With a fast, exciting start to the NBA season, it seems any team has a shot to make a run in the playoffs. As the trade deadline was approaching, it seemed to be shaping up as an underwhelming one, with the only notable trade being Trae Young to the Washington Wizards. But that changed as 28 deals were completed in the days before Feb 5. deadline, as 27 of the 30 NBA teams were involved in at least one trade.
As the deadline approached, two-time MVP Giannis Antetokounmpo was the most intriguing trade candidate, with many reported offers, but he is staying in Milwaukee. Instead, the Bucks moved on from Amir Coffey and Cole Antony in exchange for Ousmane Dieng and Nigel Hayes-Davis.
“I’m glad we brought in a younger player, hopefully we can develop him to become a true rotational player,” sophomore Sam Eggert said.
Eggert’s vision might be coming true, as in Dieng’s first few games with the Bucks, he has looked promising, averaging 18 points per game in 30 minutes of playing time.
“I’m glad we kept him (Giannis). Hopefully, we can have a better second half of the season. And make a run in the playoffs,” sophomore Aaron Rekowski said.
On the other hand, another former MVP, James Harden, requested a trade from the Clippers and was sent to the Cavaliers in exchange for a young point guard in Darius Garland and a second-round pick. The Clippers hope to move on from an aging star, and in return, get a young, promising point guard, as the Cavaliers get a proven superstar to help bolster their already title-contending roster.
The real buyers of this year’s deadline, though, were the Washington Wizards, as they traded for former Hawks point guard Trae Young and made a big, unexpected one to go get Anthony Davis from the Dallas Mavericks. The Wizards seem like the clear winners of this year’s deadline as they brought in two superstars to surround an already young, promising team, only giving up six players on expiring contracts and two late first-round picks.
“I think they could be a serious contender within the next few years,” sophomore Bryce Carlson said. “They have a good young core as well as some proven veterans; it should be a fun team to watch.”
The last notable move before the deadline was the Memphis Grizzlies sending 2x all-star Jaren Jackson Jr., as well as John Konchar, Jock Landale, and Vince Williams Jr. In exchange for Walter Clayton Jr., Kyle Anderson, Taylor Hendricks, Georges Niang, and three future first-round picks.
There has already been some controversy about the trade, though, as the Jazz have been fined half a million dollars by the NBA for accusations of tanking since their first-round pick this year is top 8 protected, and they were trying to purposely lose games.
“I think tanking is a huge problem. Teams should not be allowed to purposely lose. It rigs the draft lottery and gives free wins to opposing teams, which is not good for the NBA’s landscape,” senior Peter Giettmann said.
Fans will get to see how all the trades affect the season moving forward, and in the future, big changes are bound to happen, and exciting teams are forming.
