NBA: 3 biggest winners from the 2022 trade deadline

Philadelphia 76ers

It’s no surprise to see the Philadelphia 76ers on this list. They essentially swapped a player that was never going to play for them again (a sunk cost) for a perennial all-star that is averaging nearly a triple-double on 23 points per game.

From a strictly on-paper point of view, the Sixers have to be considered one of the best teams in the Eastern Conference. Especially considering the level that Joel Embiid was playing at even before this deal was done. Embiid is a level NBA MVP candidate and the Sixers managed to add another one.

The on-court fit and chemistry building over the last couple of months of the season will be fascinating to watch, but there’s no question that the Sixers have emerged from the trade deadline as big winners.