NBA Thursday’s trade deadline is so close, you can smell it.
Or, if the air wasn't choked by the smoke of rumors, leaks, and speculation, at least you might be able to smell it.
We will soon find out where the fire started. But for now, let's take stock of some of the recent trade-related chatter and put together a look at the swaps that might materialize if these whispers increase in the coming days.
All of these transactions operate under cap rules and we have done our best to provide justification for all parties involved. Also, you better hurry up and read these. As we get closer to Thursday's deadline, things are changing at warp speed.
Philadelphia 76ers get: James Harden
Brooklyn Nets get: Ben Simmons , Seth Curry
After months of speculation and waist-deep in the weeds looking for a way to get Ben Simon Wouldn't it be important if we went back to Atlanta, Minnesota, Sacramento, or wherever? ESPN's Adrian Wojnarowski reported Monday that Sixers president Daryl Morey asked Nets general manager Sean Marks about James Harden in mid-January Availability of . Marks' response was a simple "no," and the two reportedly haven't spoken since.
But Woj noted that since no one is sure how happy Harden is in Brooklyn, those talks could reopen. Which, of course! Anything is possible and we have some details on how to get the deal done.
Here's what Bill Simmons said on his Spotify podcast: "This is the same source that's given me some good intel over the last few weeks that Brooklyn is open to it, but [Seth] Curry has to be involved in a trade."
I don't believe the Sixers should be as obsessed as they are with a declining 32-year-old whose physical condition is questionable -- and who is expected to get an extension worth $200 to $270 million when he becomes a free agent this summer. about. But if Morey still believes Harden is his guy, Curry can't be a sticking point.
In the above trade, the Nets got Simmons a player who didn't need (or wanted?) the ball and overhauled their defense, as well as an ace shooter in Curry. Assuming Simmons is healthy enough to play later this season, Brooklyn looks to be a better, deeper, and more balanced team after that assumption.
This may feel like settling down for Philadelphia, which has been bargaining for a while. But the Sixers should consider themselves lucky that Brooklyn didn't demand a handful of first-round picks in addition to Simmons and Curry. Brooklyn has leverage here because it knows the Sixers can only acquire Harden through a complicated sign-and-trade or the unlikely clearing of a hefty salary before free agency.
Minnesota Timberwolves receive: Marcus Smart, Enes Liberty
Boston Celtics receive: Jaden McDaniels, Malik Beasley, 2022 first-round pick (Top 10 Protected)
Per SKORNorth's Darren Wolfson: "Minnesota would definitely want to trade Marcus Smart. But unless they include a first-round pick or Jaden McDaniels and Malik Be sley, otherwise it most likely wouldn't have been completed."
So, what's the endgame for Minnesota ? The Wolves have Jared Vanderbilt filling the "range, high-energy, non-shooting forward" position, which means they shouldn't be obsessed with keeping another similar one in McDaniels players. Meanwhile, Beasley has been disappointing this season, averaging 12.3 points per game on 37.8/35.2/74.4 shooting.
throws protection in the first round and calls it good!
Smart would give the Wolves an upgrade at Patrick Beverley 's position, assuming they let the veteran point guard become a free agent this summer. More importantly, Smart would add versatility to the defense and provide an example of the level of effort required to win meaningful games for Karl-Anthony Towns and Anthony Edwards, neither of whom have ever played. A lot of these games.
Smart's inconsistent shooting is a problem, but when you have the best high-shooting big man ever at center, spacing is easily solved.
The Celtics will likely make a better offer for Smart unless the Wolves add more draft capital or remove protections on the picks they offer. But the move saves tax-conscious Boston a little cash, and past versions of Beasley have been an efficient three-point shooter the Celtics can use to bolster an offense that has struggled much of the season.
Atlanta Hawks get: Marcus Smart
Boston Celtics get: Bogdan Bogdanovic , 2022 first-round pick (via Charlotte Hornets ), 2022 first-round pick (from Oklahoma City Thunder)
Chris Kirschner of The Athletic reports that the Hawks are "interested" in Marcus Smart. Considering how well he fits as a defensive player on a team that always needs to have Trae Young around, that's enough to warrant a trade.
Boston may end up getting only four second-round picks from the additional picks, as both are protected and may not be conveyable. The Celtics should counter the Hawks by asking for Onyeka Okongwu and/or trying to expand the deal to include Horford's salary, which would keep them well below the tax bill this year.
Still, some version of this exchange makes sense. Smart will add defensive impact to a Hawks team in need of defense, while Bogdanovic will bring shooting and playmaking ability to a Celtics team that lacks those qualities. Complicating things are inputs and sweeteners.
Because Smart has played an integral role in Boston's recent 7-1 run since returning from injury, showing positive switch splits in seven of these eight games, the Celtics Teams may not be inclined to move him. Again, Smart's performance is the reason so many teams are interested.
This would allow Boston to take advantage of the situation and start a bidding war to sell a player at a high price for a player who has caused unrest in the locker room in the past.
