Previewing the 88 trade market

[Cellar-door]

Every year there seems to be a key trade that shakes up the league's playoff favorites. Last year it was Ricky Pierce going to the Nets on the cheap and providing key perimeter play to help out Sampson.

So lets take a look at this year's tank contenders for players that might be on the move. These are players who are vets that could make a major impact, on teams that may well be into tank mode by day 40.


Orlando looks on pace to run away with the tank race, and one reason.... they do not have a single player not on a rookie deal that any other team would want.

Clippers: 2nd place right now, has a few contenders:
Jim Brogan- A team with a PG injury might come calling for this guy, puts up big assist numbers, and while not an efficient scorer, in a lower priority role can chip in.
Michael Brooks- probably more of a deep bench guy if that for a title contender, but his one true skill as a turnover creator might appeal to a team with defensive flaws.

Bucks Very situational but a team with a heavy outside focus might talk themselves into Zollner who despite recent struggles has a history of excellent 3pt shooting for a big.

Sonics- Two contenders, but both seem questionable:
Thompson- Still gets blocks, but max salary is tough to match and he's declined everywhere else, inefficient from the field
Ford- still a solid defender, sneakily efficient from 3, but his turnovers have to concern teams, contenders often can't afford sloppiness from their PG unless it's their top scorer

Suns Lister is a strong rebounder and shot blocker, bit turnover prone, but he's a solid big.


Rockets- don't have their own 1st, and have had injury issues, expect them to pull out of this hole, and maybe to be buyers not sellers.

Hornets- Greenwood is the obvious piece, can score efficiently rebound and defend... TOV are up this year in contrast to past strong A/TO ratios, may be the choice to play at a breakneck pace. Still looks like an impact player but matching can be tough at a max deal.

Knicks- like the Rockets don't have own pick, next year may be the one to watch for them as sellers in Sikma's final year.

Bullets- have to think they stay pat, but
Ellis is a sniper from 3 that could hold appear for outside teams.
Bird just signed.... would they move on that quickly? Also, would there be a market for that deal? Might be explored.

Overall takeaways.
Not a lot of impact wings on the current bottom teams. Some bigs of various value (one well rounded, a couple defensive specialists) and a PG, lot of big salaries that could make matching difficult.
It's early so there could be a shakeup in who is selling, but right now definitely feels like there are only 2-3 players who could truly reshape the title conversation like Pierce did, but some solid additions that could solidify top sides.

[the goat]

This whole article is just a secret PR piece for Greenwood

[Cellar-door]

Once this has enough votes:

Smits
Strength
Jump shot (if it effects FTs which I think it does? If not Inside scoring).

[lukeyrid13]

Good concept...but just not a lot of content in this one.

Maybe do 1 sentence on each team, even if it's just
"Nets are on fire; they lead the league in record and also in felonious activity".

[Oregon Ownage]

Smits
Jump shot

Outside shooting went to C-

Done

[dd10snoop28]

This whole article is just a secret PR piece for Greenwood

[Bestfoods]

Good concept...but just not a lot of content in this one.

Maybe do 1 sentence on each team, even if it's just
"Nets are on fire; they lead the league in record and also in felonious activity".

Felonious activity...classic, and not prosecutable in Portland