The NBA has gone from interesting to a few teams showing their might while others have done nothing but underachieve or been mediocre. Lets see what the deadline has in store for us?
First off let’s start off with the Milwaukee Bucks. Ever since Jrue Holiday returned from the COVID list they have been “EN FUEGO!” Led by Giannis Antetokounmpo (GREEK THEATER!) Khris Middleton plus the emergence of Bryn Forbes and Donte Divencenzo. Dating back to the moment when the talking heads at ESPN called for Coach Buds head they have won 13 of 14. Like past years they went for less flash and more substance. Trading DJ Augustin and DJ Wilson to the Rockets for a defensive powerhouse and deadly 3 point shooter in PJ Tucker as well as an impact guard in Jeff Teague. More of a name now a days but he still is a huge asset for them all in push. I know people are saying they aren’t scared of this team but they are the only unit offensively that can keep up with the new age “Super Team.” Even if they have hit a bit of a skid they are very focused on succeeding in the playoffs. (Please beat the Nets!)
They may be getting themselves the return of their great rivalry with the Chicago Bulls. Even though they struck out on the Anthony Davis sweepstakes, Da Bulls have enough space and draft capital to make a move or 2 to help out Zach Lavine. It’s at this moment when Billy Donovan wants the hype that his neighbors up I94 have. The result BOOM! A blockbuster trade for Nikola Vucevic. It may have cost them a couple of picks as well as Otto Porter and Wendell Carter but the Bulls are back on the map! Don’t tell Kyle Lowry is also going to Chicago, as a fan of a rival I don’t want them thinking they can beat the Bucks. (They still are at least 2 years away from legit contention.)
Speaking of the Nets they are trying to manage themselves during the trade deadline despite the potential risk of giving up more draft picks and going way over the luxury tax. (They haven’t had a 1st Round pick since 2011 and their upcoming picks are in the hands of the Warriors, Celtics, and Rockets.) Even if Kyrie decided to miss more games due to reasons that shall not be mentioned and waiting for KD to come back they still are putting up points at will thanks to the powers of the Beardman. (Don’t give Harden MVP after what he did to the Rockets organization.) Besides the Blake Griffin signing a few weeks ago they couldn’t do anything else. Just don’t tell Andre Drummond to come to Brooklyn Jay-Z! Please.(They signed Lamarcus Aldridge ARE YOU KIDDING ME!) Don’t tell me they’re getting Giannis in a blockbuster too.
BOOM! Well it appears that Toronto is embracing the full rebuild after a massive losing streak. With Kyle Lowry and Pascal Siakum being free agents at the end of the year the decision was to either keep them or trade them. What do they do? (YoYo Sound) They kept them around but traded Norman Powell to Portland for a few depth pieces. Bring out the tanks if you have the chance to do that considering that the East is only getting better.
The Nuggets meanwhile are throwing money and draft capital at everything that moves. Considering that the Lakers and Clippers are banged up and the Suns as of late are playing down to competition Mike Malone was convinced that they needed to strike while the iron was hot. The 2 moves that they made were getting depth and size to help out Nikola Jokic and Jamal Murray. In comes Aaron Gordon from Orlando and Javale McGee from Cleveland. I feel like these guys will be pushing toward that elusive finals appearance.
The Blazers are trying to legitimize themselves as contenders in the West. The big prize for them is the aforementioned Norman Powell who should add plenty of support for Dame Dolla and CJ McCollum. Not to mention Jusef Nurkic is back at full strength and Carmelo has rediscovered his old form. Lakers I wouldn’t want to play these guys if I were you.
Speaking of the LakeShow they are trying desperately to get another big fish despite dealing with the dreaded luxury tax. With all of the names on the market you’d think Rob Polinka would make a move right. Well how do I describe this. Kyle Lowry, (1,2,3 STRIKES YOU’RE OUT) Victor Oladipo, (1,2,3 STRIKES YOU’RE OUT) Nikola Vucevic (1,2,3 STRIKES YOU’RE OUT). Plus they weren’t willing to trade even more future picks down the road even after the AD trade last year. Don’t worry you’ll be fine once Davis and LeBron come back. At least they got Andre Drummond I guess.
The Celtics are (YOU GUESSED IT!) still underachieving. Even if they are at the bottom of the East playoff field they need to make a move just make themselves relevant again. The prize for Boston was an impact veteran in Evan Fournier to bolster the depth. Don’t worry Leprechauns, Brad Stevens is still a solid coach plus you have an extra 1st Round pick from the Nets this year. Even if you get smacked in the 1st Round at least you’re trying to improve the team.
Dallas on the other hand is trying to distance themselves from the Warriors Grizzlies and Spurs in the playoff race. The move that they needed to make was to add one more shooter to their deadly offense. JJ Redick, yes he may be in his mid 30s but look at those offensive instincts. Plus they aren’t trading Porzingis so they have a legit chance now with him and Luka leading the charge.
Atlanta since the firing of Lloyd Pierce have been one of the most complete teams in the NBA. The reasoning for this was that they hired Nate McMillen to replace him. Now that the rest of core besides Trae Young has gotten healthy they could be a dark horse candidate for a finals run. The only move that they made at the deadline was sending Rajon Rondo to the LA Clippers for Lou Williams ok. You do realize you traded for a guy that went to your city during the playoffs last year when he was outside the bubble to have chicken wings and hang out with strippers. Hopefully I’m wrong. Anyways for the Clippers they are trying to avoid the 2nd Round exit anyway that they can.
The 76ers meanwhile are desperate to avoid their traditional 2nd Round elimination no matter the cost. They have been linked to Kyle Lowry ever since the Raptors started their recent skid. A guy like him should do well especially in his hometown of Philly as well. Where does the wheel land? STRUCK OUT SWINGING! They didn’t get Lowry because they would have to wait another 5 years for a 1st Round pick. They didn’t get Victor Oladipo as well because the price was also too steep. The rest of the big names goose eggs. They did however add depth by getting George Hill from OKC. I think I know why they brought him in, I bet you any money they brought him in to tick off Mike Budenholtzer. Do you really trust this team to go all of the way?
Man this trade deadline is quiet, I wonder what will happen next? BOOM! That’s what we need Victor Oladipo to Miami for a bunch of role players and draft picks. So now they will be throwing Herro, Robinson, Oladipo, Butler, and Adebayo as their starting 5. As for the Rockets they will be truly embracing those glorious tanks even if their original 1st Round pick is in the hands of OKC. So that was the trade deadline, if you were satisfied that’s good if you weren’t you just need to focus on getting ready for the playoffs. Good luck everyone.
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