By Barry Hirshfeld
The progression of the 2021-2022 NBA season continues to internationally astound a plethora of basketball fans. Along with the increasingly dense amount of star talent accumulating on top-seeded conference teams, the jaw-dropping events that took place at the helm of the trade deadline substantially increased the sentiment of competition in this season’s championship contention. Nearing the playoffs, this season possesses potential to display the most entertaining and competitive postseason of all time.
*NBA trade deadline report card: a look into the top trades and acquisitions (categorized by team) that I believe characterizes the 2022 NBA trade deadline*
- Philadelphia Seventy-Sixers: A+
- James Harden
- Paul Milsap
- Brooklyn Nets: A-
- Ben Simmons
- Seth Curry
- Andre Drummond
- Two first-round picks
- Dallas Mavericks: C+
- Spencer Dinwidee
- Davis Bertans
- Washington Wizards: B+
- Kristaps Porzingis
- Two second-round picks
- Ish Smith
- Boston Celtics: B+
- Derrick White
- Daniel Theis
- San Antonio Spurs: B
- Josh Richardson
- Romeo Langford
- First-round pick
- First-round pick swap
- Charlotte Hornets: A
- Montrezl Harrel
- Sacramento Kings: B+
- Domantas Sabonis
- Justin Holiday
- Jeremy Lamb
- Second-round pick
- Indiana Pacers: A
- Buddy Hield
- Tyrese Haliburton
- Tristan Thompson
- Ricky Rubio
- First-round pick
- Two second-round picks
- Portland Trail Blazers: C-
- Josh Hart
- Joe Ingles
- Nickeil Alexander-Walker
- Tomáš Satoranský
- Eric Bledsoe
- Justise Winslow
- First-round draft pick (protected)
- Three second-round picks
- New Orleans Pelicans: A+
- CJ McCollum
- Larry Nance Jr.
- Tony Snell
- Cleveland Cavaliers: B
- Caris Levert
- Second-round pick
- Los Angeles Clippers: A
- Norman Powell
- Robert Covington
Trade Deadline Winner: Philadelphia Seventy-Sixers
Holding out for a suitable offer, the Sixers capitalized on a season-dooming situation with Ben Simmons–their addition of James Harden and Embiid’s MVP season thrust their championship contention. Even though they lost valuable role players, such as Seth Curry, the Sixers pulled the long end of the straw in this trade and hopefully will not disappoint this postseason with two generational talents.
Trade Deadline Loser: Portland Trail Blazers
An era of mediocracy has ended: the Trail Blazers notable annual contention for mid-playoff seeding and (conference) championship contention is over for the time being. Not only did the franchise waste their superstar’s, Damian Lillard’s, prime in a meaningless conquest for playoff seeding, but also they traded his all-star duo, CJ McCollum, for adequate young talent in an already failing beginning to a rebuild.
The 2022 NBA trade deadline was one of the most exhilarating in history: the simultaneous relocation of franchise talent, such as James Harden, Domantas Sabonis, CJ McCollum, etc… is unprecedented. As if championship contention this season wasn’t competitive enough—this dense talent dispersion shifts NBA power rankings—now favoriting the Philadelphia Seventy-Sixers.