Michael Naulty, Sophomore
Many NBA teams made last minute trades this week, knowing either that they won't make the playoffs or knowing that they have a good chance at a title this year. For example, the Philadelphia 76ers have made many trades this year under new General Manager Elton Brand. Elton Brand has done the most he can for the 76ers this year, knowing that with a few more pieces the 76ers could rule the east for years to come. The 76ers traded for superstar Jimmy Butler earlier this year. However, knowing he could leave in free agency, Brand knew they needed to make sure they are title contenders so Butler would stay with Philadelphia. Brand made a last minute trade for forward Tobias Harris, now making them one of the scariest teams in the East, along with Simmons, Embiid, and Butler. Harris should have a key role on his new title contending team. Markelle Fultz was also traded with an hour left in the trade deadline. The 76ers traded the former number one draft pick for Jonathan Simmons, a first round-pick, and a second round-pick.
Magic Johnson's Los Angeles Lakers have been trying to trade for superstar forward Anthony Davis. Signing Lebron James in the off-season was Magic’s first move, but now he has tried everything to pair up the two superstars. Magic has attempted to trade almost the whole team to get these players together. In doing so, he has also destroyed the Lakers team chemistry, with all of their young players thinking that they could be traded any minute. Things have been spiraling out of control for the Lakers this month.
The New York Knicks have fully embraced their sinking ship and traded star forward Kristaps Porzingis for Dennis Smith Jr. and Deandre Jordan. With this trade the Knicks will try to lose as many games as possible in order to get the number one draft pick this summer for Zion Williamson out of Duke. Williamson is known to be the best prospect since Lebron James. In doing this they made the Dallas Mavericks a team that could be a threat for the rest of the West for years to come. Pairing Luka Doncic and Kristaps Porzingis wasn't the last move Mark Cuban was going to make for the Mavericks. He also traded Harrison Barnes for Justin Jackson and Zach Randolph, in the middle of a game. Lebron James took the situation to social media and explained his thoughts on the trade.
The Chicago Bulls also sent Bobby Portis and Jabari Parker to the Washington Wizards for Otto Porter. In doing this the Wizards will free up cap space for themselves in free agency. At 2:00pm Thursday, February 7th, an hour from the trade deadline, the Memphis Grizzlies traded their former star bigman Marc Gasol in exchange for Jonas Valanciunas, Delon Wright, CJ Miles and a 2024 second-round pick. The Raptors get an all defensive center that can also stretch the floor for the Raptors stars, Kyle Lowry and Kawhi Leonard. Gasol also brings the veteran presence that the Raptors may need in the playoffs later this season. As a whole, the NBA Trade Deadline this year featured a flurry of action that will impact the league for years to come.
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