The NBA trade deadline has come and gone and, as expected, there were some fireworks that came right down to the wire.
NBA trades are always exciting but the added intensity from the trade deadline’s ticking clock only makes it more exhilarating.
This year there were some huge moves (James Harden to the Philadelphia 76ers definitely blew up the internet) and there were some surprises.
Of course, there were also some undeniable losers too.
Here are a few of the people or parties that are feeling burned by this year’s trade deadline.
3. Kristaps Porzingis
It feels like the Dallas Mavericks did Kristaps Porzingis dirty.
Yes, the Latvian big man has been very hit-or-miss during his three seasons with the Mavs and the team has been wanting – no, needing – a lot more from him.
For months, analysts have been saying that Porzingis needed to step it up if he wished to remain playing alongside Luka Doncic.
And that’s exactly what Porzingis did.
He has been playing much better basketball this season and has been performing like his old self, impressing fans and commentators alike.
And for this, he’s been rewarded with the heave-ho from Dallas, who replaced him with Spencer Dinwiddie and Davis Bertans.
The Mavericks are trading Kristaps Porzingis to the Wizards for a packaged centered on Spencer Dinwiddie, sources tell ESPN.
— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) February 10, 2022
This trade made it obvious that the Mavericks had lost faith in Porzingis and his future with the team – right as he began to give them what they wanted.
2. John Wall
John Wall has been playing hardball this year with the Houston Rockets and it has not paid off for the star player.
Wall has been sitting on the bench for the Rockets, despite having a hefty $44 million contract.
He wants to be moved and he won’t step onto the court until he is.
Despite this, the Rockets did nothing to send him away and so now Wall will remain watching the games from at home.
there's less then 2 days until the trade deadline and no John Wall news 🙁 pic.twitter.com/WaMwM7mmh9
— Happy NBA Fan (@RocketsPlzWin) February 9, 2022
The fact that Houston did nothing to move Wall – and that no team was knocking at the door to get him – has to sting.
Will the disappointing trade deadline convince Wall to lace up his shoes, play again and restore his trade value?
1. Fans Of The Portland Trail Blazers
The Portland Trail Blazers decided to trade away one of their best – and most beloved – players when they sent CJ McCollum to the New Orleans Pelicans.
The money that this earned them could really help the team in the long run.
However, for now, it’s not going to produce any amazing returns for them.
With Damian Lillard out and McCollum gone, Portland fans should expect the rest of the NBA season to be very rocky.
However, the McCollum trade garnered the team a lot of cap space so there is a good chance the front office can convert that into some promising players.
This trade hurts and the immediate future might too but things might possibly be looking up for fans of the Trail Blazers.
No, it won’t happen right away and that’s a tough pill to swallow but there is some reason to be slightly optimistic about Portland now.
NEXT: The Blazers Are Not Planning A Rebuild