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NBA Trade Deadline Deals & Grades 2023

Last Updated: Feb 10, 2023

The NBA trade deadline has come and gone, and it was perhaps one of the most eventful to date. Brooklyn completely tore it down by shipping out Kyrie Irving and Kevin Durant, while other contenders made some much-needed upgrades.

To catch you up on all the most important deals, we’ve put together a list of some of the top transactions and provided a few of the best bets you can make now that the dust has settled.

All NBA odds are current as of Thursday, Feb. 9, at 2 p.m. ET, and courtesy of Caesars Sportsbook.

Top 2023 NBA Trade Deadline Deals

Kevin Durant Traded To Phoenix Suns

  • Suns get: Kevin Durant, T.J. Warren
  • Nets get: Mikal Bridges, Cam Johnson, Jae Crowder, first-round picks (2023, 2025, 2027, 2029), first-round pick swap (2028)

The Suns completely re-shaped the NBA Finals odds by dealing for superstar forward Kevin Durant in the early morning hours of Thursday. By hanging on to Chris Paul, Devin Booker, and Deandre Ayton in the process, they’ve put themselves in position to be considered the favorite to represent the West in the NBA Finals.

Durant was in the midst of a phenomenal season with the Nets, averaging 29.7 points, 6.7 rebounds, and 5.3 assists per game. He has, however, been sidelined since Jan. 8 with a knee injury, though he’s expected to return in the near future.

In exchange for Durant, the Nets received a package including four future first-round picks, one first-round pick swap, and key role players in Mikal Bridges, Cam Johnson, and Jae Crowder. Brooklyn went on to move Crowder to the Bucks for picks.

Kevin Durant Trade Grades

  • Suns: A
  • Nets: B

Both sides here seemingly got what they wanted. Phoenix is now a frontrunner to win the NBA Finals, while Brooklyn appears to be heading toward a major rebuild.

Kyrie Irving Traded To Dallas Mavericks

  • Mavericks get: Kyrie Irving, Markieff Morris
  • Nets get: Spencer Dinwiddie, Dorian Finney-Smith, first-round pick (2029), second-round picks (2027, 2029)

The first major trade of the deadline saw the Nets part with their other All-Star, Kyrie Irving, who requested a trade after the two sides failed to reach an agreement on a contract extension. The superstar guard now joins Luka Dončić — who sits near the top of our NBA MVP odds — giving the Mavericks a lethal offensive pairing.

In return, Brooklyn received Spencer Dinwiddie, Dorian Finney-Smith, and a sizable amount of draft compensation, though it’s fair to say that the franchise didn’t receive as much as it could have for a player of Irving’s caliber.

Irving undoubtedly moves the needle in the right direction for Dallas, which now has what looks like one of the league’s best offenses on paper. Time will tell if it lasts, but for now, the Mavs appear to be in a good position to make a run at the title this year.

Kyrie Irving Trade Grades

  • Mavericks: B+
  • Nets: C+

The Mavericks are immediate winners here, but did they give up too much for someone who could potentially choose to sign elsewhere this summer?

Russell Westbrook Traded To Utah Jazz

  • Jazz Get: Russell Westbrook, Juan Toscano-Anderson, Damian Jones, 2027 first-round pick
  • Lakers Get: D’Angelo Russell, Malik Beasley, Jarred Vanderbilt
  • Timberwolves Get: Mike Conley, Nickeil Alexander-Walker, second-round picks (2024, 2025, 2026)

The Lakers finally rid themselves of Russell Westbrook, who now heads to Utah via a three-team trade. Westbrook is rumored to be a buyout candidate, so it seems unlikely he’ll stay with the Jazz.

In return, Los Angeles netted D’Angelo Russell, Malik Beasley, and Jarred Vanderbilt, all of whom improve this team’s depth and fill needs. Russell, a former Laker, is an above-average scorer and playmaker.

Beasley is an excellent shooter. Vanderbilt has a high motor.

Minnesota also turned out well here, nabbing Mike Conley from the Jazz as well as a handful of second-round picks. Conley, 35, is still a capable scorer and playmaker, and the Timberwolves should buy more touches for Anthony Edwards as a result of moving Russell.

