Post Trade Deadline and All-Star Break NBA Standings
After one of the more exciting NBA trade deadlines, we will go over every NBA teams current state in the league including their advanced stats and projected win totals.
With this being the conclusion of NBA All-Star weekend, now is a great time to pause and take a look at the current NBA standings and how each team ranks offensively and defensively. A lot of big moves occurred throughout the league as we saw contenders and play-in hopefuls shake up their rosters. Each team will be discussed as usual as we go over their records, offensive and defensive rankings, net rating, and projected win total. Again the equation goes as Projected Total Wins = 40.99 + 2.515 x Net Rating, and all advanced team stats were taken from NBA.com. The standings and rankings from the previous posts will be put after the current standings and rankings in parentheses to compare any teams improvement or decline in said stat. Let’s get started.
First the East Standings:
Miami Heat (38-21): - Standing on Jan. 9th (4th)
Offensive Rating: 111.9 (8th) - (7th)
Defensive Rating: 107.4 (6th) - (10th)
Net Rating: 4.5 (6th) - (7th)
Projected Win Total: 52 Wins - (51 Wins)
The Heat did not make any trades before the deadline hit, but they did change the pick protection on a draft pick they previously sent to the Thunder that now allows them to trade said pick. Some people thought this agreement with Oklahoma City was going to lead to a trade, but the Heat can hold onto it for a trade further down the road. As a team though, Miami has consistently been in the top 5 of the East even with all of the injuries and Covid absences. Since the last standings posts, Jimmy Butler and Bam Adebayo have both returned from their respective injuries, and the Heat’s defensive rating has gone up to reflect that. Not completely sold on them as the conference championship favorites, but I feel this way about most of the top teams in the East.
Chicago Bulls (38-21): - Standing on Jan. 9th (1st)
Offensive Rating: 113.4 (4th) - (4th)
Defensive Rating: 111.4 (20th) - (13th)
Net Rating: 2.0 (11th) - (6th)
Projected Win Total: 46 Wins - (51 Wins)
Chicago has slightly fallen off as both of their off-season guard acquisitions, Lonzo Ball and Alex Caruso, have been out with injuries. This is reflected in the defensive rating as it has dropped since the last standings post. Chicago was in the market of adding a wing player during the trade deadline such as Sacramento’s Harrison Barnes, but the Bulls were not willing to part ways with Patrick Williams who has missed almost his entire sophomore season with a wrist injury. However, Billy Donovan did say that he thinks there is a very strong possibility Williams returns by the end of the regular season. Would Barnes be better for the present? Yes. But does Barnes help the Bulls so much that they would be favorites to win the conference? I do not think so.
Philadelphia 76ers (35-23): - Standing on Jan. 9th (5th)
Offensive Rating: 111.0 (14th) - (11th)
Defensive Rating: 109.2 (11th) - (16th)
Net Rating: 1.9 (12th) - (11th)
Projected Win Total: 46 Wins - (46 Wins)
The Ben Simmons saga is finally over for Sixers fans as he was traded away for James Harden and Paul Millsap. Harden definitely gives Philly an elite perimeter scorer, when he is in shape and wants to be, to pair with Joel Embiid who is playing the best basketball of his entire career. This trade is a win-now move as not many people think Embiid can keep this level of play up with his history of injuries throughout his career, but the 76ers did give up two big role players for Harden in Seth Curry and Andre Drummond. Daryl Morey did not want to give up Tyrese Maxey or Matisse Thybulle, but Seth Curry would be the perfect fit with a Harden-Embiid offense. Also, Drummond has been a key player for Philly as a backup center and starting in the games Embiid has missed so far from injury. This team will all comedown to how well Harden plays and performs in the playoffs.
