With the NBA trade deadline looming closer, the teams are scrambling to make their offers and increase their chances of a good result by the end of the season. February 6 cannot get here fast enough and many players are potentially on the move. Which of the contenders will end up even stranger? Will some underdog teams that are rebuilding make a push for some missing pieces, and could we see a new team enter the fray with a smart financial or future-proof trade? Most importantly, how will the Jimmy Butler saga end and where will the All-Star forward continue his successful career?
We talk about it all here in this guide as we explore the NBA trades to watch and the key player movements about to happen. Important for the fans of the game, these things are also crucial for those among you who enjoy sports betting on basketball because a single trade can disrupt the balance of power and introduce a dynamic of strength. Read on to learn more as we attempt to predict where the players will end up as well as which teams desperately need to make a move if they mean to remain relevant in the ongoing campaign.
The Nuggets Need to Do Something
Having the best player on the planet within your ranks sure makes things easy for a franchise right? A three-time regular season MVP, a finals MVP, and one of the best and most productive players in the history of the sport? Despite having Nikola Jokic as their starting point forward center (make of that what you will but it is the truth), the Nuggets are not in the conversation for the title. Among teams like Oklahoma City Thunder, Cleveland Calaviers, and Boston Celtics, they are not an afterthought but are a fringe contender that many forget about. And why is that? Well, it is because of their lack of personnel, i.e. production from the surrounding cast that the Serbian big has. Jamal Murray is not producing as much as the team needs him, Aaron Gordon is, but he is injured, and Michael Porter Jr. is streaky. The youngster Christian Braun is the most consistent teammate Jokic has but he is hardly enough. Russell Westbrook proves to be an amazing signing and looks like the Russ of old, but again, it is not enough.
Denver is currently fourth in the West with a 21-15 score. The biggest factor has been their lack of shooting, especially from deep, and it is something that has plagued them since their championship. They first lost Bruce Brown, and now Kentavious Caldwell Pope, two amazing three-and-D specialists. To make matters worse, they do not have a center except DeAndre Jordan, who is, at 36 years old, a shell of his former self and not a great option except for a few short stretches per game. This means that the Nuggets not only need a reliable sixth man shooter, but also a quality big to pair up, and even start, alongside the Joker. A player like Nikola Vucevic or Jonas Valanciunas would fit perfectly, or a guard/forward the likes of Jordan Clarkson or Kule Kuzma. If they mean to remain relevant, the Nuggets need to act.
Charles Barkley is Right About the LA Lakers
The TNT analyst and basketball legend Charles Barkley is more than right in his continuous, years-long criticism of the Los Angeles Lakers. Since their 2020 championship in The Bubble, the better LA team has been in and out of contention talk, with frequent Play-In appearances and not enough in their tank to last the whole season. Despite having LeBron James who at 40 years of age has no plans of stopping, and Anthony Davis who is having an MVP season, they are struggling. Currently in the sixth spot in the West with a 20-16 record, they need to make a big move as soon as possible.
Apart from Austin Reaves who is blossoming into a star, nobody else on the roster is producing. Dalton Knechy, the sharp-shooting rookie, looks promising, but it is not up to him to carry the load yet. The additions of Dorian Finney-Smith and Shake Milton from the Brooklyn Nets in exchange for D’Angelo Russel are, again, not enough. The Lakers desperately need a strong two-way big to protect their paint and be a threat on the offense, as well as more shooting on the wings. GM Rob Pelinka and coach JJ Reddick have a lot to figure out, and fast. With names like Max Christie and Rui Hachimura having to play beyond their skills and talent, the LakeShow fans will not have a lot to hope for otherwise.
How Will the Jimmy Butler Saga End?
Trade deadlines are at their absolute best when a superstar player is looking to change his team, especially because it impacts NBA Odds so much. This time around, it is Jimmy Butler, again. Following his All-Star breakout with the Chicago Bulls, and then the short stints with the Minnesota Timberwolves and Philadelphia 76ers where he continued his great performances, Jimmy Buckets landed in Miami in 2019. Two finals appearances, two All-Star selections, and several All-NBA and All-Defensive team selections later, and the relationship between the 35-year-old forward and the team soured.
At the moment, he is suspended for negative comments about his current situation that impacted the team, as he shared he “feels no joy” playing for the Florida franchise. He has been on the trade block for what feels like forever, and yet, nothing is happening. So where will Jimmy go? In the latest news, it is now being said that he could remain with the Heat, but is that realistic and would it be fair to the teammates and the fans? Probably not. Pat Riley is old school and he knows all too well what it would mean for him, his GM position, and the whole organization. Butler will leave, but a good enough package must be found first.
