The Unknown Objectives of an NBA Trade (February Repost)

NBA Trade Deadline

The Trail Blazers recently traded Robert Covington and Norman Powell to the Los Angeles Clippers for Eric Bledsoe, Justise Winslow, Keon Johnson, and a 2nd Round pick.

Blazers Twitter was quick to react with disdain towards the trade, feeling they had given up the two best players in the deal.  And even worse, had given up 2 1st Round picks for Covington and Gary Trent, Jr for Powell.

So in effect, 2 1st  Round Picks and Trent Jr for Bledsoe, Winslow, Johnson, and a 2nd. And this definitely seems unfair to the fans.

But one thing you learn in the NBA is that each deal has its own motivations, which vary greatly from organization to organization.  One team wants to win now, another wants to win in 3 years.  One team wants to make money (stay under the cap), another team wants to win at any and all costs.  One team wants to make the Playoffs to earn the extra Playoff money for the franchise and another wants to play the long-game.  

When working with other teams on trades, you always want to know what they’re organizational objectives are.  If you’re a franchise who can take a little more time to win, you can trade some players now in hopes for the future.  And you can particularly, trade those to a team whose objectives are to win immediately. 

Not every organization in the League is trying to win… but I would say, every team in the League is trying to win.