Breaking Down Six NBA Trade Deadline Rumors
Today, it’s time to evaluate some trade deadline rumors. I found six of them that were interesting and broke them down from every angle.
(This is part two of my Trade Deadline series. Click here for part one – the full guide to the 2022 Trade Deadline)
This time of year, rumors go hand in hand with the NBA. Most of them are far-fetched and belong in tabloid magazines, but some of them are crazy enough to be true.
I found six trade deadline rumors with varying degrees of craziness. Some of these are downright crazy, but others? Some of them might be crazy enough to work.
From a potential James Harden landing spot to a predicament in New York, here are six trade deadline rumors that (might) happen.
James Harden Leaves Brookyln; Partners With Embiid
It’s been a little over a year since the monumental James Harden trade that brought one of the most prolific scorers in NBA history alongside two other historically good ones. If not for injuries, who knows? This trio could have won the title last year.
2022 has been more of the same bad luck for Brooklyn. Kyrie Irving can only play on the road due to his vaccination status. Kevin Durant is out for weeks with a knee injury. The coup de gras? James Harden is no longer an MVP-caliber player.
His level of physical fitness has been the talk of the town for months. Is he in shape? Can he go back to being an MVP? The Nets need the old James Harden back to contend. There’s only one problem. James Harden might not be a Net long enough for that to happen.
Does James Harden Want To Leave?
On January 25th, 2022, Jake Fischer reported that Harden would “Welcome New Scenery Next Season.” Harden has a $47.3 million dollar player option for 2023. If he accepts, he becomes a free agent after the 2023 season. If he declines, Harden would become an unrestricted free agent for the first time in his career.
That motive alone is not hard to follow. Harden will decline the player option in pursuit of one last lucrative deal. That’s just how the NBA works nowadays. However, Harden’s desire to leave is more than just the amount of zeroes on his paycheck.
Here are some of the reasons Harden might be unhappy, according to this report;
- Frustrated about Irving’s part-time status as a player (totally understandable)
- Steve Nash’s fluid rotations; not having a set crunch-time unit (ok? Not really Nash’s fault the Nets’ depth sucks)
- Harden doesn’t enjoy living in Brooklyn – change in climate – state taxes (I hope this isn’t the main reason he’s unhappy. Just get a coat, dude)
Harden’s reasons for being unhappy span things both on and off the court. I can rationalize some of his reasons, but not all of them.
So, a superstar is unhappy. We’ve seen this story a few too many times. Harden hasn’t asked for a trade yet, but there’s been only one team mentioned in trade rumors. That team is the Philadelphia 76ers. Spoiler Alert: things are about to get messy.
The Complex Philadelphia Situation
The Philadelphia 76ers are experiencing their own, worse experience with a “superstar” right now. The Ben Simmons saga is dragging out longer than The Simpsons. We all know a trade will come at some point, but for who and when?
If Harden wants to rejoin some old friends in Philly, Ben Simmons has to be involved. There’s no way around that.
But, here’s the thing. When a superstar wants to go somewhere, it happens. When AD wished to join the Lakers, it happened. Things got ugly, sure, but it happened. However, this situation is a lot more complex than that situation. Here’s a list to prove that point;
1. Leverage
While in prison, Andy Dufresne was in love with geology and rocks. Red called geology “the study of pressure and time.” In this case, Leverage is the study of “time and stubbornness.” The Nets hold all the leverage in this situation. They have no pressure to move on from Harden. They can be as stubborn as they want to. Meanwhile, the 76ers have a ticking time bomb in Simmons, who gets less valuable by the day.
If you’re the Nets, there is no pressure to move Harden. Why would there be?
2. Tampering (yay)
Harden has numerous ties to the 76ers organization. Daryl Morey tried to bring him a championship in Houston. Morey was the long-time GM in Houston, but a championship ring never came. You can blame Chris Paul’s hamstrings for that one.
To go further, Harden has a personal relationship with Michael Rubin. Rubin is a part-time owner of the 76ers, so you can see where this is going. Chris Haynes has reported that Philly has “opened itself to possible tampering charges,” thanks to that close relationship.
If a Harden deal is starting to come to fruition, you should expect some complaints from around the league. Fun.
