It may not have been insane quality, but the 2024 NBA trade deadline is upon us.
The biggest moves happened just a few weeks ago, with OG Anunoby heading to the Big Apple and Pascal Siakam landing in Indiana.
The deadline was high for teams hoping to improve margins, with some performing quite well while others standing questionably strong.
So, which teams should be considered winners or losers by the 2024 deadline? Let’s take a look at five:
Winner: New York Knicks
The recent nine-game winning streak following the acquisition of Anunoby has the Knicks dreaming. And for a big franchise like New York, that’s how it should be. New York continued to improve the margin by acquiring two key veterans from the Detroit Pistons: Bojan Bogdanovic and Alec Burks.
New York parted ways with Quentin Grimes, Evan Fournier, Malachi Flynn, Ryan Arcidiacono and two future second-round picks, so they undoubtedly improved in terms of quality. Bogdanovic can shoot from anywhere and help to some extent while Burks can do just about anything, including initiating the offense.
And with Anunoby expected to be sidelined for at least three weeks, adding two quality vets who can work one shift will lessen the impact of this news. Once Mitchell Robinson returns, expect the Knicks to play hard.
Loser: Los Angeles Lakers
Unless the buyout market brings an unlikely savior, the Lakers are likely doomed to another LeBron James-Anthony Davis season. Los Angeles decided to pat itself after weeks of rumors, particularly those involving the Atlanta Hawks’ Dejounte Murray and D’Angelo Russell.
Barring any moves, the Lakers will enter the summer with three first-round picks. James will have a $51 million player option, but he will also turn 40 in December. Davis will be 31 years old and making $43 million before his lucrative extension begins.
Los Angeles native Spencer Dinwiddie may be someone to watch in the buyout market because he fills an obvious need, but he isn’t exactly moving the needle in Hollywood. Some big decisions are coming for the front office.
Winner: Indiana Pacers
Indiana already made some noise by landing Siakam to pair with Tyrese Haliburton and Myles Turner, but it remained active Thursday. The Pacers sent Buddy Hield to the Philadelphia 76ers for Marcus Morris Sr., Furkan Korkmaz and three second-round picks, but they reportedly waived Korkmaz and sent Morris Sr. to the San Antonio Spurs for sharpshooter Doug McDermott.
The Pacers also reportedly sent a second-round pick and cash to the Golden State Warriors for Cory Joseph, with Joseph set to be waived. Their roster now has everything from the starting lineup to the bench.
Once Haliburton fully returns from his injury, Indiana has all the tools to make a top-four finish in the East. The Pacers already boast an offensive attack that can run teams out of the building, but if it can set up a respectable defense, watch out.
Loser: Sacramento Kings
Sacramento and Indiana were considered the same team but in opposite conferences. Except that one is showing clear intent to compete while the other seems content to merely exist. Last year, the Kings deployed the best offense in NBA history in terms of offensive rating. This year they cannot beat the weak Detroit Pistons and Charlotte Hornets at home.
The Kings made a trade, but it was acquiring 35-year-old Robin Lopez from the Milwaukee Bucks in exchange for cash. Lopez is expected to be exempted.
Sacramento hasn’t been making any solid moves so far during the offseason since being the No. 3 seed last season, and is simply falling backwards. If the season ends rough, change should be on the horizon for the beam team.
Winner: Dallas Mavericks
Ever since the Mavericks added Luka Doncic to the team, they have struggled to build around him, but this year’s trade deadline has provided some more optimism.
Dallas reportedly acquired center Daniel Gafford from the Washington Wizards for Richaun Holmes and a 2024 first-round pick and also traded tackle PJ Washington from the Charlotte Hornets for Grant Williams, Seth Curry and a lightly protected 2027 first-round pick. brought.
Gafford and rookie Derek Lively II will be key at center, while Washington is a rare floor-spacing power forward despite a decline in his shooting percentage so far this season. But with Doncic and Kyrie Irving serving as the offensive center, others will just need to do their jobs and results should follow. The next few months will be important for head coach Jason Kidd and company.
honorable mentions
Patrick Beverley for Bucks: Milwaukee needed another hard-nosed defender who didn’t need the ball, two boxes that Beverley checked. It’s easy to lose Cam Payne and a second-round pick.
Gordon Hayward to the Thunder: Oklahoma City did not need to tinker with its young core as players continued to move on. Adding a versatile veteran in Hayward for Trey Mann, Davis Bertans, Vasilije Micic and draft compensation is a steal.
Monte Morris to the Timberwolves: Minnesota desperately needed another on-the-ball playmaker, which they found in Morris. He rarely played for Detroit this year due to injuries, but parting ways with Shake Milton, Troy Brown Jr. and a 2030 second-round pick for a solid backup PG is a good move.
