NBA Trade Deadline 2022: Buzz, Updates

The NBA trade deadline is less than 24 hours away (3 PM ET.), and several teams have made major moves. The trade that has made national headlines is the New Orleans Pelicans acquiring CJ McCollum. This trade sends CJ McCollum to the New Orleans Pelicans in a 7-player deal. In exchange for McCullom, the Trail Blazers receive Josh Hart, Tomas Satoransky, Nickiel Alexander-Walker and protected 1st round and 2nd round picks. The Trail Blazers will need to capitalize off their multiple draft picks in pursuit of acquiring high-end talent for Lillard. The Portland Trailblazers are set to reconstruct their roster around Damian Lillard while opening up an excess of $60 million in Salary cap space this off-season. The Blazers now have the possibility to attract marquee superstars in free agency this off-season, notable free agents include Kyrie Irving, James Harden, Bradley Beal and Zach Lavine. Reshaping the Portland Trailblazers will be an ongoing process as they will rely heavily on their young core.

Ben Simmons Saga Ends, James Harden to the 76ers

“Brooklyn was ready to move off of James Harden. It was clear that he didn't want to be there anymore. They got enough back to try to put a team on the floor for this year and for years to come.” - Adrian Wojnarowski (ESPN Senior NBA Insider)

The Philadelphia 76ers have acquired James Harden in trade for Ben Simmons. The Nets and 76ers organizations have engaged in trade discussions all week in pursuit to trade two unhappy superstars looking for a new roster. This blockbuster trade sends James Harden and Paul Millsap to the 76ers in exchange for Ben Simmons, Seth Curry, Andre Drummond and two first-round picks in 2022 and 2027. Harden has vocalized his frustrations as the Nets are on a nine-game losing streak. The Absence of Kevin Durant and Kyrie Irving has backfired on the Nets leaving Harden no choice but to seek his option to depart to the 76ers. With the addition of Simmons, the Nets will have a new big 3 as he will join KD and Kyrie in Brooklyn. How often they will play together still remains contingent depending on how soon Simmons returns to play and Kyrie’s availability. Together the Nets will remain as a top contender in the Eastern Conference. The Nets returned as the favoured to win the NBA title, with added shooting ability courtesy of Seth curry and the defensive prowess and playmaking of Simmons. As for the 76ers, James Harden will join Joel Embiid, a duo whose combined scoring average is about 50 ppg this season. For the first time in his career, Joel Embiid will team up with an MVP in Harden. The next matchup between the Nets and 76ers will be on March 10th in Philly, a game that Kyrie Irving and Durant will be expected to play. This will be a preview of the potential matchup of the Eastern Conference finals. The most significant part of this trade is that Brooklyn is looking to retool their roster for the future with the added draft picks and their long-term investment in Kevin Durant. As for the 76ers, James Harden will become a free agent after this season and is expected to re-sign with the 76ers on a supermax deal. A plan that GM Daryl Morey’s had since he become the GM for the 76ers. In recent years, Morey tried to trade for Harden prior to him going to the Brooklyn Nets. Harden reunites with his former GM in hope of securing his first NBA championship.

Kings, Bucks, Clippers and Pistons Rosters With Trades

ESPN sources tell Adrian Woj, The Sacramento Kings, Milwaukee Bucks, Detroit Pistons and Los Angeles Clippers all engaged in a four-team trade. Full participants include Donte DeVincenzo, Trey Lyles, Josh Jackson, Serge Ibaka, Rodney Hood, Semi Ojele and Marvin Bagley III. The Kings continue to reconstruct their roster with the recent Domantas Sabonis-Tyrese Haliburton trade, now adding Donte DeVincenzo, Trey Lyles and Josh Jackson in the mix. The defending champions Milwaukee Bucks add a veteran presence with the addition of Serge Ibaka. The Bucks also will have two future second-round draft picks and cash with can be leveraged this off-season in pursuit of a sign and trade situation that will strengthen their depth. Another big trade that occurred in the nick of time was between the Dallas Mavericks and the Washington Wizards. The Wizards have acquired Kristaps Porzingis in a trade sending Spencer Dinwiddie and David Bertans. The Wizards are looking to build a team around their franchise Bradley Beal who will become a free agent after this season. The Dallas Mavericks get rid of Porzingis with the intention of clearing off his contract to retain flexibility in free agency. The Mavs have freed up excess space in their salary cap in 2023-2024 to attract superstars in free agency.