The LA Clippers made their big trade early in the season when the acquired James Harden. That led to a quiet deadline, but LA made good use of the last time they’ll be able to “buy” a player using cash for a while.

Here are the particulars:

LA Clippers acquire: Draft Rights For Ismael Kamagate

Denver Nuggets acquire: Cash Considerations

Let’s dive in!

LA Clippers

Incoming salary: None

• None

Outgoing salary: None

• None

Because they are likely to continue to be a second apron team for the foreseeable future, the LA Clippers days of using cash to “buy” a player were limited. LA made good use of that last chance to take a flyer on a big man prospect.

Ismael Kamagate was someone scouts were somewhat high on at the 2022 NBA Draft. When he ultimately landed with the Denver Nuggets, some even dreamed he could undergo a path similar to that of fellow second-round pick Nikola Jokic. Those dreams ended somewhat quickly.

Kamagate is big and athletic, but he’s stalled out a bit as a prospect. The 6-foot-11 Frenchman moved from France to Italy this season, and he hasn’t played quite as well.

In his last two years in France, Kamagate started in 60 of 88 games for Paris Basketball. The young center averaged 10.3 points, 7.3 rebounds and 1.5 blocks during that period. He showed off good athleticism and nice touch around the rim. Kamagate also flashed some impressive defensive ability too.

This season, Kamagate has largely come off the bench for two different teams in Italy. He played minimal minutes for Milan before being loaned to Tortona for the rest of the season. Kamagate has seen his playing time go up with Tortona, so there’s some hope he’ll get back on track as an NBA prospect.

For the Clippers, being a second apron team means they’ll largely have to build their roster through re-signing their own players (that work is under way with Kawhi Leonard extending, on-going extension talks for Paul George and every intention of re-signing James Harden this summer), the draft and minimum contracts. Adding a prospect like Kamagate gives LA something in reserve for down-the-line frontcourt depth.

Denver Nuggets

Incoming salary: None

• None

Outgoing salary: None

• None

The Nuggets have selected several prospects in the last couple of drafts. Because of that, Denver was comfortable selling Kamagate’s draft rights to the Clippers.

Given Denver’s status as the reigning champs, and being a contender for years to come, they’re more likely to want a veteran backup in place for the minutes behind Nikola Jokic. That, combined with Kamagate’s recent inconsistent play, also likely factored into their willingness to move on from the young center.

Plus, adding a little cash to the ownership group’s pockets helps soften the blow of an impending luxury tax bill. But raising a banner makes that all worth it in Denver.

The Golden State Warriors are facing nearly a half-billion bill this season when it comes to salaries, plus tax penalties. The Indiana Pacers had plenty of room under the tax line to space. In the end, Indiana lent a helping hand to help Golden State save a bunch of money.

Here are the particulars:

Golden State Warriors acquire: 2024 second-round pick

Indiana Pacers acquire: Cory Joseph, 2025 Hornets second-round pick, Cash Considerations

Let’s dive in!

Golden State Warriors

Incoming salary: None

• None

Outgoing salary: $2.0 million

• Cory Joseph (PG, one year, $2.0 million)

This trade was all about saving money for the Warriors. Even though Joseph’s veteran minimum salary was for only for just over $2 million, Golden State saved over $13 million because of how deep they are into the luxury tax, as a tax repeater. Even if you offset what they paid Indiana to cover Joseph’s deal, that’s worth it.

And, for what it’s worth, the Warriors got a 2024 second-round draft pick in this deal, albeit a likely late one. Considering they’ll need to fill out their roster through the draft and minimum signings, assuming they stay a second apron team next year, that’s not nothing.

Indiana Pacers

Incoming salary: $2.0 million

• Cory Joseph (PG, one year, $2.0 million)

Outgoing salary: None

• None

Indiana got cash to cover eating Joseph’s contract. And they swapped a not-great 2024 second-round pick for what should be a pretty good 2025 second-round pick. Sometimes it pays to be a helpful partner in a trade.

The Pacers waived Cory Joseph after completing this trade.