Russell Westbrook Trade Grades

  • Jazz: B
  • Lakers: A
  • Timberwolves: B-

The Lakers are the clear winners here. Westbrook was almost unanimously viewed as a negative, so turning him into three capable rotation players is a huge get.

NBA Futures Bets To Make After Trade Deadline

Suns Win NBA Finals (+500) at Caesars Sportsbook

By trading for Durant, the Suns propelled themselves right back to the top of the NBA Finals conversation. Phoenix is now listed at (+500) to win the title this year.

Only the Celtics have shorter odds to get the job done.

It certainly isn’t a done deal — the West is tight, and the East is full of top-tier contenders — but I wouldn’t want to be the team that has to go up against Phoenix in a playoff series.

Mavericks Win Western Conference (+750) at Caesars Sportsbook

Dallas might be my favorite sleeper to win the West. The pairing of Irving and Dončić brings limitless offensive potential, even if the defense is likely to decline as a result.

Keep an eye on the Mavericks once the buyout market opens up. Should they be able to acquire a defensive-minded wing or two, they could be a serious contender to win it all this year.

NBA Trade Deadline 2023 Deals Tracker

  • Kyrie Irving traded with Markieff Morris from Nets to Mavericks for Spencer Dinwiddie, Dorian Finney-Smith, first-round pick, two second-round picks
  • Dewayne Dedmon traded from Heat to Spurs for cash considerations
  • Kessler Edwards traded from Nets to Kings
  • Russell Westbrook, Juan Toscano-Anderson, Damian Jones, first-round pick traded from Lakers to Jazz for Malik Beasley and Jarred Vanderbilt; Mike Conley, Nickeil Alexander-Walker, three second-round picks traded from Jazz to Timberwolves; D’Angelo Russell traded from Timberwolves to Lakers
  • Josh Hart traded from Trail Blazers to Knicks for Cam Reddish, Ryan Arcidiacono, Svi Mykhailiuk, first-round pick
  • Jakob Poeltl traded from Spurs to Raptors for Khem Birch, first-round pick, two second-round picks
  • Kevin Durant traded with T.J. Warren from Nets to Suns for Mikal Bridges, Cam Johnson, Jae Crowder, four first-round picks, first-round pick swap
  • Mike Muscala traded from Thunder to Celtics for Justin Jackson, two second-round picks
  • Jae Crowder traded from Nets to Bucks for two second-round picks; George Hill, Serge Ibaka, Jordan Nwora, three second-round picks traded from Bucks to Pacers
  • Thomas Bryant traded from Lakers to Nuggets for Davon Reed, three second-round picks
  • Jalen McDaniels, two second-round picks traded from Hornets to 76ers; Matisse Thybulle traded from 76ers to Trail Blazers; Svi Mykhailiuk, two second-round picks traded from Trail Blazers to Hornets.
  • Bones Hyland traded from Nuggets to Clippers for two second-round picks
  • James Wiseman traded from Warriors to Pistons for five-second round picks, Kevin Knox; Saddiq Bey traded from Pistons to Hawks
  • Mo Bamba traded from Magic to Lakers for Patrick Beverley
  • Mason Plumlee traded from Hornets to Clippers for Reggie Jackson
  • Luke Kennard traded from Clippers to Grizzlies; Danny Green traded from Grizzlies to Rockets; Eric Gordon, three second-round picks traded from Rockets to Clippers.
  • Justin Holiday, Frank Kaminsky traded from Hawks to Rockets for Garrison Mathews, Bruno Fernando
  • Josh Richardson traded from Spurs to Pelicans for Devonte’ Graham, four second-round picks
  • Gary Payton II traded from Trail Blazers to Warriors for five second-round picks
  • Darius Bazley traded from Thunder to Suns for Dario Šarić, second-round pick

Author

Garrett Chorpenning

Garrett Chorpenning is the Lead NBA Editor for The Game Day. His previous work includes covering the LA Clippers for Sports Illustrated and FanSided. He graduated from Ball State University in 2021.

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