NBA Trade Deadline Winners

 

The NBA trade deadline has passed and many teams made trades yesterday. Teams made trades trying to put them in position to either make a playoff or make a run at the NBA Finals. I will let you the top 3 trades of the trade deadline that occurred on Thursday. 

 

1.       Nikola Vucevic

Vucevic was traded from the Orlando Magic to the Chicago Bulls. The Bulls made the move in order not only to make a push for the playoffs but also setting up a nice future. This will pair 2 All Star players together in Vucevic and Zach Lavine for the next couple of years. Vucevic was a great in Orlando averaging 24 points and 11 rebounds. He provides s great pick and roll partner for Lavine with Vucevic’s ability to shoot. Also, it gives them a Big who can create their own offense. It has been a very long time since the Bulls have had a big man who can create their own offensively. The Bulls will make the playoffs and likely be the number 6 seed in the Eastern Conference and making the playoffs this season.  Vucevic has playoff experience and can help lead the Bulls to the playoffs since 2014.

 

2.       Rajon Rondo

Rajon Rondo was traded from the Atlanta Hawks to the Los Angeles Clippers. This will be the most impactful trade of deals made at the deadline. Rondo is going to a Clippers team that was the void of true Point Guard; rondo can organize and initiate the offense.  Also, with his 2 rings and high basketball IQ he will be able to hold their star players accountable. Rondo gives the Clippers a great chance to win their first NBA Title especially if the Lakers are not healthy come playoff time.

 

3.       Arron Gordon

One of the moves that I found interesting was the Magic trading Arron Gordon to the Denver Nuggets. Gordon was former top 5 pick in 2014 and his career has been underwhelming to be generous. With him in Denver Gordon needs to realize he will be the 3^rd or 4^th option on the team. If he accepts his role the Nuggets can flourish with have a big body that can rebound but also get you 15 to 20 points a night if need be. Also, it gives Nikola Jokic another person to pass to out of a double team with his rim running ability. This will be a fun experiment to watch as Gordon will try to fill the role left behind when Jerami Grant left this summer.

 

It is going to be fun seeing  which additions pay off and the one’s that ultimately backfire. Less than 30 games left in the season, I can’t wait to see how the remainder of the season unfolds.

NBA MVP RACE

 

The MVP race in the NBA is heating up and there are many good candidates for the award this season.  I am going to give you the top 3 candidates for the award.

 

3. Lebron James

 Lebron is averaging 25 points 8 rebounds and 8 assists. At the age of 36 what he is doing is remarkable and he has the Lakers a top 3 record in the Western Conference. This has been done with Anthony Davis missing 17 games this season. This includes Davis being out since Feb 14^th. The reason that Lebron is in 3^rd is the fact the Lakers are just 5-6 in their last 11 games in which Davis has been out.

 

2. Damien Lillard

 Damien Lillard is in the number 2 position for the MVP race. He has the Portland Trailblazers in playoff position despite CJ McCollum and Jusuf Nurkic who have been sidelined since January. CJ McCollum returned to action on Tuesday and is currently on a minute restriction. Lillard dropped 50 in a comeback win against the Pelicans on Tuesday night. This solidified his 2^nd place position in the MVP Race.

1.       James Harden

Harden should be the clear-cut favorite to win the MVP award this season. He is currently averaging 25 points, 11 assists and 8 rebounds a game. He is leading the league in assists; he has done this with both Kyrie Irving and Kevin Durant being in and out of the Lineup. He has elevated a team that was in 6^th place when he joined them in January; he has elevated them to being tied for the best record in the Eastern Conference. He joined the Nets in January and already has the most triple doubles in a season in team history. Also, on Wednesday against the Indiana Pacers he became the 2^nd player in team history to have a 40-point triple double.

NBA Buyout Market

 

The trade deadline in the NBA is a little less than 2 weeks away on March 25^th. Some players have recently agreed to mutually part ways with their team until they are either traded or can agree to a contract buyout. They are being paid to be away from the team. Two players who are in this situation are PJ Tucker and LaMarcus Aldridge. I will examine teams that each player should go to if they ultimately are bought out from their contracts.

 

PJ Tucker

PJ Tucker is good defender who can make open 3 pointers. The team I see PJ Tucker going to if he can choose is the Brooklyn Nets. For the Nets he will be able to help them defensively and can guard most positions. This includes some of today’s center especially against teams that play small ball lineups. The relationship between Tucker and James Harden will be a contributing factor for Tucker when choosing to play for the Brooklyn. Harden and Tucker were teammates with the Houston Rockets.

 

LaMarcus Aldridge

 LaMarcus Aldridge should make a return to the Portland Trailblazers where he started his career. This would be a perfect fit as the Blazers are missing a big who can score. The Blazers main big men are all injured and Zach Collins likely will not return this season. Aldridge provides a much-needed big body, which is needed especially against the elite teams in the Western Conference. This can finally help the Blazers become a dark horse to make it to the NBA Finals. As a third option Aldridge can provide 15 points and 7 rebounds which would help to take the scoring load off of Damian Lillard, and CJ McCollum.

 

The dominoes of the buyout market will begin to unfold I believe the week of the trade deadline as teams get a better picture if trades will be possible for certain players.