Cleveland Cavaliers (35-23): - Standing on Jan. 9th (6th)
Offensive Rating: 110.0 (19th) - (14th)
Defensive Rating: 105.8 (4th) - (3rd)
Net Rating: 4.2 (7th) - (4th)
Projected Win Total: 52 Wins - (55 Wins)
Cleveland is just remaining steady as a top 6 team in the East, and the defense has been a top 5 defense in the league all season long. The Cavs did trade for Caris LeVert and one second-round pick and traded away Ricky Rubio, a lottery protected 2022 first-round pick, and two second-round picks. This might be a bit of an overpay as LeVert gets paid around $18 million for this season and next and is averaging 18.2 points per game while shooting 44.3% from the field and 32.0% from 3-point range. In the four games he has played for Cleveland, LeVert is averaging 13.3 ppg with a PER of 9.84. Now that is a very small sample size while also having to go through all the issues of being traded in the middle of a season, but I think Cleveland should’ve just bit the bullet of not having this shot-creator type of player and kept Ricky Rubio with his bird rights for a potential upcoming extension.
Milwaukee Bucks (36-24): - Standing on Jan. 9th (3rd)
Offensive Rating: 112.5 (6th) - (5th)
Defensive Rating: 109.4 (12th) - (9th)
Net Rating: 3.2 (9th) - (5th)
Projected Win Total: 49 Wins - (52 Wins)
Milwaukee did make one move as they sent out guard Donte DiVincenzo to the Kings in part of a four team trade as they received veteran shot-blocker Serge Ibaka. Ibaka has definitely had his issues with injuries especially as of late at this point in his career. This move kind of seemed like a tell towards Brook Lopez’s situation as he has been out with a back injury since the season opener against Brooklyn. Losing DiVincenzo also does not seem like a massive blow to the Bucks as they had plenty of guards step up in his absence earlier in the season as Donte was recovering from his bad ankle sprain injury he suffered at the beginning of the playoffs last season. Jordan Nwora has really stepped up this year as a starter for this team, and I like the recent addition of DeAndre Bembry after he was waived by the Brooklyn Nets following the Simmons-Harden trade.
Boston Celtics (34-26): - Standing on Jan. 9th (11th)
Offensive Rating: 110.3 (18th) - (22nd)
Defensive Rating: 104.9 (2nd) - (8th)
Net Rating: 5.4 (4th) - (13th)
Projected Win Total: 55 Wins - (43 Wins)
I loved the big move Brad Stevens made at the trade deadline of snagging Derrick White from San Antonio. Sending out Josh Richardson, Romeo Langford, a top-four protected 2022 first round pick, and a 2028 first-round pick swap like a decent deal to me. The 2028 pick swap interests me more than the pick this year because six years from now a lot could change especially with all of the rumors that swirls around with splitting the Jay’s apart. The Celtics also traded for Daniel Theis who is familiar with team but has had a less than stellar season. At least this deal with the Rockets did not involve any draft compensation and got Boston out of the tax. They are the most intriguing team to me going forward, and you saw flashes of this before the All-Star break and the improvements in both their offense and defense since the start of January.
Toronto Raptors (32-25): - Standing on Jan. 9th (7th)
Offensive Rating: 111.5 (10th) - (9th)
Defensive Rating: 109.8 (13th) - (20th)
Net Rating: 1.7 (13th) - (12th)
Projected Win Total: 45 Wins - (45 Wins)
The Raptors finally dealt veteran guard Goran Dragic to the Spurs as he has not played for them much this season and agreed to a buyout with the Spurs after the transaction. Toronto received Thad Young, Drew Eubanks, and a 2022 second-round pick in return. Thad Young was a veteran some teams could have tried to trade for, but he lands up north with the rest of the switchy forwards. I do not fully understand this move as this team already has so many athletic wings, and I cannot see Thad Young being the big center they wanted to add to the team - one of the teams rumored to want Pacers center Miles Turner. This Raptors team is fun, but I just do not see them making much noise once the playoffs comes around, and yes, that also stems from no fans being allowed to their games.
Brooklyn Nets (31-28): - Standing on Jan. 9th (2nd)
Offensive Rating: 111.4 (12th) - (12th)
Defensive Rating: 111.2 (19th) - (12th)
Net Rating: 0.2 (17th) - (9th)
Projected Win Total: 41 Wins - (48 Wins)
The other side of the blockbuster Harden-Simmons trade. The Nets found themselves in a tough place as all of the Harden not liking and wanting to leave Brooklyn started leaking out to the public in a matter of two or three days, but on paper, I love the haul they got in return for Harden. Seth Curry is an elite shooter who might have to replace Joe Harris as recent news came out of him possibly needing a second surgery on his left ankle. Andre Drummond gives Brooklyn some better size at the center position, and Ben Simmons could be special on offense as the Nets can put some great shooting and space around him. Now, Ben Simmons still has to recover from his mental health issues which is still an odd situation to deal with on top of Kyrie Irving not being allowed to play in home games. Some say Brooklyn should stay as the eighth seed so they can play the 7-8 play-in game on the road and their subsequent other playoff series. What a time in the NBA.
