This was one of the wildest NBA trade deadlines in history, with plenty of All-Star players changing places. For this article, we are not going to do grades and winners\/losers, but we can certainly take a look at players that fit their new place after the trade deadline.<\/p>\n
We can talk all day about how Luka Doncic<\/a> fits in Los Angeles. But let\u2019s take a look at the more underrated great fits. Doncic will be the face of the Lakers for years to come, but we want to see players that improve the team around the edges. Here are seven of those players.<\/p>\n Kyle Kuzma<\/a> has been stuck in Washington for the last few years, and people forget that he is a quality player. Everything looks worse on the Wizards, especially when you add Jordan Poole<\/a> to the mix. Kuzma will be a difference-maker in Milwaukee. The Bucks traded Khris Middleton<\/a>, but we have to admit, he was more injured than available in the last two seasons.<\/p>\n Kuzma is younger and has never played fewer than 61 games in a season (although he has missed 18 this year so far). Middleton is the better shooter, but Kuzma is more athletic. He has proven before that he can be a third option on a championship-contending team. This season, Kuzma averages 15.2 points, 5.8 rebounds, and 2.5 assists. Middleton, on the other hand, averages 12.6 points, 3.7 rebounds, and 4.4 assists.<\/p>\n The Cleveland Cavaliers finally get their starting small forward. For the last few years, the Cavs lacked an above-average starting small forward. De\u2019Andre Hunter<\/a> should change that. He is having a breakout season, averaging 19 points, 3.9 rebounds, and 1.5 assists on 46% shooting from the floor and 39% from behind the arc. Hunter will slide perfectly with the Cavs’ playing style, which is to shoot threes and run the fast break.<\/p>\n The only downside for the Cavs is they will have him on their payroll for two more years<\/a>. The Cavs will be an expensive team<\/a> in the following years. A title can justify that. They are fully all-in for the next two to three years.<\/p>\n Both Doncic and LeBron James<\/a> thrive with a rolling big man. Mark Williams<\/a> has one of the largest wingspans in the league, and he will be a dangerous lob threat for opposing teams.<\/p>\n Some fans may not be happy with the trade and might think the Lakers gave up too much<\/a>. But getting a 23-year-old center to play with Doncic is an amazing move. The only downside is that Williams is injury-prone, but the Lakers didn\u2019t have many more options. He is the perfect center to play with their two ball-dominant scorers.<\/p>\n Bogdan Bogdanovic<\/a> fills an immediate need for the Los Angeles Clippers. They lacked a true sixth man all year, and now they have it. While he will likely come off the bench, Bogdanovic can play close to starter minutes. This season he is having an off-year from behind the arc, but he is a career 38% shooter from deep.<\/p>\n The Clippers gave up some rotation players in other deals at the deadline. However, they now have a true leader coming off the bench.<\/p>\n The Hornets traded away their two centers, and now Jusuf Nurkic<\/a> can come and step in as a starter. After trading away Nick Richards<\/a> and Mark Williams, the Hornets only have 23-year-old Moussa Diabate<\/a>. Nurkic can now play starter-level minutes and increase his value. He hasn\u2019t played since January 7.<\/p>\n Let\u2019s not forget that Nurkic is 30 years old, and if he improves his value, some contender might trade for him in the summer. He will have one more year left on his contract at $19 million.<\/p>\n Looking at the NBA trade deadline, the Charlotte Hornets got two players that will fit great in their system. They can use Nurkic as a trade asset in the summer, and Dalton Knecht<\/a> can be part of their future.<\/p>\n Knecht was a great player to have alongside LeBron. The rookie had a great three-week stretch in November and December, but other than that, he has been average. That is what you can expect from a 16th pick in the draft.<\/p>\n In Charlotte, Knecht gets to play alongside another great playmaker in LaMelo Ball<\/a>. More importantly, he doesn\u2019t have to face the pressure of playing in Los Angeles. Knecht will be a great shooter in a couple of years if he continues working on his game. He will have plenty of opportunities in Charlotte.<\/p>\n Andrew Wiggins<\/a> will slide into the spot that Jimmy Butler<\/a> occupied in Miami. Yet, unlike Butler, Wiggins is comfortable playing a side role. The Heat can run their offense through Bam Adebayo<\/a> and Tyler Herro<\/a> and have Wiggins as their third option.<\/p>\nKyle Kuzma in Milwaukee<\/h3>\n
De\u2019Andre Hunter in Cleveland<\/h3>\n
Mark Williams in Los Angeles<\/h3>\n
Bogdan Bogdanovic in Los Angeles<\/h3>\n
Jusuf Nurkic in Charlotte<\/h3>\n
Dalton Knecht in Charlotte<\/h3>\n
Andrew Wiggins in Miami<\/h3>\n