The 2021 NBA Trade Deadline Report

Michael Ginnitti
Michael Ginnitti, Managing Editor & NFL/MLB ExpertMarch 26, 2021
© USA TODAY Sports

The NBA trade deadline has come and gone and over the course of the week, 20 notable moves were made across the league. Here's a team by team breakdown of players out, players in and both the cap and cash ramifications for each player. (Cap hit that moved, Cash remaining that moved)

 

Team 20-21 Cap Change 20-21 Cash Change
ATL +$0.5M +$.2M
BOS +$15.15M +$5.1M
BKN - -
CHA +$2.25M +$0.8M
CHI -$4M +$0.2M
CLE -$2.6M -$.923M
DAL -$1.4M -$.5M
DEN +$1.4M +$0.6M
DET +$3.6M -$1.3M
GSW -$4.5M -$1.5M
HOU -$1.8M -$0.1M
IND - -
LAC -$2.5M -$0.9M
LAL - -
MEM - -
MIA +$8.7M +$0.5M
MIL -$1.3M -$0.5M
MIN - -
NOP +$0.8M +$0.5M
NYK +$1.5M +$0.6M
OKC -$5.9M -$2.4M
ORL -$16.5M -$6M
PHI +$1M +$1.5M
PHX +$1.6M +$0.69M
POR -$0.8M -$0.2M
SAC -$2.1M -$1.4M
SAS +$1.8M +$0.65M
TOR -$2.2M -$0.8M
UTA +$1.5M +$0.54M
WAS -$1.5M -$0.7M

 

Atlanta Hawks

The Hawks sent PG Rajon Rondo to the Clippers for SG Lou Williams, two 2nd round picks, & cash considerations. It’s a big win for Rondo, and a small win for the Hawks, who pick up a few extra picks, and free up $7.5M of cap & cash in 2021-22. Williams is an expiring contract. The cash included in this deal likely matches the difference between Rondo & Williams this year ($200k).

IN ($8M cap, $2.8M cash)
Lou Williams (SG, $8M, $2.8M) - expiring

OUT ($7.5M cap, $2.6M cash)
Rajon Rondo (PG, $7.5M, $2.6M) - thru 21-22

 

Boston Celtics

The Celtics use a portion of their Gordon Hayward trade exception to acquire Evan Fournier from Orlando (still have $11M remaining, expiring 11/29/21). This plus a swap of big men with Chicago/Washington brings in over $15M of new cap, $5.5M of new cash to their season.

IN ($21.75M cap, $7.7M cash)
Evan Fournier (SG, $17.4M, $6.2M) - expiring
Mo Wagner (C, $2.1M, $770k) - expiring
Luke Kornet (C, $2.25M, $801k) - expiring

OUT ($6.6M cap, $2.6M cash)
Daniel Theis (C, $5M, $1.7M) - expiring
Jeff Teague (PG, $1.6M, $913k) - expiring

 

Brooklyn Nets

No movement.

 

Charlotte Hornets

Charlotte struck a last minute deal to acquire some point guard insurance with LaMelo Ball now on the shelf. It’s an expiring contract.

IN ($2.25M cap, $801k cash)
Brad Wanamaker (PG, $2.25M, $801k) - expiring

 

Chicago Bulls

The Bulls landed the biggest fish of the deadline in Vucevic, adding just over $4M of cap at the end of the day. Chicago stays basically cash neutral through the remainder of the season, thanks to cash considerations in their 3-team deal with Washington/Boston. The Bulls hold about $23M of practical cap space in the 2021-22 season.

OUT ($40M cap, $14.2M cash)
Otto Porter Jr. (SF, $28.4M, $10.1M) - expiring
Wendell Carter Jr. (SF, $5.4M, $1.9M) - thru 21-22
Chandler Hutchison (SF, $2.4M, $870k) - thru 21-22
Luke Kornet (C, $2.25M, $801k) - expiring Daniel Gafford (PF, $1.5M, $540k) - thru 21-22

IN ($44M cap, $14M cash)
Nikola Vucevic (C, $26M, $9.2M) - thru 22-23
Al-Farouq Aminu (PF, $9.7M, $3.4M) - thru 21-22
Troy Brown Jr. (SF, $3.3M, $1.2M) - thru 21-22
Daniel Theis (C, $5M, $1.7M) - expiring
$1.55M of cash considerations

 

Cleveland Cavaliers

Already inline to lose Andre Drummond via buyout, the Cavs let another big man off the hook at the deadline, sending McGee back to Denver for a young center and two 2nd round picks. Cleveland frees up $2.6M of cap space, and almost $1M cash in the deal.

