Just how big was the NBA Trade Deadline last Thursday? All but two NBA teams got involved in making deals: 54 players were traded along with 52 draft picks – 44 of which were second-rounders. Six former or current All-Stars also swapped teams. The Phoenix Suns were the biggest winner in landing Kevin Durant. But with winners come losers, and there are a few who lost either by making bad deals or not making any at all.
The outright NBA betting lines have shifted thanks to the NBA Trade Deadline. A few teams saw their championship odds shorten while some became larger longshots.
Let’s check the latest NBA news, stats, injury report, and NBA lines. We’ve got plenty of NBA picks for you to consider.
76ers, Warriors Left in the Dust
The deadline saw title contenders like Phoenix, Boston, and Milwaukee all make improvements. But the Philadelphia 76ers and Golden State Warriors did not do much to improve their standing. The 76ers swapped Matisse Thybulle for Jalen McDaniels in what was obviously a cost-cutting move. And, while McDaniels is a serviceable young wing, he won’t move the needle for Philadelphia.
Most notably, teams like Denver and Boston made acquisitions to bolster their frontcourt depth. The Sixers did not give Joel Embiid any room for breathers. While the team’s outright online gambling odds shortened (+1200) from the preseason, this team remains a tier below the other elite teams.
Golden State, on the other hand, is likely not to repeat as champions. It watched Phoenix, Denver, and other Western teams make notable additions but did not do much outside of reacquiring Gary Payton II – who is also injured and puts their move in limbo. But it’s at least in theme with how the Warriors’ season has gone thus far: riddled with injuries.
Questionable Actions or Inactions
Of the NBA teams that did not make any significant moves, the Miami Heat and Chicago Bulls are the most noteworthy.
The Heat did not do much other than sell backup center Dewayne Dedmon to San Antonio for some change. They look to be in the player buyout market, especially for a guard like Reggie Jackson or Russell Westbrook. But if neither signs with them, it leaves the team with a gaping hole at point guard as the aging Kyle Lowry’s play continues to deteriorate.
Russell Westbrook has interest in joining the Clippers or Heat if bought out by the Jazz, per @LawMurrayTheNU pic.twitter.com/0lNrBnziWA
— Bleacher Report (@BleacherReport) February 9, 2023
On the other hand, Chicago stayed pat for the second straight Trade Deadline. The Bulls are fighting for the final play-in spot and are four games below .500. Star guard Zach LaVine is reportedly disgruntled and the team did not even appear remotely interested in either moving him or doing something to appease him.
The Toronto Raptors also made a head-scratching move. Supposedly a seller, the Raptors did a 180 and became a buyer. Toronto reacquired Jakob Poeltl to patch its glaring hole in the middle. But in doing so, the team traded a lightly protected first-round pick.
Keeping O.G. Anunoby, who some report has grown frustrated with the team, and Fred VanVleet on an expiring deal could prove tricky for the team this offseason.
The questionable decision-making here makes these teams tough to trust when betting online. The Heat’s outright championship line now lengthened to +5000 from the preseason (+2000).
First-Round Picks? No Thanks
In a day where second-round picks got traded in excess, some teams reportedly rejected a glut of first-round picks. These teams are Brooklyn and Toronto. While Brooklyn did well in moving Durant and Kyrie Irving, it may have overplayed its hand by turning down four first-round picks from Memphis for 3-and-D specialist Mikal Bridges.
Speaking of turning down picks, the Raptors allegedly shot down a proposal from both Memphis and Indiana to trade Anunoby for three firsts.
On the other end of these deals was Memphis. The Grizzlies were relatively quiet, but not for lack of trying. The franchise was dead-set on acquiring either Bridges or Anunoby, but their offer of picks did not please either Brooklyn or Toronto. As such, Memphis settled with Luke Kennard, which pales in comparison with what some of their conference rivals pulled off.
