IT IS TRADE SEASON. In this truncated period, we take a look at each night’s activity in the much-anticipated NBA offseason. The trade floodgates were opened up on Monday, November 16.
Jrue Holiday is now going to be teaming with the two-time MVP, Giannis Antetokounmpo.
(PHOTO CREDIT: Jonathan Bachmann/Getty Images.)
Let’s start with some BIG moves from the Milwaukee Bucks:
BUCKS acquire JRUE HOLIDAY
PELICANS get ERIC BLEDSOE, GEORGE HILL, THREE FIRST ROUND PICKS, FUTURE PICK SWAPS
First of all, Jrue Holiday is still one of the best two-way players in the league. While his three-point shooting isn’t mindblowing (.353 last season), the guy can definitely put the ball in the basket (19.1 PPG last season). I think what’s even more surprising is the package the Pelicans got. Never mind Bledsoe and Hill but THREE FIRST ROUND PICKS.
Bledsoe has been much-maligned for the Bucks, especially in the playoffs. He’s still really good defensively. George Hill has been a reliable veteran in the last few years. But are either going to stay in this very young Pelicans team? And if they stay, how will that affect Lonzo Ball‘s standing? I feel like they’ll try to move Bledsoe before this coming season ends and I think Hill is more likely to stay due to his veteran presence and not needing a big role.
I know the Bucks have always had good defense but Khris Middleton and Holiday on the perimeter? Woof.
The Bucks weren’t done. In fact, there could be some tampering issues going on. Anyway, here’s the agreement:
BUCKS get BOGDAN BOGDANOVIC in a sign-and-trade, also get JUSTIN JAMES
KINGS get DONTE DiVINCENZO, DJ WILSON, AND ERSAN ILYASOVA
By the way, free agency isn’t open until this Friday. So I don’t know how the NBA is going to handle it.
Either way, Bucks get more shooting and this clearly opens up more space for Giannis to operate. A line-up of Bogey to go along with Middleton, Holiday, Giannis, and Brook Lopez is astounding. Maybe Bogey will come off the bench if the recently-free Wesley Matthews goes back to Milwaukee.
As for Sactown, DiVincenzo is a nice player. He could be something down the line for Sacramento. Ilyasova still has some gas left in his tank. Wilson is okay and he may develop into something but I’m not sure many are holding their breath for that one.
These are keep-Giannis-at-all-costs moves, though. And if Giannis does sign that extension with Milwaukee, the Bucks win the offseason.
(Although many will say that they should’ve never been here in the first place with them letting Malcolm Brogdon walk.)
Phoenix is ready to go to the next level, it seems.
Chris Paul is going to the desert to team with Devin Booker.
(PHOTO CREDIT: Barry Gossage/Getty Images.)
SUNS get CHRIS PAUL and ABDEL NADER
THUNDER acquire RICKY RUBIO, KELLY OUBRE JR., TY JEROME, JALEN LECQUE, and a 2022 FIRST ROUND PICK
Chris Paul showed everyone last season that he is STILL a force to be reckoned with. He helped lead the OKC Thunder to a playoff spot and they were one possession away from upsetting the Houston Rockets (who have their own problems right now). Now he gets to help Devin Booker and Deandre Ayton bring the Suns back to the postseason. The Suns famously went an undefeated 8-0 in the NBA bubble. Now they get to capitalize on that as they bring an all-world point guard to the mix.
And it’s good that they made this move because I’m sure Booker is sick and tired of being in a losing situation.
The Thunder are STILL a good team. Oubre has showed signs of being a very good player. Rubio may never have a consistent shot but his control of the offense and his defensive prowess can always help a team. As it stands right now, they still have Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and Steven Adams. Hell, Lu Dort had a breakout Game 7 in their series against the Rockets.
And of course, Sam Presti had to get ANOTHER DRAFT PICK.
The Thunder also made another big move that could help out the defending champs big-time. This will be finalized after the draft on Wednesday:
LAKERS get DENNIS SCHRÖDER
THUNDER get DANNY GREEN and the #28 PICK OF 2020 NBA DRAFT
In this deal, the Lakers sort of expect Rajon Rondo to walk. So getting the feisty Schröder was one of their Plan Bs. Schröder had the best season of his career as he scored 18.9 points last season as the Thunder’s main weapon off the bench. Normally a below-average three-point shooter, Schröder converted .385 of his threes. Yes, it helps to play alongside Chris Paul. Maybe he’ll continue to have this production playing alongside LeBron James and Anthony Davis (I mean, we’re assuming he’s returning).
Danny Green got unfairly blamed many times when the Lakers faltered a few times in their championship run. He can still play some good perimeter defense, which has been forgotten because of his foibles. But Green is also 33 years old and is on the downward part of his career.
I mentioned Wesley Matthews earlier because he could be a Lakers target. He can be the one to fill in Danny Green’s spot. I’ll honestly feel much better with this deal (it’s NOT a bad deal but pros and cons) once they do fill in that gap.
The NBA offseason is only going to get hotter. James Harden and Russell Westbrook have already made it known that they want out of Houston. What could come out of that?! WE SHALL SEE. *suspense jingle*
You can find Rey-Rey on Twitter at @TheNoLookPass.
You can also check out Rey-Rey’s podcast, Rey-Rey Is Fundamental, for more basketball content and, really, whatever else.