NBA Team Winners and Losers from Trade Deadline

With the trade deadline finally ending, as usual there were firework rumors that turned into firecrackers once the time ended. Major key superstars were on the trading block but none of them were moved. They are still stuck on rebuilding teams with the fans and media all left scratching their heads to why they haven’t been moved. Here’s my losers and winners for this year’s NBA trade deadline.

Boston Celtics: Biggest Loser

Honestly, this team gets recognized as the biggest loser simply because they didn’t do anything this trade season. Not only they did not make a move for Demarcus Cousins but they had a strong possibility to even go get Paul George. They are confident that they can land him in a free agency and land a star player in this year’s draft. They missed the boat with this assessment because Paul George has made it clear that he wants to play for a championship contention team or go to the Lakers. The Los Angeles Lakers will be his first choice to sign with once he becomes a free agent after the 2018 season because that’s his hometown and it’s a major market team. For a two-way superstar player that can help Isiah Thomas with the scoring load and can match up against Lebron James in the east, you have to make the move no matter how steep the price is. Relying on a free agency is not a safe bet, just look at this past offseason for them not getting Kevin Durant.

New York Knicks: Loser

Is there anything good to say about this organization? With all the trade rumors for Carmelo Anthony for about two months now, and the rift between him and Phil Jackson seemed to be basically for nothing. They say they want to rebuild but isn’t putting forth ample effort to do so. They couldn’t even manage to get rid of Derrick Rose because he’s not that good of a player anymore.

Chicago Bulls: Loser

Management has really messed this team up a lot. The trade for Cameron Payne showed me they really love that point guard position since they have so many on the roster as it is. The trade looked like they wanted to rebuild but another season goes by with superstar Jimmy Butler still stuck in Chicago. I guess they’re still not fully in rebuilding mode.

Indiana Pacers: Loser

They make the list simply because they could not get rid of Paul George. He has one more season left under contract with this team and he laid it straight out for the organization that if they don’t bring talent to the roster to contend then he’s leaving for the Lakers. I highly doubt that Larry Bird can get the players to come play for them next season because they made a lot of moves this past offseason to bolster up the roster to challenge the Cavs but they appear to be far from good. Bird has one more chance to get something for George or he’ll end up with nothing in return.

Toronto Raptors: Biggest Winner

This was tough for me to decide but the Toronto Raptors are my biggest winner in this season’s trade deadline. They acquire Serge Ibaka from the Orlando Magic. He can contribute right away with his jump shooting and he is a very good rim protector. The next move they made was adding P.J. Tucker from the Phoenix Suns. He’s another player that can play defense as well on the perimeter. Raptors believe he can be the guy that defends Lebron James well. These two moves are preparing the Raptors to be able to compete against the Cavaliers if they meet again in the playoffs after losing to them in the Eastern Conference Finals.

Houston Rockets: Winner

Trading for a great sixth man player in Lou Williams was a good move for this team. Adding another scorer on the bench that can light it up each night in this system will be hard for teams to stop. They only gave up Cory Brewer and this year’s first round pick. Another solid move they made was giving away K.J. McDaniel to the Nets to free up cap space to sign another free agent if may be.

Oklahoma City Thunder: Winner

Lastly, this team added more pieces to the roster that can help Russell Westbrook out and contribute right away. Doug McDermott has shown flashes in the past that he can score especially from the three-point line. Taj Gibson is another solid big man who can defend, score, and get hustle rebounds on offense and defense. This should give Westbrook more room to operate and get more assists on a nightly basis.