As the 2023 NBA trade deadline approached, anticipation and speculation ran high. With several teams vying for playoff positions and others looking to reshape their rosters, it was sure to be a wild and unpredictable day. And it did not disappoint. The trade deadline saw some blockbuster moves, with big names and big contracts changing hands. Some teams went all-in for a championship run, while others focused on building for the future. In this recap, we'll take a closer look at the most significant trades that took place, and what they mean for the teams involved as they move forward.
Easily the biggest trade of the deadline involved the Brooklyn Nets sending Kevin Durant and TJ Warren to the Phoenix Suns in exchange for Mikal Bridges, Cameron Johnson, Jae Crowder, four first round picks, and a 2028 pick swap. Kevin Durant has been in trade rumors for a bit and finally came to fruition today. The Suns lineup is looking pretty crazy now with CP3 at the 1, Dbook at the 2, TJ Warren at the 3, KD at the 4, and DeAndre Ayton at center. Cementing themselves as the favourites to win the NBA finals.
Another trade sending the Nets into a rebuild is Kyrie Irving to the Mavericks for Spencer Dinwiddie, Dorian Finney-Smith, and a 2027 first and second-round pick. Kyrie looks weird as hell in blue. Finally Luka’s gonna have some help, but I’m not sure how well they’ll work together as they’re both ball-dominant players.
We had a pretty eventful multi-trade deal between the Lakers, Jazz and Timberwolves where the Lakers received D’Angelo Russell, Jarred Vanderbilt and Malik Beasley, the Timberwolves received Mike Conley, Nickeil Alexander-Walker, and a few second-round picks, and the Jazz received Russell Westbrook, Juan Toscano-Anderson, Damian Jones and a first-round pick. Everyone’s talking about Dlo being back on the team, but Jarred Vanderbilt is probably the most valuable out of the three as he provides much-needed defensive help and is one of the best offensive rebounders in the league. Malik Beasley also gives a lot more spacing. The Timberwolves fumbled so hard, they gave up Dlo for an older, shorter and worse player, not sure what they were thinking.
Spurs going full tank mode as they trade Jakob Poeltl back to the Raptors for Khem Birch, a first-round pick and 2 second-round picks.
The last major multi-trade deal of the day involving the Brooklyn Nets, Milwaukee Bucks, and the Indiana Pacers, where the Bucks receive Jae Crowder, Pacers receive Jordan Nwora, Serge Ibaka and 2 second round picks, and the Nets receive a crazy 5 second round picks.
Now I’m going to quickly glaze over some of the smaller trades,
The Blazers are sending Josh Hart for Cam Reddish and a first-round pick.
The Miami Heat send over Dewayne Dedmon and a second-round pick to the Spurs for some cash.
Mike Muscala has been traded to the Celtics for Justin Jackson and 2 second-round picks.
Indiana brought back George Hill and a second-round pick for salary cap relief.
The Nuggets send over Davon Reed and 3 second-round picks to the Lakers for Thomas Bryant.
The Lakers receive Mo Bamba in exchange for Pat Bev and a second round pick.
Bizzy Bones sent to the Clippers for 2 second-round picks. This made me sad because I was just about to cop his Nuggets city jersey.
Another 3 team trade, Matisse Thybulle on the Trailblazers, Jaden McDaniels is on the Sixers and Svi Mykhailiuk is sent to the Hornets alongside multiple second round picks.
Phoenix sends Dario Saric and a second-round pick for Darius Bazley.
The Rockets get Justin Holiday and Frank Kaminsky in exchange for Garrison Matthews and Bruno Fernando to the Hawks.
The Spurs are sending Josh Richardson to the Pelicans for Devonte Graham and 4 second-round picks.
Rockets receive Danny Green also bring back their beloved John Wall. The Clippers receive Eric Gordon and 3 second-round picks. And finally, the grizzlies snatch Luke Kennard for some reason.
Mason Plumlee is traded from the Hornets to the Clippers for Reggie Jackson.
Warriors fans should be ecstatic after bringing back Gary Payton II, but they give up Kevin Knox and 5 second-round picks.
And finally, James Wiseman is on the Pistons and Saddiq Bey is on the Hawks.
The NBA trade deadline has once again proved to be one of the most exciting times for basketball fans across the world. Several big-name players have found new homes, and teams have made significant moves to improve their chances of success in the upcoming playoffs. Only time will tell which trades will ultimately pay off.