Domantas Sabonis in the footsteps of his father in Portland
- The trade : Domantas Sabonis joins Portland in exchange for Robert Covington, Ben McLemore, Cody Zeller and a first round draft (in 2024, protected for selections 1 to 13).
The Trail Blazers are at a defining crossroads after qualifying for the playoffs eight straight — the longest running streak in the NBA. The team is struggling to renew itself, coach Chauncey Billups takes his first steps on the bench after the dismissal of Terry Stotts during the last offseason and Portland currently occupies a modest tenth place in the West. The ass between two chairs. The franchise may as well decide to scuttle its end of the season to try to recover a high-placed draft pick or try, once again, to hitch the right wagon for the playoffs by taking advantage in particular of the “play in”.
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All in a tense context since Damian Lillard, the superstar, is missing following an abdominal operation. The 31-year-old could not play again for the season if his teammates do not show themselves to be competitive enough in his absence. He would also be likely to ask for his departure to try to play the title elsewhere. The temptation to rebuild around a stunning Anfernee Simons – 22 years old and 25 points average without Lillard – is great.
However, we are advocating just the opposite. Rather than backtracking, the Blazers leaders may have an interest in going all-in by finally getting their hands on the second All-Star capable of relieving Lillard. The target is all found: Domantas Sabonis! The Lithuanian pivot was born in Portland when his dad Arvydas played there in the 90s. He is now playing for a franchise, the Pacers, in an even more delicate situation than that of Oregon. Indiana is one of the main disappointments of the season and the leaders are tempted to sell their executives to rebuild. The idea is to garner a maximum of draft picks in exchange.
Al Horford (Boston Celtics)
Credit: Eurosport
The Blazers would give up a future draft pick while including Robert Covington’s expiring contract. The latter can be used as a bargaining chip in another transfer to allow the Pacers to recover other picks, probably in the second round. Sabonis, who has 19 points, 12 rebounds and 5 assists this season, is an ideal complement to Lillard thanks to his ability to score near the circle but also create danger in 4-on-3 situations, which Jusuf Nurkic n was never really able to do.
Portland’s opponents thus tend to overtake the All-Star leader on picks-and-roll, even if it means leaving the Blazers on the power play once the ball is passed inside. Sabonis would be able to punish this defensive scheme. And a team with the two stars accompanied by Simons, CJ McCollum, Norman Powell and Nassir Little can do much better in the West.
Two transfers to “save” the Lakers
- The trade : Jerami Grant joins Los Angeles in exchange for Talen Horton-Tucker, Kendrick Nunn and a first round pick (2027, protected 1-8).
This is false advertising. There’s nothing that can save the Lakers except LeBron James and a fit Anthony Davis. For the rest, the team was poorly built during the last offseason and it finds itself blocked today with a neutral balance sheet (24-24), unworthy of the claims of the franchise, with glaring dysfunctions and an armored payroll. But it is possible to strengthen this group by directing it towards “small ball”. The Angelenos have been working better since James took over as a pivot. Davis should take over. On the other hand, it lacks a versatile winger to really apply this strategy at best. An athletic 3 or 4 position, capable of defending well and scoring three-pointers. A Jerami Grant what.
For this transfer to work, the Pistons would already have to strongly appreciate the profile of Talen Horton-Tucker, a 21-year-old player who averages 10 points this season. Its potential is intriguing but its value would remain low on the market according to the various insiders. The draft choice, very distant – Los Angeles has already separated from its other picks – presents too many uncertainties. Above all, Grant would not be interested in the idea of playing the fourth blades at the Lakers. So here’s another suggestion:
- The trade : John Wall and Eric Gordon join Los Angeles in exchange for Russell Westbrook, Talen Horton-Tucker and a first round pick (2027, protected 1-8).
It will make your teeth cringe. Why Wall rather than Westbrook? At least the current Lakers point guard has credit for playing. That of the Rockets has remained in a gilded closet at more than 40 million for months. Note, however, that Wall is represented by Klutch Sports, the same agency as LeBron James. If he’s in good shape, the King and his agents will certainly know. They will have information on his physical condition. If they are good, it can encourage them to implement the deal. The Angelenos could be better by subtraction by parting ways with Westbrook, who still hasn’t quite found his footing alongside the four-time MVP. Not sure that Wall does much better but his profile sticks a bit more.