IN ($1.6M cap, $577k cash)
Isaiah Hartenstein (C, $1.6M, $577k) - option thru 21-22

OUT ($4.2M cap, $1.5M cash)
JaVale McGee (C, $4.2M, $1.5M) - expiring

 

Dallas Mavericks

The Mavs get active late in the day, bringing in 3PT specialist JJ Redick out of New Orleans for James Johnson and a swap of forwards. The move actually frees up $1.4M of cap, and a half a million cash.

IN ($16.8M cap, $5.9M cash)
J.J. Redick (SG, $13M, $4.6M) - expiring
Nicolo Melli (PF, $3.8M, $1.3M) - expiring RFA

OUT ($18.2M cap, $6.4M cash)
James Johnson (PF, $16M, $5.8M) - expiring
Wesley Iwundu (SF, $1.6M, $597k) - thru 21-22

 

Denver Nuggets

The Nuggets made two big additions for their postseason run in adding Gordon from Orlando and McGee from Cleveland. They added about $1.4M of cap & $400,000 of cash allocations in the two moves, while relinquishing a 1st and 2 2nd round picks in the process.

IN ($24.3M cap, $8.6M cash)
Aaron Gordon (PF, $18.1M, $6.45M) - thru 21-22
JaVale McGee (C, $4.2M, $1.5M) - expiring
Gary Clark (PF, $2M, $712k) - thru 21-22

OUT ($22.9M cap, $8.2M cash)
Gary Harris (SG, $19.1M, $6.9M) - thru 21-22
RJ Hampton (PG, $2.2M, $781k) - thru 23-24
Isaiah Hartenstein (C, $1.6M, $577k) - option thru 21-22

 

Detroit Pistons

The Pistons swap PGs with the Kings, landing themselves a player with half the production, and $3.6M in additional cap. Sounds about right.

IN ($12.6M cap, $4.4M cash)
Cory Joseph (PG, $12.6M, $4.4M) - thru 21-22, non-GTD

OUT ($9M cap, $5.7M cash)
Delon Wright (PG, $9M, $5.7M) - thru 21-22

 

Golden State Warriors

The Warriors shed some cap and cash at the deadline, sending an expiring Chriss to San Antonio, and an extra PG to the Hornets who just lost LaMelo Ball. This drops their 2020-21 cash payroll to $169.5M, still tops in the league.

IN (No Impact)
Cady Lalanne (PF)

OUT ($4.5M cap, $1.5M cash)
Brad Wanamaker (PG, $2.25M, $801k) - expiring
Marquese Chriss (SF, $1.8M, $649k) - expiring

 

Houston Rockets

They had us thinking for a moment that he was staying, but Houston does indeed ship out Oladipo to Miami for an expiring big wing & a veteran PG with a team option in 2021-22. When factoring in last weeks deal sending P.J. Tucker to the Bucks, Houston frees up about $2M of cap, while staying basically cash neutral for the rest of the season.

IN ($28.9M cap, $11.2M cash)
Kelly Olynyk (PF, $12.2M, $4.7M) - expiring
D.J. Augustin (PG, $6.6M, $2.7M) - thru 22-23
Avery Bradley (PG, $5.6M, $2M) - option thru 21-22
D.J. Wilson (PF, $4.5M, $1.8M) - expiring RFA

OUT ($30.7M cap, $11.3M cash)
Victor Oladipo (SG, $21M, $7.4M) - expiring
P.J. Tucker (PF, $8M, $3.2M) expiring
Rodions Kurucs (SF, $1.7M, $719k) - option thru 21-22

 

Indiana Pacers

No Movement

 

Los Angeles Clippers

The Clippers will take a chance on playoff Rondo carrying them through the post season this year, sending a plateauing Lou Williams back home to Atlanta. LA frees up $2.5M of cap, & almost $1M of cash in these deals.

IN ($7.5M cap, $2.6M cash)
Rajon Rondo (PG, $7.5M, $2.6M) - thru 21-22

OUT ($10M cap, $3.5M cash)
Lou Williams (SG, $8M, $2.8M) - expiring
Mfiondu Kabengele (PF, $2M, $782k) - expiring

 

Los Angeles Lakers

No movement

 

Memphis Grizzlies

No movement

 

Miami Heat

While many had them pegged for Kyle Lowry, the Heat end up with Oladipo while keeping all of their talented youngsters (for now). These moves combine for $8.7M of new cap, but only a half a million more cash.

