NBA Trade 2018-19: Ranking the best moves of the trade window

The NBA 2018-19 trade window has come to an end and it has not been disappointing. It has delivered on a lot of the rumored deals and a lot of superstars were traded to a new franchise as well.

With the trade deadline day done, let us review the best moves of the trade window of 2018-19 NBA season.

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#5 Marc Gasol to the Toronto Raptors

Memphis Grizzlies finally traded one of their franchise cornerstones in Gasol

The Toronto Raptors, far from being left behind, made another huge deal this season in order to boost their championship-winning chances.

Toronto Raptors receive: Marc Gasol (C)

Memphis Grizzlies receive: Jonas Valanciunas (C), Delon Wright (G), CJ Miles (G), 2024 second-round pick.

This was by far the biggest trade that went down on the trade deadline. The Memphis Grizzlies finally managed to move their star center Marc Gasol to none other than the Toronto Raptors, who were not to be left behind after their competitors, the Bucks and the Sixers made moves in the final few days of the window. They went out and got the former Defensive Player of the Year and one half of the Grit n Grind.

They ended up giving up not a lot, Jonas Valanciunas has had more emotional attachment to the club than his basketball games. He serves as a great option to the Grizzlies in the paint as they needed someone who could be in the rotation.

Delon Wright and CJ Miles are explosive guards and good rotation players, something that Memphis needs as they look to rebuild their fallen franchise again. They also got a 2024 second-round pick from Toronto Raptors which could be an early one if the Raptors fall from their high horse.

The Grizzlies probably got the best they could for a 34-year-old center who was in the last year of his huge contract. The Grizzlies look forward to building for the future while the Raptors, who are having an all in season and just going at it harder.

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#4 Tobias Harris to the Philadelphia 76ers

Philadelphia 76ers made another huge move during the season

The Philadelphia 76ers just could not sit tight and let the opponents in the Eastern Conference get better while they do not. This made them move for a deal with the Los Angeles Clippers, trading for their All-Star Caliber talent Tobias Harris right before the deadline day.

Philadelphia 76ers receive: Tobias Harris (F), Boban Marjanovic (C) and Mike Scott (F).

Los Angeles Clippers receive: Wilson Chandler (F), Mike Muscala (F), Landry Shamet (G), 2020 protected first round pick from Philadelphia, 2021 Miami first-round pick, 2021 and 2023 Detroit second-round pick.

The Philadelphia 76ers again made a huge deal right before the deadline day, landing the "All-Star" Tobias Harris from the Los Angeles Clippers, putting them all in for the season with 2 expiring contracts on their roster. They have made a huge upgrade on their team from the start of the season and now have 4 amazing stars on their team. They also grabbed the per-36 god, Boban Marjanovic and a rotation player in Mike Scott.

The Los Angeles Clippers, with this move, decided to play for the off-season to grab themselves a superstar or 2 and push for the playoffs next season. They received an injured Wilson Chandler, who is on an expiring contract, along with Mike Muscala, who they traded to the Los Angeles Lakers and a young rising star in Landry Shamet. They also received a bunch of draft picks, which will help them either flip it in a trade for another star or use to get a lot of youth rotation players.

#3 Kristaps Porzingis to the Dallas Mavericks

Dallas Mavericks made one of the biggest moves before the trade deadline

In a very shocking turn of events, after sitting for discussions with the New York Knicks management, Kristaps Porzingis decided that his time with the New York Knicks was short-lived and in came the Dallas Mavericks, making a swoop for the Latvian star.

New York Knicks receive: Dennis Smith Jr. (G), Wesley Matthews (G/F), DeAndre Jordan (C), Dallas' 2021 and 2023 first round picks.

Dallas Mavericks receive: Kristaps Porzingis (F/C), Courtney Lee (G), Tim Hardaway Jr. (F) and Trey Burke (G).

This was the biggest deal that went down during the last few days of the trade deadline window. The New York Knicks decided that it was time to cut ties with their upcoming superstar. He was a restricted free agent and was dealt by the Knicks, who wanted to make cap space for superstars in the off season.

They received a young talent in Dennis Smith Jr, who needed a change of scenery with Luka Doncic taking it all in Dallas. They also received an expiring Wes Matthews, who they have since waived and DeAndre Jordan who they will keep as a mentor for their young star Mitchell Robinson.

The Dallas Mavericks have received a player they can pair with the rising superstar that is Luka Doncic. They also got Tim Hardaway Jr., who is a great support player for a team that is need of one. They also received Trey Burke and Courtney Lee, guards who are very capable and can help out the Mavericks. They have taken a huge risk on a player who is coming back from an ACL, but if he can return to the levels he had achieved last season, this could be a superb trade.

#2 Jimmy Butler to the Philadelphia 76ers

Philadelphia 76ers managed to make a huge move in getting Jimmy Butler to the Sixers

It was no secret that Jimmy Butler wanted to leave the Minnesota Timberwolves for a team that was going to compete for a title and finally after months of escalating situations, he got his move to the Philadelphia 76ers.

Philadelphia 76ers receive: Jimmy Butler (G/F) and Justin Patton (C).

Minnesota Timberwolves receive: Robert Covington (F), Dario Saric (F), Jerryd Bayless (G) and 2022 second round pick.

Jimmy Butler's arrival to the Philadelphia 76ers meant that the Process that Sam Hinkie had begun was finally finished. They had acquired a third star to pair up with Ben Simmons and Joel Embiid to shift their timeline to a win-now mode. Butler brings super defensive ability, paired up with an awesome offensive game and ability to make clutch shots from the perimeter, something the team was missing.

With Markelle Fultz's future in doubt, Bulter vaulted this team into contention for the Eastern Conference title. Minnesota on the other hand, got rid of a want-away star, one that was a negative influence on the squad.

They also managed to receive 2 amazing players in Dario Saric and Robert Covington, both great starters that can give this team much-needed strength from beyond the arc. Jerryd Bayless is also a good rotation player that can step in when needed. This deal was one which made sure that the 76ers were not left behind after their rivals the Toronto Raptors made a huge deal of their own.

#1 Kawhi Leonard and Danny Green to Toronto Raptors

Toronto Raptors and San Antonio Spurs made a blockbuster

trade

Toronto Raptors receive: Kawhi Leonard (F), Danny Green (G/F)

San Antonio Spurs receive: DeMar DeRozan (G), Jakub Poeltl (C), 2019 protected first round pick.

Toronto Raptors were always one of the best teams in the Eastern Conference with the back court duo of Kyle Lowry and DeMar DeRozan lifting the team to multiple conference titles and making them perennial contenders for the finals in the NBA. But they always faced a LeBron James sized hurdle in the playoffs and just like in 2017-18 playoffs, did not make it to the finals.

San Antonio Spurs were also a franchise that were looking like they needed fresher legs to make their team reach more playoffs and contend for the title. But with Kawhi Leonard's injury being such a big issue that he requested a trade away from the franchise, Pop and the Spurs needed to look for a solution.

Masai Ujiri finally decided that enough is enough and broke apart the backcourt duo, trading away DeRozan, Poeltl and their 2019 first round pick to the San Antonio Spurs for Kawhi Leonard and Danny Green. This was by far the biggest deal in this transfer window and led to a huge shift in the NBA as we know it.