NBA Trades: Power Ranking Every Team After the Trade Deadline
It is pretty incredible how the entire big picture of the NBA can suddenly change in a single day; however, that is exactly what happened at the trade deadline today.
Some big names are on the move and some teams have made big splashes to improve their rosters going forward.
We could give you winners and losers or deals that we wish would have happened, but the real question is: Where does everyone stack up right now after the huge number of trades?
So read on to see where the teams rank from 30 to one. There will be some surprises and some upsets, but we want to hear from you. Which teams deserve more credit and which teams are getting too much credit?
30. Cleveland Cavaliers (10-47)
1 of 30
Trade Deadline Deal(s): Mo Williams and Jamario Moon to the Clippers for Baron Davis and a 2011 first-round draft pick
Second-round pick to the Celtics for Luke Harangody and Semih Erden
Why They Rank Here: As the Cavs stand right now, they not only have the worst record in the NBA, but they also have the least amount of talent currently on the roster. Sure, they now have two likely-lottery picks to start the rebuild, but this draft class is not good. Unless they plan on trading those picks, I don't see the Cavs being relevant in the next few years at least.
29. Detroit Pistons (21-38)
2 of 30
Trade Deadline Deal(s): None
Why They Rank Here: The Pistons seemed like a team that could have made a deal to help themselves out. However, now they are stuck with their roster the way it is.
Were the Pistons going to change the face of their team with a trade? No. Would it have helped them at least get going in the right direction? Absolutely. That's why they are so low. I am not sure they are going in the right direction.
28. Minnesota Timberwolves (13-45)
3 of 30
Trade Deadline Deal(s): Corey Brewer to the Knicks and Kosta Koufus to the Nuggets for Anthony Randolph and Eddy Curry from Knicks.
Why They Rank Here: Minnesota was the quiet addition to the Knicks and Nuggets blockbuster. While the move didn't shake the ground, I think it helped them a bit. Honestly, I think the Timberwolves are close to being contenders. That's why they pass the Pistons; they are two teams headed in different directions.
27. Charlotte Bobcats (25-32)
4 of 30
Trade Deadline Deal(s): Nazr Mohammed to the Thunder for D.J. White and Morris Peterson
Gerald Wallace to the Trail Blazers for Joel Pryzbilla, Dante Cunningham, and two first-round draft picks
Why They Rank Here: For a team just a game-and-a-half out of the playoffs, I feel like these moves were not made by a team that wants to win this year. Sure, there are some nice players on the roster, but I think this is a team that decided to take a step back in hopes of moving forward.
26. Sacramento Kings (14-41)
5 of 30
Trade Deadline Deal(s): Carl Landry to the Hornets for Marcus Thornton
Why They Rank Here: The Sacramento Kings have some real nice, young players on the roster, including reigning Rookie of the Year Tyreke Evans and promising rookie DeMarcus Cousins. However, the state of the franchise is still in disarray. They could be moving to Anaheim in the near future.
However, adding Thornton was a good move made by a team with a plan. I could be wrong, but I like the move, and I think it helps the team.
25. Washington Wizards (15-41)
6 of 30
Trade Deadline Deal(s): Kirk Hinrich and Hilton Armstrong to the Hawks for Mike Bibby, Maurice Evans, Jordan Crawford and a 2011 first-round pick.
Why They Rank Here: John Wall has been good this year. It may not show in the win total, but he is a perfect guy to build around. However, adding Bibby, Evans, and Crawford gives him some people to rely on as well. Throw in a first rounder and the future is bright in Washington.
24. Milwaukee Bucks (22-35)
7 of 30
Trade Deadline Deal(s): None
Why They Rank Here: The Bucks looked a year ahead of schedule last year when they made an improbable playoff run. However, this year they haven't been able to live up to expectations. I wish that they would have made a deal to at least show that they are wanting to compete.
23. Toronto Raptors (16-42)
8 of 30
Trade Deadline Deal(s): Future second-round pick to the Bulls for James Johnson
Why They Rank Here: The Raptors have a long way to go before being able to compete in the Eastern Conference, but the move to get Johnson was a savvy one. They gave up a future second-rounder for a guy who was selected 18th overall a few years ago. This might be as high as they could possibly get, but I am an eternal optimist.
22. Golden State Warriors (26-30)
9 of 30
Trade Deadline Deal(s): Dan Gadzuric and Brandan Wright to the Nets for Troy Murphy and a 2012 second-round pick
Why They Rank Here: The Warriors have been the least successful team over the last decade. They have only been to the playoffs once and they have not been able to continue any success. However, after the team was bought by a new owner, it looks like they are finally on the rise. I think they have the pieces to be a great team going forward.
