The NBA trading deadline is rapidly approaching, and as rumors continue to swirl — even if only slightly — here’s what to watch for until the deals are done.
Trade Deadline 2014 | Thursday, Feb. 20, 3 p.m. ET.
Teams can trade any eligible player up until the deadline. After that, you’re locked in with your roster till draft night. Teams can trade players, players’ rights, draft picks, trade exceptions and, of course. almighty cash.
Because otherwise it would be total chaos until and throughout the playoffs. Also, the deadline provides a heightened week of anticipation, rumors, and discussion after the All-Star break, boosting the NBA’s visibility which is always a good thing for them.
All in all, it’s been a much quieter week-before-deadline than expected. Early indications were that with so many teams tanking and so many teams desperate to make the playoffs now, we were set for a crazy rush. But instead, it’s been dead quiet as major deals involving and have already gone down, no one wants to trade picks in this super-valuable draft, and many teams that would be willing to move their pick (Washington, Indiana, Golden State) have already moved theirs.
That said it’s extremely unlikely to see a deadline go by with no moves.
Some more general information:
Picks to burn
Since several teams already have traded their pick, that means other clubs have multiple first-round picks which they can use to make a deal. There are eight:
Suns (possible four total) (possible three, but one is lottery-protected from Philly and that ain’t happening) (possible three total) (possible three, but more likely two) (possible two) (possible two)76ers (possible two)Jazz (Two)On the move?
There are of course players heavily rumored to be on the market. Reports conflict on all these guys, since in the history of man, no team has ever wanted to admit that a player was available, but here are the ones that consistently come up in rumors.
(we could name this list after him) (but that’s mostly died down)Any Sixers player not named or Make a move, or stick
Separate of what is actually being reported as happening, there are five teams that need to make a deal:
The big three in the frontcourt is not working. They can’t afford big extensions for Greg Monroe and after giving his contract. Something’s got to be done. My favorite trade idea is , Andre Miller, and Kenneth Faried from Denver for and Monroe.
They have possibly four draft picks. They have the sixth seed. There’s no reason not to swing for a home run with one of the picks as bait. I don’t know if Pau Gasol actually is a taking a cut that gets out of the infield, let alone the park, but they should swing at something.
They have the offense to make some noise in the playoffs, but really need a rim protector. and are not it.
Because Thad Young deserves more than this and itts he’s been disappointed with Gylfi Sigurdsson this season.The Iceland international has struggled to make an impact.Osman told GentingBet: “I’ve been disappointed with Gylfi Sigurdsson this season.”I don’t think there’s any question that Gylfi’s no’s time to go even further into the tank.
Give up the ghost, Daryl Morey. Trade Omer Asik.
At the other end, there are five teams which should stand pat:
They’re still a really good team. They could be way better than the record indicates, and a model for playoff succsss (three-pointers plus good interior and perimeter defense). No need for a panic trade.
They’re hitting their stride and should to see what’s possible with the group they have now.
Unless you can trade coaches, this team has enough to accomplish its goal: Reach the playoff. Re-evaluate after that.
I want to see what a full, healthy roster for this team could do with more time together.
I want them to get trapped between being bad and a legit contender, so fans and media can understand why trading Kyle Lowry and bottoming out beforehand would have been better.
The Money tes. This is their big chance. With a transfer ban. And a new manager. This season offers Chelsea’s kids an opportunity like no other…And strengthening their case will be the new coaching team about to be installed. For all the complaints from DerbDodge
Teams are always making moves at the deadline for reasons beyond basketball. Two teams, the Bulls and , are set to be at or near the luxury tax. the Lakers are $7.5 million over and in a disaster season like this, do they really want to waste a year of their repeater-tax hits?
The Bulls are under, but only $678,000, so they might feel more comfortable getting further under. Read this, and its follow up, from ShamSports.com on why teams would want more breathing d Sead Kolasinac are currently under 24-hour guard amid claims they’ve been caught up in a local gang war.The Sun says an East European gang has stepped in after North London thugs tried to steal the aces’ watches in a moped raid.But the yobs will noroom for cap space.
Salary caps in play
Five teams have cap room to take on huge contracts in salary dumps to acquire future assets:
Philadelphia 76ers: $11 million: $5.6 millionPhoenix Suns: $5.2 million: $1.7 million: $1.7 million
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