Charlotte Hornets (29-31): - Standing on Jan. 9th (8th)
Offensive Rating: 111.3 (13th) - (3rd)
Defensive Rating: 112.0 (23rd) - (28th)
Net Rating: -0.8 (18th) - (21st)
Projected Win Total: 39 Wins - (39 Wins)
Charlotte did make one minor move in adding Montrezl “I just realized he has an L in the last letter of his first name” Harrell. Harrell will be a great pick and roll partner for LaMelo Ball, but the Hornets have limped into the All-Star break losing 9 of their last 10 games. Now, all nine losses have been to current playoff seeded teams (1-8), but if your a Hornets fan, you would want to see the team win at least a third of those 9 games. However, Charlotte has the 20th hardest remaining schedule in the league, so maybe they can bounce back after the break. Charlotte is still one of the fastest teams in the league, ranking 2nd in pace, and their net rating and projected win total has remained the same from the beginning of January despite this recent rough patch.
Atlanta Hawks (28-30): - Standing on Jan. 9th (12th)
Offensive Rating: 113.9 (2nd) - (2nd)
Defensive Rating: 113.3 (27th) - (26th)
Net Rating: 0.5 (15th) - (16th)
Projected Win Total: 42 Wins - (41 Wins)
The Hawks did not make any moves before the trade deadline but have still had a disappointing season thus far after making the conference finals last postseason. Rumors did swirl around the team possibly moving Kevin Huerter, but no deal was ever made if there was any merit to said rumors. Atlanta just does not have many plus wing defenders as De’Andre Hunter is the only player I would give that label to. Onyeka Okongwu has been impressive as a young backup center being able to provide some protection around the rim. As Clint Capela’s deal continues to increase throughout the years, Travis Schlenk could look to move off the veteran center as his contract does not end until the 2024-2025 season which will be his age 30 season.
Washington Wizards (27-31): - Standing on Jan. 9th (9th)
Offensive Rating: 109.1 (22nd) - (20th)
Defensive Rating: 111.7 (21st) - (23rd)
Net Rating: -2.6 (22nd) - (23rd)
Projected Win Total: 34 Wins - (35 Wins)
Washington was definitely one of the more active teams at the deadline which I do not really blame them for as it seems the locker room has really deteriorated as the season has gone on. Their biggest move was trading for Kristaps Porzingis while sending out off-season acquisition Spencer Dinwiddie and sharpshooter who can’t shoot anymore, Davis Bertans. Dinwiddie has just not been able to mesh on the floor with Bradley Beal, and Bertans has not been able to shoot 3-pointers at an elite level since he signed his big extension with the team. Porzingis comes in giving the Wiz more rim protection and hopefully spacing on offense as he is only shooting 28.3% from 3-point range this season - shot 37.6% last season. Washington also welcomed in Vernon Carey Jr., Ish Smith, and a 2023 Boston second-round pick from the Montrezl Harrell deal and a bag of cash from sending Aaron Holiday to Phoenix.
New York Knicks (25-34): - Standing on Jan. 9th (10th)
Offensive Rating: 108.4 (25th) - (21st)
Defensive Rating: 110.3 (17th) - (19th)
Net Rating: -2.0 (21st) - (22nd)
Projected Win Total: 36 Wins - (38 Wins)
The Knicks have been really New York Knicking this season. The front office did not make any moves at the trade deadline leaving the team to just finish out the season out of the play-in tournament most likely. The Knicks issue comes from overhyping their own season last year. Julius Randle continues to struggle offensively compared to last season. After shooting 41.1% from 3-point range in route to his Most Improved Player award, Randle is shooting 30.6% from beyond the arc this season. But the defense has been so much worse this year compared to last. Last season, New York finished the season as the 4th best defense in the league as they now rank 17th, and in the off-season, the Knicks front office added more offensive pieces in Kemba Walker and Evan Fournier. However, the Knicks offense is currently worse this season compared to last when they finished with the 22nd best offense. They also have the fourth toughest remaining schedule for the rest of the season. Maybe Stephen A. Smith put the fork in the Knicks in his latest viral rant.