3. Pressure
With Joel Embiid having another incredible, MVP season, the 76ers have to make a move. They can’t win a championship when Seth Curry is their second-best player.
They haven’t moved Simmons yet due to their desire for a superstar. As of right now, it seems like Harden is their primary target. But, as we’ve already talked about, there is no pressure on the Nets to make a move. They can wait until the offseason.
The 76ers don’t have such a luxury. That’s why you might see rumors heat up over the coming days as they scramble to make a move.
Why This Won’t Happen
If a list about how complex the Philly situation wasn’t the nail in the coffin, here’s one for you. The 76ers have absolutely no leverage in this situation. Zero. Zip. Nada.
The Nets can wait until the offseason to heal this relationship. Meanwhile, the 76ers are scrambling to not waste the once-in-a-lifetime brilliance of Joel Embiid. The Nets and 76ers are not in the right place to make a groundbreaking trade.
To add to that, why would the Nets trade Harden to an Eastern Conference rival? If Harden were ever to leave, he would go back to the West. There’s no way he would land on an Eastern Conference contending team like Philly.
But wait, there’s more. Not many teams have the cap space to pay Harden the lucrative contract he seeks. No other team has KD and Kyrie waiting to play alongside him. If the 76ers wanted to get Harden, they would have to do cap gymnastics to make it work. And that’s even if the Nets want to move Harden, which I find unlikely.
In short, Harden may want to leave the Nets, but he doesn’t have a lot of options. Even the team that makes the “most” sense is a long shot at acquiring him. As of right now, James Harden will continue to be a Net. Whether he likes it or not.
Verdict: HIGHLY Unlikely
Bulls Trade Future For Present; Go After Forwards
The Chicago Bulls have faced more injuries than any other team in the league. Their backcourt of Ball & Caruso is set to miss a month. Derrick Jones Jr. remains out. Patrick Williams, a breakout candidate for 2022, has hardly played.
An already thin frontcourt has been stripped bare thanks to injuries. The Bulls have been rumored for the high-end wings on the market. The question is, should they go for it?
To get Jerami Grant or Harrison Barnes, Chicago can spare no expense. Giving up a premium is necessary to acquire those two forwards.
Jerami Grant
In Grant, they’ll be getting a solid two-way option. He can space the floor and above all else, is another body off the bench. Grant wants to be the main option on a team, but that won’t happen in the Windy City. He also wants a 4-year contract extension, which I’m not sure the Bulls will give him.
Grant might be a true rental, but he’s been called the crown jewel of the trade deadline season for a reason. The Bulls, I’m sure, would welcome him aboard if the opportunity presented itself.
Harrison Barnes
In my opinion, Barnes is who the Bulls should go after. He is used to being a role player, so there’s no risk of him being unhappy in a winning situation. He’s an experienced veteran who can do it all. Shoot, pass, defend, everything.
Barnes is under contract for 2023, so he’s not a true rental. With the Kings bottoming out (again), Barnes has been made available. It makes too much sense for the Bulls not to get him.
Kind of Go For It
In my opinion, I think that the Bulls should trade Patrick Williams if it means getting someone like Barnes. I know that he’s young and has potential, but this management group has made it clear they want to win. Someone like Harrison Barnes helps the Bulls win a title, not a sophomore wing.
There is a caveat to that thinking. This is the most I’d give up if I were Artūras Karnišovas;
Patrick Williams – Derrick Jones Jr – Troy Brown Jr – 2022 FRP (via Portland)
Given the Bulls’ need for a forward and Artūras Karnišovas’s aggressive mindset, it’s not crazy to see the Bulls trading Williams at the deadline.
Verdict: Believable
Warriors REALLY Go All-In; Go After Another All-Star
The Warriors are the best team in the league. I don’t care that Stephen Curry has forgotten how to shoot. Nor do I care that this team is average without Draymond Green. When they get things going, you want to be as far away as possible from this juggernaut.
The Warriors have a weird cast at their disposal. Steve Kerr has veterans galore off the bench, a luxury he didn’t have last year. At the same time, the Warriors have three youngsters craving for minutes.
James Wiseman was the #2 overall pick last year. He struggled mightily and the Warriors were better without him. He hasn’t played this season due to injury.
Jonathan Kuminga was one of Golden State’s lottery picks this year. The G-League product has unreal physical tools, showing flashes in his limited minutes.
