Winner and Losers From 2020 NBA Trade Deadline
By Scott Rogust
The NBA Trade Deadline has come and gone, and while there weren't any blockbuster moves, there were plenty of trades to satisfy the appetite of fans on Thursday.
As is the case every year, there are winners and losers of a trade deadline. So, we've got you covered on which three teams earned sweet victory, and the other three who took a big "L."
6. Losers: Golden State Warriors
Golden State needed to make moves at the deadline due to sitting dead last in the NBA standings. The team acquired four second round picks for four players, which isn't the most exciting return. On Thursday, the team traded D'Angelo Russell to the Minnesota Timberwolves in exchange for a protected 2021 first round pick, unprotected 2022 second round pick...and Andrew Wiggins. With the pairing of Russell and Karl-Anthony Towns, Minnesota's draft value will likely drop. Also, Wiggins has proven to be a flop as compared to his first overall selection in 2014. Congrats Warriors, you traded D-Lo for a rather minimal return.
5. Winners: Memphis Grizzlies
Memphis was left in an unenviable situation. After making a trade with the Golden State Warriors this past summer, new acquisition Andre Iguodala refused to play for them. The 36-year-old escalated things this past week and angered the Grizzlies. The team turned Iguodala into Miami Heat swingman Justise Winslow. While his season has been marred by injuries, Winslow presents plenty of upside alongside on the young Grizzlies team. Once he gets fully healthy, the combination of Winslow, Ja Morant, and Jaren Jackson Jr. could be fun and dangerous.
4. Losers: Detroit Pistons
Look, the Pistons weren't going to compete for a playoff spot this year, so selling was a smart move. However, they traded star center Andre Drummond to the Cleveland Cavaliers for pennies on the dollar. Instead of bringing in a lucrative package of players and draft picks, Detroit could only muster obtaining Brandon Knight, John Henson, and a second-round pick. Come on Detroit, you couldn't get a bag of basketballs for him too? What a shame.
3. Winners: New York Knicks
The Knicks weren't going anywhere this season, but if they made one good move, it was signing Marcus Morris. The big man is having a career year, and presented himself as the Knicks' best trade piece. Instead of keeping him, like reports expected, the Knicks wised up and flipped Morris to the Clippers for Moe Harkless and a 2021 first-round pick. That's tremendous value for a rental, and makes the Knicks winners...for once.
2. Losers: Los Angeles Lakers
The Lakers needed to make a trade that put them over the top once the playoffs begin. They were heavily linked Marcus Morris, but backed out for one simple reason: they didn't want to trade Kyle Kuzma. If this year has shown anything, it's that Kuzma doesn't bring much to this Lakers team, and Morris has better shooting numbers than him. With zero draft assets, the Lakers needed to move Kuzma to acquire Morris. Instead, they backed out, and watched a division rival grab him.
1. Winners: Los Angeles Clippers
The Clippers took advantage of apprehension from the Lakers, and it got them Knicks forward Marcus Morris. Entering the season, the team sported probably one of the deepest rosters in the league. Now, it got even better with the addition of Morris, who's a big body who can shoot from long distance. Now sitting less than a handful of games out of the top seed in the Western Conference, the Clippers look like a serious threat to the "Lake Show" for the remainder of the season.