Evaluating NBA Trade Deadline

Pelicans acquisition of DeMarcus Cousins could propel team past Nuggets into playoffs

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photo courtesy of The Sporting News

DeMarcus Cousins was the biggest name to move during last week’s NBA Trade Deadline. Cousins will team with fellow big man Anthony Davis as the two try to get the New Orleans Pelicans into the playoffs.

Drew Kain, Staff Writer

The NBA trade deadline stirred up some major media buzz with Sacramento trading away DeMarcus Cousins, and the Celtics opting to stay completely isolated.

While many people think the New Orleans Pelicans got the best ‘bang for their buck’, a few other teams also made a splash.

The Golden State Warriors and the Cleveland Cavaliers (ranked 1 and 2 respectively in the NBA) both opted to stay silent in this year’s trade negotiations. While many hoped for another ‘Kevin Durant’ like deal, the fact of the matter is that both teams won by not picking anyone new up.

The Warriors and Cavs are facing little competition from other teams in their conference, and the chance of another Cavs vs. Warriors NBA Finals is quite high.

The Boston Celtics also decided to stay out of trade talks, shocking many as acquiring Indiana Pacers small forward, Paul George, was a real possibility. The Celtics do however possess the 6th pick in this year’s draft, so many believe they are holding out for Josh Jackson (Kansas) or Dillon Brooks (Oregon).

The Oklahoma City Thunder acquired power forward Taj Gibson and small forward Doug McDermott from the Bulls, but will still lack against powerhouses the like Warriors in the playoffs.

The Pelicans were probably the smartest and best beneficiaries of the trade.

They received DeMarcus Cousins from the Kings. While having Anthony Davis and Cousins on the floor at same time limits perimeter shooting and puts more pressure on Jrue Holiday, the only decent point guard, having such a dynamic player such as Cousins on the roster only adds to the this team’s potential.

While the Pelicans are still holding out for a new addition to the backcourt in free agency, coach Alvin Gentry is hopeful that adding Cousins could help push this team into playoff contention. Being only 2.5 games behind a playoff spot in the West, Gentry remains optimistic that Cousins and Davis will be enough to propel them into a serious contender in the West.

The Kings aren’t looking so hot coming out of the trade deadline. Trading away the only all-star on the roster in return for Buddy Hield and a 2017 first round pick. Hield could potentially evolve into an offensive superstar but until that does or doesn’t happen, the Kings have many analysts shaking their heads in confusion.

The New York Knicks have been plagued by bad media exposure the last couple of months with Phil Jackson and Carmelo Anthony repeatedly taking jabs at one another. While the Knicks would’ve liked to trade Anthony, they are stuck with him for another few months at the least.

While Anthony isn’t exactly in high demand as he used to be, the best option for the aging superstar would to probably just go to a playoff caliber team and become a role player. This would allow Anthony a better chance at winning a championship before having to hang up the jersey for good.