2022 NBA Trade Deadline | Deals for Ben Simmons, James Harden and CJ McCollum

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.

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Ben Simmons Saga Ends, James Harden to the 76ers

Photo Courtesy: ESPN

“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.

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Kings, Bucks, Clippers and Pistons Rosters With Trades

Photo Courtesy: FOX NEWS

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.

Written by: Hussein Abdullahi

Featuring: NBA, ESPN

Published by: TGQ Inc.

Andrew Wiggins Becomes The Third Canadian to be Named an NBA All-Star

Andrew Wiggins is named to his first NBA All-Star Selection

The Golden State Warriors forward Andrew Wiggins has earned his first All-Star nod in his career and was named to the starting lineup of the Western Conference. Wiggins will join his teammate Stephen Curry at this year’s NBA All-Star game in Cleveland. Andrew Wiggins becomes the third Canadian to make an NBA All-Star game, joining Steve Nash and Jamaal Magloire. Wiggins has earned the third Frontcount spot for the Western Conference, where he will join LeBron James, Nikola Jokic, Ja Morant, and Steph Curry. The 26-year old recalls his All-Star dream, Full Circle. Wiggins will play in his first NBA All-star game in Cleveland, after nearly eight years since the Cavs drafted him and sent him to Minnesota in exchange for Kevin Love.

“I thought I was dreaming for a second...Full circle. It feels good. No better way to have my first All-Star than where it all started.”

— Andrew Wiggins (Gloden State Warriors)

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Wiggins Selection as All-Star Starter Underscores NBA’s Voting Problem

Wiggins’ All-Star starter selection has raised skepticism. Many have labelled Wiggins as a controversial pick as a starter. You can make an argument for the Suns' Booker and Paul to fill the lineup. Both led their team to a leagues-best record this far. The more complex matter to analyze here is the NBA voting system. The fan voting portion accounts for 50%, leaving the other 50% to media and player votes (25% media, 25% players). Wiggins had more fan votes and fewer media and players votes. Thanks to a big push powered by K Pop-Star BamBam, Wiggins earned an extra 39,000 fan votes with a total of 3,452,586. The convergence of social media currency worked in the favour of Wiggins.

Photo Courtesy of Golden State Warriors (@warriors)

Ultimately, because the NBA fan voting portion is worth 50%, Wiggins had adequate support from his fanbase to secure his starting spot for the Western Conference. Wiggins ranked third most votes amongst Western Conference frontcourt players trailing LeBron behind James and Nikola Jokic. Wiggins also finished fifth in player votes and sixth in media votes. The All-star game has always been about entertaining the fans and in the case of Wiggins, playing an intricate role for the Warriors in the absence of Klay Thompson while maintaining a league’s second-best record with one of the largest fanbases earns you a starting bid. The NBA decided that each conference stats backcourt players and three frontcourt players—which partially is why Wiggins got the spot.

Golden State Warriors Wiggins' Stellar Performance This Season

With career-best efficacy, Wiggins has earned the respect of his teammate, especially from Steph and Klay. His improved shooting ability and defensive prowess helped the Warriors secure the 2nd seed in the Western Conference. The defensive presence of Wiggins has generated a league-best defensive rating of 102.4 for the Warriors. Coach Steve Kerr has praised Wiggins for his positive contributions all season in spite of the absences of Klay Thompson. Coach Kerr considered the All-Star selection “one of his proudest moments as a coach”. Klay Thompson also spoke highly about the first-time All-star. Wiggins has proven the naysayers wrong and is living up to the potential of his NBA career.

“He earned not only the All-Star spot but the position he mans on our team, He’s our number-one perimeter defender night in and night out.”

— Steve Kerr (Golden State Warriors

We would not be where we’re at without his play. It’s really cool, he deserves it. I whole heartedly believe that. He’s also one of the best athletes in the NBA, combine all those traits and you got an All-star.”- Klay Thompson

Prior to his stint with the Warriors, Wiggins only experiences one playoff appearance with Minnesota back in 2018. Following the departure of Kevin Durant via free agency, Andre Iguodala and the injuries of Curry and Klay, the Warriors pursued Wiggins during the 2019-2020 season. The Warriors then acquired Wiggins for Minnesota in exchange for D'Angelo Russell, Jacob Evans III, Omari Spellman, and a second-round pick. Through the acquisition of Wiggins, the Warriors are back in championship contention, part of that has to do with Wiggins who played an intricate part in their 39-13 record. Wiggins and his teammates are certain that this won’t be his last All-Star selection, as far Canada it’s a huge opportunity for the culture of basketball North of the border. Catch Wiggins in his first career All-Star game on February 20th live from Cleveland.

Featuring: Andrew Wiggins

Written By: Hussein Abdullahi

Published by: TGQ Inc.