PBA Trade Analysis: Magnolia won the Abueva trade, right?

 


For the second straight time in his career, Calvin Abueva was sent to another team. This time, he was traded to Magnolia Hotshots, together with the #10 pick.  Phoenix will get Chris Banchero, #6 and #18 pick.

We already scrutinized the trade if it is fair or not. For this article, let us grade the decision of the two teams.

Magnolia
Sent: Chris Banchero, #6 and #18 pick
Received: Calvin Abueva & #10 pick

The reality is, Magnolia is still not filling its biggest need with this acquisition of Abueva. But, they are further strengthening the things that had kept them as perennial contenders.

Abueva will bring rebounding, hustle and activity and defense to Magnolia. Three important pillars of the scheme of the Hotshots on both ends of the court. 

With him on the floor, I hope Magnolia can now increase their pace, which I believed will further maximize their energetic and hustle players.

Losing a guard in the process and a lower pick should not hurt Magnolia that much because their guard rotation is very deep and young talent is not that much of a need.
Grade:B

Phoenix
Sent: Calvin Abueva & #10 pick
Received: Chris Banchero, #6 and #18 pick

We need to consider the risk that Abueva will be losing his playing license for just a single bad issue again. Now that they have traded him, Phoenix will not worry about that.

Banchero will now become their starting point guard and I am actually excited to see if he will find his three-point shooting in Phoenix. He was horrendous in Magnolia but in Alaska, he was above-average.

If he can be above-average, Phoenix could offer a line-up of elite shooters that will be very hard to defend.

Advancing from #10 to #6 also put them at the right level to choose between very good prospects in this upcoming draft.

The #18 pick may actually end up being a starting-caliber player because of the depth of the draft. I will not be shocked if there are still quality bigman prospects available at that point, which they badly needed.

Grade: C

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