NBA Trade Deadline: Winners and Losers

By: Brian Sanchez
Follow me on Twitter @BrianSanchezDU
Like my Facebook Page The Sports Report

I'll admit it, I have some odd choices on who are the winners and losers at this trade deadline. This is something I pride myself on. I may seem crazy now, but check back at the start of next season, I bet I'm right.

Winners

1. The biggest winners in my book are the Brooklyn Nets. They wanted Josh Smith badly and they had an offer on the table that the Hawks rejected. That offer was Kris Humphries, Marshon Brooks, and a first round pick. That's not a good enough deal to acquire anybody, really, so the Hawks struck out. But luckily for them, so did everyone else. Now Josh Smith will hit the free agent market and the Nets can us their Russian Billionaire money to out bid everyone for him.

2. I think the Orlando Magic did a very good job at the deadline. They were not going to be able to sign JJ Reddick in the off season, so it came down to seeing how much they could get for him now. They shipped him to Milwaukee for Doron Lamb, Tobias Harris, and Beno Udrih. The keys to the deal were Lamb and Harris. Both of those players came out of college before they should have and it has effected the early returns they've given their team. Well, they both just used Milwaukee as a training ground and now their roles will grow and they have a chance to shine. This is especially true for Tobias Harris who is a 6'8" 230 lb. wing player.

3. The Washington Wizards did well, and this is one where people will disagree. They shipped off Jordan Crawford to the Celtics for a couple of expiring contracts. Crawford is a gifted scorer but has seen his minutes decrease drastically over the last couple of weeks. The Wizards are trying to change the culture in D.C. and a discontent ball hog like Crawford is not in the picture, especially when they have John Wall and Bradley Beal. Now they have a little extra cash to land some role players who fit better this off season.

4. JJ Reddick. Yeah. He got out of Orlando, will probably get to play in the playoffs this year, and then can ditch Milwaukee and sign with anyone in the offseason. Score.

Losers

1. The Kings. Yeah. Moving on.

2. The Utah Jazz failed in my opinion. They are going to lose Paul Milsap and Al Jefferson this off season and chose to unload neither at the deadline. They have plenty of needs at the wing and the point. I have to believe they could have improved themselves at the deadline.

3. The Milwaukee Bucks are the anti-Rockets. They are below .500 but still cling to the eight spot in the East. They are sure first round knock outs because they'll play the Heat, Knicks or Pacers. So they trade young potential for JJ Reddick so they can be sure to hold on to the eight spot. Now, this off season, Reddick, Monta Ellis, and Brandon Jennings can all leave for greener pastures together.

4. Eric Gordon. He wants out of New Orleans badly and stated the Warriors were on the list of teams he'd like to play for. His ears probably perked up when he heard the Warriors were inquiring about him. At the end of the day, Gordon is still a future Pelican and he probably is not digging it.