21. Phoenix Suns (28-27)
10 of 30
Trade Deadline Deal(s): Goran Dragic and a first-round pick to Houston for Aaron Brooks
Why They Rank Here: I think someone needs to explain to the Suns that they are in rebuilding mode. They probably won't make the playoffs this season and they really aren't using all of their assets well enough to rebuild going forward. They could have shipped Nash for some really good players and picks that would get the Suns back on the right path.
20. Utah Jazz (31-27)
11 of 30
Trade Deadline Deal(s): Deron Williams to the Nets for Devin Harris, Derrick Favors, two first-round picks and $3 million
Why They Rank Here: Honestly, I think the trade works for the Jazz, but it was a very lateral move. I don't think they got better even if they find good value in the draft with those two picks. I think they will go in the tank this year. They might make the playoffs next year, but I don't see them as a threat.
19. LA Clippers (21-37)
12 of 30
Trade Deadline Deal(s): Baron Davis and 2011 first-round pick to the Cavaliers for Mo Williams and Jamario Moon
Why They Rank Here: I really think the Clippers are on the rise and, trust me, it is difficult to write that considering the fact that Donald Sterling is still their owner. However, I think they have all the makings of a solid playoff team. They just need some maturing. Bringing in Williams and Moon helps save money for the 2012 free-agency class and improves the roster.
18. Houston Rockets (28-31)
13 of 30
Trade Deadline Deal(s): Shane Battier and Ish Smith for Hasheem Thabeet and a first-round pick
Aaron Brooks for Goran Dragic and a first-round pick
Why They Rank Here: If I were going to rebuild my team, I would want Rockets' GM Daryl Morey as the guy to get it done. Not only does he get rid of Brooks, who has been a bit of a problem in the locker room, but he also gets a center, albeit one who has not progressed as planned, in Thabeet. However, the key is the two draft picks. The Rockets aren't going anywhere this year, but they will be in the near future.
17. New Jersey Nets (17-40)
14 of 30
Trade Deadline Deal(s): Devin Harris, Derrick Favors, two first-round picks and $3 million to the Utah Jazz for Deron Williams
Why They Rank Here: Honestly, this is the move I think everyone was expecting from the Nets once owner Mikhail Prokhorov bought the team. Well, now the Nets have a franchise player and enough picks and cap room to build around Williams. They won't be very good this year, but they will be better than they are now.
16. Philadelphia 76ers (28-29)
15 of 30
Trade Deadline Deal(s): None
Why They Rank Here: The 76ers have a solid nucleus of players; however, they aren't going anywhere with the team how it is currently made up. Sure, the 76ers are going to make the playoffs, but they aren't nearly as good as they could be if they added just one more solid piece.
15. Denver Nuggets (33-25)
16 of 30
Trade Deadline Deal(s): Carmelo Anthony, Chauncey Billups, Sheldon Williams, Anthony Carter and Renaldo Balkman to the Knicks for Wilson Chandler, Raymond Felton, Danilo Gallinari, Timofey Mozgov, 2014 first-round pick, 2012 second-round pick, 2013 second-round pick and $3 million
Kosta Koufos from the Minnesota Timberwolves
Why They Rank Here: That is a ton of names to be on the move, but to be honest, I like the deal for the Nuggets. Sure, they lose a top-15 player in Anthony and a solid point guard in Billups, but they have some good young players on the roster in Ty Lawson and Arron Afflalo.
14. New Orleans Hornets (34-25)
17 of 30
Trade Deadline Deal(s): Marcus Thornton and cash to the Kings for Carl Landry
Why They Rank Here: The Hornets did help themselves at the deadline in picking up Landry. He is a nice, big body that gives the Hornets some great depth. They do lose Thornton, but he wasn't playing much anyways. The key to the team is still Chris Paul. If he is healthy, then they are good; if not, they don't deserve a playoff spot.
13. Indiana Pacers (26-30)
18 of 30
Trade Deadline Deal(s): Josh McRoberts and a first-round pick to the Grizzlies for O.J. Mayo (UPDATE: Deal fell through)
Why They Rank Here: When this ranking was originally set, it was due in part to the fact that O.J. Mayo appeared to be headed to Indy; however, now that the deal didn't happen, I would say that the Pacers do drop, but not that much. They still have some nice young players and will be making the playoffs in the East, so I will say that, in a revised ranking, they would drop to 17, just behind the Philadelphia 76ers.
12. Memphis Grizzlies (32-27)
19 of 30
Trade Deadline Deal(s): Hasheem Thabeet and a first-round pick to Houston for Shane Battier and Ish Smith
O.J. Mayo to the Indiana Pacers for Josh McRoberts and a first-round pick (UPDATE: Deal fell through)
Why They Rank Here: The Grizzlies are another team that is slightly inflated because of the Mayo deal that ended up falling through. However, unlike the Pacers, I don't think the Grizzlies drop too much. I really like the Thabeet deal because Battier gives the Grizzlies a guy that they really need to play solid perimeter defense.
