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0 out of 4
Chris O’Meara / Associated Press
The NBA trade winds are gathering strength and they’re about to send the rumor out of control.
The process is a bit late given the delayed opening of the 2020-2021 campaign, but it could be a sprint from now until the trade deadline of March 25.
Several big commercial dominoes have already fallen – most recently Derrick Rose reuniting Tom Thibodeau on the New York Knicks (much to Jimmy Butler’s delight) – but that hasn’t slowed down the chatter a bit.
Since business negotiations aren’t always trustworthy, we’re breaking down the last whispers here to buy the substantial reports and sell the smokescreens.
1 of 4
Frank Franklin II / Associated Press
The Toronto Raptors have relatively recovered from their disastrous 2-8 start, but they still appear to be a level (or more) behind the Eastern elite. They are no-great 10th in the net standings and threw all kinds of warning flags with a 3-9 record against opponents with a .500-plus record.
If it’s as good as it gets, Toronto may have to start thinking more about tomorrow than today. Some within the organization are said to be ready to make the switch by trading six-time All-Star – and future 34-year-old unrestricted free agent – Kyle Lowry.
“There is a section of the Raptors staff, according to league sources, who believe the franchise should say goodbye to its beloved All-Star and start the next Toronto chapter in earnest,” reported Jake Fischer of B / R.
Lowry’s trading would spike on multiple fronts and, assuming the return package is focused on the future, lower the current campaign cap for multiple stories. But if the Raptors aren’t fighting for a title anyway, what’s the real harm in that? Sometimes good business thinking requires taking a step backwards to ultimately pave the way for greater progress.
Toronto could brighten up its future in many ways. The most obvious would be the incoming collection of assets, which would not be negligible. Even as a 34-year-old tenant, Lowry’s impact as a scorer, shooter, defender and conductor on the field could convince a contender like the Los Angeles Clippers or a prospect like the Miami Heat to open the game. war chest.
But there’s also the additional exposure for newcomers to the Raptors that Lowry’s absence would create. He leads the team in assists and third in points and minutes. Charging players like Fred VanVleet, OG Anunoby, Terence Davis and Malachi Flynn to replace that production could be one way to speed up their ascents.
Toronto obviously shouldn’t abandon Lowry. But if someone comes up with an offer that matches their stature and stats, maybe it’s time to end the era of the Raptors for good.
Verdict: Buy, even if the idea strikes us – and certainly all of the North – in the middle of #Feelz.
2 of 4
Michael Dwyer / Associated Press
When the Boston Celtics felt a split with Kyrie Irving was inevitable in 2019, they quickly switched to Kemba Walker as a suitable replacement. But they never addressed the void created when Al Horford stepped out that same summer, nor the one that opened when Gordon Hayward fled Beantown this offseason.
They weren’t fully forced out of the heavyweight ranks due to the superstar climbs of Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown, but they are watching a few players fall short of where they’ve been (and, more importantly, where they’ve been). try to go). The Celtics likely won’t come across a new Horford or Hayward by the deadline, but they would target those positions in the commercial market.
“League sources have long said that Boston is looking for improvements to strengthen its position as a wing and a big man,” reported Kevin O’Connor of The Ringer.
The Celtics are sitting on a $ 28.5 million traded player exception (the biggest in NBA history), all of their future first-round picks and prospects like Romeo Langford and Aaron Nesmith. There might not be enough ammo for a superstar swap, but if Tatum and Brown do scratch that itch anyway, Boston should be looking for the size, shot and consistency of their support staff. .
Boston has played three of the last four Eastern Conference finals, but hasn’t made it to the Association’s championship round since Doc Rivers ran the show in 2010. Tatum and Brown can keep Celtics close at hand, but they will need more. help cross that threshold.
Verdict: buy. Celtics president Danny Ainge is nicknamed “Trader Dan” for a reason, and he has some holes to fill with this list.
3 of 4
Tony Dejak / Associated Press
The Cleveland Cavaliers haven’t been knocked out of the playoff race, but the past two weeks have drawn most of the positive vibes from Northeast Ohio.
Since knocking out the Brooklyn Nets in back-to-back competitions on Jan. 20 and 22, the Cavaliers have won just two of their last 10 games. And those wins came against the Detroit Pistons and Minnesota Timberwolves, the only clubs in the league with winning percentages of .250 or worse. Cleveland’s net score on this stretch is the worst score in the NBA minus 13.0 points per 100 possessions.
Commercial vultures begin to surround this squad in hopes of a fire sale. If that happens, the Cavaliers could meet the needs of the frontcourt of several clubs.
Andre Drummond has suitors, among them the Raptors, by O’Connor. Larry Nance Jr. could report “a meaningful comeback” if Cleveland trades him. The teams are also watching JaVale McGee. The only big man who doesn’t seem to have a market is the most decorated of the group: Kevin Love, five-time All-Star and two-time All-NBA.
“Kevin Love will have to prove that he can stay healthy before anyone trades for him and the $ 60.2 million left on his contract after this season,” O’Connor reported.
It all passed the odor test.
Drummond has never played better, and even with his offensive limits, his rebounds and paint protection would strengthen a contender’s frontcourt. Nance offers a wealth of two-way versatility, so if the Cavs let go, they should be asking for the moon and not settle for much less. McGee has experience of size, length and championship. Love’s contract is extremely expensive when he hasn’t seen the prosecution since the end of December.
Cleveland could be one of the biggest sellers this trading season, but Love looks likely to stick around at least during the offseason due to a lack of interest.
Verdict: buy fully on both fronts.
4 out of 4
Sue Ogrocki / Associated Press
The Chicago Bulls thought they were a few role-playing pieces away from the 2019 playoffs, so they added Thaddeus Young and Tomas Satoransky to be their veteran accelerators.
So far nothing good.
The Bulls didn’t hit the bubble threshold last season, and if this campaign ended today, they would be excluded from the play-in tournament. Their frontcourt was torn apart by wounds and their offense struggled to find stability beyond Zach LaVine.
Young was a bright spot, posting personal bests in field goal percentage (59.0) and assists per game (4.4) as well as the second highest player effectiveness rating of his career ( 18.6). But the Bulls have between now and March 25 to decide how much it matters when the 32-year-old’s schedule is so far removed from that of the young core.
The teams apparently believe – or at least hope – that Chicago might decide that selling is its best way forward.
Buyers are “increasingly looking” at Windy City for improvements, with Young “attracting the most interest,” according to Joe Cowley of the Chicago Sun-Times. He also noted that there was “no indication” that Bulls executive vice president of basketball operations Arturas Karnisovas has any interest in selling.
The interest in Young is not at all surprising. He’s a solid veteran with the skills, intelligence, experience, and versatility to improve any front zone and adapt to a new environment on the fly. It’s hard to imagine that there are a lot of front rotations (if any) that wouldn’t be better with him in the mix.
Some might see this as a justification for Chicago to keep it, but what exactly are the Bulls competing for anytime soon? If they play the game long – as their record suggests – they would gain the most kilometers by moving Young for assets and freeing up as many frontcourt minutes as possible for newcomers Patrick Williams, Daniel Gafford and (in good health) Lauri Markkanen and Wendell Carter Jr.
Verdict: buy an interest in Thaddeus Young, sell Chicago without wanting to let him go.
All stats up to date through games played on February 8 and used courtesy of NBA.com and Basketball Reference, unless otherwise noted.
Zach Buckley covers the NBA for Bleacher Report. Follow him on Twitter, @ZachBuckleyNBA.
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