Top 3 Missed Opportunities at the NBA Trade Deadline

The NBA trade deadline has come and gone and basically every team in the league is not set for the rest of the season – with the exception of the buyout market. 

From superstars to benchwarmers to draft picks, everything was traded today. While a lot was traded today, many teams either made the wrong move or sat on the sideline and missed their opportunity to get better. 

Here are the top three teams that missed a golden opportunity today.

Dallas Mavericks

Luka Doncic should let the dust settle after today and immediately request a trade from the Dallas Mavericks. They traded Kristaps Porzingis to the Washington Wizards for Spencer Dinwiddie and Davis Bertans. Doncic is the point guard on the Mavericks and they do not need another guard. The Mavericks now have three point guards and are rumored to be in the market for Goran Dragic. 

This was an opportunity for the Mavericks to actually get better and they made a lateral move in the process. Doncic has put up historic numbers his entire tenure in Dallas and they continue to fail him with terrible roster construction.

Charlotte Hornets

The Hornets traded for Montrezl Harrell, but that was the wrong big man. Charlotte should’ve found a way to get Myles Turner on their team. Indiana wants to tear down their operation. Domantas Sabonis is gone, Tyrese Haliburton is in and Turner has expressed his frustration with the direction of the team. 

The Hornets could’ve had an elite rim protector to anchor their defense and a stretch 5. Without Turner, they’ll just be a good team that goes home in the first round. 

Los Angeles Lakers

The Lakers needed to make a deal, BADLY. After losing to essentially a G-league team in the Portland Trail Blazers, everyone knew something had to be done. However, the Lakers sat on their hands and stood pat with their roster. 

The main move that could’ve been made was trading Russell Westbrook back to the Rockets for John Wall. The money would’ve worked and it would’ve provided new life for the Lakers. Now they are stuck.