Last Thursday’s NBA Draft had the glitz and glitter you’d expect, but the biggest news happened away from Brookyn’s Barclays Center.
Chris Paul to the Warriors, Jordan Poole to the Wizards, and Bradley Beal to the Suns
I would say that the impact of this trade is more valuable for the Warriors than saying goodbye to Jordan Poole. Locker room issues and last year’s performance are reasons, and Washington is not a bad landing spot for Poole, a young, talented player who can run their offense.
So, out with Poole and in with Paul, who’s an excellent fit for the team by the bay. He won’t be expected to be the leading scorer or defend the opposing team’s best player, but he will bring veteran leadership and make it more difficult for teams to defend Steph Curry.
While Golden State is looking to win another ring, Chris Paul seeks his first, and the game plan is to do both together. That said, Golden State needs more than Paul on the court. The team lacks size and defense; both weaknesses were evident in last season’s paltry road record. Hopefully, Andrew Wiggins can play more games in 2023-24, and the team definitely needs to re-sign Draymond Green, who’s looking at alternatives.
Bradley Beal went from Washington to Phoenix Suns as a part of this multi-faceted trade. In Phoenix, Beal will be able to show more of his skill set and playmaking abilities. But Beal, like new teammate Kevin Durant, is injury-prone. So, to improve, the Suns’ storyline next season needs to be “Stay Healthy.”
Marcus Smart to the Grizzlies, Kristaps Porzingis to the Celtics
Porzingis can come into his own with the Celtics, but his addition came at a price to Boston. Marcus Smart’s impact was undeniable, on and off the court. Smart, a strong defender, also showed his value to the team beyond the stat sheet, playing with heart and leadership, evident when the Celtics had their back to the wall in the 2022-23 playoffs.
So, I find the trade a bit surprising. Why? Jayson Tatum will now have to fill Smart’s shoes as team leader, which means assuming more responsibility off the court. So, while I do not want to call this a “bad trade” for Boston, I think the impact of losing Smart will outweigh the impact the Porzingis will have on the team.
What about the Grizzlies? With Smart’s addition, the Grizzlies should be one of the best defensive teams in the league. Jaren Jackson Jr., who just won the Defensive Player of the Year award, will combine with Smart, known for his scrappy, hustle-defense style. And Smart will bring leadership to a team that needs it, especially after Ja Morant’s implosion and 25-game suspension. The question is whether we’ll ever see Smart and Morant play together. While it would not be a terrible idea for Memphis to trade Ja this off-season, that move seems unlikely.