IN ($41M cap, $15.1M cash)
Victor Oladipo (SG, $21M, $7.4M) - expiring
Trevor Ariza (SF, $12.8M, $5.2M) - expiring
Nemanja Bjelica (PF, $7.15M, $2.5M) - expiring

OUT ($32.3M cap, $14.6M cash)
Kelly Olynyk (PF, $12.2M, $4.7M) - expiring
Meyers Leonard (C, $9.4M, $3.8M) - expiring
Avery Bradley (PG, $5.6M, $2M) - option thru 21-22
Maurice Harkless (SF, $3.6M, $1.3M) expiring
Chris Silva (PF, $1.5M, $540k) - option thru 21-22

 

Milwaukee Bucks

The Bucks did much of their trade work in the offseason, bringing in a little grit at the deadline in Tucker. The move actually clears $1.3M of cap, and a half a million cash

IN ($9.7M cap, $4M cash)
P.J. Tucker (PF, $8M, $3.2M) expiring
Rodions Kurucs (SF, $1.7M, $719k) - option thru 21-22

OUT ($11M cap, $4.5M cash)
D.J. Augustin (PG, $6.6M, $2.7M) - thru 22-23
D.J. Wilson (PF, $4.5M, $1.8M) - expiring RFA

 

Minnesota Timberwolves

No movement

 

New Orleans Pelicans

New Orleans sends Redick to a potential playoff team, while picking up an extra 2nd rounder in exchange for a $1M more of cap, and half a million more cash this season.

IN ($17.6M cap, $6.4M cash)
James Johnson (PF, $16M, $5.8M) - expiring
Wesley Iwundu (SF, $1.6M, $597k) - thru 21-22

OUT ($16.8M cap, $5.9M cash)
J.J. Redick (SG, $13M, $4.6M) - expiring
Nicolo Melli (PF, $3.8M, $1.3M) - expiring RFA

 

New York Knicks

The Knicks acquire two second round picks in exchange for a few expiring restricted free agents that could have a chance to stick. They added $1.5M of cap, and around $600k of cash in the process.

IN ($6.5M cap, $2.3M cash)
Terrance Ferguson (SF, $3.9M, $1.4M) - expiring RFA
Vincent Poirier (C, $2.6M, $932k) - expiring RFA
Emir Preldzic (SF)

OUT ( $5M cap, $1.7M cash)
Austin Rivers (PG, $3.5M, $1.2M) - non-g’teed the 22-23
Ignas Brazdeikis (SF, $1.5M, $540k) - option thru 22-23

 

Oklahoma City Thunder

What else is new? The Thunder shipped out two vets for expiring contracts, clearing $6M of cap, $2.5M of cash, and picking up 3 more 2nd round draft picks. As the sky is blue…

IN ($16.4M cap, $6.2M cash)
Meyers Leonard (C, $9.4M, $3.8M) - expiring
Austin Rivers (PG, $3.5M, $1.2M) - non-g’teed thru 22-23
Tony Bradley (C, $3.5M, $1.2M) - expiring RFA

OUT ($22.3M cap, $8.6M cash)
Trevor Ariza (SF, $12.8M, $5.2M) - expiring
George Hill (PG, $9.5M, $3.4M) - non-g’teed thru 21-22

 

Orlando Magic

The Magic sent 4/5 of their starting lineup out the door this week, clearing $16.5M of cap space and $6M of cash in the process. In addition to the players below, Orlando picks up a $17.15M trade exception in moving Evan Fournier to the Celtics. They also pick up 3 1st round picks, & 2 2nd rounders per their moves, and now hold $16M of practical cap space in the 2021-22 season.

