With a few days before the Deadline of Trade, the NBA is now witnessing a number of moves as front offices beef up their rosters with missing links in the hopes that their fortunes receive a boost and their team, more competitive in the on-going campaign. Mid January, the Atlanta Hawks did send Cam Reddish, Solomon Hill and a 2025 second-round pick to the New York Knicks. In return, the Knicks sent Kevin Knox and a protected first-round pick to Atlanta, but speculations and rumors have been rife in the past weeks with possible moves of players from one club to another. Tuesday, February 8 was an active day in the market with some dominos falling in Sacramento and Louisiana.
Here are some of the deals that made headlines and caused quite a stir: INDIANA TRADES SABONIS FOR HALIBURTON AND OTHERS In a shocking move, the Sacramento Kings sent second-year guard Tyrese Haliburton to the Indiana Pacers as part of a deal that lands them two-time All-Star Domantas Sabonis. Sabonis immediately becomes Sacramento’s best player, important for a franchise that has yet to have an All-Star since agreeing to trade DeMarcus Cousins to the New Orleans Pelicans on the night of the 2017 All-Star Game in New Orleans. With the Pacers rebuilding and the Kings being who they are this is not a move that will massively shake up the Eastern or Western Conference standings.
Welcome to Sactown, Domantas! 👑 pic.twitter.com/NxmLdR8Gqw — Sacramento Kings (@SacramentoKings) February 9, 2022
BLAZERS, PELICANS AGREE TO McCOLLUM DEAL The New Orleans Pelicans have acquired CJ McCollum form the Portland Trail Blazers. The trade breaks up Portland’s backcourt duo of McCollum and All-NBA guard Damian Lillard and ends an era for the franchise. The Blazers have made the playoffs every season since the team drafted McCollum in 2013, a year after selecting Lillard. New Orleans receive: CJ McCollum Larry Nance Jr. Tony Snell Portland receive: Josh Hart Tomas Satoransky Nickeil Alexander-Walker Didi Louzada 2022 first-round pick (protected) Two future second-round picks
Welcome to New Orleans @CJMcCollum! 🙌 #WBD | #Pelicans pic.twitter.com/sTQcyEwcqJ — New Orleans Pelicans (@PelicansNBA) February 9, 2022
LEVERT TRADED TO THE CAVS Over the weekend, the Cleveland Cavaliers traded Ricky Rubio and multiple draft picks for Caris LeVert from the Pacers. Both teams faced off last Sunday, so LeVert did not go far to introduce himself to his new teammates after being traded from Detroit to Cleveland. The 27-year-old is averaging 18.7 points per game this year after putting up 20.2 in 2020-21. He is also coming off a 42 point game against the Bulls, which is all the proof Cleveland needs of his shooting and scoring ability. No doubt he will add to the Cavaliers’ offensive output, making their hopes of a deep playoff run even more realistic. The pick-up should be well-worth Ricky Rubio’s expiring contract and a couple of draft picks with far less certainty than LeVert’s.
Caris LeVert has been traded to the Cavaliers from the Indiana Pacers. Cleveland's ORtg with Darius Garland this season: On Court: 114.0 (3rd best in NBA) Off Court: 106.5 (4th worst) Another creative guard in LeVert should help immensely. pic.twitter.com/qnW6BSKKFV — Basketball Reference (@bball_ref) February 7, 2022
RUMOR MILL Nets reportedly eye Harris trade options Brooklyn Nets guard Joe Harris, who has been out since November due to ankle surgery, is reportedly being shopped by the team per Brian Windhorst of ESPN. Harris is a well-known 3-point specialist and led the league in 3-point percentage in two of the last four seasons. This season, he is averaging 11.3 ppg, 3.6 rpg and 4.0 apg while shooting 46.6% on 3-pointers in 14 games. Bucks, Bulls show reported interest in Schroder The Milwaukee Bucks and Boston Celtics have reportedly having trade discussions. The Bucks have reported interest in Celtics backup guard Dennis Schroder, while the Celtics have some interest in Bucks guard Donte DiVincenzo. Per Khari Thompson and Tom Westerholm of Boston.com, the Chicago Bulls and Milwaukee Bucks have put offers “on the table” for Schroder as well. 3 teams reportedly interested in Pistons’ Grant Detroit Pistons forward Jerami Grant is reportedly drawing interest from the Sacramento Kings, Washington Wizards and Portland Trail Blazers, per James Edwards III of The Athletic. Grant is averaging 19.3 ppg this season after posting a career-best 22.3 ppg last season with Detroit.
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