5 Biggest Winners And Losers Of The 2023 NBA Trade Deadline: Phoenix Suns And Los Angeles Lakers Made Incredible Moves

As expected in the modern NBA, the trade deadline day created a ton of news. Possibly the biggest blow-up that yielded two of the biggest trades in the modern era, the Brooklyn Nets traded both Kevin Durant and Kyrie Irving to completely re-tool the roster. Durant is headed to Phoenix, and Kyrie joins Luka Doncic in Dallas, creating two major title contenders in the Western Conference.

Both the Suns and Mavericks are clearly better off with the deal, considering their stars were unhappy at their current locations, and each has a chance to build title-contending teams in due time. We also saw some other major moves, including the move of former MVP Russell Westbrook out of Los Angeles after 1.5 seasons of speculation, while the Clippers, Hawks, and Timberwolves made some pretty intriguing deals. No doubt, the entire week leading up to the trade deadline was exciting, and deadline day was even more so.

Here are the biggest winners and biggest losers from the 2023 NBA trade deadline because there were so many moves that it was almost hard to keep track of them. Luckily, we have recapped the major moves that resulted in winners and losers this season and going forward.

5 Biggest Losers

5. Chicago Bulls

Acquired: N/A

Traded: N/A

Why didn’t the Chicago Bulls act as the primary sellers in the market? They have a nice collection of talent, including DeMar DeRozan and Zach LaVine, but they want to run it back with the same core. The problem is the Bulls don’t have enough talent to actually compete with the elite in the East.

Chicago stands 26-29, suitable for a play-in seed. Instead of moving the two All-Stars and rebuilding for picks and young players, the Bulls are falsely hoping that DeRozan plays like an MVP and LaVine becomes the best shooting guard in the NBA. The rest of the roster isn’t good enough either, and Billy Donovan has to start being on the hot seat.

There isn’t a reasonable answer to why the Bulls didn’t trade at least one of their two stars, but that is the reality of the situation. The fact that the Bulls didn’t make a single trade to at least improve the roster, let alone blow it up, is very surprising. It’s a shame that Chicago will have to waste another season in the middle of the pack.

4. Golden State Warriors

Acquired: Gary Payton II, Kevin Knox

Traded: James Wiseman

The Golden State Warriors realize their most valuable trade asset that is expendable is James Wiseman. Instead of packaging him in a trade for another star or fringe All-Star, the Warriors only brought back Gary Payton II. Clearly, this was just a move to relieve cap space as they are keen on saving $131 million in luxury tax. For a team that has come off a championship and holds a 28-27 record, this move still isn’t good enough.

The Warriors should have gone for a blockbuster deal or at least one that gives the team a player who can make a difference immediately. Payton II is an excellent defender and a player that Golden State truly missed from last year, but they needed much more.

To actually return to title contention, the Warriors need to revamp their starting lineup because every other contender has improved, including the Celtics, Bucks, Clippers, and Suns. The Warriors will have to wait until next year to get back, but an older Steph and Klay and the likely departed Draymond don’t look as intimidating.

3. Toronto Raptors

Acquired: Jakob Poeltl

Traded: Khem Birch, 2024 First-Round Pick, 2 Second-Round Picks

A ton of teams were after OG Anunoby, but the Raptors didn’t budge. The team has decisions to make on Fred VanVleet, but they didn’t make a trade. Rather, they brought in a starting-caliber center and lost a first-round pick which is very surprising. The Raptors are 10th in the East at 26-30 and will not be winning an NBA title anytime soon with Pascal Siakam as their best player.

Everybody expected the Raptors to make trades and rebuild around Scottie Barnes, and instead, they keep adding to a relatively average squad. The only Canadian team in the NBA seems to be holding out for another elite superstar to become available, and they can go all-in as they did with Kawhi Leonard in 2019. So far, that has not happened.

The fact that the Raptors did not trade hot commodities such as VanVleet, Anunoby, and Siakam signifies a failed trade deadline for them. The roster is not good enough to make noise in the East, with the Celtics, Bucks, 76ers, and Cavaliers sporting multiple star players. Time will tell if Masai Ujiri made the right move to not be a seller because most people are doubting them at this moment.

2. Portland Trail Blazers

Acquired: Cam Reddish, Kevin Knox, Ryan Arcidiacono, Svi Mykhailiuk, Protected 2023 First-Round Pick, 5 Second-Round Picks

Traded: Josh Hart, Gary Payton II

Are the Portland Trail Blazers beginning to rebuild? They brought in a first-round pick, and 5 second-round picks, along with a 23-year-old who was the No. 10 overall pick in the 2020 NBA season. At the same time, they lost Josh Hart and Gary Payton II, two players who compete on defense and are expected to be win-now players alongside a superstar like Damian Lillard. Unfortunately, Damian Lillard has to be unhappy with these moves.

