his first All-Star appearance, came at a hefty cost. The Sixers sent a trio of rotation players -- including promising rookie Landry Shamet -- to LA, in addition to a pair of first-round picks.
The inclusion of the unprotected Miami pick is particularly surprising, but it signals that the Sixers are willing to go all-in on making a run this season, and Philly reportedly has designs to re-sign Harris and Jimmy Butler this summer. In the end, the Sixers may have overpaid, but they saw an opportunity to add a proven scorer and pounced.
Meanwhile, the Clippers traded away their best player and essentially waived the white flag on competing for a playoff spot this season. That's a risky proposition for a franchise with a history of very little postseason success, but the Clippers were far from a lock to make the playoffs with Harris, and if they weren't convinced he's a near-max player, it makes sense to deal him now, rather than overpay or let him walk for nothing in July.
In return, the Clippers get a fantastic haul, headlined by the Miami pick -- one of the biggest wild card assets in the NBA. Losing Harris is a blow, but the move sets up Los Angeles to be a major player in free agency not only in 2019, but in years to come. Both Muscala and Chandler are expirings, while Shamet is on the books for less than $2 million next season.
The assumption is Los Angeles will use its space to chase Kawhi Leonard, among other marquee free agents, this summer, but the Clippers are now in position to make a play for Anthony Davis -- they were on his list of teams with which he'd sign long-term -- should they so choose. Even with Shamet, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, and the extra picks, LA may not have the firepower to compete with the Celtics or the Lakers, but they're undoubtedly in a better position now than they were 24 hours ago. - Nick Whalen
Stock up
Danilo Gallinari: Swapping Harris out for Chandler and Muscala is a significant drop in offensive production, so Gallinari will be leaned on for more scoring.Tyrone Wallace: Probably a reach, but the Clippers need someone to help fill the void on the wing, and that could be Wallace if they don't make another addition before the deadline.
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander/Jerome Robinson: There's no obvious replacement for Harris, but the Clippers could pivot toward a more youth-oriented rotation and go small with more opportunities for their rookie guards.
T.J. McConnell: Already averaging more than 23 minutes per game over the past month, McConnell could take on a larger role off the bench with Shamet out of the picture. The Sixers are currently light on guards, though they'll probably make at least one addition in the buyout market.
Stock down
Tobias Harris: In the midst of his best NBA season, Harris will go from the number one option on a mid-tier team to the number three or four option on a contender. It'll be nearly impossible for Harris to maintain his 20.9 points and 15.5 field goal attempts per game, but he should still be a very productive three-point shooter, with increased assists potential.Jimmy Butler: Butler's scoring already took a hit when he came over from Minnesota, and Harris adds another mouth to feed on the wing. Butler's other counting stats should be safe, but his scoring could again decrease.
Wait and see
Joel Embiid: Of the Sixers' core, Embiid is the least likely to cede possessions to Harris.Landry Shamet: The rookie quickly developed into a three-point marksman in Philly, but it's fair to question whether he'll be able to consistently top the 21 minutes -- and 4.8 three-point attempts -- per game he was averaging over the past month.
Lakers get Bullock
The Lakers get: Reggie BullockThe Pistons get: Svi Mykhailiuk, future second-round pick
The Lakers swap a young shooter for a more-proven option in Bullock, who's a better catch-and-shoot threat than anyone on the current roster. Los Angeles was thought to be high on Mykhailiuk, who had a great summer league and fared well in the G League, but Bullock is a more-immediate contributor who should be of greater help as the Lakers push for a playoff berth out West. - Nick Whalen