Instant winners and losers from 2023 NBA trade deadline (updated)

Minnesota Timberwolves – Loser

Even though the Minnesota Timberwolves accomplished the task of adding a veteran point guard, the deal that they made with the Los Angeles Lakers and Utah Jazz still left much to be desired overall. The Wolves didn’t get much for D’Angelo Russell and I’m not sure Mike Conley is going to make all that much of an impact overall.

The Wolves needed to make a big move at the deadline and they didn’t. Even though they didn’t have much wiggle room when it came to their assets, the Wolves needed to try to make a big move almost entirely because of their earlier decision to acquire Rudy Gobert.

I understand the circumstances that they were up against, but the Wolves’ move for Conley felt flat. Maybe another move is coming for the team, but I don’t see how they’ve taken a step forward heading into the stretch run.