Winners, losers from wildest NBA trade deadline ever

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A few weeks ago, a league executive told me to expect a relatively quiet trade deadline, one without a blockbuster deal. There were too many cap restrictions, more buyers than sellers on the market, and a general pessimism about deals getting done.

He could not have been more wrong. This week, a tsunami of massive trades washed over the league: Luka Doncic was traded to the Lakers for Anthony Davis, a deal that stunned everybody, including Doncic and Davis; De’Aaron Fox was traded to San Antonio to team up with Victor Wembanyama; and, after a lot of drama, Jimmy Butler was traded to Golden State to team up with Stephen Curry.

It was an intense week. Who were the big winners and losers at the NBA trade deadline? Let’s break it down.

WINNER: The NBA

For the second year in a row, the biggest names in sports media flocked to Super Bowl Radio Row — and were forced to talk about NBA trades. Media personalities who expected to be focused on whether the Chiefs can stop the “tush push” were suddenly discussing how Luka Doncic and LeBron James might work together and whether Jimmy Butler gives Stephen Curry a legit shot at a title.

The NBA needed this. Too often this season, the discussion of the league — especially from those with political motives or who don’t like the modern style of play — focused on old-school ratings. Those people missed the point, and this week, the power of the NBA as a sports and entertainment force was on full display. It was a good week for the NBA.

WINNER: Los Angeles Lakers

How do things like this just fall in the Lakers’ laps? Lakers’ exceptionalism for the win.

Lakers GM Rob Pelinka had the GM of a team with a 25-year-old, top-three player in the world pull him aside and ask, “How would you feel about trading for our star?” To Pelinka’s credit, he recognized what was happening, didn’t overthink it, and ultimately pulled the trigger on the trade — he somehow even got Dallas GM Nico Harrison to take just one first-round pick (and no Dalton Knecht in the deal, either). It was a steal of a trade for the Lakers, even with Anthony Davis as the price. If the price had been both first-round picks…

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Source link : https://sports.yahoo.com/winners-losers-wildest-nba-trade-122044871.html

Author : NBC Sports

Publish date : 2025-02-07 12:20:00

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