The 2023 NBA trade deadline was certainly one for the ages.
Russell Westbrook is no longer a Laker. D'Angelo Russell is a Laker again. And, oh yeah, the Suns have added Kevin Durant to bolster their chances to win an NBA title.
The above deals are just a fraction of what happened at the trade deadline.
In reaction to some of the landscape-altering deals that transpired, The Sporting News' NBA staff got out their red pens to grade the deals for each team that was involved.
Here's a look back at how we've judged some of the biggest deals of the deadline.
NBA TRADE DEADLINE TRACKER 2023: Every player and draft pick moved
Suns add Kevin Durant, swing for the fences
- Suns receive: Kevin Durant, T.J. Warren
- Nets receive: Mikal Bridges, Cameron Johnson, Jae Crowder, four unprotected first-round picks (2023, 2025, 2027, 2029), 2028 pick swap
Suns trade grade
The Suns' championship window appeared to be closing — until they smashed it back open by acquiring Durant.
Prior to his injury, Durant was firmly in the MVP conversation, averaging 29.7 points, 6.7 rebounds, 5.3 assists and 1.5 blocks per game on super-efficient shooting splits of 55.9/37.6/93.4.
Adding one of the league's best scorers to a core of Chris Paul, Devin Booker and Deandre Ayton immediately puts them back in the conversation of the Western Conference's elite teams.
Grade: A+
Nets trade grade
Considering the inflated trade market we saw in the offseason with Rudy Gobert's move to Minnesota, the Nets' haul seems palatable.
Ideally, you want at least an All-Star in return for a top-five player. The jewel of this deal is Bridges, who has the potential to reach that level in the not-too-distant future.
Bridges has quickly established himself as one of the best young 3-and-D players in the league. Cam Johnson, a certified sharpshooter, had some bright moments with the Suns, delivering impressive performances in their run to the 2021 Finals.
Grade: B-
— Benyam Kidane (@BenyamKidane)
Lakers move Russell Westbrook, add depth
- Lakers receive: D'Angelo Russell, Jarred Vanderbilt, Malik Beasley
- Timberwolves receive: Mike Conley Jr., Nickeil Alexander-Walker, 2024 second-round pick swap, 2025 and 2026 second-round picks
- Jazz receive: Russell Westbrook, Juan Toscano-Anderson, Damian Jones, 2027 first-round pick
Lakers trade grade
This isn't the home run trade that many Lakers fans might have been looking for, but the team's biggest issue was depth. They added three good rotation pieces — or four if you count Rui Hachimura — before the deadline.
Is it enough for a championship run? Maybe not, but the Lakers did make themselves a much better team without sacrificing too much.
Grade: A-
Timberwolves trade grade
The Wolves traded Russell for Andrew Wiggins three years ago at the trade deadline. Since then, Wiggins has found a perfect role with the Warriors, and Russell has been more of a mixed bag…
Conley's best days are behind him. Once a top defender, he's lost a step. Still, Conley should give the Wolves more stability. They needed someone who could add more organizing principles, and Conley can do just that. And the draft compensation is a nice bonus.
Grade: B
Jazz trade grade
The Jazz are going to get worse with this trade. As currently constructed, they're a classic regular season overachiever that would struggle in a playoff environment. They need a star in order to make some real noise at the next level, and they've positioned themselves to go out and get one…
… With the incoming pick from the Lakers, they have 15 first-round picks over the course of the next seven drafts and will also have up to $60 million in cap space, per ESPN's Bobby Marks.
Grade: B
— Stephen Noh (@StephNoh)
MORE: Breaking down winners and losers of 2023 NBA trade deadline
Pistons land James Wiseman in four-team deal with Warriors, Hawks and Trail Blazers
- Warriors receive: Gary Payton II
- Pistons receive: James Wiseman
- Hawks receive: Saddiq Bey
- Trail Blazers receive: Kevin Knox, five future second-round picks via Hawks
Pistons trade grade
It's unclear whether or not Wiseman can reach his potential, but a new home is a good start.
Wiseman has shown flashes in his career and was beginning to put things together prior to tearing his meniscus late in his rookie season. He will soon be 22 and matches the developmental timeline of a young core in Detroit that also features Cade Cunningham, Jalen Duren, Killian Hayes, Jaden Ivey and Isaiah Stewart."
Grade: B-
Warriors trade grade
Injuries are the main culprit, but this deal effectively serves as Golden State's admission that the franchise didn't get it right in the 2020 NBA Draft.
Considering the time also saw Golden State win an NBA title, it could have gone much worse…
With the knowledge that Payton is back to reprise the role he played last season, this becomes more of a win for the Warriors.
Grade: B-
— Gilbert McGregor (@GMcGregor21)
Hawks trade grade
Like in most years, Atlanta was in need of a shake-up. Acquiring Bey qualifies as just that…
…A mid-first-round pick in 2020, Bey is making just under $3 million this season and will make $4.6 million next season, making him a value addition for Atlanta, which looks to make a late-season run into the East's top six.
Grade: B+
Trail Blazers trade grade
Knox, 23, was a top-10 pick five years ago, but has yet to find the right spot in the league. He's averaging 5.6 points per game this season, which was his first in Detroit…
Not much of a risk to yield a potentially high reward.
Grade: B
Raptors address hole at center with Jakob Poeltl
- Raptors receive: Jakob Poeltl
- Spurs receive: Khem Birch, 2024 first-round pick (top-six protected), two future second-round picks
Raptors trade grade
Poeltl has a history with Pascal Siakam, Fred VanVleet and Nick Nurse. As long as Siakam and VanVleet are still on the team past the trade deadline, it should make for an easy transition.
If you want a deeper breakdown of Poeltl's game, click here.
Considering how well Poeltl should fit in and what they gave up, this is a good deal for them — assuming, of course, that the Raptors re-sign him in the offseason, which they reportedly intend to.
Grade: B+
Spurs trade grade
The Spurs already have one of the worst records in the NBA and some of the best odds of getting the No. 1 pick in the 2023 NBA Draft. Trading Poeltl should only help their chances of landing Victor Wembanyama or Scoot Henderson.
Grade: B
— Scott Rafferty (@crabdribbles)
76ers deal Matisse Thybulle to Trail Blazers
- Trail Blazers receive: Matisse Thybulle
- 76ers receive: Jalen McDaniels, 2024 second-round pick (from Hornets via Knicks), 2029 second-round pick (Trail Blazers)
- Hornets receive: Svi Mykhaliuk, 2027 second-round pick (Trail Blazers)
Trail Blazers trade grade
Thybulle's perimeter defense makes him a major addition for a Portland team that ranks 26th in the league in defensive rating, but Thybulle alone won't be enough to completely transform the defense.
If he can slash and play well off of Damian Lillard's gravity, Thybulle can get back into an offensive groove and be a plus addition for Portland.
Grade: B
76ers trade grade
As Philadelphia looks to perfect its roster ahead of the deadline, it adds a young piece that can help this year and beyond, as McDaniels is set to enter restricted free agency in 2023.
The Sixers can use a player like McDaniels should they match up with a team like the Celtics or the Bucks this postseason. In order to make a deep run in the playoffs, they'll have to face one or the other, or both.
Grade: A
Hornets trade grade
If McDaniels wasn't in the future plans, that's fine, but he seemed to have much more value than Mykhaliuk and a second-round draft pick four years from now…
…This deal could be the precursor to Charlotte selling big-time at the deadline, but is a reminder that as a rebuilding team, it shouldn't sell low.
Grade: D+
— McGregor
