The NBA trade deadline has finally been done and over with, seeing some rumors come true with some pluses. Big names such as Goran Dragic, Enes Kanter and Reggie Jackson led the way together with some lesser known players and bunch of future draft picks.
The Miami Heat have finally landed a point guard that has been sought after the most with Goran Dragic. The former Phoenix Suns guard was one of the most sought after players leading up to the trade deadline with the Heat ending up the big winners. Aside from Goran, the Heat also got Zoran.
A big question mark does come with the trade of course and this has something to do with Goran becoming a free agent by the end of the season. All that could change of course if the Heat are able to sign Dragic to sign on. For now however, his arrival provides the Heat a much needed boost in the backcourt.
Gone are Danny Granger, Norris Cole, Shawne Williams and Justin Hamilton. The Heat should be able to get some things done if most of their starters such as Dwyane Wade, Chris Bosh, Luol Deng, and rising Hassan Whiteside stay healthy.
Reggie Jackson was dealt to the Detroit Pistons in what many see as a temporary stopover for the duration of the current season. With Jackson becoming a free agent as well, chances are Jackson will test free agency by season's end.
The Thunder have boosted their center spot with the acquisition of Enes Kanter. Kanter will however need to adapt to the system of coach Scott Brooks to fit in to the OKC Thunder machine. He is expected to take over the spot of Kendrick Perkins who was part of the trade.
Perkins however is expected to be bought out and the veteran big man tweeted that he is bound to Cleveland where he will join Lebron James, Kyrie Irving and Kevin Love.
Kevin Garnett returned to his original home after being traded by the Nets to the Minnesota Timberwolves in exchange of Thaddeus Young. Garnett is nearing the end of his career and his arrival could be to help mentor top rookie Andrew Wiggins.
There were other players as well like Isaiah Thomas (now with the Boston Celtics) and Michael Carter-Williams (Milwaukee Bucks) who changed postal codes. Much of the trades were seen as preparations for runs at the coming NBA playoffs while other teams simply wanted to dislodge high-salaried players who are most likely good as gone once they do hit the free agency period.
And the teams to watch?
After the trades, the Miami Heat, OKC Thunder, Phoenix Suns and the Cleveland Cavaliers will try to see if their player moves were the right ones.
