Breaking: Knicks took a big swing, some shooters are now in the playoff race on NBA trade deadline day

Bojan Bogdanovic, Gordon Hayward, and Doug McDermott found themselves unexpectedly traded on Thursday, reshaping their playoff prospects. Bogdanovic left the struggling Detroit Pistons for the New York Knicks, bolstering the Knicks’ Eastern Conference contender status. Meanwhile, Hayward departed the Charlotte Hornets for the Oklahoma City Thunder, enhancing the Thunder’s surprising success this season. McDermott’s return to the Indiana Pacers from the San Antonio Spurs marked a homecoming for the sharpshooter.

Several other significant moves occurred across the league. The Knicks added Alec Burks alongside Bogdanovic, aiming to improve their shooting and strengthen their playoff position. The Philadelphia 76ers acquired Buddy Hield to fortify their roster, particularly in the absence of injured MVP Joel Embiid. Additionally, the Phoenix Suns and Dallas Mavericks enhanced their frontcourt depth with acquisitions from the Brooklyn Nets and Charlotte Hornets, respectively.

Players like Bogdanovic expressed excitement about the league’s increased competitiveness following the deadline deals. The trades also saw familiar faces returning to former teams, such as McDermott’s reunion with the Pacers and Kelly Olynyk’s move to the Toronto Raptors from the Utah Jazz.

Milwaukee made notable acquisitions, including Patrick Beverley and the departure of Robin Lopez to the Sacramento Kings. Dejounte Murray stayed put with the Atlanta Hawks amidst trade speculations, while reigning champions the Denver Nuggets and Miami Heat remained relatively quiet after earlier trade moves.

The Los Angeles Lakers and Golden State Warriors opted not to make deadline deals, despite their playoff aspirations. Similarly, the Cleveland Cavaliers, enjoying recent success, chose to maintain their roster stability.

The deadline’s challenge stemmed from the competitiveness among teams vying for playoff contention, with most teams still in the running. This dynamic led some teams to refrain from making major moves, focusing instead on potential additions through the buyout market. Notable players like Kyle Lowry and Spencer Dinwiddie could become sought-after assets in the buyout market following trade deadline moves.