NBA TRADELINE: LEVEL UP, LEVEL DOWN
Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports
PJ TUCKER
?NBA Trade deadline ended this afternoon and some teams made some really good moves, while most of the league stayed in tact with current teams. Here are a few of my winners and losers after the trade deadline.
Pelicans
While the Pelicans aren't a great team only being 11th seed in West before tonight's game vs. Rockets, The pickup of big man Demarcus Cousins for practically new bed sheets is the best trade this year. Pelicans needed more talent with Anthony Davis and Demarcus brings that with a desire to win, and being a nightmare to guard as his teammate Davis is. I don't think they will be legit for a title run this season, but next season could be scary for the league.
Raptors
Raptors are fighting for second best team in east and the additions of Serge Ibaka and PJ Tucker gives the veteran toughness they need for a deep playoff run. Both players can play small ball and both have range to hit corner 3's which is needed for Lowry and Derozan to create. I see Toronto having a good 2nd half of season and finishing no lower than 3 seed in the East.
Wizards
Wizards for sure put the league on notice that their going for it this season. Wizards bench needed a little more depth and scoring and the trade for Nets swingman Bojan Bogdanovich was a good deal. Averaging nearly 15ppg. this season, Bogdanovich addition gives them another shooter, another creator, and the ability for Wizards to play smaller at times putting Otto Porter at the 4 and having bojan at the 3. I expect a smooth transition and expect Wizards to finish as the 2 seed in the East.
LOSERS
Celtics
Celtics decided to stay pat and make no trades. Not sure why Celtics were so unwilling to give up the Brooklyn first round pick but they could have use Jimmy Butler. Maybe the offers the Bulls didn't like but i feel if they gave up a 1st round pick Jimmy Butler would be a Celtic. GM Danny Ainge loves his core guys but a for legit title run Butler was a player that could put you in the mix to be in Finals. Celtics are possibly waiting on Gordon Heyward this offseason and offer him a max deal.
Clippers
I think the Clippers championship window is closed. This was the best time to trade Blake Griffin. Clippers unsure if he will resign, could have gotten very valuable pieces for him to try and rebuild this team within a year or two with a quality player or some 1st round picks. Clippers have proven they can win without him somewhat and Blake being still very talented could have gave Clippers much needed salary cap room and some future draft picks with a small forward package possibly Paul George of the Indiana Pacers.
Should be an interesting second half of the season. The 8th seed in the West should go down to the last week of the season. Expect players being waived or bought out to join contenders such as Deron Williams and Andrew Bogut.
