Winners, losers from wild, blockbuster-filled NBA trade deadline Celtics’ Jaylen Brown to miss time with facial fracture, All-Star Game in question NBA trade deadline tracker: latest news, rumors, deals Winners, losers from three-team Lakers trade of Russell Westbrook Watch Irving score 24 in Dallas debut, lead Mavericks past Clippers

A couple of weeks before the NBA trade deadline, the conventional wisdom was that it would be a quiet trade. So when we got a blockbuster surprise – Kyrie Irving demand an exchange, then get his wish, be sent to Dallas – the meaning was that it was. The rest is just small deals.

Then came Russell Westbrook trade and all. Then Kevin Duran trade with Phoenix blew the roof off everything.

It was an insane deadline for the deal. Let’s split the winners and losers over some crazy days.

WINNER: Chris Paul

Everyone in Phoenix is ​​a winner – Suns fans, Mat Ishbia, Jay Crowderrealtor – but let’s start with Chris Paul. Father Time is quickly picking up steam this year in his race with the 37-year-old 12-time All-Star. It was obvious to the naked eye just by watching him play, not to mention the drop in his stats (I asked a scout about a month ago and he just shook his head resignedly).

Bringing in Durant breathes new life into CP3 this season and could take him into the ring he so badly wants to end his career. The pressure is easing because the offense can get through Durant on points and there will be less need for Paul to score, allowing him to focus on the playmaker role where he excels. This kind of acquisition can take advantage of Paul’s skill sets.

The Suns fans are the winners because after decades of mean (and far worse) Robert Sarver, Mat Ishbia takes over and starts spending money 24 hours later to turn the team into a contender. Ishbia is a winner because he took the opportunity to do it all.

These Suns have questions – protection, what is their depth after moving Mikal Bridges, Cam Johnson and others, and whether they can stay healthy — but after their trip to the Finals, the Suns looked good, not great. Now they can be great.

LOSER: Brooklyn Nets Championship Era

Sixteen games.

That’s how many games Kevin Durant, Kyrie Irving and James Harden played together. A team that on paper looked like they were supposed to waltz to the title crashed and burned under the weight of their own expectations, unfortunate injuries, their own egos and weaknesses. It was a car accident that we all saw and couldn’t stop watching.

The Nets have moved on from their superstars, but now they’re drifting and they need direction. There is a lot of work to be done.

GM Sean Marks needs to go back to what he did when he took on what was considered the worst job in the NBA in 2016 – a 21-win team that traded most of its draft capital – and create a team culture of hard work and smart play . The team that brought Durant and Irving to town. Just don’t hand over the keys to the franchise to superstars next time.

WINNER: Houston Rockets

It’s not about sending a deal Eric Gordon and getting Danny Green And John Wall back (Wall would still be waived and made a free agent). It’s about the future.

A year ago, at the trade deadline, Houston traded James Harden to the Nets, and thanks to the deal, he now controls—either outright or tradeable—every Nets first-round pick through 2027. After that, these elections look much more valuable. trading period.

WINNER: Los Angeles Lakers

There is definitely a small addition to the dispatch of Russell Westbrook, several reports have spoken of the growing tension between him and the coaching staff in recent weeks, which has bled and affected the team.

But more importantly, the Lakers brought back three quality rotation players for the price of Westbrook and a first-round pick. D’Angelo Russell, Jarred Vanderbilt And Malik Beasley.

“These guys all have unique skill sets, skill sets we need, shooting, playmaking, energy, defense, rebounding – a lot of needs that they can fill.” – Lakers Coach Darwin Ham.

The Lakers have gotten deeper and better. Let’s not confuse this with the fact that they are suddenly a threat to win it all – they are six games under .500 and they need to work just to get into the game – but if LeBron James And Anthony Davis healthy, these additions to the roster help move the Lakers into the “no one wants to see them” category.

LOSSERS: Nuggets, Grizzlies

Shortly before Christmas I am Morant said: “No. I feel good in the West” about the chances of the Grizzlies.

Malika Andrews: “Who do you look at in the league while you’re studying and say, ‘Are we going to have to review them?’

Ja Morant: Celtics

M.A.: “No one in the West.”

Jah: “No. I feel good in the West.” 👀#NBATwitter pic.twitter.com/dh4e5lF1AE

— 𝐓𝐚𝐥𝐤𝐢𝐧’ 𝐍𝐁𝐀 (@_Talkin_NBA) December 21, 2022

Karma can be cruel. While the Nuggets and Grizzlies made adjustments, Denver traded Bones Highland and added Thomas Bryantand the Grizzlies bought Luke Kennard — The West was hit by an influx of elite talent like Durant and Irving.

It’s all because @JaMorant said that he was fine in the West 😂😂😂

— CJ McCollum (@CJMcCollum) February 9, 2023

It was something of a self-fulfilling prophecy: the other teams weren’t afraid of the Nuggets or the Grizzlies, so they went and added players to put them in first place, which in turn makes it more likely that the Nuggets and The Grizzlies are not teams. afraid.

The Grizzlies lost 8 of 10 and looked sloppy. Morant and company should take care of that first and worry about the rest of the West later.

STAYS THE SAME: John Collins

For about the 47th consecutive summer or trade deadline, John Collins was a regular participant in trade rumors and then stayed with the Atlanta Hawk. New front office in Atlanta, but the more things change, the more they stay the same.

Just wait until the draft when Collins is sure to be available again.

It was friendly fire, an accidental run-in with a teammate that would take the Boston Celtics All-Star Game out for at least a couple of games, and maybe the All-Star Game itself.

Jaylen Brown listed as officially announced by the Celtics in Friday vs. Charlotte due to a broken face, and he could very well have missed time thereafter.

The injury came late in the first half on Tuesday against the 76ers when both Brown and Jason Tatum went on the rebound and Tatum accidentally hit Brown in the face with an elbow.

Jaylen Brown and Jason Tatum clash at the end of the half and JB heads to the locker room. #PHIVsBOS pic.twitter.com/Kf1Yn0Z7pO

— Celtics on NBC Sports Boston (@NBCSCeltics) February 9, 2023

It’s impossible to know exactly how long Brown could be out without knowing more about the injury — what bone or bones are involved, whether they’re displaced, whether he’ll need surgery, according to In Street Clothing’s Jeff Stotts.

I will elaborate if and when we hear the affected bone, but looking at all the seasonal facial fractures, the average loss of time for non-surgical cases is ~4 games (~11 days) and doubles if surgery is required. An accompanying concussion can also affect recovery.

— Jeff Stotts (@InStreetClothes) February 9, 2023

There are reports that Brown could be eliminated due to the All-Star break.. Celtics no longer Marcus Smart Friday night, and Tatum is in question. Al Horford can go back to court.

Brown is averaging 26.5 points and seven rebounds per game this season, but the Celtics (39-16) have done well with no injuries throughout the season. It will be put to the test again.

Here is a quiet trading deadline. Was a blockbuster Kyrie Irving swap for Dallas, a bigger blockbuster Kevin Duran trades with the Suns, the Lakers made a bold move, and more. Below is the tracker that went live…