Which Teams Could Make a Move Before the NBA Trade Deadline?

 Which Teams Could Make a Move Before the NBA Trade Deadline?

Jeffrey Pierce: Do you think the Spurs might consider trading for Zach LaVine now that they’re positioned to make the playoffs? With Victor Wembanyama already an All-Star, the Spurs should focus on competing now before the potential injury issues that typically affect big men, like with their feet or backs.

Sam: I agree. The Western Conference isn’t as intimidating as expected, with teams like the Thunder, who are leading but are small and struggled against the Bucks in the NBA Cup, and the up-and-coming Rockets right alongside teams like Memphis and Dallas. Despite Jokic's brilliance, the Nuggets aren't deep or big spenders, so they might not pose a big threat either. The Western Conference is in a state of transition, with the Warriors and Lakers declining, the Suns possibly overrated, and the Timberwolves’ window closing after just a season. Given this shift, it wouldn’t be surprising for the Spurs to go after LaVine, but their real priority might be at point guard. With Chris Paul past his prime, the Spurs might also be focusing on finding a solution there. Though Gregg Popovich liked LaVine for his Olympic team, the Spurs already have scorers in place. A recent hot topic has been the struggling Kings. De’Aaron Fox hasn’t signed an extension, and there’s speculation about what might happen when his contract expires after next season. If he leaves, the Kings could be a team on the move, especially with the cap expanding. The Spurs have players like Vassell and Keldon Johnson, though I’m not sure if Castle is a point guard. While it seems like the Kings are still committed to winning this season, their struggles have raised questions. They’re not quite in full rebuild mode yet, but they may not have much choice if things don’t turn around.

Mike Sutera: DeMar DeRozan has really fallen off in the last few games. What’s going on? It seems like Sabonis, Fox, and DeRozan are just a younger, fancier version of what the Bulls had in the past few years.

Sam: It seems like the Bulls moved on from DeRozan at the right time, even though his overall performance hasn’t shifted much. DeRozan’s style of play can be tough to fit with other players, especially as he ages. He’s beloved around the league, but that doesn’t always make him the easiest player to work with. While coaches praise his leadership, it’s also clear that his presence can force teams into certain styles of play. For the Kings, their pace of play has slowed down, and while DeRozan isn’t the sole reason, his fit with Fox and Sabonis seems to be an issue. DeRozan has averaged just over 10 points in his last five games, shooting a poor 33%. He’s now at career lows in both scoring and shooting efficiency. This slump comes after years of being a key offensive weapon, and the fit between him and Fox has raised concerns. The Kings, who once looked like a team ready to break through, now find themselves leading the league in clutch losses, despite having two of the best clutch players in recent seasons. If things don’t improve, they could very well become sellers before the trade deadline.

Mack Weller: Anthony Edwards has been underperforming lately. Is this partially due to Julius Randle and Edwards' increasing reliance on the three-point shot? Will Finch be held accountable for this?

Sam: The Western Conference is full of teams that we all overestimated, and the Timberwolves are no exception. Finch could likely ride out the season given how well they played last year, but the coaching staff must be aware of the issues. Julius Randle’s ball-dominant style seems to have had a negative effect on Edwards, who’s resorted to shooting more threes. There was hope that DiVincenzo would make a difference, but it looks like he hasn’t quite lived up to expectations. The Knicks have also struggled defensively, with Thibs moving away from his traditional approach. Karl-Anthony Towns has quietly emerged as a more aggressive offensive player, and credit to Thibs for adjusting his coaching style to fit the team’s strengths. Good coaching is about flexibility and adapting to what works best for the players, not rigidly sticking to a system that doesn’t suit them.