If you are first looking at this doc, you may be asking yourselves, where is the 2nd Half preview for both the East and West. That’s coming, it will eventually get there, but first we need to go over the events that have just occurred at the NBA Trade Deadline. BOOOOOOOM! PAUSE.
CJ McCollum Trade: The Pelicans are making a move that is designed for them to be a force going forward. McCollum’s shooting and playmaking abilities are perfect for their fast pace offense. For a team that started 1-11 and has been playing 500 basketball since, they do have a shot at the play-in. All they need is Zion back and they have a shot.
Caris LeVert Trade: With this trade, the Cavs now have the 3 players that the Nets gave up in the James Harden trade. (The other 2 are Jarrett Allen, and Darius Garland) LeVert hasn’t been healthy since being with the Nets, and now that he is on a playoff team it should help his confidence. Cleveland is now laughing at their old PA Announcer since he is still with the Nets.
Norman Powell Trade: This move in my opinion allows the Clippers to prepare for next season. Even if Kawhi and PG13 don’t return this year, they at least get to play with a talented wing player with upside. Looks like that new arena they will be playing in next year looks like fun.
Domantas Sabonis Trade: The Kings wanted Sabonis? They think they can make the play-in. Even if they gave up their top prospect to the Pacers, this is a foundational move for the future. They have a young core developing but they need an All Star to help them get out of the basement of the Pacific, you also got Jeremy Lamb in this deal too.
Serge Ibaka Trade: The defending champs are making another push towards a title. There is no timeline on Brook Lopez and when he will return but adding another 3 and D player will help them get more freedom for Giannis. Even if Donte DiVincenzo is gone they might need another guard in the buyout market. Overall, Milwaukee is not afraid of the big boys coming for them.
Derrick White Trade: Boston is just trying to add more depth to a team that lacks it. They know that they are on a hot streak but they need more reinforcements to make it far this year. Even if they gave up a Top 4 pick, the Celtics think that now is the time to get back on the playoff mode schedule. In another move they brought back Daniel Theis to give them more value at Center to go with Horford, and Robert Williams.
Montrezl Harrell Trade: So now the Hornets decide to get an elite Center. What did it take them? About a year and a half. Harrell adds another scoring option to an offense loaded with talent. Even if Gordon Hayward is injured yet again, they need another piece for Lamelo and Miles Bridges to work with. Plus they are on a deep skid and are looking to change the tides.
Aaron Holiday Trade: The Suns need a defensive guard off the bench to go along with their deadly core. They decided well if we can’t beat Jrue, why not get his brother and Torrey Craig. Phoenix clearly has their eyes on a return to the Finals, and getting over the hump. They have thrown their chips to the table big time. CP3 wants that ring and he wants it badly.
BOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOM! PAUSE
Ladies and Gentlemen we have just witnessed the NBA World blowing into pieces. Cats and Dogs are raining as we speak. Maybe not really. The Philadelphia 76ers are embracing another MVP type season from Joel Embiid but they need one piece to get them over the top. They know that the Process has been a disaster and they are trying to save it by any means necessary. There is another team that is willing to make a move like this. The Brooklyn Nets meanwhile have taken a massive free fall after their hot start thanks to injuries to Kevin Durant, and Kyrie Irving playing part time. James Harden was angry at the Nets. HE WANTED OUT! This also includes the situation that Philadelphia is in with Ben Simmons. At first Steve Nash said that they wouldn’t trade him. That talk still kept going and was getting bigger thanks to ESPN’s Brian Windhorst. Even Woj was listening to Nash’s claims as well as Sean Marks and Olivier Sedra. However Harden then posted that he officially wanted to not only get out, but also go down the New Jersey Turnpike to join the Sixers. And just before the 3PM deadline a deal was struck. James Harden is going to Philadelphia! (DRAMATIC MUSIC!) However they paid a steep price for him and former All Star Paul Millsap. Ben Simmons, Seth Curry, Andre Drummond AND 2 1st Round picks. The Nets went from getting fleeced by Cleveland last year to possibly fleecing the 76ers. And to me this is a win-win trade. Philly gets the guy they have wanted for the last 2 years. Harden gets to be with Daryl Morey again like in Houston and joins MVP candidate Joel Embiid as well as Tobias Harris, Matisse Thybulle, and Tyrese Maxey. Simmons meanwhile finally gets a breath of fresh air from the Philly media and now gets to play with KD and Kyrie. The Nets significantly upgraded their defense with this trade. Brooklyn now has the size to compete with the big boys in the conference. Philadelphia now has a massive bandwagon to go with their huge fanbase. And the Eastern Conference playoff race got even more interesting. With this deadline you can make the case that almost any contender in the East has a shot at making the finals. That’s it for now, but I’ll see you in the 2nd Half Previews. Enjoy the Super Bowl!
Bragging Rights Sports 