There are very few certainties heading into the dawning NBA trade season, in part due to a bloated middle class — six teams are within two games of .500 — and the 20-team postseason keeping everyone in some level of contention. It makes it hard to determine which teams will be making deals.
There is one particular situation to be aware of. The NBA is currently implementing new rules for teams with large budgets. Individuals subject to the luxury tax, especially those with assets exceeding the $17.5 million salary cap line, or the “second apron,” are confronted with a number of transaction restrictions that impede the construction of large trades.
The regulations will take effect at the conclusion of the regular season, though not all of them are in place yet. This may incentivize some of these teams to try and move quickly before they are unable to do so. For instance, the Phoenix Suns were persuaded to pursue a Bradley Beal trade last summer despite the possibility that they might not be able to do so by the impending
The regulations will take effect at the conclusion of the regular season, though not all of them are in place yet. This may incentivize some of these teams to try and move quickly before they are unable to do so. For instance, knowing they might not be able to complete a trade for Bradley Beal in the near future, the Phoenix Suns were persuaded to pursue one last summer owing to the impending regulations.
After all of that, the aforementioned statement only makes one thing evident: every team needs size on the perimeter. This is the reason why O.G. Anunoby and Pascal Siakam, two free agents who the Toronto Raptors may trade for, as well as the three important wings of the Chicago Bulls, will garner a lot of attention:
Why:Â The Celtics have six premium starters and it makes them one of the NBA’s best teams. But after that, coach Joe Mazzulla has less experienced/proven players on his bench. Getting one more quality rotation player, at any position, would give Boston options.