John Wall (Houston Rockets)
Credit: Getty Images
Anyway, the real important element in this exchange is Eric Gordon. It is THE veteran that many teams will fight for on the evening of the deadline. The Mavericks, the Wolves, the Cavaliers…all will be in the running. Because he is a fullback capable of scoring, driving, shooting from distance, defending and playing in any system. He has nothing to do with the Rockets. The Texans will ask for a first-round pick to part with it. By adding THT, the Lakers can try to win the auction but it will ultimately depend on what other teams offer Houston.
Sixers armor around Joel Embiid
- The trade : De’Aaron Fox, Buddy Hield and Harrison Barnes join Philadelphia in exchange for Ben Simmons and Tobias Harris.
Because at one point, the circus went on long enough. Daryl Morey persists in demanding a superstar in exchange for Ben Simmons. Damian Lillard, Bradley Beal or James Harden. It’s still so unlikely. The Australian continues to refuse to play and his value goes down with each passing week. And meanwhile, Joel Embiid is forced to tear himself away to carry the Sixers. Exactly. The Cameroonian is so strong this season that it would be a shame to “waste” a year at his best level hoping for a purely hypothetical arrival of Harden next season. Especially given the pivot’s injury history.
Embiid is in good health and he has never been so successful (42 points on average over his last 4 matches). It’s time to take advantage of it and surround it as much as possible, even if there isn’t a second star in the proper sense around it. De’Aaron Fox still compiled 25 points and 7 assists last season. He has long been considered a potential All-Star. Here’s a fast, offensive point guard who could shine on pick-and-roll with Embiid. He certainly wouldn’t be afraid to shoot. Neither did Buddy Hield. He is one of the best snipers in the NBA behind the arc. A permanent danger around a player who attracts so much attention from the defense. Harrison Barnes is a better defender than Tobias Harris and he too can put in from afar.
Just imagine a deep rotation with Embiid, Fox, Barnes, Harris but also Seth Curry, Furkan Korkmaz, Tyrese Maxey, Danny Green, Matisse Thybulle, Georges Niang and Andre Drummond! This team is heavy! Armed to go far to the East. Especially since the Conference is particularly open. The entire NBA is looking for a big favorite. There is room and we have to go for it. Anyway, if Harden or Beal were to want to join Philadelphia this summer, the Sixers would always be able to transfer Barnes and Hield again, whose contracts seem easier to exchange than that of Harris or Simmons.
The Kings are ready to rebuild again. They absolutely want the first pick of the 2016 draft, even if it means including Fox. Anyway, they have seen that their workforce in the state would not allow them to find the playoffs.
The Mavericks ready to shake up the hierarchy
- The trade : Al Horford and Marcus Smart join Dallas in exchange for Maxi Kleber, Dwight Powell, Reggie Bullock, Willie Cauley-Stein and two second round draft picks.
The Celtics will stop the charges. Their team is costing them too much for disappointing results. A sawtooth season for Boston which, even by hanging the playoffs, would not be able to play for the title. The franchise would even have the ambition to leave playing time to its young people: Payton Pritchard, Romeo Langford and Aaron Nesmith. But for that, you have to degrease.
The Mavericks are not in the same light. The presence of Luka Doncic is enough to give them hope of going far in the playoffs. The Slovenian has been gaining momentum for several weeks and the Texans remain on 8 wins in the last 10 games. Currently, fifth, they can still aim for the podium in the West. But for that, you have to surround the star. Dallas has two needs: a pivot capable of protecting the circle and a stopper on the wings.
Al Horford (Boston Celtics)
Credit: Eurosport
Al Horford is less dominant than two or three years ago but remains a talented and very complete veteran. He can chase the more mobile interiors away from the circle – unlike Kristaps Porzingis – bring the ball up, create in the post and even make three-pointers at times. He can play with or without the Latvian. A real Swiss army knife. Marcus Smart, who hails from Dallas by the way, remains a more inconsistent player up front but playing alongside Doncic should help him take open shots. Above all, he is a tough defender capable of taking on the best opposing striker in each playoff game. A squad with Doncic, Porzingis, Smart, Horford, Tim Hardaway Jr, Dorian Finney-Smith and Jalen Brunson can legitimately aim for the Conference Finals in the West.
And also…
- A veteran in Memphis. The trade: Danilo Gallinari joins Memphis in exchange for Kyle Anderson and Jarrett Culver.
- The Cavaliers ready for the playoffs. The trade: Eric Gordon joins Cleveland in exchange for Ricky Rubio (injured for the season) and a first round pick.
- Minnesota thickens its rotation. The trade: Marcus Morris joins Minnesota in exchange for Taurean Prince and two second round picks.
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