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Most teams did not have the kind of cap space needed to be flexible with their spending in 2021 NBA free agency, which saw many sign-and-trade deals take place.
The players ended up receiving the kind of contracts they wanted, while their former teams did not have to lose their coveted stars for nothing. That made it a win-win situation for all parties involved, as it should ideally happen, which is the basic purpose of a sign-and-trade deal.
On that note, here's a look at all the sign-and-trade deals that have taken place in the 2021 NBA offseason so far:
#1 Lauri Markkanen - Cleveland Cavaliers
Lauri Markkanen's move to the Cleveland Cavaliers was the most recent sign-and-trade deal that took place in the 2021 NBA offseason. The restricted free agent was the only premier prospect left in the market, and could have even ended up staying with the Chicago Bulls if not for the Cavs making a move to sign him.
Markkanen's value was too high for teams to consider making a move for him. Nevertheless, he still ended up signing a four-year $67 million contract, which seems like a winning situation for the sharpshooting forward.
There were three teams involved in this sign-and-trade deal. The Portland Trail Blazers received Larry Nance Jr., while Derrick Jones Jr. was the player the Chicago Bulls got in exchange for Markkanen.
The Bulls also secured a lottery-protected 2022 first-round pick from the Portland Trail Blazers and a 2023 second-round pick from Denver (via Cleveland).
#2 Evan Fournier - New York Knicks
The Boston Celtics made sure they made the most of Evan Fournier's free agency after they chose not to re-sign the French swingman. Fournier was signed and traded to the New York Knicks, which helped the Celtics create a trade exception worth $17.1 million.
The Cs had signed Fournier and Josh Richardson with the $28.5 million trade exception they created via the sign-and-trade deal of forward Gordan Hayward to the Charlotte Hornets in the last NBA offseason. Boston also attached two future second-round picks in the deal in exchange for cash considerations.
The expiry date for Evan Fournier's trade exception is 17th September 2022.
#3 DeMar DeRozan - Chicago Bulls
The Chicago Bulls have relied heavily on sign-and-trade deals this offseason. They were able to sign DeMar DeRozan from the San Antonio Spurs through this route as well.
DeRozan signed a 3-year $85 million deal. The Bulls had to part ways with Al-Farouq Aminou, Thaddeus Young, a future first-rounder and 2022 and 2025 second-round picks.
This deal benefitted the San Antonio Spurs in a great way, as they did not have to let DeRozan walk for free. The Bulls ended up saving their cap room. but lost draft capital in the process. However, as they are going all-in to make a push for the playoffs, it shouldn't be something they should be worried about for now, at least.
#4 Lonzo Ball - Chicago Bulls
Before signing DeMar DeRozan, the Chicago Bulls engaged in a sign-and-trade deal with the New Orleans Pelicans to acquire restricted free agent Lonzo Ball. They needed a point guard, and they had been linked with Ball since the trade deadline in March 2021.
Ball signed a four-year $85 million contract to join the Bulls. The Pelicans did not want their young star to depart for nothing, while the Bulls wanted to make sure they retain the flexibility to make future transactions. So a sign-and-trade deal was the best option for both parties.
The Pelicans received Garrett Temple, Tomas Satoransky, a 2024 second-round draft pick and cash in exchange.
#5 Kyle Lowry - Miami Heat
The Kyle Lowry era at the Toronto Raptors finally came to an end this offseason. The point guard joined forces with Jimmy Butler and Bam Adebayo to form the latest big-three in the NBA.
Lowry signed a 3-year $90 million contract with the Miami Heat. The Toronto Raptors made sure they did not end up losing Lowry for free, as they received Goran Dragic and Precious Achiuwa in the sign-and-trade deal. Dragic is a very tradeable asset, while Achiuwa fills their need for more depth at the five.
Meanwhile, the Heat ended up saving some cap room, and re-signed sharpshooter Duncan Robinson on a 5-year $89.9 million deal.
#6 Spencer Dinwiddie - Washington Wizards
Spencer Dinwiddie's sign-and-trade to Washington Wizards was a deal that included five teams in total. The Brooklyn Nets, San Antonio Spurs, Indiana Pacers and the LA Lakers were the other four teams involved.
Here's a complete breakdown of the assets each team received in this deal, as done by NBA Analysis Network:
Dinwiddie signed a $54 million deal that would span across three years. He fills the need for a playmaking guard who can shoot the ball. His defense is also decent, which improves the Wizards a lot.
Washington did not have the cap room to sign Dinwiddie outright, so orchestrating a sign-and-trade deal benefited them a lot. The Brooklyn Nets, meanwhile, were able to create an $11.4 million trade exception. All parties, including Dinwiddie, got what they wanted via this sign-and-trade transaction.
#7 Devonte' Graham - New Orleans Pelicans
The New Orleans Pelicans replaced Lonzo Ball with another young sharpshooting guard, Devonte' Graham. They engaged in a sign and trade to sign the point guard with the Charlotte Hornets.
Graham signed a four-year $47 million contract. It turned out to be a three-team deal, which also included the Memphis Grizzlies. The following press release from the Pelicans explains all the transactions that took place:
"The Pelicans have acquired center Jonas Valančiūnas and the draft rights to 2021 first round pick Trey Murphy III (17th overall) and 2021 second round pick Brandon Boston (51st overall) from the Grizzlies. In exchange, New Orleans has conveyed center Steven Adams, guard Eric Bledsoe, the draft rights to 2021 first round pick Ziaire Williams (10th overall) and 2021 second round pick Jared Butler (40th overall), and a protected 2022 first round pick to Memphis."
"Additionally, the Pelicans have acquired guard Devonte’ Graham from the Hornets in exchange for forward Wes Iwundu, a future protected first round draft pick and cash considerations. As part of the three-team deal, Memphis has traded the draft rights to Tyler Harvey, the 51st overall pick in the 2015 NBA Draft."
The New Orleans Pelicans created a $17 million traded player exception for the outgoing salary of Steven Adams in the process, and also made themselves eligible for the bi-annual and mid-level exception.
