Early Review On Off-Season Trades That Haven't Panned Out As Hoped

The NBA offseason promised fresh starts for three major trade acquisitions that looked great on paper. However, the early returns on those major trades have not shown as much. While these players will likely rebound, their early-season struggles may have their front offices thinking twice about their offseason transactions.

Turner signed a four-year, $107 million deal with Milwaukee after the Bucks stretched out Damian Lillard’s contract to bring in the ten-year big man. When you add in Lillard’s contract, the Bucks will wind up paying over $50 million annually for Turner. Through the season-opening stretch, Turner is averaging a career-low 9.7 points and just 48% from the field with 6.3 rebounds, his fewest since his rookie season. With a 5-3 record to start the schedule, the Bucks certainly hope that Turner will turn his season around quickly.

While the Magic are on the hook for between $36 to $44 million per season until 2030 for the former Memphis Grizzlies shooting guard, it’s what they gave up in exchange that is more concerning. Sending four first-round draft picks, a first-round pick swap, Kentavious Caldwell-Pope, and Cole Anthony, the Magic were hoping to get a missing piece to complement Paolo Banchero and Franz Wagner. In eight games this season, the Magic are 3-5, with Bane recording his worst statistical season since his rookie year. While the scoring, rebounding, and assist numbers were expected to be impacted by sharing the ball with Banchero and Wagner, Bane’s 25.8% three-point shooting is a drastic drop from his career average of 40%.

The Denver Nuggets are 4-2, which says more about Nikola Jokic, Jamal Murray, and Aaron Gordon — and the team’s depth — than it does about Johnson’s impact so far this season. Trading Michael Porter Jr. and a first-round pick, the Nuggets did manage to clear some financial space while believing they added a more versatile option. Whereas Porter Jr. is averaging a career-high 20.8 points, 8 rebounds, and 3 assists in Brooklyn, Johnson is contributing just 8.5 points (ten fewer than last year’s average) while shooting only 25% from downtown.