Lillard made his 7th All-Star Team by posting 30.9 PPG and 7.3 APG and is still one of the best players in the NBA. Other than Stephen Curry and Ja Morant, Lillard has to be considered the elite point guard in the league right now. Losing Josh Hart (9.5 PPG, 8.2 RPG) is not the best move for a player trying to win, and perhaps Lillard should start looking for greener pastures.

The point guard’s loyalty has been admirable, but the team is not good enough. The Trail Blazers are 10th in the Western Conference at 27-28, and it is obvious that Lillard does not have a crew behind him. These deadline-day moves could signal a rebuilding effort in Portland, and the point guard could be the next to leave, except on his own terms.

1. Brooklyn Nets

Acquired: Mikal Bridges, Cameron Johnson, Spencer Dinwiddie, Dorian Finney-Smith, Jae Crowder, 5 Unprotected First-Round Picks, 2 Second-Round Picks

Traded: Kevin Durant, Kyrie Irving, T.J. Warren, Markieff Morris

Anytime a team trades two elite superstars, they are considered losers. Sure, the Nets got a ton of return in terms of two young players, two starting-caliber players, and 4 first-round picks. But what does anyone expect when trading away two future Hall of Fame players in their primes? The Nets had to break up what could’ve been an all-time great team.

As a matter of fact, Brooklyn has been failing over the past few seasons, and it all ended with Durant and Irving getting shipped out of town. How could a team with Durant, Irving, and Harden fail? What about Durant, Irving, and Simmons? This is far too much talent not to be competing for championships, and the Nets must be disappointed with how everything turned out.

It seems Brooklyn wants to go in a completely different direction, acquiring two talented young players who are the future and also rebuilding with first-round picks. Perhaps the Nets can move Dinwiddie and Finney-Smith next season because they are not rebuilding-caliber players. It is a shame the Nets had to trade two stars, but this is the reality they are in. 

5 Biggest Winners

5. Milwaukee Bucks

Acquired: Jae Crowder

Traded: Jordan Nwora, Serge Ibaka, 4 Second-Round Picks

The Milwaukee Bucks were shipping Serge Ibaka, and they found a new home for him along with bench player Jordan Nwora. The 2021 NBA champions did not settle for any random player, they have acquired two-way forward Jae Crowder. Crowder was the key starter for the Phoenix Suns that made the Finals in 2021 and is a player who is perfect for a title contender needing shooting, defense, and experience.

Crowder is a competitor who plays hard on defense, and he only adds to the Milwaukee Bucks’ impressive defensive line that includes Giannis Antetokounmpo, Khris Middleton, Jrue Holiday, Brook Lopez, and Bobby Portis. The 2021 NBA champions never seem to settle for what they have and realize that many title contenders have gotten better. By adding Crowder, the Bucks have yet another “dog” who will go after it.

Nobody seems to be talking about the Bucks as much as other teams in the championship window this year, mainly because Khris Middleton has only played 15 games and isn’t up to speed just yet. With Crowder on board, Milwaukee is stacked with two-way players and will be gearing up for a long playoff run as Middleton starts to ramp up his minutes and production.

4. Los Angeles Clippers

Acquired: Mason Plumlee, Eric Gordon, Bones Hyland

Traded: Reggie Jackson, John Wall, Luke Kennard

Nobody seems to be talking about the Los Angeles Clippers, who have improved defensively and quite a bit on offense. As great as Kawhi Leonard and Paul George are on both ends of the floor, they have not been able to spearhead a great season so far. Los Angeles is only 6th in the West with a 31-27 record despite having two superstars in their prime right now.

Luckily, the Clippers cleaned up their depth chart a bit by moving on from an almost washed-up John Wall, who is very ball-dominant, and two guards who don’t have much of a defensive standing. Reggie Jackson has been a good player for the Clippers over the last three seasons, but the team needed to make a change to actually realize their potential. They added three quality players in return.

Eric Gordon is a vastly experienced wing who has a deep three-pointer in his arsenal, along with a strong body to defend. He adds more defense on the wing alongside Norman Powell and Robert Covington as a role player. Bones Hyland is full of energy and is posting 12.1 PPG on 37.8% from three, and is a better shooter than both Jackson and Wall. Lastly, Mason Plumlee is an excellent backup center who is posting 12.2 PPG and 9.7 RPG this season, meaning the Clippers have two solid big men with Ivica Zubac to shore up the frontcourt.

