2015 NBA trade deadline's winners and losers

After a frenetic trade deadline, Kevin Garnett stood out as one of the day's biggest winners.

The Minnesota Timberwolves drafted Garnett with the fifth overall pick in 1995. The 15-time All-Star became the franchise's all-time leader in scoring and many other categories while leading them to eight straight playoff appearances. The struggling T'wolves convinced Garnett to waive his no-trade clause to return in a trade that sent Thaddeus Young to the Brooklyn Nets.

Garnett is 38 years old and is averaging 6.8 points and 6.8 rebounds in the final stretch of his career. Still, the Timberwolves are expected to give him a contract extension. Garnett is making $12 million in the final year of his deal.

Moreover, Garnett told Yahoo Sports last November that he was interested in owning the T'wolves when he retires. A Wolves source also previously said Garnett would likely become a minority owner before eventually getting help from investors to buy the team. His return will likely ease the road to an eventual ownership move.

The Timberwolves hope to benefit from Garnett's leadership. He has a reputation for mentoring young teammates, especially big men. The T'wolves are loaded with a long list of young talent: Andrew Wiggins, Ricky Rubio, Zach LaVine, Shabazz Muhammad, Gorgui Dieng, Adreian Payne, Anthony Bennett and Glenn Robinson III.

Another cool thing is the possible sight of Grammy-winning record producer Jimmy Jam, Garnett's brother-in-law, sitting courtside at games again.

WINNERS

Goran Dragic: Dragic successfully forced his way to one of his preferred trade destinations. Tired of the Phoenix Suns' three-guard system, Dragic and his representatives told franchise officials that he wanted to be traded and would not re-sign this summer if they kept him. The Heat, Los Angeles Lakers and the New York Knicks were on Dragic's short list. Dragic got the best of the three choices – the only playoff contender – in the Heat.

Dragic joins forces with All-Stars Dwyane Wade and Chris Bosh, forward Luol Deng and improved center Hassan Whiteside to form a formidable starting five for Miami, if healthy. The Heat could be a dangerous opponent against a higher-seeded Eastern Conference playoff team in the first round. Expect Dragic to re-sign with the Heat, a league source said.

Oklahoma City Thunder:

Kevin Durant and Russell Westbrook lead the Oklahoma City Thunder. But in new center Enes Kanter, who was acquired from the Utah Jazz, the Thunder get a young post presence who could pay dividends, both immediately and long-term. Kanter averaged 13.8 points and 7.8 rebounds in 27.8 minutes per game for Utah, but is weak defensively.

The Thunder also added depth in veteran point guard D.J. Augustin, who, like Durant, went to Texas, sharpshooter Steve Novak and forward Kyle Singler. The Thunder traded Kendrick Perkins and disgruntled guard Reggie Jackson.

Phoenix Suns: The Suns made the best of the Dragic situation by acquiring Milwaukee Bucks starting point guard Brandon Knight and three first-round picks in two separate trades. Knight averaged 17.8 points, 5.4 assists and 4.3 rebounds for the Bucks and was an East All-Star candidate. He has the talent to replace Dragic in the backcourt with Eric Bledsoe.

The Suns gave up a potentially valuable pick: the 2015 first-rounder the Los Angeles Lakers owed them for Steve Nash sign-and-trade. The pick is top-five protected.

Portland Trail Blazers: The Blazers had been wanting to add a reserve swingman with small forward Nicolas Batum struggling. Portland filled that need by acquiring a starting-caliber shooting guard in Arron Afflalo, who was averaging 14.5 points with Denver. Afflalo will probably be rejuvenated playing on a contender with talented teammates.

LOSERS

Philadelphia 76ers: Add another chapter to the confusing moves made by Philadelphia 76ers general manager Sam Hinkie. This time he traded reigning Rookie of the Year Michael Carter-Williams to the Milwaukee Bucks. The Sixers got a protected 2015 first round pick from the Suns via the Los Angeles Lakers. That pick is top-five protected this year.

Hinkie also traded talented rookie forward K.J. McDaniels to the Houston Rockets for seldom-used guard Isaiah Canaan and a second-round pick. McDaniels' mother, Shawn Chapman McDaniels, also is probably happy with her son being traded – she had heckled the team at games. The Sixers also acquired oft-injured and eccentric center JaVale McGee from the Denver Nuggets.

Then there was this tweet from injured Sixers rookie center Joel Embiid:

Thaddeus Young: Young went from playing for a bad Sixers team to being traded to a bad T'wolves team to now being traded to a bad Nets team – all since Aug. 23. The somewhat good news for Young is he can enjoy the New York-area until season's end and be a free agent this summer if he chooses to opt out.

Brooklyn Nets: The Nets couldn't consummate a trade for center Brook Lopez with the Thunder as hoped. OKC opted to get a younger, cheaper and healthier option in Kanter. The Nets probably could've got the trade done last month, but dragged their feet. While Young is a talented acquisition in exchange for Garnett, he could be a free agent this summer.

Los Angeles Clippers: The Clippers were hoping to use their two roster spots to sign some combination of Amar'e Stoudemire, Kevin Garnett and Tayshaun Prince. Stoudemire signed with Dallas as a free agent. Garnett was traded from the Brooklyn Nets to his old team, the Minnesota Timberwolves. Prince was traded from the Boston Celtics to his old team, the Detroit Pistons.

The Clippers are still without a veteran power forward to ease the loss of injured All-Star Blake Griffin. They also need a veteran small forward. Now, the Clippers will make a run at trying to sign center Kendrick Perkins once he clears waivers, but face stiff competition from the Dallas Mavericks and Chicago Bulls.

Another problem: Los Angeles also might have a disgruntled guard in Jamal Crawford, who feels underappreciated and is tired of being involved in trade rumors.

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