The NBA Trade Deadline ended at 3 p.m. EST on Thursday February 10. Teams came out splurging, willing to offer anything just to have a chance to win, while others emptied it all and hit the reset button. This was possibly the most active we have seen teams be before the break.

“I think it’s crazy,” Mann said of the NBA trade deadline drama, “but [you] gotta remember it’s a business.” 

The first trade that was of significance was the New York Knicks and Atlanta Hawks swapping role players. The Hawks sent over Cam Reddish, Solomon Hill and a second round pick for a package including Kevin Knox and a first round pick. For the Hawks, they were looking for a move to reclaim their cohesiveness. After a deep playoff run this past season, the Hawks were expected to be contenders for a top spot in the East. However, this has not been the case, their lack of defense was putting them at a disadvantage. A trade for Knox may help. 

“You can’t have one guy not locked into what you’re supposed to be doing out on the floor,” said McMillan. “Those are the things we are trying to build, that chemistry, that connection defensively and that connection on the opposite end of the floor.”

Then, surprising news broke on the evening of February 4th. The Portland Trail Blazers and Los Angeles Clippers agreed on a deal including Norman Powell and Robert Covington heading to L.A. and Eric Bledsoe, Justise Winslow, Keon Johnson and a 2025 second-round pick heading to Portland. Analysts had previously anticipated Portland making a move before the deadline, however, this trade took the internet by shock. Most fans seem to agree that Portland got robbed. 

“We need a team to go out there and beat any team in the league on any given night, both on home and on the road,” Jerry West said. “It’s been a very difficult year for a lot of times, but losing two players of the caliber of Kawhi Leonard and Paul George certainly makes it a lot more difficult.”

Two days later, news was released that the Cleveland Cavaliers and Indiana Pacers reached an agreement to upgrade Clevalnd’s backcourt. The Pacers sent Caris Levert and a second-round pick for Ricky Rubio, a 2022 first-round pick and two second round picks. The Cavs pairing up Darius Garland with another shot creator and playmaker to play alongside him at the wing. Also, Levert is joining his former Brooklyn teammate, Jarrett Allen. The Pacers are getting an expiring contract in Rubio. However the piece that caught their eyes was that first-round pick. 

“It makes us more dynamic,” coach J.B. Bickerstaff said of LeVert’s arrival. “It makes us a really dangerous basketball team.”

Reported by the Athletic’s Shams Charania on February 8, the Portland Trail Blazers continue to be active in the market as they finalized a deal sending CJ McCollum, Tony Snell and Larry Nance Jr. to the New Orleans Pelicans for Josh Hart, Tomas Satoransky, Nickeil Alexander-Walker, Didi Louzada and a 2022 protected first-round pick. This trade for the Pelicans fills a big hole at the guard position after losing Lonzo Ball in the offseason. This trade for the Blazers helps to clear up some money and finally get a plus defender in the backcourt to put alongside their star point guard, Damian Lillard. 

“I want to be known for more than just basketball,” said McCollum, “I think this is a step in the right direction.”

On the same day, a more bewildering trade was announced by ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski. The Sacramento Kings traded Buddy Hield, Tyrese Haliburton and Tristan Thompson to the Indiana Pacers for 2-time All-Star Domantas Sabonis, Jeremy Lamb and Justin Holiday. Where fans seem lost is why on earth Sacramento traded the promising guard in Haliburton. Through 50 games, the 21-year-old has averaged 14.3 points and 7.4 assists. Moreover, the acquisition of Sabonis threw away all the 3-point shooting the team had. Haliburton and Hield were possibly the two best shooters on the team, and are now both gone. The other option was to move on from De’Aaron Fox, which guard was better for the franchise? Only time will tell. 

“At 21, Tyrese Haliburton ranks 12th in the league in steals, 11th in assists and is already one of the most efficient jump shooters in the NBA,” said Kirk Goldsberry.

Thursday, February 10th was complete chaos. Smaller trades including Donte DiVincenzo to the Kings and Marvin Bagley III to the Pistons occurred. Along with Dennis Schroder to the Rockets for Daniel Theis, Serge Ibaka to the Bucks, the Celtics acquired Derrick White for Josh Richardson and the Wizards sending Montrez Harrel to the Hornets for Ish Smith and Vernon Carey Jr.

And then there was the blockbuster. A trade which shook the entire NBA up. The Brooklyn Nets gave up the 2018 MVP, James Harden, and Paul Milsap. In exchange for the former Rookie of the Year, Ben Simmons, Seth Curry, Andre Drummond and two first-round picks.  As we got closer and closer to the deadline, more reports were stating Harden had major frustration with “Kyrie Irving’s part-time status.” People throughout the Nets organization denied the possibility of moving Harden at the deadline. However, things did not go to plan. This trade for the Sixers possibly makes them title contenders or favorites. Of course, losing the sharp-shooting of Seth Curry and rebounding of Andre Drummond ruins the team’s depth, but they are adding arguably a top five player in the world. This was not the worst package for the Nets; if Simmons is committed and willing to come back as soon as this season, the Nets will still be considered contenders, and picking up Curry gives them another wing that is lethal from the arc alongside Joe Harris. 

“Is he going to lose weight? Is he going to get younger? Is the hamstring injury suddenly going to disappear? As great as we know (Harden) is, he hasn’t been himself, meaning the guy that Daryl Morey was overseeing in Houston. And because he hasn’t been that guy, I’m wondering how long he can be that guy because I have no doubt he can do it. How long can [he] be that guy in Philadelphia? Because with KD, Kyrie and Ben Simmons, and an extra body on your frontline in Brooklyn, I see Brooklyn as the clear winner in this deal,” said Stephen A. Smith. 

The last trade of the deadline was the Mavericks and Wizards blockbuster. The Mavericks moved on from Kristaps Porzingis in an effort to obtain Spencer Dinwiddie and Davis Bertans. The Mavericks have been searching for a trade partner for Porzingis’ sizable contract throughout the deadline, and reports have continuously come out saying Dinwiddie was not liked by the rest of the Wizards organization. Dallas is getting a quality guard alongside Luka Doncic,  and the Wizards wanted to move from Dinwiddie, and find him a new home. 

“Dallas has spent this entire deadline day trying to find a home for Porzingis’ considerable contract, league sources say, and they have struck a deal with the Wizards to send the oft-injured big man to Washington for Spencer Dinwiddie and Davis Bertans,” reports said. 

With vast trades occurring this year, could this be the biggest deadline in the NBA of all time? Only time will tell how these acquisitions will turn out.