Reviewing the NBA Trade Deadline

This year's NBA trade deadline was among the busiest. Previous years have been complete duds, but I think nearly every team made some sort of move when it mattered most. Midseason adjustments are key to success. It is the kind of fine-tuning that preseason plans and forecasts can't predict. In the same way, your gameplan at the start of a game will change drastically once you're in the game. You have to adjust mid-game if you want to keep your opponent guessing. You sometimes have to make trades midseason to bring in some more firepower and get over the hump. This will be a medium-length article and longer than the past couple I put out, but it offers some great insight into what each team was thinking going into and coming out of the deadline.

Championship Moves

Oklahoma City Thunder: SG Jared McCain

The reigning champs had visions of breaking the 2015-16 Warriors record of a 73-9 season before recently hitting a few bumps in the road. Injuries to key rotational players and superstar PG Shai Gilgeous-Alexander called for immediate reinforcements to keep their #1 seed in the Western Conference. McCain is only 21 years old and a consistent 3-point shooter. OKC doesn't struggle in this category, but it is not as strong as other parts of their team. Championships are won by adding new layers to your game. This trade adds a layer of 3-point shooting to pair with their very good paint presence. McCain completes their balanced attack to complement the best defense in the league. When this team gets fully healthy, they could very well become back-to-back champions.

Golden State Warriors: C Kristaps Porzingis

This once formidable dynasty is sadly now in its twilight. Longtime SG Klay Thompson left for the Mavericks, his replacement Jimmy Butler just tore his ACL, and the legendary Steph Curry is also navigating an injury of his own. The only consistent player on this team is PF Draymond Green, and they're lucky if he doesn't get ejected each game. The front office knows this team can limp into the playoffs, but they wouldn't go very far. Enter Porzingis, a 7'2" Center who provides some much-needed height and rim protection. The Dubs have always lacked in this category, but they can no longer skate by on 3-pointers alone. They needed this pickup. I personally think it is an underrated move, and the Warriors will have one final shot at a championship once everyone (including Porzingis) gets healthy.

Deep Playoff Run Material

Boston Celtics: C Nikola Vucevic

The Celtics didn't need a Center, but it's nice to have another one. Coach Joe Mazzulla has done a wonderful job of helping the younger players contribute day in and day out, but adding this 35-year-old veteran will prove to be more worthwhile. His archetype is what is known as a "Stretch Five", which means he is a Center (aka Five) who can shoot 3-pointers pretty consistently. He is able to stretch out his game better than one-dimensional Centers who stay in the paint. Vucevic averages 10+ points per game thanks to his shooting ability, but he also grabs close to 10 rebounds per game. This pickup is vital for Boston's postseason success. With superstar SF Jayson Tatum likely still out for a couple of months with a torn Achilles, it will be up to Jaylen Brown and the cast of roleplayers to pull the wagon. Personally, I've always preferred Brown over Tatum anyway, but we can discuss that later.

Cleveland Cavaliers: PG James Harden

The Cavs had to part with their younger Guard, Darius Garland, to get this deal done. Some of you may wonder why they traded a much younger player for a 36-year-old James Harden, but the answer is understandable with context. The lead Guard of this team is Donovan Mitchell, and he and Garland reportedly did not get along. They actually hated being around each other so much that both of them threatened to leave the team if one of them wasn't traded. Cleveland opted to trade Garland, and they secured an experienced, likely future Hall of Famer, James Harden in return. Harden is not known for being able to lead a team deep into the playoffs, but I believe it is possible this year in the right system. If Mitchell is still the focus of this offense, then it will be tough to guard both him and Harden at the same time. They also have C Jarrett Allen playing down low. I really like this pickup. All they need now is some faith.

New York Knicks: PG Jose Alvarado

This deal flew under the radar for many people, but it caught my eye. The Knicks snagged Alvarado from a struggling Pelicans franchise that might be better off folding and cutting their losses. Alvarado is typically only good for a few points per night, but the Knicks have plenty of point scorers. Josh Hart, Jalen Brunson, and Karl Anthony-Towns are the main contributors on offense. Alvarado provides a much-needed defensive presence, and Coach Mike Brown's system relies on perimeter pressure. He fits right in, and I expect him to create an immediate impact for this team. When healthy, I like the Knicks to make another deep run this year in the playoffs.

Minnesota Timberwolves: SG Ayo Dosunmu

In the midst of yet another Chicago Bulls teardown, no one was safe. I think they traded away over half of their roster, and Dosunmu was one of the many departures. As I said before, championships are won by adding new layers to your game. Very rarely does a blockbuster move that changes your whole system lead to immediate success. Championship teams are indeed all led by star players, but there is one thing that all of these teams have in common: depth. Anyone can have a star player, but he can only do so much. Teams need a good group of auxiliary players to go far. Michael Jordan didn't win championships by himself. He had Scottie Pippen, Dennis Rodman, and Steve Kerr. Dosunmu will be a key rotational player who can sustain the T-Wolves' offense while their starting players take a breather. I really like this pickup for Minnesota, and I think it will pay off in a big way.