IN ($56.7M cap, $20M cash)
Otto Porter Jr. (SF, $28.4M, $10.1M) - expiring
Gary Harris (SG, $19.1M, $6.9M) - thru 21-22
Wendell Carter Jr. (SF, $5.4M, $1.9M) - thru 21-22
RJ Hampton (PG, $2.2M, $781k) - thru 23-24
Jeff Teague (PG, $1.6M, $913k) - expiring

OUT ($73.2M cap, $26M cash)
Nikola Vucevic (C, $26M, $9.2M) - thru 22-23
Aaron Gordon (PF, $18.1M, $6.45M) - thru 21-22
Evan Fournier (SG, $17.4M, $6.2M) - expiring
Al-Farouq Aminu (PF, $9.7M, $3.4M) - thru 21-22
Gary Clark (PF, $2M, $712k) - thru 21-22

 

Philadelphia 76ers

The Sixers added about $1M of cap and cash respectively, and are taking a flyer on the injured George Hill as an experienced backcourt player for their postseason run. Nothing too fancy to see here.

IN ($11M cap, $4M cash)
George Hill (PG, $9.5M, $3.4M) - non-g’teed thru 21-22
Ignas Brazdeikis (SF, $1.5M, $540k) - option thru 22-23

OUT ($10M cap, $3.5M cash)
Terrance Ferguson (SF, $3.9M, $1.4M) - expiring RFA
Tony Bradley (C, $3.5M, $1.2M) - expiring RFA
Vincent Poirier (C, $2.6M, $932k) - expiring RFA

 

Phoenix Suns

The Suns added a depth forward about a week ago and nothing more since. They’re a sleeper for a buyout player or two as they prepare for a postseason run.

IN ($1.6M cap, $690k cash)
Torrey Craig (SF, $1.6M, $689k) - expiring

 

Portland Trailblazers

Portland gets another outstanding backcourt player, shedding $800k of cap and $200k of cash in the process. Things could get really expensive next year if they want to keep Powell though.

IN ($10.8M cap, $3.8M cash)
Norman Powell (SG, $10.8M, $3.8M) - option thru 21-22

OUT ($11.6M cap, $4M cash)
Gary Trent Jr. (SG, $1.6M, $592k) - expiring RFA
Rodney Hood (SF, $10M, $3.5M) - non-g’teed thru 21-22

 

Sacramento Kings

The Kings added 5 players this week, none whom are poised to move the needle too much, but they’re starting to show signs of piecing things together at last. The kicker? They cleared over $2M of cap space in the process.

IN ($17.6M cap, $8.3M cash)
Delon Wright (PG, $9M, $5.7M) - thru 21-22
Maurice Harkless (SF, $3.6M, $1.3M) expiring
Mfiondu Kabengele (PF, $2M, $782k) - expiring
Terence Davis (SG, $1.5M, $540k) - expiring RFA
Chris Silva (PF, $1.5M, $540k) - option thru 21-22

OUT ($19.7M cap, $6.9M cash)
Cory Joseph (PG, $12.6M, $4.4M) - thru 21-22, non-GTD
Nemanja Bjelica (PF, $7.15M, $2.5M) - expiring

 

San Antonio Spurs

The rare Spurs deadline deal didn’t exactly raise eyebrows, but San Antonio gets a young forward to get a look at for a few months at minimum cap and cash increase.

IN ($1.8M cap, $650k cash)
Marquese Chriss (SF, $1.8M, $649k) - expiring

 

Toronto Raptors

So they keep Lowry after all, but still lose a solid piece in Powell, freeing up about $2.2M of cap and $800k of cash in the process.

IN ($11.6M cap, $4M cash)
Gary Trent Jr. (SG, $1.6M, $592k) - expiring RFA
Rodney Hood (SF, $10M, $3.5M) - non-g’teed thru 21-22

OUT ($13.8M cap, $4.8M cash)
Norman Powell (SG, $10.8M, $3.8M) - option thru 21-22
Terence Davis (SG, $1.5M, $540k) - expiring RFA
Matt Thomas (SG, $1.5M, $540k cash)

 

Utah Jazz

The Jazz add a depth backcourt piece, but appear pretty content to make a deep postseason run with the unit they have.

IN ($1.5M cap, $540k cash)
Matt Thomas (SG, $1.5M, $540k cash)

 

Washington Wizards

Washington added a few players with term while freeing up $1.5M of cap space, and $700 in cash. Kind of a win win here for the Wizards.

IN ($3.9M cap, $1.3M cash)
Chandler Hutchison (SF, $2.4M, $870k) - thru 21-22
Daniel Gafford (PF, $1.5M, $540k) - thru 21-22

OUT ($5.4M cap, $2M cash)
Troy Brown Jr. (SF, $3.3M, $1.2M) - thru 21-22
Mo Wagner (C, $2.1M, $770k) - expiring


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