NBA Power Rankings: Post Trade Deadline Rankings
By Seth Klein
21. Detroit Pistons (20, -1): Brandon Jennings getting benched in the fourth quarter of the Pistons’ last two games is the latest drama to unfold in Detroit. They were already the first team to fire their coach – stripping Mo Cheeks of his duty on Feb. 9 – and things aren’t getting much better. They have talent, but Joe Dumars has assembled the wrong pieces to fit the puzzle. No team with playoff hopes can go 13-18 on their home court.
Feb 22, 2014; Atlanta, GA, USA; New York Knicks small forward Carmelo Anthony (7) reacts to a three in the second half against the Atlanta Hawks at Philips Arena. The Hawks won 107-98. Mandatory Credit: Daniel Shirey-USA TODAY Sports
22. New Orleans Pelicans (22, NC): Tyreke Evans is becoming a $44-million mistake for New Orleans. The first-year Pelican is clearly in coach Monty Williams’ doghouse, earning just 22.3 minutes of court time in the month of February. It’s not a good sign when a team that’s lost five out of six and is ravaged by injuries is not playing one of their highest-paid players.
23. New York Knicks (21, -2): It’s a circus in Madison Square Garden. And I don’t mean the time of year Barnum and Bailey’s comes to town. The Knicks have lost eight of their last 10 games and have done so in rather embarrassing fashion, losing to the Bucks, Kings and Magic during that span. The team had a trade in place at the deadline, but apparently the paperwork got screwed up, leaving the Knicks with pie splattered all over their faces. Buyouts for Metta World Peace and Beno Udrih will seal the deal of what has become one of the most forgettable seasons in New York basketball history. Carmelo Anthony has been doing his part, averaging 35.8 points – on 49.2 percent shooting – 8.2 rebounds and 1.2 steals over his last five games.
24. Orlando Magic (29, +5): After beating the Thunder and the Pacers on consecutive games just prior to the All-Star break, the Magic have fallen back down the Earth, losing four of their last five. Excitement is in the air in Orlando, though, as they have gotten a glimpse of what the future may hold. In Friday’s double-OT win over the Knicks, No. 2 overall draft pick Victor Oladipo scored 30 points, while dropping 14 dimes and grabbing nine boards.
25. Sacramento Kings (24, -1): I’m not sure what I’d think if I was a Sacramento Kings fan. At the NBA’s Trade Deadline they tried to pry Rajon Rondo away from the Celtics in exchange for Isaiah Thomas and this year’s No. 7 overall draft pick, Ben McLemore. There were also some picks involved. In the end, the trade didn’t happen because Rondo said he wouldn’t sign an extension with the Kings. I don’t know what’s worse: A) the fact that they’d be willing to give up Thomas so easily in the midst of a season in which he’s averaging 20.3 points and 6.4 assists, or B) that Sacramento is that poor of a destination that Rondo would refuse to sign an extension with the team?
26. Boston Celtics (25, -1): It was bit of a surprise that the Celtics didn’t make any moves at the deadline. Guys like Brandon Bass and Kris Humphries were almost guaranteed to have new homes, but nothing happened. The Celtics will continue to play the season with their current squad, but Bostonians shouldn’t be fretting, Danny Ainge knows what he’s doing.
27. Utah Jazz (23, -4): Without Derrick Favors in the lineup the Jazz are 0-9. Even though they are in tank mode, they need their star big man to come back if they want to finish the season on a positive note. On the bright side, Enes Kanter has been playing his butt off while filling in, averaging 22.7 points and 9.0 boards in his last three games.
28. Los Angeles Lakers (28, NC): Steve Blake’s trade up north to Oakland brought Kent Bazemore and MarShon Brooks to L.A. It was actually a trade that could really pay off for the rebuilding Lakers. In their first games in purple and gold, the duo scored 15 and 14 points, respectively. Brooks, who averaged 12.6 points and 3.6 rebounds in his rookie season with the Nets, is especially intriguing.
29. Philadelphia 76ers (27, -2): The Sixers were easily the busiest team at the NBA’s trade deadline. They sent Evan Turner, Spencer Hawes and Lavoy Allen packing, and managed to receive six draft picks in return. The Sixers are bad now, but brighter days loom ahead.
30. Milwaukee Bucks (30, NC): <error> <null>