This is an archived article that was published on sltrib.com in 2017, and information in the article may be outdated. It is provided only for personal research purposes and may not be reprinted.
The NBA's trade deadline has passed, and the second half of the season is underway. So how do you describe the past week in one word?
Fireworks.
It began with the stunning trade of DeMarcus Cousins to the New Orleans Pelicans, during the All-Star Game, no less. It continued with the Boston Celtics flirting with stars Paul George and Jimmy Butler. And many teams stood pat, like the Utah Jazz. So we headline the winners and losers after a week where a number of players had to register a forwarding address;
WINNER: The Oklahoma City Thunder got significantly better. In acquiring Taj Gibson, OKC gets an athletic power forward who defends, can shoot the midrange jumper and is a plus rebounder. He'll work well with star Russell Westbrook in the pick-and-roll game. Doug McDermott adds much-needed shooting to a roster that had little before his arrival. He will serve as a talented bench piece for OKC, and someone who will add floor spacing for Westbrook.
LOSER: We don't mind that the Sacramento Kings traded Cousins. It was obvious the marriage between him and the franchise had run its course. But the Kings traded a top-10 NBA talent for pennies on the dollar. Buddy Hield is a good shooter. A first-round pick is nice. But they absolutely should've gotten more. The Kings made the trade nearly a full week before the deadline. Sacramento should've floated the initial offer from New Orleans, and waited for someone to top it. If that didn't happen, then you pull the trigger at the deadline. Boogie's ouster was bungled from A-to-Z.
WINNER: The Houston Rockets believe their only path to beating the Golden State Warriors in a playoff series is to outscore them. Adding Lou Williams to an already potent core is a great move. Williams adds depth, and combines with Eric Gordon to form a nice scoring duo off the bench. This was a low cost move to add shooting to one of the NBA's best offenses.
LOSER: Any fan of the Philadelphia 76ers, who on Friday announced Ben Simmons would miss the remainder of the season. Philly's No. 1 pick broke his foot in September, and apparently the foot still hasn't healed. Thing is, the Sixers led most to believe Simmons would return in January. The Sixers also traded Nerlens Noel to the Dallas Mavericks and received only two second-round picks in return, when a player of his youth and talent is easily worth a first-rounder. They also didn't trade Jahlil Okafor, who's wanted out since the day Joel Embiid took his starting spot at center. Do fans miss Sam Hinkie yet?
WINNER: Speaking of the Mavericks, as well as the Brooklyn Nets, we have to applaud both. Neither will make the playoffs, but both front offices are making sound decisions that could pay dividends down the road. The Mavs traded for Noel, who could be their center for a long time. Then they waived both Andrew Bogut and Deron Williams, embracing a needed rebuild. Brooklyn, done in as a franchise by the previous regime led by Billy King, traded back into the first round of this summer's NBA draft. They continue to accumulate young talent.
LOSER: The Indiana Pacers, depending on reports, either tried hard to trade Paul George, or didn't try hard to trade Paul George. They should've tried really hard. Dealing him to the Boston Celtics for the top pick in the loaded 2017 draft would've been ideal (speaking of, it was smart for Boston's Danny Ainge to not deal the pick). The Pacers will regret this moment if George leaves in free agency after a few years.
Twitter: @tribjazz NBA Power Rankings
1. Golden State Warriors • Draymond vs. Paul Pierce, Kevin Durant vs. Shaq ... Warriors taking on all comers, on and off the floor.
2. San Antonio Spurs • Getting Pau Gasol back will help for the stretch run.
3. Cleveland Cavaliers • LeBron James put up another monster triple-double against the Knicks.
4. Houston Rockets • Added Lou Williams via trade to an already potent offense.
5. Boston Celtics • Did the right thing in not giving away the farm for Paul George on the trade deadline.
6. Washington Wizards • Has been the hottest team in the league since January 1.
7. Los Angeles Clippers • Chris Paul's return is imminent. And the team really, really needs it.
8. Utah Jazz • The top defense in the league in points allowed. Does that help Rudy Gobert's Defensive Player of the Year campaign?
9. Toronto Raptors • Recent trade of Terrence Ross finally gives former Utah Utes star Delon Wright his opportunity in the rotation.
10. Oklahoma City Thunder • Gets Taj Gibson and shooter Doug McDermott for little in return.
11. Memphis Grizzlies • Has won seven of its past 10 games entering Saturday. They are almost as steady as it comes.
12. Atlanta Hawks • Eight games over .500 despite a negative point differential. You don't see that every day.
13. Indiana Pacers • Forget the Paul George drama. This team lost six straight going into the All-Star break. They need to play better.
14. Denver Nuggets • Can they hang on to that eight seed in the Western Conference after the Pelicans' move?
15. Chicago Bulls • It's almost all on Dwyane Wade and Jimmy Butler. Can Cameron Payne become the point guard of the future?
16. Detroit Pistons • Wanted to trade Reggie Jackson. But his contract made him difficult to deal.
17. Sacramento Kings • Won its first game on the other side of the DeMarcus Cousins era. Are they on to something?
18. New Orleans Pelicans • Have perhaps the two most talented big men together. Now, how do they make Cousins and Davis work?
19. Portland Trail Blazers • Still one game out of the playoff race, but are they really a postseason contender?
20. Milwaukee Bucks • No Jabari Parker for the rest of the season, but Khris Middleton is back, which is a good thing.
21. Miami Heat • Expected to waive forward Chris Bosh soon. Sad end for Bosh, who's health hasn't allowed him to continue playing.
22. Charlotte Hornets • Most of the offense falls on Kemba Walker. As good as he is, he needs help.
23. Dallas Mavericks • By releasing Deron Williams, rookie Yogi Ferrell has been handed the point guard reigns.
24. Minnesota Timberwolves • Couldn't get rid of Ricky Rubio at the trade deadline. They certainly tried to, though.
25. New York Knicks • A franchise stuck in transition. Needs to go young, but can't as long as Melo and Derrick Rose are on roster.
26. Philadelphia 76ers • No. 1 pick Ben Simmons is officially out for the season. That's a downer for Sixers fans.
27. Orlando Magic • The only team in the Eastern Conference not averaging 100 points per game.
28. Los Angeles Lakers • Shocked the basketball world by giving Magic Johnson the keys to the front office.
29. Phoenix Suns • They are 7-32 this season when playing teams within the Western Conference.
30. Brooklyn Nets • Bad team now, but General Manager Sean Marks continues to make moves that should pay off down the road.