11. New York Knicks (29-26)
20 of 30
Trade Deadline Deal(s): Wilson Chandler, Raymond Felton, Danilo Gallinari, Timofey Mozgov, 2014 first-round pick, 2012 second-round pick, 2013 second-round pick and $3million to the Nuggets for Carmelo Anthony, Chauncey Billups, Sheldon Williams, Anthony Carter and Renaldo Balkman
Eddy Curry and Anthony Randolph to the Timberwolves for Corey Brewer
Why They Rank Here: Talk about re-inventing your franchise. I think this trade is not only great for the Knicks this year but in building a true contender in the East. All they need is a good third guy to really be contenders.
10. Portland Trail Blazers (32-25)
21 of 30
Trade Deadline Deal(s): Joel Pryzbilla, Dante Cunningham, and a second-round pick to the Bobcats for Gerald Wallace
Why They Rank Here: The Blazers have struggled this year because of the fact that Brandon Roy could be done as a marquee basketball player; however, they were able to get a legitimate guy on the roster to help lessen some of the loss by Roy. Wallace will be a solid defender and an offensive threat when needed.
9. Atlanta Hawks (34-23)
22 of 30
Trade Deadline Deal(s): Mike Bibby, Maurice Evans, Jordan Crawford, and a first-round pick to the Wizards for Kirk Hinrich and Hilton Armstrong
Why They Rank Here: I really like the trade the Hawks made. They upgrade at the point guard position, and they get some depth at forward to help them in the playoffs. I am not sure that the move will really change the Hawks that much, but I think it was a good trade going forward.
8. Boston Celtics (41-14)
23 of 30
Trade Deadline Deal(s): Kendrick Perkins and Nate Robinson to the Thunder for Jeff Green and Nenad Krstic
Luke Harangody and Sehih Erden to the Cavaliers for a second-round pick
Why They Rank Here: I am still trying to make sense of the Celtics trade with the Thunder. The thing that really set them apart in the Eastern Conference was their physicality in the low post. If Perkins had been healthy in Game 7 of the NBA Finals last year, the Celtics would be champs instead of the Lakers. I think Boston just took themselves out of consideration in the East with this trade.
7. Dallas Mavericks (41-16)
24 of 30
Trade Deadline Deal(s): None
Why They Rank Here: I really don't understand what the plan is in Dallas. Do they think that they can win a title with the team they currently have constructed? Because I beg to differ. Sure they will win some games, but this is pretty much the same team that has failed time and again in the playoffs.
6. Chicago Bulls (38-17)
25 of 30
Trade Deadline Deal(s): James Johnson to the Raptors for a second-round pick
Why They Rank Here: I really wish the Bulls had done more to acquire a shooting guard. They could have really cemented themselves as the most talented team in the East if they were able to address that need. Despite that, they are still a serious contender and I think Derrick Rose is the MVP so far.
5. Orlando Magic (36-22)
26 of 30
Trade Deadline Deal(s): None
Why They Rank Here: The Magic made all of their moves a few months ago, meaning they are really starting to gel and play well together. They got their biggest boost when the Celtics traded Kendrick Perkins. Now the Magic have the best center in the East and no one in the conference who can matchup with him. If it weren't for the uncertainty on the roster around him, I would say they are headed to the finals this year.
4. LA Lakers (40-19)
27 of 30
Trade Deadline Deal(s): None
Why They Rank Here: Despite the fact that the Lakers have struggled at times this year, they are still the two-time reigning champs and have a team built to win a third championship. I understand the people saying they are too old and what not, but the West suddenly just got a little easier with Carmelo Anthony and Deron Williams leaving for the East, so I like their chances.
3. Miami Heat (42-15)
28 of 30
Trade Deadline Deal(s): None
Why They Rank Here: The Heat look like they just dodged a bullet when Kendrick Perkins got traded out of the conference. I really think that he was the biggest thing standing between the Heat and an NBA Finals appearance. Well, now that Perkins is in Oklahoma City, the Heat are in control.
2. San Antonio Spurs (47-10)
29 of 30
Trade Deadline Deal(s): None
Why They Rank Here: Despite the fact that they have an advanced age and appear to have some declining superstars, the Spurs have the best record in the NBA right now, and that is due to continuity. They have had the same starting five in 56 of their 57 games this year. I do wonder how they will hold up for the long haul, though.
1. Oklahoma City Thunder (36-20)
30 of 30
Trade Deadline Deal(s): Morris Peterson and D.J. White to the Bobcats for Nazr Mohammed
Jeff Green and Nenad Krstic to the Boston Celtics for Kendrick Perkins and Nate Robinson
Why They Rank Here: If I were a betting man, I would be putting my money on the Oklahoma City Thunder to come out of the West. The one thing that really kept them from being a real legitimate contender was size in the block. Now they have that. I think there is nothing keeping them from shocking people and winning a championship this year.