Indiana Pacers (20-40): - Standing on Jan. 9th (13th)
Offensive Rating: 110.4 (17th) - (15th)
Defensive Rating: 113.1 (26th) - (21st)
Net Rating: -2.7 (23rd) - (18th)
Projected Win Total: 34 Wins - (40 Wins)
Indiana made some big moves at the trade deadline that I really liked for them. The Pacers have remained a low playoff seed for a while now, but their moves seem to motion that they might try to start a minor rebuild with the team. The big trade was sending Sabonis to Sacramento for Tyrese Haliburton. Haliburton has had some big games this season and has shown to be a great pick and roll operator for only being in his second year while also shooting 41.3% from 3-point range in his young career. They also added known sharpshooter Buddy Hield and Tristan Thompson in the deal even though Thompson agreed to a buyout agreement with the team. They also received Ricky Rubio, a 2022 lottery protected first-round pick, 2022 Houston second-round pick, and a 2022 Utah second round-pick from the Caris Levert trade. You never know how these late first, early second-round picks can go, but like this past draft where both Herb Jones and Ayo Dosunmu were early second round picks, there can be value in this part of the draft. Indiana could also look to move Myles Turner in the offseason as his current foot injury might have scared off potential suitors.
Detroit Pistons (13-45): - Standing on Jan. 9th (14th)
Offensive Rating: 103.0 (29th) - (29th)
Defensive Rating: 113.0 (25th) - (22nd)
Net Rating: -10.0 (30th) - (30th)
Projected Win Total: 16 Wins - (16 Wins)
Detroit was involved in the big 4-team trade that sent Serge Ibaka to the Bucks and Donte DiVincenzo to the Kings. The Pistons sent Josh Jackson, Trey Lyles, and a second-round pick to Sacramento while also sending another second-round pick to Milwaukee. They did receive Marvin Bagley III from Sacramento which I guess is just a flyer move where Troy Weaver hopes a change of scenery can improve the current trajectory of his career. However, Marvin Bagley will be a restricted free agent this season, and I do not think the Kings would have matched any qualifying offer if Detroit would have made one. Just seems like the Pistons threw away two second-round picks when they could’ve just signed Bagley themselves, but maybe they had better intel on the situation than I do which I will admit is none. Should not matter as all this team should be worried about is adding talent around Cade Cunningham and building for the future. Cade has made some noise for winning Rookie of the Year lately even though Evan Mobley still seems to be the unanimous favorite to win the award.
Orlando Magic (13-47): - Standing on Jan. 9th (15th)
Offensive Rating: 103.8 (28th) - (28th)
Defensive Rating: 112.4 (24th) - (25th)
Net Rating: -8.6 (28th) - (29th)
Projected Win Total: 19 Wins - (17 Wins)
Orlando did make one move before the trade deadline as they received Bol Bol, PJ Dozier, a future second-round pick, and cash considerations as they sent a 2023 second-round pick in return to Boston. Gary Harris was rumored to be a buyout candidate as they usually occur right after the deadline, but reporting shows that Harris is not really pushing for a buyout. The main thing for Magic fans has to be seeing the improvements from Jalen Suggs as the season has gone on. The stats are still not pretty if you look at the shooting percentages: 36.7% from the field and 22.8% from 3-point range, but you see the flashes when he intercepts a pass on defense or when he attacks the rim. I am still holding out hope for his future as rookie guards usually do struggle in their first year, and he has dealt with injury.
