passed it trade deadline in the nba opens another chapter that is interesting. His particular market acquisitions consists of player contract complaints What will happen? free agents this year and that they have ended up in non-competitive contexts or have not been transferred. In most cases, these will be names that won’t make a team a champion overnight, but will improve their depth and be a significant asset to the locker room.
In this 2023 season there are many and very different candidates, which will give us something to talk about between now and the next deadline, such as March 1st. At that time, teams must have their rosters locked in for the Playoffs, and any additions after that day will be ineligible if they sign with that franchise.
The key question facing this market acquisitions It’s not just about serving candidates, it’s about what groups they have holes in them roster to integrate someone without having to separate another. Most candidates have at least one gap to add to one more where they stand out Milwaukee Bucks, Miami Heat and Phoenix Suns with two spaces to add figures to the group.
That being said, it’s time to break down which players are out of contract and where they might fit best.
subscribe to NBA League Pass to see all games: United States | The rest of the world
Russell Westbrook
He wouldn’t be the first MVP to end up being cut by a team, following the example of Derrick Rose in 2018, but the timing of this couldn’t be more negative for his image. Just one day after taking part in LeBron James’ historic feat, the Lakers unloaded Russell Westbrook sending it to you Utah Jazz in triple transport. As expected, the franchise will negotiate a contract settlement in the coming days, as Chris Haynes reports.
What could a destination be? The Chicago Bulls They were one of the teams that have shown interest in Russ, as pointed out by her he reported traces. Along with these would appear the Clipperswho don’t have a regular starting guard, and where Paul George would be their big prop.
The issue with Westbrook is the fit and the role he is willing to take. The point guard is losing the natural explosiveness of last year, which, along with his improved decision-making, has led to a significant drop in his value. Can either of these two groups help? Probably. But to expect a revival of the star at this point is practically impossible.
John Wall
Continuing with the declining stars, John Wall’s Clippers experiment didn’t quite work. The All-Star was not up to the expected level for the Californians upon his return to the courts and was sent back to houston rockets, where it will be cut again.
At 32, Wall is still a smart, visionary point guard, even if he’s light years away from the explosive player he was before the injury.
No team’s interest has yet been reported, but looking at the franchises that could be interested in bolstering the backup point guard position, the following stand out: Dallas Mavericks, Phoenix Suns or Toronto Raptors.
Reggie Jackson
Like Wall, Jackson was sent elsewhere in the Clippers’ particular reshaping of the point guard role. Charlotte Hornets plans to cut the 32-year-old player to give him freedom and find a new destination as reported Adrian Wojnarowski and Shams Charania.
In that sense, the team with the most options to include him seems to be the Phoenix Sans as Chris Haynes reported on the TNT show.
Serge Ibaka
After being traded in 2022 by the Clippers to the Bucks, Serge Ibaka was traded to the Indiana Pacers because he didn’t fit into Mike Budenholzer’s plans. The Spanish-Congolese did not end well with the Milwaukee coach and requested his departure, fulfilling his wish at deadline.
The African will now be cut by the Pacers, having the option of choosing a new place where, perhaps, he will have minutes and a suitable role. The team most closely linked with Ibaka during the transfer window was Miami Heatwhich has room to incorporate it and a hole in the inner pivot.
Will Burton
The Wizards appeared to be one of the selling sets at the close of the market and ended up not making a single trade. Washington will now face a closing campaign in which the rest have strengthened while remaining in no man’s land.
According to Woj’s information, Will Barton will be cut by the Wizards and become one of the most interesting players for ring candidates. As a visionary outsider, the 32-year-old would be an interesting addition to teams like the Mavs, Bucks or 76ers.
Other interesting candidates
- Danny Green: traded to the Houston Rockets immediately after returning from injury. The shooting guard will be a name to remember for those looking for an outside shot.
- Nerlens Noel: by not going out on the market and being expires the Pistons’ interior has been stripped of team dynamics. A solid big man looking for a bigger role.
- Bryn Forbes: Cut from the Timberwolves, this shooter remains a big name with a career 41% shooting percentage.
- Furkan Korkmaz: the Turk requested the transfer and the 76ers did not move him to the deadline. While it would be surprising if they let him go, if a team was interested he wouldn’t be an option to rule out.
- terrence ross: A veteran with plenty of experience and outside shooting ability. He has not played since January 21 due to a potential retirement and several teams could be interested as extras on the bench.
The views expressed here do not necessarily represent those of the NBA or its organizations.
