The NBA trade deadline brought both excitement and disappointment as teams looked to bolster their rosters for a playoff push. While the Denver Nuggets chose to stay put, several contenders made moves in an attempt to dethrone them from their throne. Let's take a closer look at the winners and losers of the trade deadline.

The New York Knicks emerged as winners with their proactive approach. They acquired Bojan Bogdanovic and Alec Burks at a relatively low cost, solidifying their position as a win-now team in the Eastern Conference. With other top teams like Milwaukee and Philadelphia facing challenges, the Knicks took advantage and transformed themselves into a formidable competitor.

On the other hand, the Oklahoma City Thunder failed to address their biggest need. Despite adding Gordon Hayward, an outstanding veteran presence, they neglected to add a traditional center to their roster. This leaves them vulnerable against dominant big men like Nikola Jokic in a long series. With a horde of draft assets at their disposal, the Thunder missed an opportunity to fortify their lineup.

In a high-profile trade, the Dallas Mavericks overpaid for P.J. Washington, hoping to make up for the Grant Williams Experiment that didn't pan out. However, the trade came at the cost of a valuable first-round pick, leaving their future prospects in doubt. With a shrinking pool of draft assets, the Mavericks are taking risks in the hopes of extending the Luka Doncic era.

The Boston Celtics made a smart depth move by acquiring Xavier Tillman, a playable backup big, to support injury-prone players like Kristaps Porzingis and aging Al Horford. This move was seen as a tailored response to a potential matchup against the Nuggets in the NBA Finals. With two second-round picks, Boston added a valuable asset without breaking the bank.

Former Nuggets backup point guards also made headlines during the trade deadline. One of them, who was with the Detroit Pistons, joined the Minnesota Timberwolves, a Western Conference title contender. This move was seen as a smart trade for the Timberwolves, who needed additional offensive support for their strong defensive unit.

However, another former Nuggets backup point guard, Keifer Brown, found himself temporarily stranded in Canada after the Toronto Raptors failed to find a trade for him. The Raptors made questionable decisions, including forfeiting a 2024 first-round pick for Kelly Olynyk and Ochai Agbaji, leaving fans scratching their heads.

As the dust settles after the NBA trade deadline, it remains to be seen how these various moves will impact the playoff race. The Knicks have positioned themselves as a serious threat in the East, while the Thunder's failure to address their needs could come back to haunt them. Only time will tell which teams emerge as winners or losers in their pursuit of the championship.