The NBA trade deadline passed after a flurry of frenzied activity. Amidst all the chaos, it would be understandable for NBA fans to get a little lost. That's why HNGN sports writer Jordan Webb and I are here to offer a little perspective.
Here are the biggest winners and losers of the NBA trade deadline.
Brandon -
Winners: Portland Trail Blazers
The trade deadline is used best to add extra firepower for a postseason run. Portland did just when they picked up Arron Afflalo from the Denver Nuggets. Afflalo is a veteran shooter who was asked to do too much in Denver, but he could thrive as an offensive spark off the bench in Portland. Remember, Afflalo is just one year removed from averaging 18 PPG and shooting 43 percent from deep. He's capable of being a feisty X-factor come playoff time.
Losers: Philadelphia 76ers
I understand that Philly GM Sam Hinkie wants to build through the draft, and adding the Lakers' top-five protected first-rounder from Phoenix certainly has its appeal. But the draft's purpose is to produce talented players, which Michael Carter-Williams appeared to be (shooting woes and all). Shipping him off for another pick just restarts the cycle, no? At some point, you need to stop hoarding assets and start building an actual team. Hinkie better hope that pick lands outside the top five.
Jordan -
Winners: Miami Heat
It took a lot, but the Heat did it. They have a franchise-caliber point guard for the first time in years. Goran Dragic is only 28 years old and will likely sign a long-term contract in the summer, which will go a long way toward keeping Miami contenders in the East. Dragic is first and foremost a true point guard, but he can also score. He's a picky but efficient shooter - 50.1 percent from the field - and a great candidate for the aging Dwyane Wade to gradually transition the primary ball-handler responsibilities to.
What Dragic will bring to the team in the long haul makes him worth the price Miami paid. Two future first-round picks, which would've been mid-round picks anyways, and a couple of average players. Well worth it.
Losers: Brooklyn Nets
Granted Brooklyn wasn't in the best position - ugly contracts, lack of future picks - to make trades, you'd still think they would have at least done more than just ship home Kevin Garnett's expiring contract to Minnesota for Thaddeus Young, a player who's almost guaranteed to bolt in the summer as a free agent.
What about Brook Lopez? I'm sure Brooklyn's quiet Thursday wasn't from lack of trying, but this was their chance to offload some of the ugly contracts - Joe Johnson, Deron Williams - that are eating up huge chunks of cap space next season. Time will tell whether this was all part of Billy King's ingenious plan or if he simply missed the boat big time.
