Hawks get: Skal Labissiere, cash considerations
Blazers get: Future protected second-round pick
Get more trade grades for every deal here
Portland Trail Blazers: B
The Blazers' heavy lifting was done a couple of weeks ago, when they traded for Trevor Ariza in a deal that has upgraded them at small forward and substantially cut their luxury-tax bill. At the deadline, Portland made this one minor move with an eye toward further tax savings.
Labissiere performed credibly as the Blazers' backup center over the first two months, when Pau Gasol's inability to return from a broken foot opened up a spot in the rotation. But Labissiere went down with a knee injury in late December and has yet to return. Since coming back in the Ariza deal, Caleb Swanigan has adequately filled the backup role, and former starter Jusuf Nurkic is due back at some point in the near future, leaving little need for Labissiere.
Moving Labissiere saves Portland about $3.8 million in taxes and another $900,000 or so in salary, allowing the Blazers to come out way ahead on the deal despite sending $1.76 million to the Hawks, according to John Hollinger of The Athletic. Portland will still pay the NBA's highest luxury-tax bill at about $6 million, pending the possible addition of a 15th player to fill Labissiere's spot on the roster.
Atlanta Hawks: B+
The Hawks were the one NBA team that entered Thursday with cap space. Dealing for Labissiere was a way to utilize that space before it vanished when they completed the deal for Dewayne Dedmon reported on Wednesday.
Apparently, Atlanta will keep Labissiere, who could be useful as insurance in case new starting center Clint Capela remains sidelined by plantar fasciitis after Labissiere returns to the court.