NBA Trade Deadline: How Does Each Trade Deadline Deal Impact The Washington Wizards?
By Chris Kirby
Mandatory Credit: Adam Hunger-USA TODAY Sports
Minnesota Timberwolves Receive: Kevin Garnett
Brooklyn Nets Receive: Thaddeus Young
Breakdown: Garnett waived his no-trade clause and he is returning to his original NBA home. He played 12 seasons in Minnesota, where appeared in eight All-Star teams. He also won the Most Valuable Player and led the Wolves to their only Western Conference Finals appearance in 2004.
What this mean for the Washington Wizards: The Nets (21-31) are a game behind the eighth-seeded Miami Heat in the Playoff race. Garnett has been a shell of himself the past two seasons so the trade for Young was an upgrade for Brooklyn.
Young is averaging 14.3 points, 5.1 rebounds, 2.8 assists and 1.8 steals in 33.1 minutes per-game. The Nets will lose some of Garnett’s rebounding and post defense but Mason Plumlee has shown he is ready to fill that role. Young will be able to focus on scoring the ball.
The Wizards play the Nets on April 10th which is the 78th game of the season. It could turn out to be a huge game for both teams. Brooklyn will fighting for a Playoff spot and the Wizards will be playing for the best possible seed.
It is doubtful that these teams will meet in the first-round, although it is possible. If the Nets make the Playoffs at all, it will probably be as the seventh or eighth seed.
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