Winners and Losers of the NBA Trade Deadline, One Month Later

It's no longer just pure speculation when we look at the winners and losers of the NBA trade deadline, now one month back in the seemingly distant past. 

Since teams have adjusted to their new rosters, players have settled into their changed roles and the season has progressed in general, we can more accurately determine who was on the plus side of each deal. 

Of course, not too much happened at the 2013 trade deadline. J.J. Redick was one of the few starters to change teams, and the biggest names involved—namely Josh Smith and Monta Ellis—were ones who remained in their all-too-familiar stomping grounds. 

Even with minor deals, though, we still have a handful of winners and losers. 

Winner: Thomas Robinson

It's not often that a team gives up on a lottery pick just halfway through his first season at the professional level. Yet that's exactly what happened with the Sacramento Kings and Thomas Robinson. 

I'm not going to pretend to understand half of what the Sacramento management decides to do, but I will criticize some of the more obvious mistakes. 

Robinson is supposed to be afforded some leeway as he makes the transition from Kansas to the sport's highest levels. He wasn't exactly put in a position to succeed by the Kings, although they still decided to get rid of him after just a handful of games. 

That's a blessing for this No. 5 pick. 

Since being traded to the Houston Rockets, Robinson has played less than before, but he's been more effective in those short bursts. The power forward's PER has risen from 10.9 with Sacramento to 12.1 with Houston, and he's made noticeable strides on the defensive end of the court. 

Plus, Robinson is now going to be playing on a playoff team, as opposed to a bottom-feeder without all that much hope. 

Loser: Atlanta Hawks

The Atlanta Hawks didn't exactly keep it secret that Josh Smith was available during the trade-deadline frenzy. Despite their efforts to deal away the talented forward, Atlanta is still using J-Smoove in its nightly lineup. 

While that's a positive in the short term, it could prove problematic down the road. 

Even with Smith blocking shots, dunking the ball emphatically and frustrating Hawks fans with too many long-range jumpers, Atlanta isn't going to be advancing too far into the Eastern Conference playoffs. They can run with most teams in the field, but they simply don't have the talent to beat the Miami Heat. 

So, dreams of a title are going to stay just dreams during the 2012-13 season, and Smith is a free agent after the campaign draws to a close. 

According to Fox Sports' Sam Amico, re-signing Smith is going to be a top priority for Atlanta during the offseason, but there's still a solid chance he ends up playing for another team without the Hawks getting anything in return. 

In this case, no change at all was a bit of a negative. 

Winner: The Contenders

There wasn't much action during the 2013 trade deadline, and what did happen wasn't all that significant. Rudy Gay and James Harden were the biggest stars traded during the 2012-13 season, and both were dealt a ways before the actual trade deadline. 

The "dud"line was, instead, highlighted by a few swaps that involved role players and bench fillers. J.J. Redick was the top player to change rosters, and while the Duke product is a stellar offensive player, he's not exactly a star. 

All of this makes winners of the true contenders. I'm talking about the Miami Heat, Indiana Pacers, San Antonio Spurs, Oklahoma City Thunder and Denver Nuggets. If you feel like it, you can throw the Los Angeles Clippers and Memphis Grizzlies into that category as well. 

No team acquired a player who can push into the aforementioned category. There are no new threats to the elites. 

Loser: J.J. Redick

J.J. Redick was having the best season of his career with the Orlando Magic, and it made him quite the hot commodity leading up to the trade deadline. 

Orlando was right to part ways with its best player, mostly because he didn't have a long-term future with the team. Redick is going to be a free agent after the 2012-13 season is all wrapped up, and he's likely going to cash in for more than Rob Hennigan is willing to pay. 

However, this deal didn't do wonders for the shooting guard. 

He was in a terrific spot with the Magic, even if he had to deal with one loss after another. Now he's stuck behind Monta Ellis and Brandon Jennings in the backcourt, and he's rarely the featured player on the court. He doesn't have free rein to shoot the ball as he pleases. 

On the Milwaukee Bucks, Redick can't showcase his talents during the rest of the regular season and the four postseason games the team will play against the Miami Heat. If that results in a lower offer during his free agency, he's definitely a loser of the trade deadline. 

Winner: Eric Maynor

Eric Maynor was taking up space at the end of the Oklahoma City Thunder's bench, but now, he's actually contributing for the Portland Trail Blazers. 

It's no secret that Portland's bench was one of the worst second-units in the league. Point guard, in particular, was problematic once Damian Lillard left the court to catch his breath. 

Now it's not as much of a problem. 

Maynor's minutes have nearly doubled since he was traded, and he's averaged 7.0 points, 1.5 rebounds, 3.7 assists, 0.6 steals and 0.1 blocks per game in the 12 contests he's been a part of. The 25-year-old VCU product's PER has risen from 7.4 with OKC to 12.2 with Rip City. 

Since Maynor's rookie contract expires after the 2012-13 season, he should be rather thankful for the opportunity to show off his talent. 

Loser: Washington Wizards

The Washington Wizards are starting to win some games now that John Wall is back in the lineup, but imagine what they could do if Jordan Crawford was still on the roster.

Crawford wanted out of the nation's capitol, and the Wizards obliged. They could have gotten something more for his services, though. Wasn't there some team out there who would have given up at least a second-round pick for a young, offensively talented guard?

It still looks awful that all Washington could get for Crawford was Leandro Barbosa and Jason Collins. Barbosa is out for the season with a torn ACL and an expiring contract; he's likely never going to suit up for the Wizards. As for Collins, he's just not very good anymore and has spent a grand total of three minutes on the court.

At least he only played a de facto Mike Cisco and not a literal version.