PBA Trade Grades: Who wins the Ahanmisi trade?

(c) PBA Media Bureau

The trade season this conference-break finally started after the two prominent independent teams in the PBA helped each other! Alaska will get Maverick Ahanmisi while Rain or Shine will add another 2019 1st round pick and Chris Exciminiano.

Was the trade fair?

Yes. When two teams are independent, you can expect quality trade like this. Ahanmisi is an in-prime starting caliber guard. So, to get him, and a 1st round pick is just the right price.

TEAM ANALYSIS

RAIN OR SHINE

Received: 2019 1st (lower of Alaska and Phoenix pick), Chris Exciminiano

Sent: Maverick Ahanmisi

Rain or Shine got a great deal in this one. If you are not aware, Ahanmisi did not play in the 2019 Commissioner's Cup, where Elasto Painters managed to reach the semifinals and even with an average import. That speaks a lot about the value of Maverick to them. That doesn't mean that they do not need Ahanmisi already. It means that a 1st round pick and a defensive guard is way better for them.

By the looks of it, the 1st round pick that they will get will be a surefire top 8 in the upcoming draft. And if 80% of the projected pool will put their name in the draft, Rain or Shine may end up with two centers and a quality prospect. If you are not aware, Rain or Shine now has three 1st round picks.

And then they even got Exciminiano who is a leech-type defender that they do not have in the line-up. 

GRADE: A

ALASKA

Received: Maverick Ahanmisi

Sent: 2019 1st (lower of Alaska and Phoenix pick), Chris Exciminiano

This is an incomplete trade in a way because according to the rumors, Alaska did this because they will soon shipped Chris Banchero. If we only look on the trade papers, they gave up the right amount to get a starting caliber guard in Maverick. In the past, I have been vocal about the Aces need for an offensive initiator. Ahanmisi can be that guy. 

I am not just sure though if giving up a pick in a draft that is being projected to have a lot of bigs was a good decision. And they also gave up their primary defensive guard.

GRADE: C