The Boston Celtics wanted to preserve an open roster spot and to save some money. The Portland Trail Blazers needed to fill out their roster. The two got together a small, but mutually beneficial trade.

Here are the particulars:

Boston Celtics acquire: future top-55 protected second-round pick

Philadelphia 76ers acquire: Dalano Banton, Cash Considerations

Let’s dive in!

Boston Celtics

Incoming salary: None

• None

Outgoing salary: $2.0 million

• Dalano Banton (PG, two years, $4.2 million, team option in 2024-25, non-guaranteed if option is picked up)

This trade was all about saving money and creating a roster spot for the Celtics. The pick they’re getting from Portland isn’t likely to convey.

Portland Trail Blazers

Incoming salary: $2.0 million

• Dalano Banton (PG, two years, $4.2 million, team option in 2024-25, non-guaranteed if option is picked up)

Outgoing salary: None

• None

Portland had to fill a roster spot and did so with Banton. He’ll help a backcourt/wing group that has been hit with a lot of injuries. Banton has great size for his position and has played well in moments. He’s worth the Blazers taking a flyer on, since they were paid to do so.

The Boston Celtics were determined to add a wing at the trade deadline. They hooked up with the Philadelphia 76ers in a somewhat rare trade between the division rivals. Boston added some depth, while Philadelphia cleared even more 2024 cap space.

Here are the particulars:

Boston Celtics acquire: Jaden Springer

Philadelphia 76ers acquire: 2024 second-round pick

Let’s dive in!

Boston Celtics

Incoming salary: $2.2 million

• Jaden Springer (SG, two years, $6.2 million, restricted free agent in 2025)

Outgoing salary: None

• None

Pre-trade deadline, Brad Stevens said the Celtics were looking to add a wing. They did so by picking up Springer. While he’s unlikely to play a big role this season on an already-deep Boston team, Springer is a nice prospect moving forward.

Springer is a terrific athlete and a good defender. He’s shown some ability to create his own shot. The challenge is that shot doesn’t go in very often. If it did, Philadelphia probably wouldn’t have traded Springer.

If Springer can get his shot working, the Celtics will have another guard with some size. That was something they’ve been lacking. As it stands, Springer will inject some athleticism when he’s called upon to play.

One other added benefit for the Celtics is they added a little future tradable salary into next season. Boston didn’t have much tradable salary on the books, as anything significant belongs to key rotation players. This was also Boston’s last real chance to use their $6.2 million traded player exception. They made the most it by adding Springer for this season and next.

Philadelphia 76ers

Incoming salary: None

• None

Outgoing salary: $2.2 million

• Jaden Springer (SG, two years, $6.2 million, restricted free agent in 2025)

Philadelphia continues to maximize their cap space for the 2024 offseason. They got off an additional $4 million in salary by moving Springer in this deal. And they got a second-round pick in doing so. If that wasn’t enough, this trade helped the Sixers get out of the luxury tax for this season. That’s really good work.

This coming summer, Philadelphia projects to have somewhere between $42 and $63 million in cap space. If they clear the deck, the 76ers will be building around Joel Embiid and an eventually maxed-out Tyrese Maxey. That’s a lot to do, but Daryl Morey has his team set up to make a major splash this summer.

One the stranger trades on deadline day came between two Eastern Conference contenders. The Milwaukee Bucks and Philadelphia 76ers swapped backup point guards, in a rare trade between two teams that competing to win the conference.

Here are the particulars:

Milwaukee Bucks acquire: Draft Rights to Dimitrios Agravanis

Sacramento Kings acquire: Robin Lopez, Cash Considerations

Let’s dive in!

Milwaukee Bucks

Incoming salary: None

• None

Outgoing salary: $2.0 million in 2023-24

• Robin Lopez (C, one year, $2.0 million)

The Bucks saved a fairly large chunk of change in this deal. Because they are deep into the luxury tax, Milwaukee ended up saving $8.6 million in this deal in terms of salary plus tax penalties.

Lopez wasn’t playing much, and he looks as if he’s coming to the end of the line in his career. The Bucks opened up a roster spot in this trade, which could go to a more helpful player for the rest of this season.