Now onto the West Standings:
Phoenix Suns (48-10): - Standing on Jan. 9th (1st)
Offensive Rating: 113.5 (3rd) - (8th)
Defensive Rating: 105.4 (3rd) - (2nd)
Net Rating: 8.1 (1st) - (3rd)
Projected Win Total: 61 Wins - (61 Wins)
The Suns did make a few moves right before the trade deadline as I have already mentioned the team adding Aaron Holiday from the Wizards for cash considerations. They also acquired Torrey Craig and cash considerations while shipping out Jalen Smith and a 2022 second-round pick to the Pacers. Torrey Craig was with the team last postseason on their run to the finals, so he adds some comfortability to the team on top of his own skillset as a wing. Aaron Holiday is another backup guard to have on the team as Cam Payne and Landry Shamet suffered recent injuries. There was some thinking that Pheonix was going to try and send Dario Saric in a deal to get out of their current tax situation, but apparently no suitors wanted to take a deal for the injured forward. But the Suns have been on an absolute tear lately with the clear best record in the league. This team just needs to get to the playoffs with their playoff rotation players healthy.
Golden State Warriors (42-17): - Standing on Jan. 9th (2nd)
Offensive Rating: 111.4 (11th) - (10th)
Defensive Rating: 104.6 (1st) - (1st)
Net Rating: 6.8 (3rd) - (2nd)
Projected Win Total: 58 Wins - (63 Wins)
Golden State is still at the top of the western conference but have not seem as dominant as they did at the beginning of the season as they have had the 19 most difficult strength of schedule of the season. Steph Curry has fallen almost entirely out of the MVP conversation as he has had his struggles offensively since December. Klay Thompson has played in 16 games since his return to the lineup. Thompson is averaging 17.1 ppg while shooting 41.8% from the field and 37.4% from 3-point range while also posting a 17.6 PER, the third highest rating of his nine seasons played. Draymond Green has been out with a back injury lately, and James Wiseman still gives Warriors fans a wildcard element to this roster if he can come in and give good minutes at the center position. No trades for Golden State during the deadline.
Memphis Grizzlies (41-19): - Standing on Jan. 9th (4th)
Offensive Rating: 113.1 (5th) - (6th)
Defensive Rating: 108.6 (9th) - (11th)
Net Rating: 4.5 (5th) - (8th)
Projected Win Total: 52 Wins - (50 Wins)
The Grizzlies have continued to improve throughout the season and remained quiet during the trade deadline, as well. The biggest thing for this team has been the defensive improvement we have seen during this season alone. One of the worst defenses in the league at the very start, they now rank 9th in the league while also averaging the most steals and blocks per game at 10.1 and 6.3, respectively. I also recently dove into Ja Morant’s stats this season as I was reading some Most Improved Player nominees. Morant is averaging 7.7 more points per game this year compared to last while having an effective field goal percentage of 54.2% this year compared to a 49.9% last season, and he is also playing basically the same amount of minutes this season compared to last season - 33.2 mpg this year, 32.6 mpg last year. On top of all of that, his assist rate, steal rate, block rate, and usage have all gone up while his turnover rate has dropped. He’s just been awesome.
Utah Jazz (36-22): - Standing on Jan. 9th (3rd)
Offensive Rating: 115.9 (1st) - (1st)
Defensive Rating: 109.0 (10th) - (7th)
Net Rating: 6.9 (2nd) - (1st)
Projected Win Total: 58 Wins - (64 Wins)
The Jazz were rumored to be in the market for a perimeter defender to help Rudy Gobert and Royce O’Neale on that end of the floor. Some younger guys on cheaper contracts were potential suitors such as Houston’s Jae’Sean Tate or Oklahoma City’s Lu Dort, but I do not blame those organizations for not wanting to part with them if this was the case. They were involved in one trade where they acquired Nickeil Alexander-Walker after Walker was traded to Portland in the CJ McCollum trade and Juancho Hernangomez from San Antonio. Utah sent out Joe Inlges, Elijah Hughes, and one second-round pick to Portland while dealing another second-round pick to San Antonio. This move was mainly just to lower the tax build ownership would have to pay as Ingles tore his ACL fairly recently while also being on an expiring deal. No move was made that makes me push Utah into the top tier of the conference.
