NBA Trade Deadline
posted by Zaire Jones | February 13, 2024 | In SportsNBA teams are trying to make some moves to improve for their playoff push. With the trade deadline being Feb. 8 at 3 p.m., contenders and teams trying to sneak in the playoffs will try to separate themselves from the pack.
One of the teams is the Minnesota Timberwolves, currently at 35-16 and second in the Western Conference. They made a small move for Detroit Pistons’ guard Monte Morris for their second unit. The Pistons will get a 2030 second-round pick, Shake Milton and Troy Brown Jr.
The Oklahoma City Thunder has also been another surprise in the NBA world. The one thing that has been missing is prominent power forward, across from standout rookie Chet Holmgren. OKC hopes that forward Gordan Hayward can be that missing piece coming from the Charlotte Hornets. The Thunder will send the Hornets Tre Mann and Davis Bertans. Hayward is a very solid player but injuries have hindered him ever since that gruesome leg injury he suffered in 2018. If he can stay on the court, this can be a sneaky pickup for the Thunder.
The Dallas Mavericks who are currently sitting 28-23 and the 8th seed have made some key upgrades. The Mavericks have been lacking in size, so adding Daniel Gafford and P.J. Washington will improve that flaw for bigger teams in the West. Washington gives size and can space the floor, which helps out Luka Doncic and Kyrie Irving. Gafford is a big body who is a nightly double-double machine. He also lightens rookie Derrick Lively’s burdens off his shoulder.
The Celtics have started the season off red hot with a league best 39-12 record. With the best starting five in the league, led by Jayson Tatum, the only flaw really is bench depth. Adding forward/center Xavier Tillman Sr. from the Memphis Grizzlies will boost the depth of the team. Tillman doesn’t pose as a scoring threat but can do the dirty work which can fit Boston’s style of play.
The Philadelphia 76ers have been in the news for the past week with Joel Embiid. The star center suffered a torn meniscus against the Warriors on Feb. 1. The Sixers will now have to rely on their other all-star in Tyrese Maxey. Maxey has had a solid season, averaging over 25 points a game. They will have some help with the acquisition of Buddy Hield from the Pacers. The Sixers have been linked to Hield for the past couple of seasons now. They will try to stay afloat with Embiid being reevaluated in four weeks.
Lastly, The New York Knicks have been one of the best teams in the NBA for the past month. New York made a big move for OG Anunoby last month. Now they have made another move to bolster the roster. The additions of Bojan Bogdanovic and Alec Burks are huge pieces coming off the bench to help the Knicks. With the previous injuries of stars Julius Randle and Jalen Brunson, Burks and Bogdanovic should make immediate impacts once the trade is official.
There are other teams that are in the mix, such as the Nuggets, Clippers, Bucks. Cavs and others who decided to be content with their squad heading into the rest of the season. The NBA’s buyout market should have notable names that teams will look to try to sign as well.
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