Agravanis is unlikely to ever come over to the NBA. He’s a 29-year-old, 6-foot-10 power forward from Greece. Agravanis is currently playing for AEK Athens. This season, he’s appeared in only seven games. The days of Agravanis being an NBA prospect are probably behind him.

Sacramento Kings

Incoming salary: $2.0 million in 2023-24

• Robin Lopez (C, one year, $2.0 million)

Outgoing salary: None

• None

The Kings got some cash to eat Lopez’s contract to help the Bucks save on their tax bill and to open a roster spot.

Sacramento waived Lopez following the trade.

In a more fun note: The Kings used the open roster spot to sign Keon Ellis to a three-year deal from his two-way contract. Ellis has played well in spots for Sacramento and was deserving of a standard deal. The Kings will have him signed long-term on a team-friendly contract. Don’t be surprised if Ellis ends up in the rotation for Sacramento for the rest of the year.

The Kings signed Mason Jones to a two-way contract to backfill the spot Ellis vacated. Jones has been one of the G League’s top snipers this season, as he’s made 48% of his 5.1 three-pointer attempts per game.

One the stranger trades on deadline day came between two Eastern Conference contenders. The Milwaukee Bucks and Philadelphia 76ers swapped backup point guards, in a rare trade between two teams that competing to win the conference.

Here are the particulars:

Milwaukee Bucks acquire: Patrick Beverley

Philadelphia 76ers acquire: Cameron Payne, 2027 Bucks second-round pick

Let’s dive in!

Milwaukee Bucks

Incoming salary: $2.0 million in 2023-24

• Patrick Beverley (PG, one year, $2.0 million)

Outgoing salary: $2.0 million in 2023-24

• Cameron Payne (PG, one year, $2.0 million)

The Bucks defense has been underwhelming all season. They are particular bad with their point-of-attack defense. Enter Beverley.

At this point in his career, Beverley isn’t making any more All-Defensive teams, but he’s still a good on-ball defender. And Beverley is already the best defensive guard Milwaukee has. That’s probably worth swapping out the former backup point guard and a future second-round pick for.

Beverley will also infuse some energy into a team that has lacked it this season. Despite all the excitement over adding Damian Lillard, Milwaukee underachieving has left things feeling flat. Beverley will help to change that.

Philadelphia 76ers

Incoming salary: $2.0 million in 2023-24

• Cameron Payne (PG, one year, $2.0 million)

Outgoing salary: $2.0 million in 2023-24

• Patrick Beverley (PG, one year, $2.0 million)

The Sixers seem more likely to lean into offense for the next stretch of game while Joel Embiid is out. Philadelphia is probably going to push pace more. That makes Payne a better fit for the team than Beverley.

However, this trade was mostly about getting that future second-round pick. Daryl Morey gave up three picks to get Buddy Hield in an earlier deal. This recoups one pick. And, of course, the 76ers didn’t add any long-term money in the deal.

The Phoenix Suns didn’t have a lot to work with at the trade deadline. Phoenix had second-round picks to offer, along with cobbling together players on minimum contracts. That made the Suns getting Royce O’Neale and David Roddy one of the more creative deals of the weekend. Phoenix worked a three-team trade with the Brooklyn Nets and Memphis Grizzlies to upgrade their depth.

Here are the particulars:

Phoenix Suns acquire: Royce O’Neale, David Roddy

Brooklyn Nets acquire: Keita Bates-Diop, Jordan Goodwin, three future second-round picks

Memphis Grizzlies acquire: Chimezie Metu, Yuta Watanabe

Let’s dive in!

Phoenix Suns

Incoming salary: $12.2 million in 2023-24

• Royce O’Neale (SF, one year, $9.5 million), David Roddy (SF, three years, $10.4 million, rookie scale team option in 2025-26, restricted free agent in 2026)

Outgoing salary: $10.0 million in 2023-24

• Keita Bates-Diop (SF, two years, $4.6 million, player option in 2024-25), Jordan Goodwin (PG, one year, $1.9 million), Chimezie Metu (C, one year, $2.0 million), Yuta Watanabe (SF, two years, $4.6 million, player option in 2024-25)

This past offseason, the Suns tried to piece together a bench made up mostly players on minimum contracts. Phoenix had a couple of hits with Eric Gordon and Drew Eubanks, but no one else grabbed a regular rotation role. The Suns were also lacking in wing defenders. That made finding some additional depth a challenging, but important task at the deadline.

