Now that the hectic trade deadline is passed, let’s take a moment to resolve this.
You know how it seems like you’re moving even when you’re standing on firm ground after getting off the treadmill? That is how it feels after the 2023 NBA trade deadline, which saw superstars traded, role players switched, and a ton of draft picks exchange hands.
The most significant change was undoubtedly Kevin Durant joining Chris Paul and Devin Booker at the Phoenix Suns, as the Brooklyn Nets ended their own superteam by forming a new one. Following Brooklyn’s trade of Kyrie Irving to the Dallas Mavericks to play alongside Luka Doncic, this has happened. The Nets got a ton of young players and draft picks in exchange, which should eventually help them have a bright future.
Our minds are
I doubt the NBA’s history contains a clearer trade deadline victor than this one. After the Suns’ disappointing Game 7 playoff loss to Luka Doncic and the Mavericks the previous season, Durant rejuvenates the squad and instantly makes them the front-runners to win the Western Conference. Durant, Devin Booker, Chris Paul, and Deandre Ayton create one of the most formidable foursomes in the league. Despite their depth being reduced by the deal, they still have competent, seasoned role players in Torrey Craig, Cam Payne, Damion Lee, and Landry Shamet.
Health is the biggest unknown, but that is true of all the candidates. Just a few days into his job, new Suns governor Mat Ishbia made a significant move.
Durant has to consider the possibility of being the only superstar on a Nets team trying to balance winning and rebuilding after the deal for Kyrie Irving. Rather, he has moved on from that predicament and is currently playing for the team that is the favorite to win the championship, who was also the team he wanted traded last summer. Although superstars leaving their teams to join superteams may not be to everyone’s taste, Durant has undoubtedly emerged victorious in this situation.
Following the trade of Kyrie Irving, Durant was left to consider the possibility of being the only superstar on a Nets team that was trying to balance winning and rebuilding. Rather, he has moved on from that circumstance and is currently playing for the team that is the favorite to win the title, as well as the team he first requested a trade from last summer. It’s possible that fans dislike the notion of elite players leaving their teams to form superteams, but in this case, Durant has unquestionably emerged on top.
The possibility of being the only superstar on a Nets team trying to balance between rebuilding and contending loomed large for Durant following the Kyrie Irving trade. He’s moved on from that circumstance and is currently playing for the team he initially asked to be traded to last summer, who also happens to be the title favorite. Superstars leaving their teams to form superteams may not be to everyone’s taste, but Durant has undoubtedly emerged victorious in this situation.
The Lakers are at least in a position to compete, even though I’m not claiming they can suddenly contend for a championship. LeBron has made it plain that he has no desire to play his final NBA seasons on a losing team, and now that the record pursuit is over, he will want to move up the standings with a new group of colleagues. The Lakers have acquired three quality players in D’Angelo Russell, Malik Beasley, and Jarred Vanderbilt while avoiding Russell Westbrook and all of his problems, all for the price of only one of their two highly sought-after future first-round selections. With Anthony Davis healthy, that squad has a puncher’s chance to win the Western Conference and can at least make a deep run.
Not that the Nuggets did anything wrong, but when the Durant trade fell through, Phoenix dropped a nuclear bomb on them. As of Thursday, Denver was ahead of the Grizzlies by 4.5 games in the Western Conference and appeared to be the favorites to advance to the NBA Finals thanks to the return of Jamal Murray. The Nuggets’ only trade deadline action was acquiring big man Thomas Bryant from the Lakers and cutting bait with bright young guard Bones Hyland following reports of dissatisfaction. Now they have to battle with a superteam in Phoenix. Denver lost this deadline without its own fault, going from the West’s front-runners to the supporting cast overnight.
I’ve already written about this in the Irving trade winners and losers a few days ago, so pardon me when I copy myself.
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