The NBA trade deadline has come and gone, with Giannis Antetokounmpo remaining on the Bucks — for now — while one of the biggest trade blunders in recent memory was laid bare. Here, foxsports.com.au looks at some of the winners and losers from this year’s deadline.
WINNERS
Oklahoma City Thunder: The Thunder made a calculated bet on Jared McCain, who scored 20 or more points in seven-straight games in his rookie season. They sent a 2026 Rockets first-round pick and three second-round picks to Philadelphia for McCain, who has battled injuries and struggled to reach the same heights in his sophomore campaign. However, McCain offers extra shooting off the bench and, if he can re-emerge as a consistent all-round scorer and decent defensive piece, he gives the Thunder a younger, more affordable alternative.
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James Harden: Harden's legacy has taken a hit after leaving the Clippers, but his chances of winning an elusive ring have improved. The Cavaliers, who traded for Harden and Keon Ellis, have won nine of their last 11 games and currently sit fourth in the Eastern Conference. Harden's reliability and playmaking skills make him a more dependable player on both ends of the floor.
LOSERS
Ja Morant: Morant is staying in Memphis, but his value leaguewide has cratered due to injuries, off-field dramas, and a drop in on-court production. The Grizzlies couldn't find a robust market for him, and interested teams weren't willing to give up a first-round pick.
Chicago Bulls: The Bulls finally decided to sell after years of everyone else begging them to do so. However, they left it too late, trading away Nikola Vucevic, Coby White, Ayo Dosunmu, Zach LaVine, Alex Caruso, DeMar DeRozan, and Lonzo Ball without receiving a single first-round pick in return. The team's moves at the deadline left ESPN analyst Brian Windhorst confused.
Dallas Mavericks: The Mavericks' trade for Luka Doncic aged even worse than first thought. They traded away Doncic, Maxi Kleber, Markieff Morris, Hardy, Russell, and Exum for Max Christie, Middleton, Johnson, Branaham, Bagley, three first-round picks (two of which are fake), three second-round picks, and 29 games of Davis. The trade was a glorified salary dump, and the Mavericks' front office is under scrutiny.
