The NFL may be the king of North American sports, but the NBA has the most drama and intrigue. The speculation and storylines never let us down, and the trade deadline has fans refreshing their phones to see the latest breaking news. Deadline day is Thursday, but the drama started in January when the Los Angeles Lakers acquired Rui Hachimura via a trade with the Washington Wizards. It went up a notch when the Nets traded controversial superstar Kyrie Irving to the Dallas Mavericks and form a tandem with Luka Doncic. So what deals are out there that could happen before 3 pm on February 9? In this article, we discuss five things to look for ahead of deadline day.
1. Will the Jazz have another fire sale?- the Utah Jazz had the biggest offseason in the league as a seller earning multiple first-round picks after trading Rudy Gobert and Donavan Mitchell to the Timberwolves and Cavaliers. The team shocked the basketball world at the start of the season and was even atop the Western Conference. However, the team has struggled and has plummeted down the standings and is a game under .500. The team is currently 10th in the Western standings and could be realistic sellers before the deadline. The team has a plethora of quality starting and rotation players including Mike Conley, Jordan Clarkson, Malik Beasley, and Kelly Olynyk. These are players that contenders will be looking to add to make them a potent force. The Jazz could make a beautiful song for a team at the deadline.
2. Will the Pacers and Raptors join the bonfire?-the equivalent of the Jazz in the eastern conference are the Raptors and Pacers. The teams are number 10 and 11 in the East but loaded with talent and emerging stars. In last year’s free agency period in the summer, rumors were circulating that the Pacers were shopping Buddy Hield and Myles Turner on the open market, and the Lakers did not pull the trigger on a deal. Will the Lakers enter the fray again? We will have to wait and see. The Raptors have suffered from inconsistent play but contain a core of young players in Scotty Barnes, OG Anounoby, Gary Trent Jr, Pascal Siakam, and Fred Van Fleet. The franchise has made it clear to teams that Scotty Barnes is untouchable and leaves the contenders with the opportunity to make offers for the remaining quality players on the squad.
3. Will the Suns free themselves of Deandre Ayton and Jae Crowder?-In 2021, the Phoenix Suns seem to be the team to beat in the Western Conference after losing the NBA Finals to the Bucks However, the team had a disastrous playoff series in which they lost by 33 points in Game 7 of the Western Conference Semifinal to the Dallas Mavericks. In the off-season, the team appeared reluctant to sign Deandre Ayotn to a max-long-term deal. However, the Pacers decided to test their resolve, and it felt like the Suns caved in reluctantly because they did not want to lose their asset. The team has been inconsistent this season but has won 9 of the past 11 games and is sixth in the Western Conference. Have they mended the fences, or is it a blip in the rollercoaster? Another storyline for the team is the absence of Jae Crowder2, who has refused to play with the desire for a new deal. Crowder is a viable 3 and D wing and several teams will be calling to find out what it will take to get number 99.
4. Who is the sneaky good player that your team should get?- my sneaky good player to get at the deadline is Bojan Bogdanović. Bogdanovic is playing with the Detroit Pistons after his stint with the Utah Jazz. Bojan is averaging 21.4pts, 3.6 rebounds, and 2,6 assist this season with a young Pistons team. He brings size, the ability to score at all levels, and has playoff experience. He might be the under-the-radar player to change the landscape of the title race as the third-best player on a contender. The Pistons will be looking for a high draft pick and possibly young talent heading the other way as they continue the rebuild around Cade Cunningham.
5. Who are the other veterans looking for a new team?- three veterans that may be looking for a new home are Kevin Love, Kyle Lowry, and Jakob Poeltl. The Cavaliers have reportedly removed Kevin from their rotation, and it remains to be seen whether they will field offers for the longest-tenured member of the team. Love is averaging just 8.5pts and 6.8 rebounds and playing limited minutes, but potentially could revitalize his season on a different. Lowry is another former star in the league, and the Heat may think they need a younger point guard if they are going to be a serious contender this season. Jakob Poeltl is an interesting name because the San Antonio Spurs are in rebuilding mode, and he is averaging 12.1 points and 9.1 rebounds. The Spurs will likely take the highest bidder, and that team will benefit and be one step closer to a championship.