NBA Trade Deadline: How this week's deals will impact the 2022 NBA Draft
Plus our Rookie, Sophomore and Draft Prospect of the Week
Note: This column was updated on Feb 8th in light of the reported Domantas Sabonis for Tyrese Haliburton trade. See my proposed trade for the Pacers-Hornets
During the NBA, college and international seasons, my Tuesday newsletter will focus on NBA rookies and sophomores as well as prospects for the 2022 NBA Draft, especially those who have helped or hurt their stock in the past week.
My reports will be based on my own observations as well as information I receive from NBA scouts, executives and agents.
Trade Deadline Draft Fallout
The NBA trade deadline is two days away.
First, updates regarding some of our recent pieces and podcasts:
In last week’s column, Detroit Pistons fans HATED my proposed swap of Jerami Grant and Saddiq Bey for Patrick Williams, which is funny because the sources I have say that it’s the Bulls — not the Pistons — who refuse to play ball when it comes to a Williams trade.
As for Ben Simmons, the focus in Philadelphia appears to be on getting James Harden for Simmons, with conflicting reports about the likelihood of a trade deadline deal (online betting sites have the odds of Harden being moved before the deadline at 25%).
And on Wednesday’s NBA Big Board podcast, Jake Fischer of Bleacher Report went deep on Simmons (he likes a Bradley Beal/Simmons deal). So far, just about everything we discussed on the pod remains relevant.
This week we’re finding out exactly how much NBA teams value their young players and draft picks.
Let’s look at some of the moves so far:
Pacers pick up a 2022 first rounder from the Cavs
Sunday, Cleveland traded its 2022 first-round pick (lottery protected) to Indiana as part of the package for Caris LeVert.
That pick is projected to be No. 20 in the 2022 draft (according to FiveThirtyEight’s NBA projections, which have the Cavs ending the season with a 47-35 record).
The Pacers also own their own first-round pick, projected to be No. 8.
Our most current Mock Draft 1.1 had the Pacers selecting Shaedon Sharpe at No. 8. We should note that on Monday Kentucky head coach John Calipari said in a statement: “After talking with Shaedon and his parents, we want to end all of the speculation by again saying that he will not play for us this season. He is committed to bettering himself and our team in practice this year and being better prepared to lead us next season.”
Things change, especially with players projected in the top 10 of the draft. But as of now, it looks like the plan is for Sharpe to stay at Kentucky for another season.
Some names to watch at No. 20 for the Pacers include Notre Dame’s Blake Wesley, UCLA’s Peyton Watson, Milwaukee’s Patrick Baldwin Jr. and the G League Ignite’s Dyson Daniels.
And as you’ll see below, the Pacers are still very active at the trade deadline and could end up picking up a third first round pick before the deadline ends.
Blazers receive a 2022 first-round pick and a first rounder from 2021 in a pair of trades
The Blazers have been busy.