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Winners And Losers Of The 2015 NBA Trade Deadline

By Gerald Bourguet

Nov 3, 2013; Oklahoma City, OK, USA; Phoenix Suns point guard Goran Dragic (1) handles the ball against Oklahoma City Thunder point guard Reggie Jackson (15) during the second quarter at Chesapeake Energy Arena. Mandatory Credit: Mark D. Smith-USA TODAY Sports
Nov 3, 2013; Oklahoma City, OK, USA; Phoenix Suns point guard Goran Dragic (1) handles the ball against Oklahoma City Thunder point guard Reggie Jackson (15) during the second quarter at Chesapeake Energy Arena. Mandatory Credit: Mark D. Smith-USA TODAY Sports /
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Jan 6, 2015; Milwaukee, WI, USA; Milwaukee Bucks guard Brandon Knight (11) drives past Phoenix Suns guard Goran Dragic (1) in the second quarter at BMO Harris Bradley Center. Mandatory Credit: Benny Sieu-USA TODAY Sports /

Loser: Phoenix Suns

Technically speaking, the Suns didn’t make any horrifyingly bad trades. They had to get rid of Goran Dragic and moving Isaiah Thomas made sense because he wasn’t a good fit in Phoenix and fans viewed him as the ugly stepchild. But there’s no doubt the Suns’ 2014-15 season is all but over as far as the playoffs are concerned.

The Suns added a great, young combo guard in Brandon Knight, who many thought was deserving of an All-Star spot this year. They added first round picks in 2016, 2017 and 2021 and got rid of players who either didn’t want to be here or didn’t fit. But what if Knight fits that same category?

The fact that it even came to this makes the Suns losers. General manager Ryan McDonough is like Robb Stark from Game of Thrones with his trades; he never lost an individual battle, but he lost the war in brutally dramatic fashion and the Lannisters/Lakers send their regards.

Surrendering that top-five protected pick from the Lakers feels like something that should have been avoided, and Knight — a restricted free agent — was happy in Milwaukee this year. The Suns alienated a fan favorite, they didn’t bolster their frontcourt to provide defense/rebounding and now they’re going to miss the postseason again.

This team had some of the best chemistry in basketball last year. In the words of Walter White, the chemistry must be respected. And to think, this could’ve all been avoided had McDonough not cashed in on that steal of a deal for Isaiah Thomas last summer. Sometimes too much of a good thing can be a bad thing.

Next: Winner No. 3