This trade solves those issues. O’Neale is an immediate defensive upgrade for Phoenix. He’s become a pretty solid 3&D player over his time with the Utah Jazz and Brooklyn Nets. The Suns will be hoping that O’Neale can give them what they had hoped to get from Bates-Diop and Watanabe.

Roddy is a nice flyer for Phoenix. He’s an undersized power player, who needs to shoot it better to find a real spot in the NBA. If he can start making jumpers consistently, Roddy could be a rotation player.

On defense, Roddy can maybe help Phoenix in some small-ball lineups. He’s very strong, so Roddy can hold up against bigger players. He’s also an excellent rebounder for his size.

For now, O’Neale is the focus, but long-term, it could be Roddy that makes this trade a winner for the Suns.

Brooklyn Nets

Incoming salary: $4.3 million in 2023-24

• Keita Bates-Diop (SF, two years, $4.6 million, player option in 2024-25), Jordan Goodwin (PG, one year, $1.9 million)

Outgoing salary: $9.5 million in 2023-24

• Royce O’Neale (SF, one year, $9.5 million)

O’Neale no longer had a real place on Nets team that is transitioning to a new phase. Getting three future second-round picks for a player that was no longer in the plans is really good for Brooklyn. That’s the real point of this trade.

Bates-Diop will get a look from the Nets. They can use another wing behind Mikal Bridges and Cameron Johnson. If Bates-Diop can rediscover the shooting form he had with the San Antonio Spurs last season, he’s a steal for Brooklyn the rest of this year and next. If not, he’s probably a trade candidate this summer, assuming he picks up his player option.

The Nets waived Jordan Goodwin following the trade.

Memphis Grizzlies

Incoming salary: $4.4 million in 2023-24

• Chimezie Metu (C, one year, $2.0 million), Yuta Watanabe (SF, two years, $4.6 million, player option in 2024-25)

Outgoing salary: $13.7 million in 2023-24

• David Roddy (SF, three years, $10.4 million, rookie scale team option in 2025-26, restricted free agent in 2026)

Memphis made a second move this trade season to clear out some long-term salary. After trading Steven Adams to the Houston Rockets, the Grizzlies lopped some more long-term money off their books by trade Roddy.

It’s somewhat of an admission that the selection of Roddy in the first round of the 2022 NBA Draft was a mistake. But Memphis can’t afford to be too precious with former draft picks. The roster is mostly full with multi-year players, and the Grizzlies still have picks coming their way. That means making some tough decisions.

This deal helped to open up a roster spot for Memphis to convert G.G. Jackson to a standard contract. Jackson has been a bright spot in a down season for the Grizzlies. Getting him on a long-term deal was a necessity. Between Jackson and Vince Williams Jr., the Grizzlies have done a nice job making lemonade out of a lemon of a season.

Memphis also made a smart upside play by signing Trey Jemison to a two-way contract to backfill Jackson’s spot. Jemison shined in the G League this year and has shown some potential on a pair of 10-day deals in the NBA. He’s a good developmental player to have in the system.

Yuta Watanabe was a fan favorite when he played for Memphis early in his career. For whatever reason, things didn’t work out for Watanabe in Phoenix. He’d been solid previously in other stops. Watanabe will make hustle plays, but it’s really about him getting back to being a good shooter. If he can do that, the Grizzlies might have a rotation guy on a cheap contract.

Memphis waived Chimezie Metu following the trade.

The Oklahoma City Thunder may be a year ahead of schedule, but that doesn’t change that they are already one of the best teams in the NBA this season. That status saw the Thunder make a move towards improving their postseason rotation by adding Gordon Hayward.

