Who wins in four-team, 12-player trade on February 4?
Li Xiang
(L to R) Minnesota Timberwolves, Houston Rockets, Denver Nuggets and Atlanta Hawks /VCG Photo

(L to R) Minnesota Timberwolves, Houston Rockets, Denver Nuggets and Atlanta Hawks /VCG Photo

Finally, someone broke the awful quietness of the NBA trade market.

Four teams, the Minnesota Timberwolves, the Houston Rockets, the Atlanta Hawks, and the Denver Nuggets, agreed on a 12-player trade on Tuesday, according to ESPN. The details of the trade came as follows:

(L to R, Top to Bottom): Noah Vonleh, Keita Bates-Diop, Evan Turner, Jordan Bell, Robert Covington, Shabazz Napier, Nene, Clint Capela, Gerald Green, Malik Beasley, Juan Hernangomez and Jarred Vanderbilt. /VCG Photo

(L to R, Top to Bottom): Noah Vonleh, Keita Bates-Diop, Evan Turner, Jordan Bell, Robert Covington, Shabazz Napier, Nene, Clint Capela, Gerald Green, Malik Beasley, Juan Hernangomez and Jarred Vanderbilt. /VCG Photo

The Timberwolves sent away Robert Covington, Jordan Bell, Shabazz Napier, Keita Bates-Diop and Noah Vonleh, acquired Evan Turner (Hawks), Malik Beasley (Nuggets), Juan Hernangomez (Nuggets), Jarred Vanderbilt (Nuggets) and a 2020 first-round pick (from the Hawks via the Brooklyn Nets).

The Rockets sent away Clint Capela, Nene, Gerald Green, and a 2020 first-round pick, acquired Covington (Timberwolves), Bell (Timberwolves), and a 2024 second-round pick (Hawks via the Golden State Warriors).

The Hawks sent away Turner and a 2024 second-round pick, acquired Capela (Rockets) and Nene (Rockets).

The Nuggets sent away Beasley, Hernangomez and Vanderbilt, acquired Green (Rockets), Diop (Timberwolves), Vonleh (Timberwolves), Napier (Timberwolves) and a 2020 first-round pick (Rockets).

So, who is the biggest winner in "the NBA's most expansive trade in nearly 20 years" (in ESPN's words)?

Andrew Wiggins of the Minnesota Timberwovles reacts in the game against the Sacramento Kings at the Target Center in Minneapolis, Minnesota, January 27, 2020. /VCG Photo

Andrew Wiggins of the Minnesota Timberwovles reacts in the game against the Sacramento Kings at the Target Center in Minneapolis, Minnesota, January 27, 2020. /VCG Photo

The Timberwolves dealt with the most assets, but what they got are probably the least valuable. This season has already ceased to be hopeful for them. Of all the players they sent away, only Covington deserves a starting spot in a champion candidate team. As for what they got, Turner is a one-year, 18-million-U.S.-dollar contract for salary space releasing next summer; Beasley and Vanderbilt are more like lottery tickets; Hernangomez can make certain contributions off the bench; the 2020 first-round pick can be a good part of following possible deals.

There are also problems. Both Beasley and Hernangomez will see their contracts expire next summer. Should they be kept? If so, at what cost? These used to be Denver's problem until Tuesday. More importantly, Beasley is a swingman, like Jarrett Culver and Josh Okogie. The latter two are younger and have longer rookie contracts.

D' Angelo Russell of the Golden State Warriors reacts in the game against the Philadelphia 76ers at the Wells Fargo Center in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, January 28, 2020. /VCG Photo

D' Angelo Russell of the Golden State Warriors reacts in the game against the Philadelphia 76ers at the Wells Fargo Center in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, January 28, 2020. /VCG Photo

It remains unknown if this is a good deal for Minnesota before their front office talks to Golden State over the trade about D'Angelo Russell. It's hard to imagine Golden State will be interested in Andrew Wiggins, just like it's hard to imagine that Minnesota will even mention the name of Karl-Anthony Towns.

Robert Covington of the Minnesota Timberwolves celebrates after burying a 3-pointer in the game against the Sacramento Kings at the Target Center in Minneapolis, Minnesota, January 27, 2020. /VCG Photo

Robert Covington of the Minnesota Timberwolves celebrates after burying a 3-pointer in the game against the Sacramento Kings at the Target Center in Minneapolis, Minnesota, January 27, 2020. /VCG Photo

The Rockets seemed to have suffered the biggest loss as they got rid of the only two qualified big men, Capela and Nene. Many teams have already enjoyed free offensive rebound buffet in the Rockets' paint; it's hard to assume that giving 1.98-meter-tall P.J. Tucker longer time as a center, despite what a great defender he is, can help improve the situation. Of course, the Rockets still have 37-year-old Tyson Chandler, but they also have Isaiah Hartenstein, if that matters at all.

On the good side, acquiring Covington means that Houston can again send a squad, all five of which can shoot 3-pointers (maybe not Russell Westbrook) in offense and can switch everything in defense. In fact, almost all teams this season have chosen to double team Harden in all possible ways you can or cannot imagine in the game against Houston. Therefore, the team are desperate to add even one more space-stretching option to the court. Covington is a qualified option, and the only concern over him is his health.

Tilman Fertitta, owner of the Houston Rockets, attends Game 5 of the 2019 NBA playoffs between his team and the Utah Jazz at the Toyota Center in Houston, Texas, April 24, 2019. /VCG Photo

Tilman Fertitta, owner of the Houston Rockets, attends Game 5 of the 2019 NBA playoffs between his team and the Utah Jazz at the Toyota Center in Houston, Texas, April 24, 2019. /VCG Photo

One benefit that the Rockets received from this deal may not be pleasant to their fans. They managed to avoid luxury tax again thanks to Covington's good contract. Again this is another opportunity for Rockets fans to learn a fact: when team owner Tilman Fertitta said he's willing to pay for a champion team, he doesn't really mean it.

Trae Young of the Atlanta Hawks handles the ball in the game against the Boston Celtics at the State Farm Arena in Atlanta, Georgia, February 3, 2020. /VCG Photo

Trae Young of the Atlanta Hawks handles the ball in the game against the Boston Celtics at the State Farm Arena in Atlanta, Georgia, February 3, 2020. /VCG Photo

The deal is much simpler for the Hawks. Their second-year franchise player Trae Young is one of the best pick-roll guards in today's league. His great passing ability can make sure that Capela gets enough opportunities for alley-oop and open dunks. Besides, the Hawks' defense currently are the third-worst of the league; any help is a good help for them.

The deal did not have much impact on the Nuggets. Beasley is no longer the wonder kid he was last season. He and Hernangomez received a longer time recently only because of the team's injuries. As their players get healthier, they won't miss Beasley and Hernangomez, not to mention that Michael Porter Jr. and Jerami Grant are shouldering bigger roles.