Moses Moody was the other lottery pick, but he isn’t the focus of this segment.
Similar to Chicago, do the Warriors go all-in for an All-Star? Domantas Sabonis would be an upgrade in their frontcourt who would thrive in their pace and space offense. Harrison Barnes would add another unreal piece to their bench. Mitchell Robinson would be a great defensive center.
The Warriors have the assets to make a move that will really set them above the competition. To me, it doesn’t make sense to do so.
Why Mess With A Good Thing?
I get the idea of trading youngsters for All-Stars. In the Warriors case, it makes some sense due to how raw their youngins are. They’re not trading established young players. We don’t know what the hell Kuminga or Wiseman will become.
With that being said, the Warriors don’t need more star power. Klay Thompson coming back made the offense sluggish for a few games, but they’re just now adjusting to him. Roles have been drastically changed thanks to his return.
Adding another star would do more of that to the roster. More adjusting, more changing, which isn’t ideal for a contending team this last into the season.
Would Domantas Sabonis make the Warriors better? Yes. Do the Warriors have the assets for Sabonis? Also yes.
Should They Trade For Domantas Sabonis? No.
Verdict: Plausible, But Not Recommended
Dallas Tries To Find Luka A Co-Star While Risking Valuable Role Players
The Dallas Mavericks have found new means of success. After being an offensive behemoth over the past two seasons, new head coach Jason Kidd has a different approach. The Caillou look-alike has transformed this defense. Even with Luka Doncic struggling, the Mavericks sit comfortably in the West.
These past two years have shown that Luka needs more help around him. With the defense impersonating the 2004 Pistons, it might be time to swing that big move. Getting Luka another star could push Dallas to a contender in the loaded Western Conference.
Those last two paragraphs have been too good to be true for Dallas fans, so here’s a curveball. They don’t have any assets. Teams want Kristaps Porzingis as much as they want smallpox. Maxi Kleber & Dwight Powell aren’t deal-breakers. The only two assets Dallas has are Jalen Brunson and Dorian Finney-Smith.
To Deal or Not To Deal?
Brunson and Finney-Smith are two quality role players. Finney-Smith is a versatile wing defender with some catch-and-shoot ability. Brunson has emerged as the perfect guard alongside Doncic. Someone who can create shots for himself and others on his own. Again, both of these guys play major roles for Dallas.
But, these are the only moveable assets that Dallas has. So, what’s their angle here?
The Knicks desperately want Brunson, who is set for a big payday this offseason. Dallas’s best offer is 4-years, $56 million. There’s a reason Jalen Brunson doesn’t want to sign that deal. Other teams will give him close to double that amount.
Brunson is Dallas’s second-best player, but it’s unlikely they keep him this offseason. Finney-Smith is another expiring contract, someone who will seek considerably more than what he’s earning right now.
Let’s Go Star Hunting
Who could the Mavericks hypothetically get? Domantas Sabonis is likely out of their price range. Myles Turner is interesting, but his injury makes his value murky. The name I keep coming back to is Bradley Beal.
Beal has been terrible in 2022 compared to his previous two seasons. He and Spencer Dinwiddie have mixed like oil and water. It’s unlikely he gets a supermax from the Wizards, so he’s going to be on the open market.
Is this enough to get Beal, who would be a great fit alongside Doncic?
Wizards Get:
Washington: Kristaps Porzingis / Jalen Brunson / 2022 FRP / 2026 FRP (Lottery Protected)
Dallas: Bradley Beal
Stay The Course
Don’t get me wrong, Dallas still needs a real co-star for Luka. But I don’t think this is the time to do it. You’re finding surprising success with a new coach. The roster hasn’t changed much since last year, so this success is because of Jason Kidd. Yes, I know that’s a shocking revelation.
I don’t think it’s wise to sell out for a star when you’re winning right now. Luka Doncic hasn’t been great this season and Dallas is still seven games over 0.500. Once Doncic gets back into shape, look out for Dallas.
While Jalen Brunson might not be a Maverick long-term, it’s better to have him for the playoffs than not at all. Knowing this, Mark Cuban will trade for Bradley Beal. You have been warned.