3. Dallas Mavericks

Acquired: Kyrie Irving, Markieff Morris

Traded: Spencer Dinwiddie, Dorian Finney-Smith, 2029 Unprotected First-Round Pick, 2 Second-Round Picks

The Dallas Mavericks acquired Kyrie Irving, and they did not even have to give up Christian Wood. Losing Spencer Dinwiddie and Dorian Finney-Smith is never ideal, but a player of Irving’s caliber does not come around often, especially since Dallas is not considered a major market for free agents. Luka Doncic needs a ton of help, and Irving gives him just that as a scoring machine.

Head coach Jason Kidd has a lot to work out with regard to ball-sharing, as both Luka and Kyrie love the ball in their hands. But Kidd has done a great job organizing the Mavericks’ offense so far, and they should have enough to at least push for another Western Conference Finals appearance. Dallas will need more pieces to win it all, but when they have Doncic, anything is possible.

The fact that the Mavericks only gave up one first-round pick means they won the trade. The Brooklyn Nets might have been forced to give Irving up to Dallas because a deal with the Lakers was never going to happen if reports are true. Overall, the Mavericks won the deal and have had a very solid trade deadline by adding a second All-Star to the starting lineup.

2. Los Angeles Lakers

Acquired: D’Angelo Russell, Malik Beasley, Jarred Vanderbilt, Mo Bamba, Davon Reed, Future Second-Round Pick

Traded: Russell Westbrook, Thomas Bryant, Patrick Beverley, Juan Toscano-Anderson, Damian Jones, 2027 Protected First-Round Pick

The Los Angeles Lakers, behind the Phoenix Suns, are the biggest winners of the NBA trade deadline. They finally got rid of Russell Westbrook, whose behavior might have been causing a toxic atmosphere in the Lakers locker room, according to reports. That is to be somewhat expected after the point guard was made the scapegoat for the Lakers despite the roster lacking shooting, defense, and athleticism. Regardless, the Westbrook era is over, thankfully, and LeBron James finally has a roster he can compete with.

Losing Thomas Bryant and Patrick Beverley will hardly make a difference, along with two other role players who hardly saw consistent minutes. No doubt, getting rid of drama figures such as Westbrook and Beverley will do the team well, especially when they get former All-Star D’Angelo Russell on the court. Russell was a Laker in 2016 and 2017 and was traded thanks to the Nick Young incident. He’s back, and as a career 36.0% shooter from three, he is a vast upgrade over Russ at point guard.

Malik Beasley is a career 38.0% from three, Vanderbilt is a stout defender, and Bamba is a lengthy 7-footer who will be a solid paint presence. Getting rid of Westbrook and non-impactful role players while greatly improving their shooting and size means the Lakers had an A+ trade deadline, and credit should go to Rob Pelinka for that.

1. Phoenix Suns

Acquired: Kevin Durant, T.J. Warren, Darius Bazley

Traded: Mikal Bridges, Cameron Johnson, Jae Crowder, Dario Saric, 4 Unprotected First-Round Picks, Second-Round Pick

No team won a trading deadline before as much as Phoenix has. They added Kevin bleeping Durant, a 4-time scoring champion and one of the all-time great players. If that isn’t enough, they acquired T.J. Warren and Darius Bazley to improve their depth and have a superteam that must win it all this season. Amazingly, new ownership got this deal over the line without any hesitancy whatsoever.

A starting lineup that has Kevin Durant, Chris Paul, Devin Booker, and Deandre Ayton looks formidable and even more so when looking at the role player options: Torrey Craig, Cameron Payne, T.J. Warren, Darius Bazley, Bismack Biyombo. Expect the Suns to keep trying to add pieces because the more, the merrier when it comes to a long playoff run and 26 games left in the regular season.

Kevin Durant has placed the Suns on the map as the title favorites, and losing Bridges, Johnson, and 4 picks will hardly make a dent in the franchise. The Suns have Chris Paul in his final years and a prime Devin Booker, so going all-in for the next two seasons makes a ton of sense. Phoenix Suns fans are celebrating right now, and they absolutely should be.

We sincerely appreciate and respect you as a reader of our site. It would help us a lot if you follow us on Google News because of the latest update.

Thanks for following us. We really appreciate your support.

Next

New-Look Los Angeles Lakers After Trade Deadline

Russell Westbrook Took It Personally After Darvin Ham Called Him Out In Lakers Locker Room

LeBron James’ Son Bryce Is Unhappy With The Lakers After Russell Westbrook Got Traded To The Utah Jazz

Nina Westbrook Fires Back After Russell Gets Called ‘Vampire’ By NBA Media

The Best Buyout Candidates In The NBA After Wild Trade Deadline: Russell Westbrook And Kevin Love Leading The Pack