NBA Trade Deadline 2023: Who were the 5 biggest losers after a crazy day?
As the clock ticked past 3 p.m. Eastern Time in the United States, the NBA trade deadline came an end, closing one of the craziest weeks in league history. What was originally shaping up to be a quiet deadline turned into all-out madness as teams rattled off trade after trade.
On the heels of what many consider to be the craziest trade deadline in NBA history, let's take a look at the 5 biggest losers of the deadline.
#5, Golden State Warriors
As the Golden State Warriors showed last season, when healthy, they're one of the best, if not the best, teams in the NBA. Unfortunately, as they look to go back-to-back in the NBA Finals this season, they have so far come up short. Sitting in ninth place in a stacked Western Conference, the Warriors (28-27) need to pick it up.
Although injuries have derailed much of Steph Curry's season, this trade deadilne saw the Dallas Mavericks, Phoenix Suns and LA Lakers get considerably better. With the West only getting tougher, the Warriors seem to have missed out.
#4, Denver Nuggets
The Denver Nuggets (38-17) have the NBA's second-best record. With that, there's a case to be made that they may not have needed to get better at all. However, the Western Conference became even more competitive at the deadline, and the Nuggets did little to keep up.
Although they picked up Thomas Bryant as a backup center, by losing Nah'Shon "Bones" Hyland, the team seems to have broken even at best. With several other teams likely to make a push in the West throughout the rest of the season it will be interesting to see how the Nuggets fare.
#3, Toronto Raptors
While many expected the Toronto Raptors to finally begin pulling the metaphorical trigger this trade deadline, they did very little. By not dealing OG Anunoby or Pascal Siakam, general manager Masai Ujiri sent a clear message to the league that he believes in what they're building in Toronto.
At the same time, the team managed to acquire Jakob Poeltl from the San Antonio Spurs, reuniting Siakam with his longtime friend. Whether or not that translates to more wins for the 10th-place Raptors (26-30), only time will tell.
#2, New York Knicks
The New York Knicks (30-26) have once again managed to stir up plenty of conversation, only to ultimately do very little when push comes to shove. Ahead of the deadline, the team made a move that sent Cam Reddish, Ryan Arcidiacono, Sviatoslav Mykhailiukto the Portland Trail Blazers in a three-team trade.
In return, they acquired Josh Hart, a solid two-way forward who will give the team reliable minutes. Despite that, in a competitive Eastern Conference, the team has now done little to improve their seventh-place standing.
#1, Chicago Bulls
Aside from the Cleveland Cavaliers, the Chicago Bulls were the only team to make no moves at the trade deadline. According to reports, with Kevin Durant and Kyrie Irving out of the Eastern Conference, the front office thinks the East is more open than previously.
When looking at one of the craziest trade deadlines in history, it's hard to comprehend why a ninth-place team with a sub-.500 record stood pat. With plenty examples as to why they have come up short this season time and time again, the decision to stick with their roster has left many scratching their heads.