Verdict: DON’T DO IT
The Knicks Desperately Try and Fix Their Season
The Knicks are bad. Their heavy spending in free agency has netted them a 0.500 record instead of contention. Evan Fournier has been underwhelming. Julius Randle is lost. Kemba Walker isn’t enough.
The Knicks need a spark, one they aren’t getting with this current roster. They have the worst starting lineup in the NBA, one that consistently lacks a punch. Moves are coming, but which avenue should the Knicks travel down?
Avenue #1: Go Crazy
Option #1 is if the Knicks do everything in their power to salvage their season. Expect a lot of trades in this scenario. A lot of risks with some false hope sprinkled in. This could mean trading for De’Aaron Fox. Perhaps Jerami Grant. Maybe take a shot at Beal or Simmons?
I wouldn’t recommend this avenue. The Knicks shouldn’t try and swing big for the 7th seed. It’s just not worth it.
Avenue #2: Trim Around The Edges
This avenue is slightly conservative, but it paves the way for the future. Trade Alec Burks, Evan Fournier, and Kemba Walker. Maybe Derrick Rose if you want to get really crazy.
Make ways for the youngsters. Quintin Grimes has quietly been awesome this season. Immanuel Quickley needs the ball in his hands. Obi Topping is one of the few players who seems to care.
Trading away some veterans would allow the Knicks to assess what they have. I would recommend this avenue.
Avenue #3: Changing? Never Heard of Her
The final avenue is that the Knicks do nothing. Them trading for Cam Reddish is the only move they see fit. They will continue to run out this lifeless team as they sink farther and farther away from the postseason.
Continue to run Julius Randle isolations. Don’t change the starting lineup. Continue to have to dig yourselves out of holes. Change? Pfft.
What Will They Do?
To be honest, I don’t know what the Knicks want to do. They have to firmly pick a direction. Do they really want a guy like Brunson? Do they want to rebuild? Are they content with staying the same?
(Don’t pick that last option)
If I were the Knicks, I would prepare for a rebuild. Accept that last season was a fluke and build for the future. There’s no shame in that. There is shame, however, in trotting out this sorry lineup every night.
The Wizards Don’t Want Dinwiddie; Who Does?
The Spencer Dinwiddie experiment has been a disaster. His 3-year contract received praise from around the league. In reality, it’s been one of the worst contracts handed out. Dinwiddie cannot coexist with Bradley Beal.
Dinwiddie has played better without the shot-chucking Beal. The opposite is also true, where Beal plays better without Dinwiddie. These two guys are not meant to fit together.
A recent report from Kevin O’Conner at the Ringer made it clear that Dinwiddie is already on the hot seat. His underwhelming production and poor body language led to this scathing quote;
The Wizards want to move [Spencer] Dinwiddie because he looks like a shell of his former self and his teammates don’t want him there.
Damn
Dinwiddie is a solid secondary guard for any team. I don’t know if his ACL injury is still affecting him, but perhaps a change in scenery would help. He was solid in Brooklyn for a few years, but something’s not right in Washington.
Since that O’Connor report came out, there hasn’t been much buzz around Dinwiddie. It’s like the cheese touch at school. Everybody wants to be as far away as possible from you.
If the Wizards do find a trade partner for Dinwiddie, does that change Beal’s mindset about staying? Maybe.
WEIRD
To be honest, there aren’t enough rumors for me to even make up a Dinwiddie landing spot. I would love to, but I can’t.
The Knicks could be a potential suitor, but what would they give up? Alec Burks with some picks? Is that the most they can get out of Dinwiddie?
It’s a unique situation that has come out of the blue. On my 2022 NBA Bingo Card, I did not put down this situation. Damn it.
My gut feeling tells me that Dinwiddie doesn’t get moved before the deadline. But who knows? Maybe we’ll see him in a new landing spot, one where he doesn’t try and be a leader.
Takeaways
I think this trade deadline might not be as crazy as I originally thought. I expected so many moves when I made my guide to the deadline, but nothing has happened since the Cam Reddish trade.
Hell, we haven’t even gotten one of those tweets from Woj that says a team is “close” to making a move. There will be a few moves that happen on February 10th. Those moves will always exist.
But for the most part, as of right now, this deadline is shaping up to be a dud. Oh well.
What Are Your Thoughts On These Trade Deadline Rumors? Leave A Comment Down Below!
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