Franchise-Altering Moves

Utah Jazz: PF Jaren Jackson Jr.

The Jazz made one of the more surprising splashes at the deadline by acquiring the Memphis Grizzlies' Center. JJJ, as they call him, functions more as a Power Forward for Utah though. The 26-year-old now joins an extremely young starting core with Ace Bailey and Isaiah Collier in the backcourt. The average age of this guard pair is just 20 years old. This lineup is spearheaded by the 7'1" Lauri Markkanen and is the established face of the franchise. Now, he finally has some help. JJJ is built like a defensive lineman, and he brings some much-needed toughness to this struggling team. The Jazz have lacked that grit and fire since the days of Karl Malone. I think that culture is starting to come back. They currently sit 20 games below .500, but the door is wide open for them next year.

Indiana Pacers: C Ivica Zubac

The NBA world was thrilled by Indiana's magical run to the Finals last postseason. The "Yes 'Cers" brought plenty of clutch moments, surprising upsets, and high-flying basketball that Indiana hasn't seen since Reggie Miller. This year is kind of a wash for the Pacers (currently 13-40), but last year's Achilles injury to star PG Tyrese Haliburton signaled an early waving of the white flag. Zubac is dealing with an ankle injury of his own, but this deal is an investment. The Pacers lost a lot of depth and size last offseason. Acquiring a young, big-name Center like Zubac will be vital to their future success. I think this acquisition perfectly sets up the Pacers to return to the playoffs in 2027, even though they had to fork over their extremely high pick in this year's draft to get him.

Shifting the Focus?

Atlanta Hawks: PF Jonathan Kuminga

Trae Young's time in Atlanta has come to an end, and he was shipped off to the Washington Wizards for a bag of chips and a Subway coupon. The Hawks unloaded his massive contract to make way for new stars like PG Dyson Daniels and SF Zaccharie Risacher to emerge. But, the Hawks then added another wrinkle to their retooling phase. They brought in Kuminga from the Warriors, who has been clamoring about a trade from Golden State for a couple of seasons now. He wants to be the star player and make lots of money. If the Hawks pay him what he wants, then maybe he'll play up to his star player ability. In my opinion, however, he should have to earn these wishes instead of them being handed to him.

Chicago Bulls: SG Jaden Ivey

I'm surprised the #1 seed Detroit Pistons moved on from Ivey in the midst of their dominant season, but I imagine they just wanted to address other areas of need. I think Chicago's investment will be vital to their success if they really want to turn this team around. To be brutally honest for a second: the Bulls suck. They struggled to stay relevant after Michael Jordan left for good, and Derrick Rose's heartbreaking injuries only catapulted this team out of contention over a decade ago. They still have a long way to go, but maybe this rebuild will be the one that works. Ivey is a consistent 3-point shooter and will get a lot of playing time in Chicago. That will be something new but also a very welcome change for him.

Biggest Deadline Losers

Washington Wizards: They got WHO?

I appreciate the effort, but acquiring washed-up players with massive contracts isn't exactly my idea of righting the ship. Washington brought in PG Trae Young from the Hawks and PF Anthony Davis from the Mavericks, and both players consistently miss much of each season with injuries. Their combined salary is $100 million. $100 million for two guys that don't play! They're doing some real favors for the other teams that didn't want them anymore. The Wizards didn't get much in return, and the only additional draft picks they have are in the 2nd round. That's comparable to a 3rd or 4th round pick in the NFL. There are good players available, but they aren't going to be superstars. Even the young players they have now don't make much of an impact. The Wiz have a long way to go.

Milwaukee Bucks: Didn't Trade Giannis

Giannis Antetokounmpo is not only the face of the Bucks franchise but also a face of the entire NBA itself. He is a 2x MVP and a 1x champion. All of his help has since dwindled and vanished over the years, but he is still one of the best players in the league. Despite this, Milwaukee is out of contention by far. One of the biggest headlines circling the trade deadline was that Giannis was going to be traded at some point. That was... until he wasn't. The Bucks played hardball and wouldn't trade him for love nor money. The front office believes they can get more out of a deal if they wait until they have more time to negotiate in the offseason. I disagree. Business deals require urgency. If you convince a potential buyer that they really need something and have to get it right now, then they're more willing cough up more to get it. It's called leverage. Use it.

Los Angeles Clippers: It Still Stings

I don't care how many trades they make. The Clippers are still reeling from the most infamous trade many seasons ago. They traded four 1st round picks and Shai Gilgeous-Alexander to the OKC Thunder for Paul George. SGA turned into the face of their franchise, an MVP, a Finals MVP, and a champion. Paul George has accomplished none of that. In fact, he doesn't even play for the Clippers anymore. They gifted away a generational talent and a host of future prospects for Paul George? This year's deadline was only reflective of that terrible trade as the Clippers dealt away more key pieces (James Harden, Ivica Zubac) to try to make up for those losses. Sorry, but only time can heal a self-inflicted wound like that. Maybe one day this franchise will figure it out, but ever since the days of Lob City, this team has been very vanilla.

Thanks for reading. I'll be back next week for Spring Training and the start of baseball season.