NBA trade deadline winners and losers

Stay on top of all the deals that went down on deadline day with theScore's NBA trade tracker.

This year's NBA trade deadline didn't bring the monumental, game-changing moves many had hoped it would.

Big names like Dwight Howard, Ryan Anderson, Kevin Love, and Al Horford all stayed with their respective teams, while moves that did get made - including players like Markieff Morris and Jeff Green - aren't exactly going to be moving the needle.

Here's a look at some of the winners and losers now that the 3 p.m. ET deadline has come and gone:

Winner: Cleveland Cavaliers

Gained: PF Channing Frye

Lost: C Anderson Varejao, G Jared Cunningham, 2018 first round pick (Portland Trail Blazers)

With a firm grip on the top seed in the Eastern Conference, the Cavaliers didn't need to make any desperation moves to solidify its roster, knowing full and well that with their core intact, they should still be the favorites to return to the NBA Finals for a second year in a row.

Landing Frye gives head coach Tyronn Lue another big who can stretch the floor and provide some offense off the bench for a second unit that ranks 28th in the league in scoring. While Varejao was undoubtedly a fan favorite during his 12-year run with the franchise, losing his clunky contract will save the team more than $10 million in salary and taxes, which is a definite plus considering he wasn't a factor in the rotation.

Loser: Los Angeles Clippers

Gained: F Jeff Green

Lost: G/F Lance Stephenson, 2019 first round pick (lottery protected)

The Clippers continue to look for some sort of answer at the small forward position, having rolled through a number of options before landing on a player in Green who defines inconsistency in the basketball handbook.

The fact that he can walk as an unrestricted free agent at season's end doesn't help matters, but having to toss in a protected first-rounder - which they may need if Chris Paul and Blake Griffin depart - to procure what's essentially a rental makes little sense.

Winner: Detroit Pistons

Gained: F Donatas Motiejunas, G/F Marcus Thornton

Lost: C Joel Anthony, 2016 first round pick

Stan Van Gundy isn't messing around in the Motor City. Just half a game out of the eighth and final playoff spot in the East, the Pistons have taken significant strides towards ending their postseason drought.

Related: Stan Van Gundy building future contender in Detroit

Motiejunas brings red flags with a lingering back issue, but he's only 25-years-old, and is a solid source of points and mid-range shooting when he does see the floor. Thornton can fill the role Jodie Meeks had before he fractured his foot, and comes on a cheap, $1.8-million expiring deal. Don't forget Tobias Harris, who Detroit stole from the Magic on Tuesday.

Loser: Houston Rockets

Gained: 2016 first-round pick (top-eight protected), rights to F Chukwudiebere Maduabum

Lost: F Donatas Motiejunas, G/F Marcus Thornton, C Joel Anthony (From Pistons, to Philadelphia 76ers)

Howard can still call the Lone Star State his home, but for how much longer is anyone's guess. The eight-time All-Star had been linked to what seemed like every other team in the NBA, with Rockets management trying to unload a gargantuan contract for a big man who reportedly wanted to head to greener pastures.

Now, the doomsday clock is seemingly winding down on Howard, who could easily leave the franchise high and dry without any compensation as he searches for max money.

Winner: Washington Wizards

Gained: PF Markieff Morris,

Lost: PF Kris Humphries, C DeJuan Blair, 2016 first round pick (top-nine protected)

From a sheer talent perspective, Morris is someone who can immediately help get the Wizards out of their rut and back into the playoff picture. He's only making $24 million over the next three seasons, so Washington won't break the bank to keep him with the rising salary cap, and he's a surefire upgrade at the four spot over what the team gave up to get him.

The problem is that he comes with a ton of baggage, including a pending assault case, on top of some very public lapses in judgement with his former head coach and one of his teammates. A change of scenery was sorely needed, and if his head is on straight, Morris should fit in nicely alongside John Wall and Bradley Beal.