2017 NBA Trade Deadline Winners and Losers
There were winners and there were losers after Thursday's trade deadline. We break down who made out and who took an L on one of the league's busiest days.
New York Knicks forward Carmelo Anthony (7) looks on against the Minnesota Timberwolves at Target Center. T
Nobody acquired Jimmy Butler. No team could come up with a proposal sweet enough to pry Paul George from the Pacers. Carmelo Anthony didn't get shipped to Los Angeles or Cleveland. And the Thunder got Russell Westbrook some much needed help.
A bunch of minor moves dominated the NBA trade deadline as the superstars rumored to be headed to different destinations ended up staying put. But since this is basketball we're talking about, we have to crown a winner and a loser. So which executives proved they know what they're doing? And which teams took an L when they should have made a bold move? Here are our winners and losers from the 2017 NBA trade deadline.
Winners: The Cavaliers
The Raptors got incrementally better, but the Celtics stood pat and no one else in the East was able to make a major deal to really compete with the Cavs. Meanwhile, Cleveland, still looking for another playmaker and maybe a rotation big, didn’t acquire anyone new but will likely have their pick of Deron Williams or Andrew Bogut when they clear waivers. —Russ Bengtson
Winners: The Celtics
Danny Ainge could have pulled the trigger on acquiring Paul George or Jimmy Butler—two superstars Boston was rumored to be kicking the tires on. But George’s asking price was reportedly astronomical, and the rumors about Butler never appeared to be entirely legit. So instead of trading off a number of good young players and the plethora of draft picks for George, who reportedly has his heart set on playing for the Lakers, Boston played it correctly. Yes, the second best team in the East could have loaded up to make a run at the vulnerable Cavs with a trio of Isaiah Thomas, Al Horford, and George. But if George has his sights set on LA when he’s a free agent in 2018, did it really make any sense to give up a ransom to get him? —Adam Caparell
Winners: The Rockets
While not flashy, the Rockets made moves during the deadline that solidified themselves as the second best team in the West. Adding Lou Williams gives them EVEN more firepower. Think about that. The fast-pace Rockets just added one of the best bench scorers in the NBA. Will this be enough to beat the Warriors? Probably not, but you can't hate on them for trying. —Zach Frydenlund
Winner: Carmelo Anthony
Despite being antagonized by Phil Jackson's subtweets and trade rumors, Melo is staying put in New York, for now. He told Jackson last month he wasn't waiving his no-trade clause, and no amount of pettiness could make him budge. We know he not-so-secretly wants to play with his BFF LeBron, but today further proved that when Melo leaves the Knicks it will be on his own terms. Sorry, Zen Master. —Dria Roland
Winners: Thunder
Sam Presti, the god, got Russell Westbrook, the god, some much needed help in the form of grizzled vet Taj Gibson and budding sharpshooter Dougie McBuckets aka Doug McDermott. But they had to sacrifice Westbrook's hype man Cameron Payne to do it. The youngster was the Flava Fav of teammates and his pre-game dance rituals with Brodie was a big reason for Russ' 2017 triple-double lifestyle. But seriously, the Thunder are gonna be a tough out come playoff time with these new additions. — Angel Diaz
Losers: The Bulls
The Chicago Bulls didn’t trade Jimmy Butler, which is a good thing. Instead, they completed a rare trade with the Oklahoma City Thunder where they gave up the best player in the deal AND a draft pick. I'm a Bulls fan, and I have zero idea what they're doing, unless this is just open acknowledgement that GarPax can’t draft so why bother keeping picks. Farewell, Taj, you deserved better—and hopefully you get it in Oklahoma. —Russ Bengtson
Losers: Pacers Fans
If we’re to believe USA TODAY’s Sam Amick, Paul George is “hell-bent” on making his way to the Lakers. He’s got one year left on his contract, and unless the Pacers can field a legit title contender, he wants to take his talents to Staples Center following the 2018 season. So Pacers fans, if you didn’t already get the vibe that George had one foot out the door, you know where he stands now. So start preparing for Life After George and pray that Larry Bird can convince some team over the summer or at next year’s trade deadline to pony up a king’s ransom for the four-time All-Star. —Adam Caparell
Losers: The Celtics
They lost. I don't care what anyone says. Danny Ainge has to move these assets sooner or later, and with Paul George sitting out there, he didn't come through when he needed to. This was a failure on the Celtics' end when they had a chance to narrow the gap between them and the Cavs. —Zach Frydenlund
Losers: The Sixers
Bryan Colangelo finally figured out a way to ruin the Sixers. He decided to trade Joel Embiid's best bud for Justin Anderson, Andrew Bogut, and a first-round pick. So basically he traded a future Defensive Player of the Year for a fast-food value meal and will probably be stuck with Jahlil Okafor, barring the NBA reverts back to the '90s where big men roamed the Earth. Sam Hinkie would never. You lose, Colangelo, good day, sir. —Angel Diaz