NBA: 10 Most impactful moves at the trade deadline

1. James Harden jolts to 76ers, Nets get Ben Simmons in blockbuster deal: After playing just 16 games in over a year alongside Kevin Durant and Kyrie Irving, James Harden reportedly preferred to be traded from Brooklyn as the deadline approached. Since Ben Simmons requested a trade last summer, Daryl Morey has been waiting for Harden to want out and the Sixers president pulled it off and finally got his guy. Both franchises increased their NBA Finals odds as the Nets obtain Simmons, Seth Curry and Andre Drummond, while the 76ers pair Harden with MVP favorite Joel Embiid to form a legitimate contender.

2. Caris LeVert strengthens Cavaliers overachieving roster: Cleveland was reportedly looking to add another starting wing prior to the playoffs and Koby Altman did just that, sending a lottery-protected 2022 first round pick, two future second round selections, and Ricky Rubio (out with season-ending injury) to bring in Caris LeVert from Indiana. The 6'6 forward finished with 42 points and eight assists in his last game with the Pacers. Since the Cavaliers are sitting at 34-21 and only 1.5 games back of first place in the East, the organization thinks LeVert can potentially push them to another level.

3. Kings pick up Domantas Sabonis as Pacers steal Tyrese Haliburton: It wasn't a surprise that Sacramento was prepared to make a splash but it certainly was a shock to see sophomore guard Tyrese Haliburton included in the deal to acquire Domantas Sabonis from the Pacers. Most people expected De'Aaron Fox or even Davion Mitchell to be moved before Haliburton, who averaged 16.6 points and 8.4 assists per game in January. Sabonis gives the Kings a better chance to win now but they are just 21-36 and 2.5 games out of the 10th seed. Indiana also got Buddy Hield in the trade.

4. Montrezl Harrell helps Hornets playoff chances: Charlotte missed the postseason by two games last year and have looked like a surefire playoff team this season until a recent 6-game losing streak. That was enough to convince the front office to make a move to improve the roster immediately. The Wizards traded Harrell for Vernon Carey Jr, Ish Smith and a 2023 second round pick. The former Sixth Man of the Year is averaging 14.1 points and 6.7 rebounds per game this season, and creates another lob threat and roll option with LaMelo Ball. Harrell is a free agent at the end of the year.

5. Spencer Dinwiddie to Dallas, Wizards take on Kristaps Porzingis: The main reason the Mavericks made this trade was to move off Kristaps Porzingis' contract since he's owed $31.6 million this season and more than $33 million per year through 2024 but I'm not sure Spencer Dinwiddie and Davis Bertans make them any better. Jalen Brunson has developed into a quality guard and the Dinwiddie addition seems a bit redundant. Luka Dončić does need more scoring around him so I understand wanting to bring in other offensive options. Dinwiddie is scoring 12.6 points on 37.6% from the field.

6. Trail Blazers blow up backcourt, send CJ McCollum to Pelicans: Portland finally decided to deal CJ McCollum and look towards the future as the organization hopes Damian Lillard can return to form next season. The entire rotation will look completely different with McCollum and Larry Nance getting sent to New Orleans, just days after Robert Covington and Norman Powell were moved to the Clippers. In order to acquire the 20.5-point per game scorer, the Pelicans gave up Josh Hart, Tomáš Satoransky, and multiple picks as they hope to get Zion Williamson back on the court and reach the play-in tournament.

7. Celtics take a chance on Derrick White at point guard: Ime Udoka spent a couple years as an assistant coach with the Spurs so Derrick White shouldn't have any trouble getting acclimated into his system. Boston has won six games in a row to get to 31-25 but Brad Stevens hoped to improve the point guard position so he traded Josh Richardson, Romeo Langford and a first round pick to San Antonio. The Celtics also brought back Daniel Theis and got rid of buyout candidate Denis Schröder. White is 27-years-old and under contract through 2025. He's averaging 14.4 points and 5.6 assists per night.

8. Serge Ibaka sent to Bucks with Brook Lopez sidelined: Milwaukee has been without starting big man Brook Lopez since he went down with a back injury in the season opener. Although the Bucks expect Lopez to return at some point, it's clear the front office was desperate for another center to stretch the floor and protect the paint. Serge Ibaka is averaging 6.6 points on 38.7% from 3-point range in limited playing time with the Clippers. Marvin Bagley III was also sent to the Pistons, while the Kings acquired Donte DiVincenzo, Josh Jackson, Trey Lyles and a second round pick via Detroit.

9. Raptors drop Goran Dragić to add Thaddeus Young: Toronto was rumored to be in the market for a veteran big man and the organization gave up their 2022 first rounder and Goran Dragić to pick up Thaddeus Young. The 33-year-old power forward is only playing 14.2 minutes per game with the Spurs this season but averaged 12.1 points and 6.2 rebounds in 2021. The Raptors are riding an 8-game winning streak and Young will look to seamlessly slide into the rotation. Dragić played just five games with Toronto and is expected to get bought out by San Antonio once the deal is complete.

10. Jazz end the Joe Ingles era after recent injury: The lefty forward suffered a season-ending ACL tear in early February and Utah still decided to trade him at the deadline. The Jazz desperately need more competent ball handlers and shooters so they dealt Joe Ingles, Elijah Hughes and a second pick to the Trail Blazers in exchange for Nickeil Alexander-Walker, who was just acquired from New Orleans this week. Utah also got Juancho Hernangomez in the deal, while San Antonio added Satoransky and a second round pick. Alexander-Walker averaged 12.8 points in 50 games with the Pelicans.

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Photo Credit: USA Today.