The NBA's Big Trade Puzzle: How Teams Pull Off Complex Deals

The NBA recently witnessed a massive seven-team trade, a testament to careful planning rather than mere luck. Teams often combine smaller deals to create larger ones, leveraging rules that allow them to move more money in one big trade than in several small ones.

The Art of Trade Combinations

Example: The Memphis Grizzlies once traded Courtney Lee to the Charlotte Hornets for two players and draft picks. However, the incoming players earned less than Lee, requiring the Grizzlies to find a way to balance the financials. They involved the Miami Heat, who needed to reduce their payroll. The Heat took on a higher-paid player, and the Grizzlies gained more draft picks, resulting in a beneficial three-team trade.

Timing and Strategy

Big trades often occur around the draft or trade deadline, providing teams with more time to negotiate and combine deals. The recent seven-team trade involving Kevin Durant began as a simple deal between the Houston Rockets and the Phoenix Suns. Over time, more teams joined, expanding the trade's scope.

The Web of Trades

The Suns used draft picks from Houston to facilitate additional trades, involving teams like the Golden State Warriors, Brooklyn Nets, Minnesota Timberwolves, and Los Angeles Lakers. Each team had to give and receive something to comply with league rules, resulting in a complex network of picks and players.

The Future of NBA Trades

These intricate trades are not random; they are meticulously planned to adhere to NBA regulations and benefit all parties involved. As the league evolves, such complex trades are likely to become more common.