Which team helped itself the most during this trade-deadline cycle?<\/p>\n
Guillory: This might be a predictable take from me, but I think the Jose Alvarado addition is going to do wonders for the New York Knicks. Alvarado brings the passion and defensive intensity that the Knicks have been lacking at times this season. The emotion he plays with every game is going to make him an instant fan favorite in Madison Square Garden.<\/p>\n
And for the folks who haven\u2019t been watching a lot of the New Orleans Pelicans lately \u2014 hard to blame you \u2014 Alvarado has made serious improvements to his offensive repertoire over the past two seasons. He\u2019s a confident shooter from distance, whether it\u2019s in catch-and-shoot situations or off the dribble. He\u2019s got a great feel for speeding the game up at the right time and creating shots for bigs by getting to the rim. It will be tough to play Alvarado with Jalen Brunson, both smaller guards, against bigger teams. But that\u2019s fine. Even if they need only 15 or so minutes from Alvarado in the playoffs, he\u2019s going to be impactful.<\/p>\n
Lorenzi: I loved what the Clippers did, but I will cede the floor to Josh on them.<\/p>\n
Beyond that, I liked Western Conference contenders that made marginal moves. The Oklahoma City Thunder somehow stole Jared McCain, last year\u2019s Rookie of the Year favorite before injury ended his season prematurely, from the Philadelphia 76ers for a sliver of their massive collection of picks. McCain fits a clear need with his shooting (added bonus that he\u2019s a ballhandler), and he has two years left on his rookie deal after this one, particularly important for a team that has paid its three All-Stars. Philadelphia general manager Daryl Morey said Friday morning he felt he was selling high on McCain. Smile and look away, everyone.<\/p>\n
I\u2019d lump Minnesota in there for grabbing guard Ayo Dosunmu. He doesn\u2019t make Minnesota better than the fully healthy Thunder, but he fills the Timberwolves\u2019 needs as an offensive stabilizer and someone capable of both lifting the bench and playing next to Anthony Edwards. A good get, and a fine way to capitalize on Chicago\u2019s fire sale.<\/p>\n
Josh Robbins: I like what the Clippers did. It was time for them to begin to start over. They received a pair of first-round picks (including Indiana\u2019s pick this year if it falls between fifth and ninth) from the Indiana Pacers, plus Bennedict Mathurin, for Ivica Zubac. I also think moving James Harden now was smart because he brought back Darius Garland, a two-time All-Star who\u2019s only 26 years old.<\/p>\n
Sure, the Clippers had finally found their footing after an awful start to their season. But let\u2019s be real: Even with Kawhi Leonard, Harden and Zubac, they weren\u2019t going to get past the Thunder and didn\u2019t stand much of a chance against the Denver Nuggets. Better to strike now, before Harden loses another early postseason series.<\/p>\n
Which team that needed to improve didn\u2019t do enough?<\/p>\n
Guillory: I have no idea what the Miami Heat are doing. I understand that trading for Giannis Antetokounmpo before the trade deadline was a long shot. I even get why they might be hesitant to pursue Ja Morant given everything that comes with having him on the roster.<\/p>\n
But this is a team that claims to come into every season with championship aspirations. Yet, the Heat are in Play-In territory right now, without much apparent upward mobility. There are so many directions this team could\u2019ve gone, but to come away from the deadline having made zero deals is baffling. What\u2019s the plan? How does this team become a contender again?<\/p>\n
Acquiring Norman Powell and turning him into an All-Star was a major win. But now he\u2019s set to hit unrestricted free agency. Not to mention, Tyler Herro will have only one year left on his contract after this season.<\/p>\n
Year after year, we hear that the Heat will be in the mix for the next disgruntled superstar. Kevin Durant. Donovan Mitchell. Giannis. But it\u2019s been a long time since they actually got one, keeping them in this disappointing spot.<\/p>\n
Lorenzi: The Rockets are in a weird tier among Western Conference contenders, and I can\u2019t vibe with them sitting still. My issue is less about them standing pat and more about their reasoning. General manager Rafael Stone told reporters Thursday that he asked himself a question regarding Houston\u2019s injury luck this season: \u201cIs this just not our year?\u201d<\/p>\n
That is a bizarre thing to wonder aloud to the media and the public. I think there are wrinkles left to be ironed out with Durant and the young guys, so it doesn\u2019t seem as if this year is a complete waste. But Durant, 37, doesn\u2019t have all the time in the world. I want to understand Stone\u2019s rationale, and I think it\u2019s fair for him to avoid making a panic move.<\/p>\n
I just never had \u201cfigure it out down the stretch\u201d as my solution to Houston\u2019s deadline. And I keep reading that quote, wondering if it\u2019s real.<\/p>\n
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