NBA Trade Closing: What to Expect on Trade Closing Day

The bombs went off early in the NBA when Kevin Durant was traded to the Suns, Russell Westbrook to the Jazz and Kyrie Irving to the Mavericks. But today (9/2) is a different story. Why; Because today is the end of trading, i.e. the last trading day. And the deadline ends at 22:00 Greek time.

NBA Draft Day and Trade Deadline are the days when team general managers are constantly on their phones, tablets, and computers. Trade dealine is the day everyone has to move, some have to improve and others are getting…worse in the hunt for the NBA draft.

Today teams come in two categories: buyers (those who “buy” and look for players to improve their chances of winning the title or entering the playoffs) and sellers (those who “sell” and get rid of players in exchange) some draft picks, although they sometimes send players to make room for the salary cap).

In the modern NBA, the line between buyers and sellers has become dangerously narrow in recent years due to the play-in tournament in East and West. No longer 8 or 10 teams claim the place in the playoffs, but 12 and often 13! Anyone who wants even a hope of making the playoffs — like the Lakers, who are 13th in the West — needs to move. Unless a group can be found that… lowers the reels.

Sportish presents the facts that currently apply in the NBA:

The goats are looking

Milwaukee has played the best basketball in the NBA for the past two weeks with an 8-game winning streak. However, with Bobby Portis injured and Serge Ibaka out of the team, they don’t even have a great rehearsal behind Giannis Antetokounmpo and Brook Lopez. That makes them… dangerous at the close of trade.

Milwaukee needs to add depth to their top line. Yes Crowder is interested. The shifting of the experienced to the nets as part of the Durant trade does not change that. Instead, the fact that Brooklyn is trying to give him more adds to that interest.

Grayson Allen will likely go under the hammer trying to get high from Milwaukee. Unless the Bucks find a team that appreciates Jordan Nuora to avoid revealing their – but elusive – starting shooting guard key.

Westbrook might be available

Russell Westbrook is now part of Jazz Force. But that probably won’t be the case for much longer. According to reports in the US, the Veteran Guard from Utah could be released and come back on the market. When that happens, it’s a given that he’ll be attacked by multiple teams, with the Clippers and Bulls among those interested.

The Raptors look like a supermarket and Anunoby is in the spotlight

Augie Anunoby was already considered a “hot” name before the close. After the move of Durant (Suns) and Irving (Mavericks) to the West, his stock continued to grow as many teams looked to strengthen and saw him as the ideal two-way peripheral. A player who marks the opponent’s best forward and adds something to the attack.

But Anunoby is just one of the Raptors’ players that…the entire league is watching. Toronto is 10th in the East and has been disappointing this year. Many see the Canadiens as…supermarket as they also consider the fall of Fred VanVleet (the Nets tried to take him on, sent Dinwiddie but they ate a door) as well as Pascal Siakam alongside Anunoby. Sophomore Scotty Barnes is the only player with a don’t touch tag on the team roster, with the Raptors muddying the waters by taking over the Spurs’ Jakob Peltl. The reason; This is a step by a group that is entering the category of buyers and not sellers.

The nets aren’t done with their moves yet

Irving and Durant swapped zip codes within 24 hours. Brooklyn is entering a new — without a clear star — era and a core made up of Ben Simmons, Spencer Dinwiddie, Mikal Bridges, Cam Johnson, Nick Claxton, Cam Thomas and Dorian Feeney-Smith. However, they may not be finished with their moves yet.

Yes Crowder was acquired in the Durant trade but is unlikely to remain. Players like Joe Harris and Seth Curry could remain after Cam Thomas blast. And all that without mentioning the… elephant in the room: Ben Simmons, who the Nets would love to give away but are struggling to find a team to give him to.

The heat has pounded Lowry

Kyle Lowry has disappointed during his time with The Heat, and it’s not exactly a secret that Miami is looking for a team to grapple with. However, the 37-year-old point guard has a contract through 2024 with annual earnings of $29 million. Generally, in order for the Heat to grant it, they must “stick” a draft pick onto them.

Duncan Robinson also wants to get rid of Miami somehow, since Max Struss has already passed him in the rotation.

The Bulls… still don’t know what they want

Chicago has taken a step backwards this year as they currently sit 9th in the East. The situation is… awkward for the bulls who are still waiting to see Lonzo Ball on the floor and therefore don’t know what to do on the last day of trading. Tear everything apart and rebuild from scratch or support the trio DeRozan, Vucevic, LaVine?

If they choose their star trio, they will soon have to dig deep into their pockets. Vucevic’s contract expires this summer. DeRozan is in the summer of 2024. A change of one (or both) shouldn’t be ruled out. Some reports say that both… have power in the market. Chicago has big choices ahead of it.

The Sixers are looking for a player to give Embiid a break

Philadelphia wants to go far in the playoffs. Ideally, he doesn’t want to… juice Joel Embiid. Montrezl Harrell provides solutions, but is an undersized center and, above all, a poor defender. In the playoffs, that will cost. Philadelphia is in the market for another tall to deepen the team’s front line.

Players like Nerlens Noel (Pistons) and Andre Drummond (Bulls) are on the… list of Sixers who were also eyeing Jared Vanderbilt but… were passed by the Lakers.

Veterans beware

There is a separate category of players in Trade Deadline. That of veteran players who are either… redundant, no longer in the rotation, or have market value and can bring back something good in return. They are also the most likely to move.

Players like Eric Gordon (Rockets), Andre Drummond (Bulls), Ja Crowder (Nets), Serge Ibaka (Bucks), Kevin Love (Cavaliers), Kyle Lowry (Heat), Miles Plaley (Hornets), Bojan Bogdanovic (Pistons). Bones Hyland (Nuggets), John Wall (Clippers), Kelly Olynyk (Jazz) are sure to be involved in multiple scenarios. Some of them are probably already moving.