Who were the 5 biggest losers ahead of the 2023 NBA Trade Deadline?
The anticipation leading up to the 2023 NBA trade deadline was overwhelming. After weeks of speculation, fans finally got to see which players around the league would be changing teams for the rest of the 2022-23 season.
If one thing is for sure, the 2023 NBA trade deadline didn't disappoint. Players such as Kevin Durant and Kyrie Irving found themselves on the move this week. Teams around the NBA were aggressive when it came to making adjustments to their rosters.
Many teams made a concerted effort to advance their teams before the 2023 NBA trade deadline. However, it can also result in a number of organizations that have struggled to gain traction when it comes to roster upgrades. Here are five of the biggest "losers" when it comes to the NBA trade deadline in 2023.
Top 5 biggest losers ahead of the 2023 NBA Trade Deadline
#5 Toronto Raptors
The Toronto Raptors were largely viewed as a team on the rise in the Eastern Conference heading into the 2022-23 season. Toronto's roster includes a number of intriguing pieces as well as some young talent on the rise. Following an impressive 2021-22 season, the Raptors appeared to be on the verge of taking the next step.
Following a disappointing first half of the 2022-23 season, many expected the Raptors to be sellers at the 2023 NBA trade deadline. Toronto had players like OG Anunoby, Pascal Siakam, and Fred VanVleet who could have brought in a lot of future draft picks. Instead, the Raptors signed veteran big man Jakob Poetl.
It looked as if it was a potential deadline in which the Raptors could have put themselves in a great position to build assets for the future. Instead, Toronto will look to make a push towards the playoffs after the All-Star break.
#4 Chicago Bulls
Much like the previously mentioned Toronto Raptors, the Chicago Bulls were hoping to be another team to take the next step in the Eastern Conference. Chicago was coming off an impressive 2021-22 season and looked to be a dangerous team on the rise in the East.
The Bulls have not had the season they had hoped for in 2022-23. The team is currently 26-28 heading into Thursday night's game. Chicago has the talent to make a run in the playoffs, but they also appear to be in need of some additional help.
The Bulls had an opportunity to attempt to gain some assets moving forward. Instead, Chicago was one of the few teams who didn't make any sort of move at the 2023 NBA trade deadline.
#3 Utah Jazz
Many were expecting the Utah Jazz to be a team that could be aggressive at the 2023 NBA trade deadline. Utah has been one of the most pleasant surprises in the NBA during the 2022-23 season. After being expected to contend for the number one overall draft pick, Utah has found itself in a position to compete for a spot in the playoffs.
The Minnesota Timberwolves have officially announced that they have acquired Mike Conley and Nickeil Alexander-Walker from the Utah Jazz, meaning the three-team deal involving Russell Westbrook has been completed.
The Jazz then made a big three-team trade, sending players like Mike Conley, Jarrett Vanderbilt, and Malik Beasley out. Utah received veteran guard Russell Westbrook in exchange. It is expected that Westbrook will discuss a buyout with the Jazz. That means the three-team trade will almost certainly be viewed as a salary dump for the Jazz.
#2 Golden State Warriors
Fresh off winning the 2021-22 NBA championship, the Golden State Warriors came into the 2022-23 season as favorites to defend their crown. But this year hasn't been kind to the defending champions. The Warriors have struggled with their consistency, especially on the defensive side of the ball.
Already struggling with a large salary tax bill, the Warriors went on to make a shocking trade at the deadline. The team sent out former 2020 second overall selection James Wiseman to the Detroit Pistons in a three-team trade.
REPORT: The Detroit Pistons plan on starting James Wiseman, via @andscape. https://t.co/e3CS1D83RN
Before pivoting and acquiring former Warriors guard Gary Payton II back from the Portland Trail Blazers, Golden State received numerous second-round picks. It's a difficult day for the Warriors, who have moved on from waiting for the former first-round pick to find his stride.
#1 Brooklyn Nets
The Brooklyn Nets got off to a disastrous start to the 2022-23 season. That's when the team caught fire and started to storm up the standings in the Eastern Conference. After a while, it looked as if Brooklyn was finally starting to look like a title contender. But life in the NBA can change at the snap of a finger.
After a trade request from starting point guard Kyrie Irving, the Brooklyn Nets found themselves scrambling. Brooklyn would trade Irving to the Dallas Mavericks, but it was the first of many moves. The big move would follow, seeing superstar Kevin Durant traded to the Phoenix Suns for Mikal Bridges, Cameron Johnson, Jae Crowder and four future draft picks.
BREAKING: Nets are trading Kevin Durant to the Suns, per @ChrisBHaynes https://t.co/09hd9mbxfa
Brooklyn now finds itself with a roster that is full of wings, creating a potential logjam moving forward. With the Nets already owing their 2023 draft pick to the Houston Rockets in a swap, Brooklyn has no reason to attempt to "tank" throughout the rest of the season.