Winners and losers of the 2019 NBA Trade Deadline
Winner: Philadelphia 76ers
Even after trading for Jimmy Butler a few months back, the Philadelphia 76ers had several needs heading into the 2019 NBA Trade Deadline. It took a bit of sacrifice, but general manager Elton Brand damn near filled them all.
Advocates of the Process may wince seeing rookie Landry Shamet, that coveted 2021 Miami Heat first-rounder, another first round selection and especially Markelle Fultz heading out the door, but the Sixers assembled a legitimate Big 4 by bringing in Tobias Harris, an All-Star caliber wing who should fit perfectly. They also capably addressed their depth (James Ennis, Mike Scott, Jonathon Simmons) and the backup 5 spot (Boban Marjanovic). Just exceptional work here.
Philly started the year without size behind Embiid, shooting around Simmons, and without a wing that could create his own shot.
— Hardwood Paroxysm (@HPbasketball) February 6, 2019
Two trades later they’ve addressed all that.
Loser: Boston Celtics
The Boston Celtics were winners of the deadline in another sense (we’ll get to that in a minute), but they were also clear losers with the 2018-19 season in mind. Watching the 76ers, Milwaukee Bucks and Toronto Raptors all make eye-popping moves to batten the hatches couldn’t have been easy, especially since Danny Ainge was relegated to holding onto his assets with an eye on the summer.
Since that 10-10 start, the Celtics are third in win percentage, first in point differential, third in offensive rating and sixth in defensive rating. They’re okay standing pat, but unlike the other contenders in the top-heavy East, they were unable to address some of their needs at the deadline. Here’s hoping the buyout market can help amend that situation.