Every fan of sports looks forward to one day every year: the trade deadline. Looking forward to your team making a trade for a blockbuster player, or getting depth for a championship run. NBA Insider Shams Charania, has been pushing the narrative of Giannas Antetokounmpo being traded from the Milwaukee Bucks. As of Feb. 5, the Bucks have been firm they will not trade the star forward this season. However, teams shifted their focus from Antetokounmpo to other star players, like James Harden.
**Top three Winners:**
**Wizards –** Going from mediocrity to potential top five team in the East in the span of a month is unprecedented. The Wizards traded Khris Middleton, AJ Johnson, Malaki Branham, Marvin Bagley, two first-round picks and three second-round picks for Anthony Davis, Jaden Hardy, D’Angelo Russell and Dante Exum. This is not the only move they have made either, in January they made a trade for All-Star point guard Trae Young. The pairing of Young and Davis is a serious threat, however the two have struggled staying healthy. If they can stay healthy next season they will be a top team in the East.
**Jazz –** While I do not see the vision in what the Jazz are building, the effort they are making to rebuild their team is notable. They were able to trade for Jaren Jackson Jr. and Vince Williams Jr., from the Grizzlies. With this trade the front court for the Jazz has both height, length and size with Jackson, Lauri Markkanen and Walker Kessler. While this year will not result in much positives going into next year it will. Guard Keyonte George has been electric for the Jazz averaging 24 points, four rebounds and six assists. The pairing of three seven-footers with George will be something to watch, as teams do not have three opposing quality bigs.
**Cavs –** All season the Cavs have been underperforming, specifically Darius Garland and Jarret Allen. Garland is supposed to be a 20 points-per-game and six assists type of point guard but has been dealing with a toe injury the majority of the season. Allen’s production is tied to Garland as he is a pick-and-roll type of center. The Cavs were able to turn their back court point guard depth from Garland and Lonzo Ball to Harden, Dennis Schroder and Keon Ellis. With Harden playing the point and having Allen and Evan Mobley in the front court not to mention Donovan Mitchell. The Cavs when healthy will be a tough out for every team in the Eastern conference.
**Top three Losers:**
**Warriors –** As a franchise when you are handed a top seven player all time, who is 37 years-old. You are supposed to be actively trying to win championships, since 2022 the Warriors have failed Stephen Curry. Last trade deadline they tried to reunite with Kevin Durant. When he elected to not be traded to the Warriors they went to plan-b, Jimmy Butler. The Warriors proceeded to give Butler a new deal averaging over $55 million a season. Butler has now torn his ACL and is making a ton of money to do nothing, just like he was when he was playing this season pre-injury.
The Warriors made two trades that did nothing to improve their team into Finals contention. First, trading Buddy Hield and Jonathan Kuminga for Kristaps Porzingis, who is injury prone and plays weakly. The second trade they made was trading fourth string center Trayce Jackson-Davis for a second round pick. They basically did nothing to further the expectations of the team this season. If they are able to sign Cam Thomas who was waived by the Nets they will be slightly better. I would not hold my breath on the Warriors front office doing something smart.
**Clippers –** Whilst the Clippers started the year off abysmal they have actually been on fire in their last 20 games going 17-3. Going from James Harden to Darius Garland is an unserious level of worsening your roster. Why they would make such a move is asinine and gives off tanking this year type of vibes. To make matters worse they also traded top 10 center Ivica Zubac for a Benedict Mathurin, Isaiah Jackson, two first round picks and one second round pick. The Clippers had a dynamic trio of Kawhi Leonard, Harden, Zubac and threw it all away for no reason. While reports came out that Harden requested a trade, he has been adamant he did not ask for a trade and just wanted an extension.
**Rockets –** Fred Vanvleet has been rehabbing from his torn ACL injury but no timetable has been set. The Rockets have been relying on Durant all season, but when he is not dropping 30+ points they have no shot at winning. The Rockets are missing a real quality point guard, it would have been inexpensive as well. They could have shipped Reed Sheppard, one first round pick and Tari Eason for Harden. If not Harden a Chris Paul or Ja Morant would have sufficed and made the Rockets the favorite out of the West along with the Thunder.
Overall, the NBA trade deadline had some winners and some losers. While it did not meet the level of excitement as insiders like Shams reported. The top teams got more competitive and the rest of the NBA season should be intriguing.