We are now less than 48 hours away from the NBA trade deadline, and I have set the over/under on the number of trades made Thursday at 4 1/2.
Does that seem low?
Well, with the number of trades that have already taken place this season, it stands to reason that things will be more quiet this year than they have in years past. With that being said, here are a couple things I expect to happen:
_ The Portland Trail Blazers need some help on the wing, and at the center position. I expect them to engage heavily with the Nuggets and possibly land Wilson Chandler in exchange for a first-round pick and a handful of expiring contracts.
_ I expect the Toronto Raptors to make a hard push for a power forward who can score more easily than the Amir Johnson/Patrick Patterson combo, but it would surprise me if Masai Ujiri can pull something off. But also keep this in mind about Ujiri: He has been trying to get his hands on Nicolas Batum for ages, and he will give up just about anything to land the French forward.
_ With talks between the Thunder and the Nets for a Brook Lopez deal apparently dead, it would not surprise me to see OKC go after disgruntled Jazz center Enes Kanter, who is doing little more than complaining while getting in the way of Rudy Gobert. Kanter will be a restricted free agent at the end of the season, and it is doubtful the Jazz will be inclined to match. So if they can move him now and get back a future No. 1 pick, they should go for it. Oklahoma City has already traded away it’s No. 1 pick in 2015, but moving a 2017 first-round pick (with declining lottery protection) along with Kendrick Perkins (and perhaps Jeremy Lamb) would give them a center to pair with Steven Adams moving forward while also getting them below the dreaded luxury tax threshold. It would be a definite roster upgrade for a team currently ninth in the West, and let’s face it … the Thunder have this year and next year to win a championship, or else Kevin Durant is a goner. Here are two variations of a Kanter-Perkins deal from the ESPN trade machine, version I and version 2.
More on what I believe is likely and unlikely in this interview with Noah Coslov of CineSport.
You can certainly see your enthusiasm within the work you write.
The world hopes for more passionate writers such as you who aren’t afraid to say how they believe.
Always go after your heart.
“I expect the Toronto Raptors to make a hard push for a power forward who can score more easily than the Amir Johnson/Patrick Patterson combo, but it would surprise me if Masai Ujiri can pull something off.”
I expect that Masai is looking to replace Valancounis who slows down the offense and is a terrible defender.
When Amir Johnson is on court and Valanciunas off the Raptors average 117.1 points per 100 possessions. When Johnson is off regardless of who is on the Raptors average 117.5 points per 100 possessoins.
However there is huge difference in the Raptors defense in the two scenarios. With Johnson on and Valanciunas off the Raptors give up just 102.4 points per 100 possessions. With Johnson off no matter who is on they give up 111.0 points per 100 possessions or 8.5 more.
Now lets look at Blake Griffin . When he is on the court the Clippers average 112.1 points per 100 possessions 5 less then when Amir Johnson is on and Valanciunas is off
Now lets look at Aldridge. With him on the cour the Blazers ave 106.6 points per 100 possessions 10 less than when Johnson is on for the Raptors and Valanciunas off
Now with Valanciunas on & Johnson off he Raptos ave 111.7 points per 100 possession about 5 less per 100 possessions when Johnson is on and Valanciunas is off and give up 7 more points per 100 poss in same scenario.
The problem at both ends of the court is Valanciunas
You’re right. The problem is JV. And I been saying this forever on RapHQ and RapRepublic but get treated like a dummy every time. Not his fault though he’s still young. Wouldn’t surprise me if JV gets traded and TRoss goes to Portland as that’s his hometown and Massai usually sends players to destinations the pieces he’s moving will like and enjoy due to the fact he’s trying to show the league the organization does right by it’s players even when they are done with them.
Blazers are not giving up Batum for Ross. No disrespect to Ross.