The 2024-2025 NBA trade deadline marked a turning point in NBA history. Never before have there been so many superstar players scrambling teams. Overall, here are the best teams and worst after the trade deadline
Winners
Lakers:
The Lakers traded Anthony Davis, Max Christe, and a 2031 first-round pick for Slovenian superstar Luka Doncic. This was an absolute robbery for the Lakers. Although they are losing a big defensive anchor and their 2nd best player in Davis, they get back one of the best young stars in the NBA. Doncic is coming off five straight all-star appearances with five straight all-NBA first-team performances. His defense is lacking, but the Lakers have gained a transformative player, especially as LeBron James enters the twilight of his career. Overall, I think Doncic’s fit on the Lakers isn’t bad. His presence will take off weight from LeBron, and his passing will open shots from shooters like Reaves and Hachimura.
Spurs: The Spurs got superstar Kings point guard De’Aaron Fox in a three-team trade for Zach Collins, Tre Jones, and draft capital. The Spurs are winners this offseason. They accomplished a key mission for their front office: finding a co-star for Victor Wembenyama. Fox’s speed fills in the Spurs’ need for a point guard. The pick-and-roll game between Wembenyama and Fox will be deadly, combining Wembenyama’s height and Fox’s finishing ability. Fox is coming off a career season in Sacramento, averaging 26.6 points and two steals. Fox has never been much of a passing guard but is still a great addition to this young Spurs team.
Cavs: Despite it being less flashy than some of the other moves mentioned on this list, The winningest team in basketball made an impressive move to help them maintain their status. They got Atlanta Hawks forward Deandre Hunter for Cerris Levert, George Niang, and draft capital. Hunter is a strong scoring forward who can hit threes at almost a 40% shooting average. He will complement Garland and Mitchell perfectly. Moreover, he will be a great addition to the best offense in the league, averaging 19 points per game. Giving up two bench players is ultimately a steal for the Cavs. Adding Hunter will ultimately boost their already rich championship aspirations.
Raptors: The headline for the Raptors in the 2024-2025 deadline was acquiring Brandon Ingram from the Pelicans. In return for Ingram, the Pelicans traded away for Bruce Brown, Kelly Olynyk, and a pick. Olynyk and Brown were just role players getting limited minutes, and Ingram averaged 22 points a game. Ultimately the Raptors need to start moving in the winning direction with Scottie Barnes and Gradey Dick. Adding Ingram is another great young piece that the Raptors can flip in the future or start building around. Now the Raptors will bolster a strong lineup of Quickley, Dick, Ingram, Barnes, and Potel. With Barrett as a strong sixth man, the Raptors are putting themselves in playoff contention next season.
Heat: The Heat is the hottest take of the winner section (no pun intended). The Heat moved on from their disgruntled superstar Jimmy Butler in return for a package of Andrew Wiggins, Kyle Anderson, Davion Mitchell, and a protected first-round pick. Butler was already on a decline. Far removed from his days in the bubble, Butler only averaged 17 points. The Heat gained Wiggins, an extremely underrated player with roughly the same number of points, Anderson, a reliable veteran presence, and Mitchell, a piece with great upside. All in all, Butler was not a good presence in the locker room. The Heat already have a solid group of players (Jaquez, Herro, and Adebayo) who no longer need Butler’s presence.
Losers
Mavericks: The Mavericks are the biggest loser and the most controversial this year. They made the finals last year behind Doncic, Irving, Gafford, and Washington. General Manager Nico Harrison claimed that trading Doncic was because of his lack of effort on defense. That would make sense if it affected the Mavericks, but they wouldn’t have made the finals. The Mavericks got an injury-riddled 31-year-old, Davis, who, at his peak, is a top 10-15 player and, at his worst, is a roster liability (injured). The Mavericks had a cornerstone player they just gave away. Moreover, my problem with the Mavericks is they could’ve easily gotten a better piece than Davis. Doncic is the most valuable asset in the league; the Mavericks at least could’ve gotten significant draft capital or some better young talent.
Wizards: The Washington Wizards have been struggling this year. The 9-45 team traded arguably their second-best player, Kyle Kuzma, for an aging Kris Middleton. Middleton is far from his days being the 2nd best player on a championship-winning team. This season, Middleton is only averaging 12 points per game. The Wizards are tanking for a high draft pick this year and need to build around Sarr. However, As Middleton enters the twilight of his career, he doesn’t add to the core around Coulibaly and Sarr. The Wizards got no draft capital for their rebuild, only receiving one draft pick swap.
Kings: It is clear that the Kings needed to change. They have a top center in Domantas Sabonis and are only the 9th seed, fighting for a playoff spot. Trading their cornerstone piece, De’Aaron Fox, wasn’t the answer. In return, the Kings hired Zach Lavine as a strong guard. I think what the Kings need, though, is a strong bench; with Fox leaving, Malik Monk must start, and the Kings lose their depth. The Kings now lack a true point guard. They should’ve tried to make a more significant splash if they genuinely wanted to make a playoff push.