Dallas Mavericks (35-24): - Standing on Jan. 9th (5th)
Offensive Rating: 110.8 (16th) - (17th)
Defensive Rating: 107.2 (5th) - (5th)
Net Rating: 3.6 (8th) - (10th)
Projected Win Total: 50 Wins - (47 Wins)
We touched on Dallas’ big trade during the Wizards section as they received Spencer Dinwiddie and Davis Bertans. Dinwiddie could be a nice secondary ballhandler next to Luka Doncic, but that was supposed to be his role with Bradley Beal in Washington which did not go according to plan. Now, Luka is better than Beal, and maybe Dinwiddie’s affinity for high upside cryptocurrency investments such as Gamecoin rubbed the entire locker room the wrong way, who knows. Bertans could add shooting to this team, but he has not shown that 40+% 3-point shooting ability the past two seasons - he has shot 4 for 14 on 3-pointers in his two games so far in Dallas. The Mavericks have looked much better than they did at the start of the season, and Luka Doncic has been incredible since the Porzingis trade. Just not sure how much this trade helps Dallas as they took on slightly more money for availability as Kristaps has only played in 34 games so far this season. Plus they gave away a second-round pick in the trade.
Denver Nuggets (33-25): - Standing on Jan. 9th (7th)
Offensive Rating: 111.9 (7th) - (19th)
Defensive Rating: 109.9 (14th) - (17th)
Net Rating: 2.1 (10th) - (17th)
Projected Win Total: 46 Wins - (40 Wins)
Denver did not make any trades right before the deadline ended, but they did add Bryn Forbes since the last standings post I made. Forbes adds some more shooting to this team while also being a big target for opposing offenses to attack as we saw he was played off of the floor during the postseason when he was on the Bucks. Jokic remains at minimum a top 3 MVP candidate as he has been everything for the Nuggets. His stats for the season: 26.0 ppg, 13.8 rpg, 7.9 apg, 57% from the field, and 37.2% from 3-point range. If the season ended right now, Nikola Jokic would have the highest PER ever recorded in an NBA season at 32.57 - Giannis would finish right behind him with a 32.70 PER for his current season. The one slight knock for Jokic’s MVP case is when people mention his on-off the court numbers for Denver, the numbers are completely ridiculous, but head coach Michael Malone uses the highest frequency of complete starter lineups and complete bench lineups compared to any coach in the NBA. When Jokic is on the floor, he rarely plays with a lot of the bench unit guys.
Minnesota Timberwolves (31-28): - Standing on Jan. 9th (9th)
Offensive Rating: 111.5 (9th) - (24th)
Defensive Rating: 110.0 (15th) - (6th)
Net Rating: 1.6 (14th) - (14th)
Projected Win Total: 45 Wins - (42 Wins)
Minnesota did not make any moves at the trade deadline, but fans have to be rather pleased with how the season has gone up to this point. The T’wolves offense has been incredible the past month as you can see the jump from the beginning of the year to now. They are the third fastest team in the league while attempting the most 3-pointers per game at 41.5. However, the team is ranked 19th in 3-point percentage at 34.7%. Minnesota did extend guard Patrick Beverley to a 1-year, $13 million deal for next season. The T’wolves have fallen slightly in defense where they were leading the league in steals per game at one point which they now rank 5th at 8.7, but they do rank 3rd in the league in blocks per game at 5.8.
LA Clippers (30-31): - Standing on Jan. 9th (8th)
Offensive Rating: 107.6 (26th) - (27th)
Defensive Rating: 108.4 (7th) - (4th)
Net Rating: -0.9 (19th) - (20th)
Projected Win Total: 39 Wins - (39 Wins)
The Clippers made a lot of deals at the deadline, and I loved their first move. Getting Norman Powell and Robert Covington for Eric Bledsoe, Justice Winslow, Keon Johnson, and a Detroit 2025 second-round pick is awesome for a team trying to win it all next season. I am pretty high on Powell, I just think his long term contract scared some organizations for making a move on him. Covington is a good fit to the team, it will just come down to if he can knock down his 3’s as this team will want to create space for their two superstar wings - Covington is shooting 34.0% from 3-point range so far this season. The second trade made by LA had them send out Serge Ibaka and cash considerations to the Bucks and David Michineau to the Kings. The Clippers then received Rodney Hood and Semi Ojeleye from Milwaukee and Vanja Marinkovic from Sacramento. LA is projected to pay over $82 million in the luxury tax this season and over $25 million in tax next season. It helps to have an owner with the deepest of pockets.
