On Monday, the Cleveland Cavaliers traded Rodney Hood to Portland, with the Blazers sending Wade Baldwin IV, Nik Stauskas, and a pair of second round picks back in return.
On Wednesday, the Cavs shipped Baldwin and Stauskas off to Houston in a three-team deal that saw Iman Shumpert arrive with the Rockets, Alec Burks go to Sacramento, and a first and second round pick go to Cleveland.
On Thursday, the wild ride through the NBA finally came to an end for the duo, as Stauskas and Baldwin were dealt to the Pacers, along with a second round pick in order to get the Rockets under the tax. Indiana is expected to waive both players, completing their journey at four teams in four days via three different trades.
Houston is trading Nik Stauskas and Wade Baldwin to the Pacers, league source tells ESPN.
— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) February 7, 2019
Sources: Rockets will send only a second-round pick to Pacers, no cash in deal. Pacers will waive Stauskas and Baldwin.
— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) February 7, 2019
While it’s not quite Luke Ridnour being traded four times in a week, it is a reminder of how tough the business can be, especially for players on the fringes of rosters this time of year. One would expect Stauskas to find a home after he’s waived, but Baldwin won’t be so sure to land on a roster again this season. Both have had to wait to find out what their fate will be as they became assets in the NBA’s great trading game, expendable for light picks and tax relief.
