Although this year’s trade deadline did not see the big names moved that we heard talked about in earlier in Dwight Howard, Al Horford, Jeff Teague, Kevin Love, Greg Monroe, and Ryan Anderson, there were some other players moved that can have an impact on the playoff race down the stretch. Furthermore, it can be tough to identify who did well without having the knowledge of how the team will use that player or if they will stay healthy, but nonetheless, when judging the trade deadline at this minute here are the winners and losers from the 2016 NBA trade deadline.

Winners: 

Washington Wizards: 

The Wizards are a winner because simply put they came away with the best player moved on deadline day. Markieff Morris has returned to the player he was before Earl Watson took over as interim head coach and was the same 21 point and eight rebounds per game type guy that every team could use. Getting Morris for DeJuan Blair, Kris Humphries and a 1st rounder in this year’s draft (it is top 9 protected, but this draft is one of the worst in recent memory, and the Wizards get a very solid young player under a great contract with the rising cap). The price was not that steep and it is a good backup plan when they fail to land Kevin Durant.

Cleveland Cavaliers:

The Cavaliers got Channing Frye back and although he doesn’t fit well next to Kevin Love, he can be a valuable bench big man next to Tristan Thompson or Timofey Mozgov. He also doesn’t need to do much to be an upgrade over the seldom used Anderson Varejao. Frye has a solid three-point shot and is a good rebounder, and with LeBron James having severe struggles shooting from deep this season, and Kevin Love having trouble fitting in and staying healthy this gives them a reasonable fallback plan should they want to play with five perimeter players and have Frye at the five.

Detroit Pistons:

The big winner from the deadline was the Detroit Pistons who acquired Tobias Harris, Dontas Montiejunas, and Marcus Thornton in exchange for Ersan Ilyasova, Brandon Jennings, Joel Anthony, and a protected first round pick. Not a bad haul for two players who were certain to depart in free agency this summer and a third who was a deep depth option. Harris clearly is a superior stretch four option and the best part is that he is only 23 years old, so there is likely more to come. Three solid contributors that should help their playoff run makes them the big winners on the day.

Memphis Grizzlies:

The Grizz land here because they were able to correct a previous trade they made last year when they acquired Jeff Green from the Celtics. The trade will no doubt be a loss for them as the pick they gave the Celtics a pick that could end up being relayed to them when they begin their rebuild, but they also noticed a bad decision and cut bait with Green. Being able to get a 1st round pick for Green, no matter how late it is, is a remarkable return for a player who has proven to be nothing more than a frustrating role player who has trouble fitting in when not being a featured part of the offense, and even then he is not a consistent or very good player.

Golden State Warriors:

The Warriors make the list because they are 48-4 and on pace to set the all-time regular season wins record and they did nothing to change their chemistry or roster. I know there was the thought that they could send out Jason Thompson or a bench player to perhaps trim their bill, but to me no matter who it is, this team is special and to even take one person off the team or try to fit one more person on their team would be unwise.

Phoenix Suns:

The Suns like the Wizards are also winners from the Morris trade, but for a different reason. The ability of GM Ryan McDonough to get a first round pick back for the troubled Morris is a big haul. There is also the chance the Wizards miss out on the playoffs and end up sending a pick (top 9 protected) as high as 10 to the Suns for a guy who did not want to be on the team, nor did he want to play for the organization he believed stabbed him in the back by trading his brother. A solid return and a good start to rebuilding this team.

Losers: 

Orlando Magic:

The Magic traded Tobias Harris and that does not make them a loser as it is clear to see they felt more strongly at trying to make a run at a free agent than keeping the growing Harris. In free agency, by trading the 16 million Harris was going to be making, the Magic have enough to offer one max salary player and fill out their roster with capable bench players to build depth and in Orlando, there is a solid chance someone (Al Horford?) would like to play in Florida. However, the trade of just taking back two expiring contracts that you will not bring back is absurd value for a 23-year old player who is not done growing. To make matters worse the Montiejunas trade netted the Rockets a first rounder, and he is a worse player and is a restricted free agent in the offseason. Just a bad deal to not get draft picks back in this deal.

Toronto Raptors:

The Raptors were one of the more active teams trying to acquire a power forward to improve their team for the stretch run and nothing came to fruition. However, one can’t help but notice the missed opportunity as they are the number two seed in the East and have as deep of a team as they have had in a while and another piece would have gone a long way to helping them hang around with Cleveland should they meet in the playoffs. A tough week for GM Masai Ujiri who clearly wanted to do something, but after Thaddeus Young was removed from the market with the hiring of new GM Sean Marks in Brooklyn, there were no real players to go after.

Los Angeles Clippers:

The Clippers are losers because Doc Rivers the GM is a terrible decision maker and trading a first rounder, no matter how low, for Jeff Green is a disaster. Green proved under Rivers that he is the same maddeningly inconsistent and elite athlete that people always feel like they could get more out of, but no one does. This trade isn’t all bad as they gave up Lance Stephenson as well and not having his headache should make them better, but to take back Green is a poor choice. He is a below average three point shooter and is an average defender. Throw in he won’t get nearly enough touches with the core in Los Angeles and it is a disaster.

Dennis Schroeder:

Poor Schroeder. He was primed to take over the starting job and it really felt like Jeff Teague was on his way out in Atlanta, but alas no team made a good enough offer to make them want to deal Teague and Schroeder will stay on the bench for the rest of the season. I am still not sure he is a starting caliber point guard, and although he has flashes, there are some things lacking in his game that makes me question whether he is anything more than a reserve point guard on a good team.

NBA Fans:

Fans wait for this deadline all year and this year seemed to have a lot of big name possibilities that could be on the move, but none really went anywhere. The fans, unlike last year, were disappointed with the moves made and it is understandable. However there is always NBA free agency coming this summer that should be more enjoyable, but one of the rare boring deadlines we have had in recent years.

 

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