NBA trade deadline winners and losers

NBA Trade Deadline

The 2021 NBA trade deadline came and went with 46 players getting traded and 23 out of the 30 associations made trades, setting an NBA record.  It has now become clear on who will be contending and who will be at the bottom of the league.  Let’s take a look at this year’s winners & losers of the NBA trade deadline.  

Miami Heat: Winners

The Miami Heat emerged as the biggest winners at the trade deadline.  The Miami Heat turned Kelly Olynyk, Moe Harkless, Chris Silva, and Avery Bradley into stretch four Nemanja Bjelica and Houston Rockets star Victor Oladipo.  Pat Riley worked his magic once again and only gave up one solid rotational piece in Kelly Olynyk, who will be replaced by Bjelica.  Harkless and Bradley were signed this offseason and have played a combined 23 games for the defending Eastern Conference champions.  Silva has shown signs of growth but still had no value.  Victor Oladipo will be a huge addition as this team looks to climb the Eastern Conference standings.  

Orlando Magic fans: Losers

The Orlando Magic have been one of the most consistently average teams the NBA has ever seen.  They had enough talent to make it to the playoffs but always got bounced in the first round.  It looks as if they will officially rebuild, trading away star center Nikola Vucevic, Aaron Gordon, Evan Fournier, and Al-Farouq Aminu.  They received decent young talent in Wendell Carter Jr. and R.J. Hampton but neither player has shown much potential in their short NBA careers.  They did receive multiple first-round picks from the Nuggets and Bulls, however, both teams will most likely make playoff runs, putting those picks in the back half of the first round rendering them almost useless.  It looks as if it will be a tough couple of years to be an Orlando Magic fan.  

Nikola Vucevic and Aaron Gordon: Winners

Vucevic and Gordon were at the forefront of mediocrity with the Orlando Magic.  They were dynamic big men for the Magic who always deserved a better team around them.  Now, both get the opportunity to chase a ring.  Vucevic was dealt to the young and up-and-coming Chicago Bulls.  Over the last couple of years Vucevic has quietly been one of the best centers in the league, this year he is averaging 24 PPG and 11.8 RPG.  Vucevic can be a veteran presence in the young Bulls locker room which hopefully translates to a deep playoff run. Aaron Gordon has the opportunity to join the star-studded cast of Nikola Jokic and Jamal Murray.  He has been a solid contributing piece on the Magic and can come in as another weapon for the Nuggets.  With Jokic’s passing ability and Gordon’s athletic prowess around the rim, more looks will open up on the outside for Jamal Murray and company.  

Philadelphia 76ers: Winners (kind of)

The Philadelphia 76ers acquired two-way veteran guard George Hill.  This is a great addition to the Sixers who desperately needed a veteran coming off the bench to help control the second unit.  However, Daryl Morey definitely had his eye on Toronto Raptors guard Kyle Lowry and it is a little disappointing the 76ers did not make a harder run at him.  Ultimately staying in Toronto, Lowry would have been an excellent addition for the Sixers giving them playoff experience, leadership, and guard who can do it all.