Los Angeles Lakers (27-31): - Standing on Jan. 9th (6th)
Offensive Rating: 108.8 (23rd) - (23rd)
Defensive Rating: 110.3 (16th) - (15th)
Net Rating: -1.4 (20th) - (19th)
Projected Win Total: 37 Wins - (40 Wins)
Los Angeles did not make any moves at the deadline as most teams they would contact for any sort of trade wanted the Lakers 2027 first round pick, and this is the right move to me. Another rumor swirling, that I believe, is that Lebron James and Anthony Davis wanted to use this pick to move Russell Westbrook for whatever they could get in return, but the Lakers cannot completely sell out their future for some minor improvements to the roster now. I do not think a package of Russell Westbrook and a 2027 first-round pick would improve the current Lakers roster enough to make them contenders. Now, it is Rob Pelinka and managements fault that the team and roster have eroded away since their championship in the NBA bubble, but you cannot over correct your mistakes by completely selling out on the now.
Portland Trail Blazers (25-34): - Standing on Jan. 9th (12th)
Offensive Rating: 109.5 (20th) - (13th)
Defensive Rating: 113.7 (28th) - (30th)
Net Rating: -4.2 (25th) - (26th)
Projected Win Total: 30 Wins - (29 Wins)
Portland made a lot of moves at the deadline to mostly open up their books financially. The Powell and Covington deal achieved this, but their biggest deal was sending CJ McCollum, Larry Nance Jr., and Tony Snell to New Orleans for Josh Hart, Nickeil Alexander-Walker, Tomas Satoransky, Didi Louzada, a top 4 protected 2022 first-round pick, a 2026 second-round pick swap, and a 2027 second-round pick swap (whew). These two deals lowered the Blazers to almost $16 million below the tax line. Fun fact time, Eric Bledsoe is now the second highest paid player on Portland followed by Joe Inlges. The Blazers were involved in the Ingles trade which was touched on earlier. Since the trade, Josh Hart has averaged 24.0 ppg while shooting 60.0% from the field and 52.4% from 3-point range, just a little love and shine for my former favorite Pelican.
San Antonio Spurs (23-36): - Standing on Jan. 9th (10th)
Offensive Rating: 111.0 (15th) - (16th)
Defensive Rating: 110.6 (18th) - (18th)
Net Rating: 0.4 (16th) - (15th)
Projected Win Total: 42 Wins - (41 Wins)
So the Spurs received Josh Richardson, Romeo Langford, a 2022 first-round pick, and a 2028 first-round pick swap from Boston in the Derrick White deal. I touched on the Goran Dragic trade earlier so not going to say much more on that now. In the three team Joe Ingles trade, San Antonio received Tomas Satoransky and a Utah second-round pick while sending out Juancho Hernangomez to Utah. This is the most moves I can ever remember the Spurs organization making in one season, but besides Derrick White, no big rotational guys were moved. Dejounte Murray claimed a much deserved All-Star selection, and with White no longer in the lineup, this gives Lonnie Walker IV, Devin Vassell, and rookie Josh Primo more opportunities to improve and showcase their individual games.
New Orleans Pelicans (23-36): - Standing on Jan. 9th (13th)
Offensive Rating: 108.8 (24th) - (25th)
Defensive Rating: 111.7 (22nd) - (24th)
Net Rating: -2.9 (24th) - (25th)
Projected Win Total: 34 Wins - (29 Wins)
New Orleans made a big splash when they added CJ McCollum, Larry Nance Jr., and Tony Snell. CJ gives the Pelicans better overall guard play with his talent and experience alone, and Tony Snell has already received playing time since the trade was finalized. Larry Nance Jr. did undergo surgery quickly after his addition on his knee with a recovery time of six weeks. Some pushback has been seen on the trade as some media outlets and commentary think the move locks up the Pelicans future financially which it does in a way, but New Orleans still has two first round picks from the Lakers and four first round picks from the Bucks. Also, besides CJ and Brandon Ingram’s current contracts, no player on the current roster has a salary over $15 million a year which is movable money. The issue occurs in the 2023-2024 season when Zion Williamson and Jaxson Hayes’ rookie extensions will kick in, and with recent Zion news about not talking with CJ after the trade and fans reaction to said news, I have no idea how those negotiations will go, if they even do.