He wants superstar money, and a max contract, but many believe he is past his prime. Despite him claiming to still be in his best years, the stats show otherwise. Averaging 17.6 PPG, 5.5 RPG, and 4.7 APG on 55.2 FG%, it is definitely not his best year on record. Butler has his preferences and he already said he is not interested in putting on a Grizzlies or a Bucks jersey, both of which would be clear contenders if he comes. The Warriors decided not to trade for him, sticking with Andrew Wiggins and Jonathan Kuminga for now. His preferred landing spot remains the Phoenix Suns where he and Kevin Durant would then sign extensions, according to Kendrick Perkins. Carmelo Anthony believes the LA Lakers are his best bet for a successful end of his career and championship hopes alongside LeBron and AD.
Jerami Grant and Cam Johnson, Anyone?
With the biggest name still being anyone’s guess as to where he will end up, which other noteworthy players are supposedly on the move? Some rumors mention Durant, but he is 100% staying put in Phoenix. The same goes for Zion Williamson and the Pelicans, despite him being officially “available” for trade. A big name that has been swirling in the rumor mill for many a season is Zack LaVine. The high-flying guard/forward for the Chicago Bulls has been on the trade block forever, but he is on a massive contract that is holding back many who would love to see him within their ranks. On that list, at the very top are the Heat, Pelicans, Pistons, and Nuggets. All of them could use what LaVine has to offer, a complete offensive skillset that includes shooting, driving, dunking, and creating his shot.
With the Portland Trailblazers and Brooklyn Nets aiming to tank once again, and with many of their young players needing extra playing time and touches to develop, their veterans are on the trading block. This is the truest for Jerami Grant of the Blazers and Cam Johnson of the Nets. The franchises are looking to offload their contracts and get some additional draft picks in for the future. Both of these guys have a lot to offer to contenders and would instantly make them more dangerous on the offensive end. They bring floor spacing because of their shot-making and are big enough to cover multiple spots on the floor. For Johnson, OKC is a prime spot. He would pair well and be an instant key element of the roster, and Thunder has a hoard of picks to unload. For Grant, it seems like the Cavs are the best possible scenario. The hottest team in the league could use a proper three-and-D wing, but they would not be willing to lose key pieces for him. Other than them, the Sacramento Kings make the most sense. A trade of Kevin Huerter and Demar DeRozan for Grant and Robert Williams III might work.
Will Any Trade Impact the Championship Odds?
Let us make one thing clear. This trade deadline, no matter how it ends and which star ends up where will not drastically change the current landscape of the season. Despite big names being moved around, your Stake.com NBA bets will not change much. The OKC and Cavs winning streaks as well as the dominance of the Boston Celtics are simply too significant to be impacted by a new player arriving elsewhere. The Thunder are yet to get Chet Holmgren and Alex Caruso back and have been the second-best team in the league for the entire year already. Cleveland has no plans of stopping, and the Celtics are just now kicking it into high gear with Porzingis not at 100% but still producing.
Sure, the Nuggets and the Lakers could bolster their ranks, but it will take time and chemistry. The Grizzlies are not very convincing, and the Houston Rockets, despite being on a tare, are a few years away from being true contenders. The Phoenix Suns could jump a few spots in the leaderboards, but they will still lack both chemistry and bench for bigger things. So is one single trade, even the Jimmy Butler saga finally finishing, enough to change the sportsbooks’ predictions and odds? Not really, or at least not significantly. The favorites in OKC (30-6, .833), Cavs (33-4, .892), and Celtics (27-10, .730, defending champs) will continue paving the way and vying for the title.
The New York Knicks, although strong and equipped, are at least a season away. The Orlando Magic had it good but are not too injured to continue. The Bucks with Giannis and Dame are always a threat but are a third star away from serious contention. Last year’s finalists, Dallas Mavericks, are also too injured to make a serious push with Luka Doncic, Kyrie Irving, and Daniel Gafford all out for at least a few weeks. The LA Clippers are without Kawhi Leonard, again while the Minnesota TImverwolves are struggling without Karl-Anthony Towns with Anthony Edwards and Julius Randle still finding their joint groove.
The Warriors? Steph is alone and finally learning what it means to remain a superstar in the late 30s, a struggle most players eventually learn (think Kobe Bryant from 2012 onwards, or LeBron since 2021). Fringe playoff teams the likes of Pistons and Pacers are fun to watch and root for, but their paths will inevitably end in the first round of the postseason. It is not their time yet. One team that could make a serious push and surprise many, is the young, fast, and high-flying Houston Rockets. Currently second in the West with a 25-12 record, they have no plans to stop and are having fun winning games. They could make it to the Western Conference finals if they continue dominating, but that is their absolute dream ceiling. In another season or two, they will surely be what OKC is right now and it will be glorious to watch.
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Author: Team Dunkest
January 21, 2025 | 1:00 pm