For the Charlotte Hornets, this trade is another sign that they are turning towards a new era. The Hornets have moved on from Hayward and Terry Rozier during trade season. They’re building with new players around LaMelo Ball, Brandon Miller and Miles Bridges. Some of those new players came in this deal with the Thunder.

Here are the particulars:

Oklahoma City Thunder acquire: Gordon Hayward

Charlotte Hornets acquire: Davis Bertans, Tre Mann, Vasilije Micic, two future second-round picks

Note: Charlotte also waived Frank Ntilikina and Ish Smith to complete this trade.

Let’s dive in!

Oklahoma City Thunder

Incoming salary: $33.3 million in 2023-24

• Gordon Hayward (SF/SG, one year, $33.3 million)

Outgoing salary: $27.9 million in 2023-24

• Davis Bertans (PF, two years, $33 million, $5.25 million guaranteed in 2024-25), Tre Mann (PG, two years, $8.1 million, restricted free agent in 2025), Vasilije Micic (PG, three years, $23.5 million, team option for 2025-26)

The Thunder didn’t literally go big in terms of size at the trade deadline, but they did in terms of impact. We’ll put the mandatory caveat right here up front: Gordon Hayward has to stay healthy. But if he does, this is a great pickup for Oklahoma City.

When he’s played during his Charlotte tenure, Hayward has been really good. This season he’s averaging 14.5 points, 4.7 rebounds and 4.6 assists per game. Hayward also has 47/36/77 shooting splits on the season. That’s great stuff for a high-end role player.

Unfortunately, Hayward has only played in 25 games this season. That includes missing the Hornets last 22 games with a strained calf.

But let’s be positive and hopeful. Maybe on a better team, with less pressure on him to create offense and fewer minutes, Hayward can hold up physically. If he can, he’s an outstanding fit for the Thunder.

When teams have had success guarding Oklahoma City this season, it’s often come via disregarding Josh Giddey on the perimeter. Multiple teams have guarded Giddey with their center floating off him to help against drives. The prevailing theory is that if you lose because Giddey hit four or five three-pointers, you tip your cap and move on.

Now, if that strategy is working for opponents, the Thunder can pull Giddey and replace him with Hayward. That’s a completely different math for opponents. You can’t leave Hayward open. And he provides all the same ballhandling and playmaking as Giddey, and Hayward is nearly as good of a defender too.

Yes, this could fail to work if Hayward can’t get and stay healthy. But it’s a worthy gamble for Oklahoma City to consolidate some pieces. The upside is there, and the Thunder are starting to run out of roster spots to keep everyone anyway.

As far as the future goes, Oklahoma City got out of some money for next year that is owed to the trio of Bertans, Mann and Micic. They’ve got even better flexibility now. The Thunder could go under the cap and create about $30 million in cap space. Of they could stay over the cap, re-sign Hayward and work with the MLE.

A lot of the offseason approach will probably depend on what happens with Hayward and the rest of this season. If he works and the team has a nice postseason, the Thunder will probably invest at least some of that flexibility in re-signing Hayward. If not, they can move on and have a bunch of cap space with only minor roster holes to fill. That’s a pretty great place to be in, both now and moving forward.

Charlotte Hornets

Incoming salary: $27.9 million in 2023-24

• Davis Bertans (PF, two years, $33 million, $5.25 million guaranteed in 2024-25), Tre Mann (PG, two years, $8.1 million, restricted free agent in 2025), Vasilije Micic (PG, three years, $23.5 million, team option for 2025-26)

Outgoing salary: $33.3 million in 2023-24

• Gordon Hayward (SF/SG, one year, $33.3 million)

The Hornets have reset things in a major way throughout the course of trade season. They moved off of long-term money for Terry Rozier and P.J. Washington in previous deals. And they cleared minutes and an offseason roster question by trading Hayward in this deal.

For the players coming in, Mann and Micic should both a chance to play. Charlotte has been piecing things together at point guard while LaMelo Ball has missed time. With Mann and Micic, they get two very different, but capable point guards. Mann is more of a get-it-and-go type, while Micic is an old school, probing playmaker. Both should have more opportunities to play with the Hornets, especially while Ball remains out.