Sacramento Kings (22-39): - Standing on Jan. 9th (11th)
Offensive Rating: 109.4 (21st) - (18th)
Defensive Rating: 114.3 (29th) - (27th)
Net Rating: -4.9 (26th) - (24th)
Projected Win Total: 29 Wins - (30 Wins)
Sacramento shocked a lot of people when they traded away Tyrese Haliburton as reports came out before the deadline that the team would not trade away the young guard and just seeing how invested the guy was to the team saying various times he wanted to be in Sacramento and change the narrative of the team and organization. But what’s done is done, and they received Domantas Sabonis, Justin Holiday, Jeremy Lamb, and a 2023 second-round pick in the deal. Since the trade, the Kings are 4-0 beating Minnesota, Washington, Brooklyn (at Brooklyn - feel like that matters nowadays), and Chicago. In those four games, Sabonis is averaging 17.3 ppg, 11.5 rpg, and 5.5 apg while shooting 57.4% from the field. My worry is going to be the defense for this team, which is already at the bottom of the league, as they try to make a push for a play-in spot.
Oklahoma City Thunder (18-40): - Standing on Jan. 9th (14th)
Offensive Rating: 102.0 (30th) - (30th)
Defensive Rating: 108.6 (8th) - (14th)
Net Rating: -6.6 (27th) - (27th)
Projected Win Total: 24 Wins - (21 Wins)
The Thunder were not expected to make many moves unless it centered around Lu Dort or Kenrich Williams who has shown to be a reliable wing that can play within a system. Williams is averaging 7.4 ppg, 4.5 rpg, and 2.2 apg with a 52.5% effective field goal percentage. They did send one 2026 second-round pick to Miami for KZ Okpala which also involved the pick protection amendment that was mentioned in the Miami Heat section. The average NBA fan may be shocked to see the Thunder with the 8th best defense in the league, and since the start of the new year, the defense has been pretty incredible when you take into account the name recognition of the roster. This team under second year head coach Mark Daigneault has been a fiesty opponent for most teams throughout the season as I would assume most teams would think of Oklahoma City as one of the easier teams to go against in the league.
Houston Rockets (15-43): - Standing on Jan. 9th (15th)
Offensive Rating: 107.1 (27th) - (26th)
Defensive Rating: 116.4 (30th) - (29th)
Net Rating: -9.4 (29th) - (28th)
Projected Win Total: 17 Wins - (21 Wins)
Houston received Dennis Schroder, Enes Kanter Freedom - who was then waived, and Bruno Fernando from the Celtics in the Daniel Theis deal. The Rockets are able to take on money with how young their team is. John Wall is the highest paid player on the team who is not even playing even though apparently he stated that he wanted to earlier in the season. ESPN has an update on February 15th saying he is working on his conditioning and ramping up his workouts in Miami which is also where Dragic was working on his conditioning/recovery. Wall was rumored to be involved in a Russell Westbrook deal… again, but the biggest asset Houston has is Eric Gordon who was not moved. He is still under contract for next season at just under $20 million, but the Rockets could and should trade Gordon for whatever they can get. For the season, Gordon is averaging 14.3 ppg while shooting 48.2% from the field and 41.7% from 3-point range. Contenders can always use shooting.
So there is your wrap-up of the trade deadline and the current standings at the All-Star break. Games will not resume until Thursday, February 24th, but good luck to all fans with whatever goal you want your team to achieve. I am hoping Willie Green and the Pelicans can figure out their rotations after adding CJ McCollum to the roster and make the play-in tournament. If this team, coaching staff, and fan base could witness one play-in game win, I would call this season a success saying our best player from last season is in Portland, and I am not talking about Josh Hart.
Thank you for giving me your time for reading this piece, and if you enjoyed it or know someone else that will enjoy the long read, I would appreciate if you shared it. Thanks again.