NBA Trade Deadline: How Does Each Trade Deadline Deal Impact The Washington Wizards?
By Chris Kirby
Mandatory Credit: Bill Streicher-USA TODAY Sports
Philadelphia 76ers Receive: 2015 1st Round Pick
Milwaukee Bucks Receive: Michael Carter-Williams, Miles Plumlee and Tyler Ennis
Phoenix Suns Receive: Brandon Knight, Marcus Thornton and a 2016 1st Round Pick
Boston Celtics Receive: Isaiah Thomas
Breakdown: The 76ers keep on planning for the future. At this rate, they might be competitive in 2025. Nine months ago, Carter-Williams won the Rookie of the Year award and now he is switching uniforms. Don’t feel bad for him. He’s going from rags to riches, like a homeless man winning the lottery. The 76ers have the second-worst team in the NBA (12-31) and the Bucks are in the Playoff hunt (30-23). Carter-Williams and Giannis Antetokounmpo will form one of the longest duos in NBA history.
Knight has been the best player on the surprising Bucks and now he has to start a new journey in Phoenix. It seems like the Bucks were worried about committing to him long-term despite his near All-Star level play. He should form a nice one-two backcourt punch with Eric Bledsoe.
He will be replacing Isaiah Thomas, who went to Boston. Thomas nearly signed with the Celtics in the offseason so it makes sense that (Boston General Manager) Danny Ainge would make a move to acquire him. Thomas should be a nice replacement for Rajon Rondo, who was traded to Dallas earlier in the season.
What this means for the Washington Wizards: A Milwaukee-Washington series could happen in the first-round of the Playoffs. Carter-Williams and John Wall could a nice battle of point guards. However, I would expect the Wizards to win in four or five games. This team has exceeded expectations but the Wizards have experience winning in the Playoffs.
Personally, I think the Bucks got worse in the short-term.
I don’t understand trading your best player when you’re starting to gain momentum. The Bucks had won eight of nine games heading into the All-Star Break. How can they be expected to pick up where they left off minus their team leader? Carter-Williams is a nice, young player (he leads the league with three triple-doubles) and he will benefit from playing for Jason Kidd, who was a triple-double threat himself.
The 76ers and Celtics are still bad so there is no immediate impact from either of these moves. Danny Ainge is starting to put together a decent, young roster. Give this team two years and they should be a thorn in the Wizards’ side.
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