THE NBA trade deadline came and went with a puff of smoke. There weren’t the massive headline deals to follow up the Cousins move, with rumoured names like Blake Griffin and Jimmy Butler staying put. Plenty of the trades that were made though had relevance around the league, so what better way to recap all the moves than by electing an emoji for every move?

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Denver Nuggets get: Mason Plumlee, 2018 2nd round pick

Portland Trailblazers get: Jusuf Nurkic, 2017 1st round pick (top 5 protected from Memphis, via Denver)

Nuggets = 😊 Blazers = 😁

THERE was no denying the fact that the Nuggets wanted to get rid of Nurkic and turning him into Plumlee is a smart move for them. On the other hand, Nurkic gives Portland a strong inside presence who can hopefully turn into a decent player. A good move for Portland, a great move for Denver

Orlando Magic get: Terrence Ross, less favourable of Clippers and Raptors 2017 1st round pick

Toronto Raptors get: Serge Ibaka

Magic = 😂 Raptors = 👊

TORONTO gets their coveted power forward, who can hopefully be the final piece of the puzzle to help them dethrone the Cavs out East. Orlando, what can I say. They continue their run of laughable moves. Fingers crossed they can turn the corner soon.

Image from nba.com

Charlotte Hornets get: Chris Andersen

Cleveland Cavaliers get: 2017 2nd round (top 55 protected)

Hornets = 😶 Cavs = 😶

This trade means nothing, clearly a tactical move by the Cavs to clear a roster spot. Thanks for helping Charlotte!

New Orleans Pelicans get: DeMarcus Cousins, Omri Casspi

Sacramento Kings get: Buddy Hield, Tyreke Evans, Langston Galloway,  2017 1st round pick (top 3 protected), 2017 2nd round pick (from Philadelphia, via New Orleans)

Pels = 🔥 Kings = 💩

EASILY the biggest move of the trade deadline. The Pels pulled off a great trade getting Anthony Davis another star, and the Kings continue to emerge as the laughing stock of the NBA. Fingers crossed, for their fans sanity more than anything, Buddy Hield emerges as a good player.

Houston Rockets get: Lou Williams

Los Angeles Lakers get: Corey Brewer, 2017 1st round pick

Rockets = 😄 Lakers = 😈

HOUSTON gets another shooter and a great scorer, to add to their already deep list of long ball threats. Clearly, the Lakers are making this trade so they can continue to lose and keep their draft pick this year (if it falls outside the top three it goes to the 76ers). Smart.

Washington Wizards get: Bojan Bogdanovic, Chris McCullough

Brooklyn Nets get: Andrew Nicholson, Marcus Thornton, 2017 1st round pick (lottery protected)

Wizards = ✅ Nets = 😏

WASHINGTON has emerged as a legit threat as of late, but they lacked depth on their bench. They checked that off while helping Brooklyn build for the future with a draft pick. Smile Nets fans, things are slowly getting better.

Image from netsdaily.com

Atlanta Hawks get: Ersan Ilyasova

Philadelphia 76ers get: Tiago Splitter, 2017 2nd round pick (from Miami, via Atlanta), rights to swap 2017 2nd round picks with Atlanta

Hawks = 😕 Sixers = ⏳

ADDING Ilyasova gives Atlanta more frontcourt depth with one eye on the playoffs, but as long as Lebron is alive does it really matter? Philly did the right thing moving Ilyasova to give their younger guys more court time. Trust the process.

Dallas Mavericks get: Nerlens Noel

Philadelphia 76ers get: Andrew Bogut, Justin Anderson, 2017 1st round pick (top 18 protected)

Mavs = 😍 76ers = 👎

I love this trade for the Mavs. Adding Noel is an absolute steal for Bogut and Anderson. The 76ers were eager to move Noel, although I think they will regret this move. He has the potential to be a great defensive energy guy for a championship team.

Brooklyn Nets get: K.J. McDaniels

Houston Rockets get: Cap Space/Trade Exception

Nets = 💯 Rockets = 👍

I rate K.J. McDaniels. The Nets need as many capable bodies as possible and look like they are making moves to go in the right direction. The Rockets make this move to free up money/minutes for Williams and Gordon.

Chicago Bulls get: Anthony Morrow, Cameron Payne, Joffrey Lauvergne

Oklahoma City Thunder get: Taj Gibson, Doug McDermott, 2018 2nd round pick

Bulls = 😣 Thunder = 😇

DOUG McDermott is the three point saviour for OKC! Well maybe that’s a stretch but he definitely fills an immediate need for the Thunder. Payne is a good get for the Bulls, the rest of the deal isn’t great for them though.

Image from si.com

Los Angeles Lakers get: Tyler Ennis

Houston Rockets get: Marcelo Huertas

Lakers = 👏 Rockets = 😉

MUCH like the McDaniel’s deal above the Rockets make this move with their aim to waive Huertas, for financial/minutes purposes. Adding Tyler Ennis to their young squad for literally nothing isn’t a bad thing at all.

Denver Nuggets get: Roy Hibbert

Milwaukee Bucks get: $5 million trade exception, heavily protected 2nd round pick

Nuggets = 💰 Bucks = 💰

MONEY, money, money. That’s the only reason both teams made this move. Let’s move on.

Phoenix Suns get: Mike Scott

Atlanta Hawks get: Cash/Trade Exception

Suns = 😧 Hawks = 🔪

CUTTING costs is always a theme of trade deadline moves. The Hawks motivation was clear but it’s puzzling for the Suns to do this deal for a dude they plan on delisting.

Toronto Raptors get: P.J. Tucker

Phoenix Suns get: Jared Sullinger, 2017 2nd round pick, 2018 2nd round pick

Raptors = 👌 Suns = 🍺

PHOENIX frustrated me over the trade period. They got rid of Tucker and gained Sullinger and Scott, with plans to waive both players. Why? They are clearly drunk.

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