NBA Power Rankings Week 14: NBA trade deadline recap

NBA Power Rankings Week 14: Trade deadline recap

ORLANDO, FL - MARCH 23: Nikola Vucevic #9 of the Orlando Magic shoots the ball against the Denver Nuggets at Amway Center on March 23, 2021 in Orlando, Florida. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Alex Menendez/Getty Images) /

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NBA trade deadline (Photo by Gregory Shamus/Getty Images) /

Previous: 1st. Brooklyn Nets. 2. team. 147. . 31-15

Last Week: Beat Washington Wizards 113-106, Beat Portland Trail Blazers 116-112, Lost to Utah Jazz 118-88, Beat Detroit Pistons 113-111

This Week: 3/29 vs. Minnesota Timberwolves, 3/31 vs. Houston Rockets, 4/1 vs. Charlotte Hornets

Much is being made about the addition of LaMarcus Aldridge to the Brooklyn Nets in the latest instance of a former (washed up?) All-Star joining a loaded Brooklyn Nets team for the chase of the ring. Given that that is the only move that Brooklyn ultimately made at the deadline it will be the focus of this ranking this week.

The Nets are loaded with famous names at this point, likely bringing some combination of Jeff Green, DeAndre Jordan, Blake Griffin and LaMarcus Aldridge off their bench. For those who have not watched Detroit Pistons or San Antonio Spurs basketball in recent season, it may come as a surprise that neither Griffin nor Aldridge is the player they remember.

Aldridge had been transitioned into more of a stretch big role in San Antonio before losing his starting spot to Jakob Poeltl earlier this season. So far this season he is shooting 36.0 percent on 3-point shots, noticeably worse than Jeff Green. He is no longer a rim protector of any repute and will likely just be a matchup option to take advantage of second units, nothing else.

This is not to diminish what the Nets are doing. When they are healthy they are the most talented roster in the league. Kevin Durant has not played since February 13 and the Nets have not missed a beat. The only reason they slid from the top spot is that they lost (albeit noticeably shorthanded) to the top team on the list.