NBA Trade Deadline All The Movers And Shakers
The NBA Trade Deadline was Thursday, Mar. 27th. There was a lot of movement in the association with some big names on the move while others stayed put as teams are pushing for the playoffs in this shortened NBA season.
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Many notable players were traded before the deadline that had been linked as available pieces. Nikola Vucevic was traded from the Orlando Magic to the Chicago Bulls, pairing him with All-Star Zach Lavine as the Bulls are looking to contend in the Eastern Conference this season and beyond with the youth of the team.
The Denver Nuggets made moves similar to the Bulls as they upgraded their power forward position after the departure of Jerami Grant to Detroit last offseason. The Nuggets made a trade for Aaron Gordon from the Orlando Magic that will shore up their frontcourt with Nikola Jokic by adding some athleticism and rebounding. The Nuggets also acquired JaVale McGee to play backup center, giving some much-needed quality play off the bench.
The reigning Eastern Conference Champions, the Miami Heat, picked up the 2017-2018 Most Improved Player in Victor Oladipo as they are set to make another finals run this season after starting the season off slow due to injuries to key players. This move gives them much-needed firepower if they are to compete with the new and improved Brooklyn Nets, Philadelphia 76ers and Milwaukee Bucks squads. Teams in the East are all looking well and returning to form as the playoffs approach.
The Los Angeles Clippers got their much-needed point guard after trading for Rajon Rondo at the expense of the former sixth man of the year, Lou Williams, who will be heading back to his hometown of Atlanta to play for the Hawks.
Both teams get what they needed in this deal as Atlanta needed another shot creator on offense next to Trae Young to force defenses to react and get open shots for the shooters. As for the Clippers, they have been in need of a point guard since last season. They were also linked to Rondo this offseason before he inked a deal to join the Hawks. With two two-way scoring wings as your best players, a point guard like Rondo can come into the mix and have a designing role on your team.
As for the buyout market, it was active as well as many teams that were looking to get certain players were still able to get those players still after their current team releases them as they clear waivers. Heavy favorites to meet in the NBA Finals, the Brooklyn Nets and Los Angeles Lakers, were both in need of an extra spark. With the Lakers missing LeBron James and Anthony Davis, both of which are currently out for extended periods due to injury, the defending champions will be signing Andre Drummond once he clears waivers from the Cleveland Cavaliers. Drummond is the NBA’s leading rebounder over the last six years and is still only 27 years old as he still has something in the tank that can help the team.
"I'm not here to be an All-Star, that's not what I'm trying to do. I'm trying to bring value, bring the things I'm good at, and try and help the team win."
— Brooklyn Nets (@BrooklynNets) March 30, 2021
Watch @aldridge_12's full first media session as a Brooklyn Net 🎥
The Brooklyn Nets also were active on the buyout market as they signed former All-Star big man LaMarcus Aldridge after he reached a buyout from his former team, the San Antonio Spurs. This move is after the Nets recently signed Blake Griffin after he reached the buyout with the Detroit Pistons as the team now features six former All-Stars
The midseason for the NBA is always something to take note of as teams will either buy or sell to improve their chances of winning the title or the lottery. This season is no different as this season is sure to be one to be remembered.