Winners - Losers of the 2023 NBA Trade Deadline

[Smartacus]

Not an original concept but who do people think were the Winners and Losers of the Trade Deadline?

Winners 
Phoenix Suns - Acquired a first ballot hall of fame player, there's not much else that needs to be said. New ownership had one of the most impactful first day's in NBA history.

LA Clippers - Completely improved their depth and assuming Russell Westbrook signs they cleared minutes for their revamped guard core. Out are John Wall and Reggie Jackson. In is the return of Westbrook and Eric Gordon. Mason Plumlee has been having a great year and Bones Hyland is a young player with high upside, not the typical type of player who would be available from a contender. Keeping Terrance Mann was also needed for a successful deadline.

Boston and Golden State - Neither team messed up and both teams added an impact piece for the championship hunt. Muscala is in for the opportunity of his career and Gary Payton Jr. has been sorely missed since signing in Portland. 2 A+ teams managed to get markedly better while taking nothing away from what has made them successful up until now.

Losers
Chicago - It felt like with the year they've had they should have done something. Instead they are clinging to a future that no can explain.

Portland Trailblazers - Seems like they caught between a young rebuild and a championship contender. Maybe the Damian Lillard trade might finally be on the horizon for the good of both the team and the player. 2022 was a disappointing year and dumping Hart for Reddish and Gary Payton Jr for 2 non shooters in Thybulle and Knox.
I think Lillard will be the next star moved in the offseason.

[GreenlyGreeny]

I think Lillard will be the next star moved in the offseason.

Agree. Hopefully to the Lakers for D’Angelo Russell and the Lakers’ 2029 1st. Would love to see LeBron crash and burn with another aging, undersized, over-hyped shoot-first PG.

Also, Chicago just needs to deal everyone in the off-season, rebuild and work on attracting a couple major free agents in 2-3 years. Billy Donovan and Lonzo Ball are probably the only ones worth keeping around (Billy because he’s a great HC and Ball because he’s 25, can facilitate/defend, and is cheap for a couple more years). They could get some nice assets for LaVine, DeRozan, Vucevic and even Caruso.