Brooklyn Nets Receive: C Jonas Valanciunas
Minnesota Timberwolves Receive: F Joe Harris, G Devonte’ Graham
New Orleans Pelicans Receive: G D’Angelo Russell
The formula here is the same as in the last trade. The New Orleans Pelicans are shipping Jonas Valanciunas to a center needy team and Graham to the Wolves to offset the loss of Russell.
This time, the former lands in Brooklyn. Valanciunas used to be widely regarded as a traditional big man. He evolved. He’s spent the last two seasons establishing himself as a stretch five, shooting 36.8% and 36.1% from deep while upping his three-point volume from 0.9 to 2.1 attempts per game.
That’s significant for these Brooklyn Nets. They’ll be incorporating Ben Simmons into their attack in 2022-23. As a non-shooting ball-handler, he basically requires a shooting big man to be maximized.
Meanwhile, the Wolves trade-in Oubre’s versatile 3-and-D game for pure floor spacing with this package. Joe Harris was mostly injured over 2021-22, but he’s proven himself as one of the most lethal three-point threats in the NBA. He’s the type of player that fits into every lineup.
LATEST NBA NEWS & TRADE RUMORS: These 3 Teams Should Pursue Trade For D’Angelo Russell
D’Angelo Russell, on the other hand, is not. Still, if the Pelicans think they could use his playmaking next season, these are both trades that they’d have to consider.
