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Cleveland among ‘winners’ of NBA trade

With the All-Star break over, the NBA season is more than halfway through. Still, there is a lot of drama to be played out. Feb. 23 marked the NBA trade deadline and did not fail to stir up the league. Many teams used the opportunity to bolster their rosters in time to make a final push toward the playoffs.

New Orleans made the biggest headline, acquiring DeMarcus Cousins from Sacramento for rookie Buddy Hield and a first-round pick, NewsOK reports. The blockbuster deal unites Cousins with Anthony Davis, both versatile, big men. According to Sports Illustrated, Cousins is an adept driver and perimeter shooter, while Davis is a prominent jump shooter and pick and roll player. If the two can find a way to share the front court, the Pelicans can make a compelling case for the playoffs. Right now, the Pelicans sit 2.5 games back behind eighth place in the Western Conference.

Back in January, Cleveland traded for Kyle Korver from Atlanta, helping the team’s perimeter game, ESPN reports. Cleveland made further improvements to the roster by signing Deron Williams after he was waived by Dallas. Williams will add debt and the point guard position and deliver the support LeBron James asked for earlier in the year, NewsOK reports. These new additions will help the Cavaliers defend their title.

Toronto looks to chase Cleveland in the Eastern Conference standings. According to CSN Chicago, the Raptors landed a much-needed power forward: Serge Ibaka. Hopefully, Ibaka, traded from Orlando, can thrive alongside Kyle Lowry and DeMar DeRozan. In his first game in a new uniform, Ibaka produced 15 points and seven boards in a win over Boston.

Other teams benefitted from the trade deadline, as well, CBS reports. Oklahoma acquired forward Taj Gibson and shooter Doug McDermott. The Mavericks added Nerlens Noel, a young, defensive-minded player. Lastly, though Indiana made no improvements to its line-up, the team was able to keep Paul George despite trade rumors for George to land in Boston.

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