Bertans is in a weird spot. He could theoretically provide the Hornets with some perimeter shooting, but he’ll be behind a few other guys for minutes in the frontcourt. This one could end up in a waiver, or maybe Charlotte carries Bertans into the offseason for trade purposes.

Mostly, this deal was about adding some additional draft capital for the Hornets, and taking flyers on the point guards. They’ve rebuilt their draft coffers during trade season by a good amount. And they have some cap flexibility this summer too. Pending what happens with Bridges, the Hornets could have nearly $26 million to spend.

Here’s the key: Charlotte can’t get impatient and overpay veterans just for a minor lift. They’re better off building around their younger players and signing free agents to value deal. Spending it all in one place has rarely worked for this franchise in the past. Let’s see if they’ve learned from that mistake.

The NFL handed out 2023 honors Thursday night, focusing a spotlight on Lamar Jackson, Christian McCaffrey, & a few young Texans. Our look at how each major award winner stands going forward, financially speaking.

LEAGUE MVP

Lamar Jackson (QB, Ravens)

Remaining Contract: 4 years, $180M, $128M practically guaranteed

Lamar rolls into 2024 on a tenable $32.4M cap figure, set to earn $32.5M cash for the upcoming season. If the Ravens (who currently project to around -$1M of cap space) feel the need, they can convert Jackson’s $14.25M base salary into signing bonus, freeing up another $10.5M for March. Otherwise, this contract is locked and loaded for 3 more seasons.

OFFENSIVE PLAYER OF THE YEAR

Christian McCaffrey (RB, 49ers)

Remaining Contract: 2 years, $24.2M, $0M practically guaranteed

McCaffrey will enter his age-28 season on a $14.14M cap hit, 4th most among active RBs for 2024. There’s a very real world where San Francisco offers to rip up the final two years and start fresh with a CMC contract, but for simplified purposes, a base salary conversion can free up $8.4M of cap space for March. The Niners basically stand at cap-zero right now.

DEFENSIVE PLAYER OF THE YEAR

Myles Garrett (DE, Browns)

Remaining Contract: 3 years, $65M, $20M practically guaranteed

Garrett enters Year 5 of a 7 year contract in Cleveland, set to earn just north of $20M cash for 2024 against a $20.1M cap hit. All $20M becomes fully guaranteed on March 15th. Expect the Browns to keep this contract as is for the upcoming season, with a multi-year restructured extension almost certain to come in March of 2025.

OFFENSIVE ROOKIE OF THE YEAR

C.J. Stroud (QB, Texans)

Remaining Contract: 3 years, $12.1M + 2027 option, $12.1M fully guaranteed

Stroud quieted plenty of doubters early, and maintained an historic level of success for a Year 1 QB, leading Houston to a division title & Wild Card win in his first NFL season. His contract can’t be touched until after the 2025 campaign, so the Texans have a few years to bolster a roster around him. They head toward March with $65M of projected cap space, & two 1st round picks in the upcoming draft.

DEFENSIVE ROOKIE OF THE YEAR

Will Anderson (DE, Texans)

Remaining Contract: 3 years, $11.8M + 2027 option, $11.8M fully guaranteed

Houston is just showing off at this point. The Texans already have three absolute home runs from their 2023 draft in Stroud (#2), Anderson (#3), & Tank Dell (#69). The DROY amassed 7 sacks and 45 tackles in just under 60% of Houston’s defensive snaps this season. Look for the Texans’ to bookend him with another stud this spring.

COMEBACK PLAYER OF THE YEAR

Joe Flacco (QB, Browns)

Pending Free Agent

Flacco was signed off of the couch on November 20th, starting 5 regular season games plus the Wild Card matchup in Houston. He posted a decade-best 90.24 rating, while averaging a career-best 323 passing yards per game. Cleveland paid him $1.1M for his efforts, including $400,000 of bonus stemming from his regular season victories. A reunion on a healthy backup contract makes an awful lot of sense here.

