The 2024 NBA trade deadline is over and dusted, although there may not have been much enthusiasm regarding quality.
The biggest moves happened a few weeks ago, with OG Anunoby going to the Big Apple and Indiana landing Pascal Siakam.
This deadline was more important for teams looking to improve their margins, and while some teams did very well, others were solid with doubts.
So which teams should be considered winners or losers by the 2024 deadline? Let's take a look at five.
Winner: New York Knicks
The Knicks' recent nine-game winning streak since acquiring Anunoby has given them hope. And for a franchise as big as New York, that should be everything. New York continued to improve its lineup by acquiring two key veterans from the Detroit Pistons, Bojan Bogdanovic and Alec Burks.
New York definitely improved in quality as they parted ways with Quentin Grimes, Evan Fournier, Malachi Flynn, Ryan Arcidiacono, and two future second-round picks. Bogdanovic can shoot from anywhere and contribute some size, while Burks can do everything, including start the offense.
And since Anunoby is expected to be sidelined for at least three weeks, the addition of two talented veterans who can pick up shifts should lessen the blow from the news. The Knicks will make a big push once Mitchell Robinson returns.
Loser: Los Angeles Lakers
Unless the buyout market brings an unlikely savior, the Lakers will likely waste another LeBron James vs. Anthony Davis season. Los Angeles decided to sit back and watch after weeks of rumors, particularly those involving Atlanta Hawks' Dejounte Murray and D'Angelo Russell.
By not taking action, the Lakers will enter the summer armed with three first-round picks. James has a $51 million player option to play, but he also turns 40 in December. Davis turns 31 and will make $43 million before his lucrative contract extension kicks in.
Los Angeles native Spencer Dinwiddie may be a hot name on the buyout market because he fits a clear need, but he's not exactly moving the needle in Hollywood. The front office has some big decisions ahead of them.
Winner: Indiana Pacers
Indiana already made headlines by landing Siakam on a pairing with Tyrese Haliburton and Myles Turner, and he continued to shine on Thursday. The Pacers traded Buddy Hield to the Philadelphia 76ers for Marcus Morris Sr., Furkan Korkmaz, and three second-round picks, but reportedly waived Korkmaz and traded Morris for Marcus Morris Sr., Furkan Korkmaz, and three second-round picks. The senior was traded to the San Antonio Spurs in exchange for sharpshooter Doug McDermott.
The Pacers reportedly also sent a second-round pick and cash to the Golden State Warriors for Cory Joseph, but Joseph will be waived. Their roster has a little bit of everything from the starting lineup to the bench.
Once Haliburton fully returns from his injury, Indiana has all the tools to climb into the top four in the East. The Pacers already boast an offense that can run teams out of buildings, but it will be interesting to see if they can establish a decent defense.
Loser: Sacramento Kings
Sacramento and Indiana were supposed to be the same team, but they were in opposite conferences. Except one shows clear intent to compete, while the other seems content to just exist. Last year, the Kings had the best offense in NBA history in terms of offensive rating. This year, they won't be able to beat the bottom-ranked Detroit Pistons and Charlotte Hornets at home.
The Kings made a trade, acquiring 35-year-old Robin Lopez from the Milwaukee Bucks for cash. Lopez is expected to be fired.
Sacramento was a No. 3 seed last season, but they made no real moves during the offseason and have only regressed to this point. Once the season is roughly finished, there should be some changes on the beam team.
Winner: Dallas Mavericks
The Mavericks have struggled to build a system around Luka Doncic consistently since drafting him, but this year's trade deadline provided a little more optimism.
Dallas reportedly acquired center Daniel Gafford from the Washington Wizards in exchange for Richaun Holmes and a 2024 first-round pick, as well as Grant Williams, Seth Curry and a lightly protected 2027 pick. They reportedly acquired PJ Washington from the Charlotte Hornets in exchange for a first-round pick.
Gafford and rookie Derek Lively II will be the key players at center, while Washington is a power forward who occasionally spaces the floor despite a dip in his shooting percentage so far this season. . But with Doncic and Kyrie Irving serving as the linchpins of the offense, the rest of the players will just have to do their jobs and the results will follow. The next few months will be critical for head coach Jason Kidd and others.
Honorable mention
Patrick Beverley to Bucks: Milwaukee needed another stubborn defender who didn't need the ball, two boxes for Beverley to check. It would be easy to lose Cam Payne and a second-round pick.
Gordon Hayward tells the Thunder: Oklahoma City didn't need to mess with its young core as players continued to rise and rage. Adding Hayward to the versatile veterans of Tre Mann, Davis Bertans, Vasilije Micic and draft compensation is a steal.
Monte Morris to Timberwolves: Minnesota was in desperate need of another on-the-ball playmaker and acquired Morris. He didn't play much in Detroit this year due to injuries, but it's nice to part ways with Shake Milton, Troy Brown Jr., and a 2030 second-round pick who will be a solid backup PG. It's a decision.
