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The 2020 NBA trade deadline is finally past us. A majority of teams were in the market looking to fortify their rosters for a postseason run while the lottery franchises made moves to secure their future by giving up key players and settling for future draft picks.
We saw several notable and expected names such as Andre Iguodala and Marcus Morris being moved to contending teams while many bench pieces played the facilitator's role for the deals to go through. Some players such as Minnesota's Shabazz Napier and Jordan Bell were dealt multiple times.
With only the buyout market left for teams to realistically improve their rosters, we more or less know the mainstays for each franchise. With that being said, let us now look at the five best trades that took place yesterday before the NBA trade deadline expired.
#5 Denver Nuggets acquire Jordan McRae from Washington Wizards
Denver Nuggets receive - Jordan McRae
Washington Wizards receive - Shabazz Napier
Although the Denver Nuggets are looking more and more likely to finish in the top three seeds of the Western Conference with each passing day, their scoring struggles have been much documented over the last few weeks.
The Nuggets only rank 19th when it comes to points scored per game while their bench contribution is also only the 16th best in the NBA, both worrying signs for a team with the ambitions of a deep postseason run.
Herein, the addition of Jordan McRae brings much-needed relief to Mike Malone's side. McRae is averaging 12.8 points per game so far this season along with 3.6 assists, and 2.8 rebounds. The point guard is scoring at an accuracy of 37.7% from range and thus will augment Denver's perimeter offense.
For the Wizards, the addition of Shabazz Napier makes much sense as they get an ideal replacement for Isaiah Thomas whom they moved to the LA Clippers during the day. Napier is a pass-first guard and him slotting alongside Bradley Beal should help the latter in getting better looks.
#4 Cleveland Cavaliers acquire Andre Drummond from Detroit Pistons
Cleveland Cavaliers receive - Andre Drummond
Detroit Pistons receive - John Henson, Brandon Knight, future second-round pick
Andre Drummond has been subject to much speculation since the beginning of the season. The center has a $28.8 million player option at the end of the season but had openly suggested that he was willing to test the free agency market come the summer.
The Pistons have been looking for trade partners in the last three or four weeks but most assumed that Drummond would in all probability be dealt to a playoff-bound team. The trade is undoubtedly a surprise not just because of the fact that it happened, but also because of how little the Cavaliers had to pay up to land Drummond.
Cleveland managed to retain their expiring contracts following the deal which means they are going to try and land an extension with the current rebounding leader during the upcoming offseason.
#3 Minnesota Timberwolves acquire D'Angelo Russell from Golden State Warriors
Minnesota Timberwolves receive - D'Angelo Russell, Jacob Evans, Omari Spellman
Golden State Warriors receive - Andrew Wiggins, 2021 first-round pick (top 3 protected), 2021 second-round pick
Minnesota Timberwolves have been chasing D'Angelo Russell since last summer and they have finally managed to land him. Both DLo and Karl-Anthony Towns have been very vocal about wanting to play together and it's finally happened.
Andrew Wiggins had a brilliant start to the season where he was averaging roughly 25 points a game on efficient shooting but his performances have dropped significantly since. The Wolves have finally given up on him and moved him for Russell who has been averaging a career-high 23.6 points per game so far this season.
The move does come with its concerns for Minnesota, as neither Russell nor Towns are good defenders of the ball and they just recently moved their best two-way player in Robert Covington to the Houston Rockets.
For the Golden State Warriors, it's apparent that they believe Wiggins will be a good fit in the small forward role next year when Stephen Curry and Klay Thompson return from their respective injuries. Additionally, the team also saves a lot of money by going under the luxury tax threshold with this trade.
#2 Miami Heat acquire Andre Iguodala from Memphis Grizzlies
Miami Heat receive - Andre Iguodala, Jae Crowder, Solomon Hill
Memphis Grizzlies receive - Justise Winslow, Dion Waiters, Gorgui Dieng
Minnesota Timberwolves receive - James Johnson
While the Miami Heat have still not managed to add any elite superstar to play alongside Jimmy Butler, Andre Iguodala brings much-needed playoff experience to guide the young Heat side in – what the front office would be hoping to be – a deep postseason run.
Iguodala has certainly cashed in with a 2-year $30 million extension but a team option in the second year allows the Heat to be in a position to still make strides in their original plan of landing Giannis Antetokounmpo in the summer of 2021.
The Memphis Grizzlies have taken up a lot of salary in this trade but it's evident that their upper echelon believes that Justise Winslow could be a good fit alongside Ja Morant and Jaren Jackson Jr. as the third option.
#1 Los Angeles Clippers acquire Marcus Morris from New York Knicks
Los Angeles Clippers receive - Marcus Morris Sr., Isaiah Thomas
New York Knicks receive - Maurice Harkless, 2020 first-round pick, two pick swaps from 2021 draft
Washington Wizards receive - Jerome Robinson
The Los Angeles Clippers will be enjoying multifold benefits by moving for Marcus Morris. Firstly, they have acquired the services of a physical big who defends well and is scoring almost at will from beyond the arc. Secondly, Morris was also a trade target for cross-city rivals Los Angeles Lakers.
While the move certainly strips them of more future assets, that the Clippers were able to complete the move without giving away Landry Shamet is a big plus for the side. Morris is averaging 19.6 points per game so far this season and will also be an important veteran presence for the Clippers in their bid for a title.
For the New York Knicks, they have received another expiring contract in return which would also reduce their wage bill by a few million while also adding to their future draft stock.
