Winners of the 2023 NBA Trade Deadline: Phoenix Suns, Los Angeles Lakers Get Major Boost With Stunning Deals

• The NBA trade deadline delivered plenty of thrills with several teams stocking up on talent to prepare for the playoff push
• Two teams that vastly improved their lineups were the Phoenix Suns and the Los Angeles Lakers
• The future is looking good for Kevin Durant and LeBron James, with their teams making key deals before the deadline

To say that the deals that beat the 2023 NBA trade deadline were crazy is a severe understatement.

The transactions were jaw-dropping to say the least, with teams trading away their superstars, changing the league’s landscape as we head into the All-Star break.

New super teams have emerged in the Western Conference, with Kevin Durant and Kyrie Irving taking their talents to Phoenix and Dallas, respectively.

Did their new teams win those trades, though? Let’s take a look at the winners of the 2023 NBA trade deadline.

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NBA

Phoenix Suns strike gold

New Suns owner Mat Ishbia made a huge splash before the trade deadline, acquiring former MVP Kevin Durant from Brooklyn in a blockbuster deal. They paid a large sum to seal the transaction, trading away Cam Johnson, Jae Crowder, Mikal Bridges, as well four unprotected future first-round picks to the Nets.

That was a risk the Suns front office was willing to take as they were getting in return one of the best players in NBA history. Durant is a proven winner, capturing the NBA title twice with the Golden State Warriors and taking home the Olympic gold with Team USA three times.

For a franchise that has never won the NBA crown, grabbing Durant was a no-brainer. He still has three years left in his current contract, meaning this Suns core of Devin Booker, Chris Paul, Deandre Ayton, and Durant has plenty of time to bring Phoenix that elusive title.

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NBA

Lakers strengthen for home stretch

The Los Angeles Lakers knew that things needed to change. They are in danger of missing the playoffs for the second consecutive season, with the Lakers ranked 13th in the Western Conference, sporting a paltry 25-30 record.

Making the playoffs is not an impossible task, though, as they are just two games out of a play-in spot. They boosted their chances of reaching the next round after consummating a three-team, eight-player trade with the Utah Jazz and the Minnesota Timberwolves, according to ESPN.

The Lakers finally decided to part ways with former MVP Russell Westbrook, who proved to be a poor on-court fit with LeBron James and Anthony Davis. They managed to improve their roster, acquiring D’Angelo Russell, Malik Beasley and Jarred Vanderbilt in the said deal.

The Lakers further bolstered their lineup, trading Patrick Beverley to the Orlando Magic in exchange for Mo Bamba and Davon Reed. With those moves, the Lakers have put themselves in perfect position to make a late-season surge and grab that coveted playoff spot in the West.

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NBA

Lakers land Bamba in trade

Sports Brief recently reported on the Lakers acquiring Bamba and Reed. Bamba is a solid 3 and D player, providing LA with another frontcourt option.

He is averaging 1.0 block per game this season and 1.4 blocks per game for his career. He is also a 36 percent career 3-point shooter.

Bamba's arrival will enable Davis to slide back into the power forward position.