The CSL

Bulls hoping a healthy Adebayo can help them

Here we go with the 2nd version of the CSL Trade Deadline Recap!

New Orleans - Washington
New Orleans sends Chuma Okeke, Eric Paschall and 2 instructions to Washington in exchange for Jason Preston

Summary: A pretty minor deal here that sees the Pelicans take a chance on Preston who will be an RFA this offseason. After a couple okay seasons in LA, Preston struggled mightily in Washington this year with his shot. Washington gets a couple young veteran wings and some instructions. With Bowman, there isn't playing time for Preston and the Wizards had no intention of re-signing him from the sounds of things.

Winner: Even

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Chicago - Oklahoma City
Chicago sends Ja Morant and 2 2nd Round Picks to Oklahoma in exchange for Bam Adebayo, Marcos Louzada Silva, and 3 instructions

Summary: After acquiring Jayson Tatum, the Bulls continued with another pretty big move here trading Morant for Adebayo. Both players are on expiring contracts, and Adebayo is still out with a torn Achilles for over a month. That being said, when healthy, Bam will add a big presence down the middle in the playoffs. A big man rotation including Bam, JJJ and Kobe Brown is quite impressive. For the Thunder, they clear some extra cap space and pick up a few instructions. Morant will have the opportunity to impress as he looks for another payday in Free Agency this offseason.

Winner: Even

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New Orleans - Detroit
New Orleans sends Moses Moody to Detroit in exchange for Hugo Besson, Isaiah Hartenstein, Zhaire Smith, and 2033 1st Round Pick

Summary:This was a very interesting trade. After dealing their own first round pick to Utah for Moody, the Pelicans decided to cut their losses and trade him to Detroit for a late 1st round pick (Miami). Moody played 18 games for New Orleans where he averaged 13.5 ppg and 5.1 apg but only shot 34.8%. This deal is somewhat similar to what Orlando did with Deandre Hunter, but the return is arguably worse. For Detroit, they traded what will probably be a 22-25th overall pick for Moody who hasn't lived up to expectations and will also be an RFA this offseason. I know the Pistons had too many 1st round picks, but trading for a player with more control and less future cap impact may have been a better situation. I cannot say either team won here, but it was good for the Pelicans to realize their mistake and at least get something back.

Winner: None

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Los Angeles Lakers - Memphis - San Antonio
Los Angeles Sends: Evan Mobley, Jabari Walker, 2nd Round Pick, Receives: Jalen Duren, Cole Anthony, Simisola Shittu, 2033 1st Round Pick, 2035 1st Round Pick
Memphis Sends: Jalen Duren, Malik Beasley, 2033 1st Round Pick, 2035 1st Round Pick, Receives: Evan Mobley, Jabari Walker
San Antonio Sends: Cole Anthony, Simisola Shittu, Receives: Malik Beasley, 2nd Round Pick

Summary: After trading Wagner, Memphis was able to go out and get a younger scoring big man in Mobley. The former 5th overall pick is 21 years old and still has another year left on his contract. He's proven so far he can be an efficient scorer, though he does lack a bit on the defensive end. Thankfully for Memphis, they've got one of the best defensive bigs in the world with Fernando to pick up any slack. The Lakers meanwhile decided to move on from Mobley as they apparently prefer Duren. Taken 22nd overall in the same draft as Mobley, Duren provides more defense but much less offense than Mobley and has shown some efficiency problems so far in his career. The Lakers also picked up Cole Anthony who has had an interesting career so far and will be a free agent. The 1st round picks are a nice get, but when Memphis has a core of Culver, Varnado, Bowen, Mobley and Fernando it is hard to see those as anything better than late 1st rounders. San Antonio snuck into this deal to pick up a rental shooter in Beasley as well as a 2nd rounder for some expirings who were no longer needed (Waters trade). This is tidy work by the Spurs as Beasley probably provides them more value down the stretch as they compete for a playoff position.

Winner: Memphis


Agree or disagree? Let me know below!

Idk, I think I won my trade. But I'm biased. Moody is extremely loyal and 22 years old. He's basically a draft pick, and a talented one at that for a MIA 1st.

Love the articles. Chicago did well as Morant is terrible. OKC also did well

TheTwoWallaces wrote: ↑Thu Jan 30, 2025 11:12 pm Idk, I think I won my trade. But I'm biased. Moody is extremely loyal and 22 years old. He's basically a draft pick, and a talented one at that for a MIA 1st.

Love the articles. Chicago did well as Morant is terrible. OKC also did well

I also think DET won his trade, as Moody is a very competent prospect, who somehow did not fit into New Orleans but should start for Detroit for years.
I like our moves, but also agree Singh trade was not that good. Morant for Bam was a follow up move to correct that mistake, basically.

Yeah there's a lot of personal preference that obviously plays a role in grading the trade. I would have given DET the edge if Moody wasn't coming up for FA this offseason. He has very high greed, so odds are he'll either demand double digit starting salary or he'll take the QO be an a UFA.

cb4raptorscb4 wrote: ↑Fri Jan 31, 2025 2:48 pm Yeah there's a lot of personal preference that obviously plays a role in grading the trade. I would have given DET the edge if Moody wasn't coming up for FA this offseason. He has very high greed, so odds are he'll either demand double digit starting salary or he'll take the QO be an a UFA.

He has 82 greed but 92 loyalty. No idea how the engine works but I expect that he'd accept a reasonable offer from us well before taking the QO.

I don't think the QO will be a problem with him. But it comes down to what other teams will offer him. After his stint in NO, there may not be that many ...

Trading Morant could be a mistake with how the Bulls have been performing of late, but it remains to be seen once Bam is reactivated.

Memphis has been on fire with Mobley so we have to give it to them this early.