WALTER PAYTON AWARD

Cameron Heyward (DL, Saints)

Remaining Contract: 1 year, $16M, $0 practically guaranteed

There are early rumors of retirement stirring in Pittsburgh, as the 35-year-old battled through his lowest production season in over a decade. Heyward holds a $22.4M cap figure for 2024, and the Steelers currently project to carry around -$15M of cap space heading toward March. 

The Dallas Mavericks and Charlotte Hornets swapped powers forwards who signed contracts as restricted free agents this past summer. Dallas is moving on from Grant Williams to bring in P.J. Washington, in a swap of two players who have gone head-to-head a lot.

Here are the particulars:

Dallas Mavericks acquire: P.J. Washington, two future second-round picks

Charlotte Hornets acquire: Grant Williams, Seth Curry, top-2 protected 2027 Mavericks first-round pick

Note: Charlotte waived James Bouknight in order to complete this trade

Let’s dive in!

Dallas Mavericks

Incoming salary: $16.9 million in 2023-24

• P.J. Washington (PF, three years, $46.5 million)

Outgoing salary: $16.4 million in 2023-24

• Grant Williams (PF, four years, $53.3 million), Seth Curry (PG/SG, two years, $8 million, contract is non-guaranteed for 2024-25)

The Mavericks made it clear they wanted to upgrade their front court in the weeks approaching the trade deadline. Earlier in the day, Dallas acquired Daniel Gafford for backup center depth. In Washington, the Mavs added some power forward depth too.

Washington may start, or Jason Kidd may stick with Derrick Jones Jr. as his starting four. Either way, Washington is going to play a lot. He’s proven capable of playing well as either a starter or a reserve.

In a somewhat reduced role, the 6-foot-7 big man has still been productive for Charlotte. Washington has averaged 13.6 points and 5.3 rebounds in 29.2 minutes per game. He’s a more athletic player than Williams is, so Dallas may be able to deploy him more in the trap-and-recover schemes Kidd likes to employ on defense.

Dallas didn’t take on much long-term money here either. Washington makes more than Williams does, but he’s on a declining contract. That’ll help as the Mavericks fill out their roster around Luka Doncic and Kyrie Irving in the coming seasons.

The downside to this trade is Dallas is out yet another first-round pick. And this pick stings more than some of the others, because it’s partially due to admitting sign-and-trading for Williams last summer was a mistake. The Mavs did get back two second-round picks in the deal, which helps balance out the draft capital some.

Curry was rarely playing regular minutes for Dallas, as younger players had passed him in the rotation.

Charlotte Hornets

Incoming salary: $16.4 million in 2023-24

• Grant Williams (PF, four years, $53.3 million), Seth Curry (PG/SG, two years, $8 million, contract is non-guaranteed for 2024-25)

Outgoing salary: $16.9 million in 2023-24

• P.J. Washington (PF, three years, $46.5 million)

Charlotte has begun another rebuild of their roster, while adding valuable draft capital. Williams should slide in and play the same role Washington was, as the top reserve big. It’s unclear if Curry will stick in Charlotte or not. If he does, he could provide some consistent shooting to a roster that is short on that skill.

In getting Williams, the Hornets acquired a player who has won a lot on his career. He has as much, if not more, playoff experience than anyone else on Charlotte’s roster.

Williams remains a solid defender, as long as he’s not tasked with switching out to the perimeter too often. Against most bigs, Williams does a nice job staying in front of them, and he’s strong enough to hold his ground too.

Despite things not working out with the Mavericks, Williams is still a good shooter. He’s hitting 37.6% of his 4.5 three-point attempts per game. Where things really fell apart was with Williams finishing in the paint. He’s fallen off from a solid 47% from floater range to just 33.3%. Williams is also missing more shots directly at the rim too. If that cleans up, he’ll be a productive rotation player on a solid contract.

Ultimately, the key to this deal for the Hornets was getting a very lightly-protected 2027 first-round pick. That pick is top-2 protected for the 2027 NBA Draft. And that just happens to be the year Luka Doncic has a player option for. Given how quickly things can change in the NBA, that’s a good just-in-case kind of bet for Charlotte.