:format(webp)/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/66266873/usa_today_13494092.0.jpg)
The NBA Trade Deadline has come and gone at 3:00 p.m. ET on Thursday and when the dust settles, we can say that it was a pretty wild ride. We saw a couple of major deals go down, including Andre Drummond to the Cavaliers and a D’Angelo Russell-Andrew Wiggins swap. We also saw a handful of major deals from contenders who improved their rosters heading into the stretch run of the season. Let’s take a look at initial winners and losers from the trade deadline.
2020 NBA Trade Deadline winners
Minnesota Timberwolves
The T-Wolves had set out on a quest to get D’Angelo Russell and that’s exactly what they achieved in the end. It was said that the Warriors wouldn’t budge on dealing D’Lo before the offseason, but the package of Andrew Wiggins and a first-round pick was enough to get the job done. Now, the T-Wolves can move forward with D’Lo and Karl-Anthony Towns as their core for the future. Both are very young and heading into their primes, plus the T-Wolves have a few young assets to develop. Overall, the outlook for Minnesota is much brighter after today.
Cleveland Cavaliers
The Cavaliers ended up holding onto both Kevin Love and Tristan Thompson while adding Andre Drummond for just about nothing. They gave up Brandon Knight, John Henson and a second-round pick for the two-time All-Star center. Drummond’s salary is high, but its something the Cavs could absorb. They could keep Drummond next season if he decides to pick up his player option. If that’s the case, Cleveland could flip Drumm at next season’s deadline for a better package. For now, Cleveland at least has a very impressive front line the rest of the season and plenty of young guards.
2020 NBA Trade Deadline Losers
Golden State Warriors
The Warriors were able to get Wiggins and a draft pick. That’s about it for Russell, who is one of the best commodities in the NBA as far as young guards are concerned. Sure, the Dubs still have Stephen Curry, Klay Thompson and Draymond Green, plus a potential top 3 pick in the 2020 NBA Draft. Still, it feels like they didn’t get much back for D’Lo. Wiggins is a good player but feels a lot like an older Harrison Barnes from back when he was on the Warriors and was just about invisible. Wiggins could be dealt for more assets, so we’ll see.
Detroit Pistons
The Pistons got nothing for Drummond and decided to hold onto Derrick Rose for whatever reason. This was a huge oversight on their part. The team may have an outside shot at the No. 8 seed in the East, but for what? To lose in four games? That isn’t going to help the franchise in the future. Drummond only recouped minor assets and now the Pistons just have a ton of cap space and very little promising players. Luke Kennard and Christian Wood have shown promise, but those aren’t building blocks.