Ty Watches the 2020 NBA Trade Deadline

The NBA trade deadline is today. All trades, prior to buyout candidates, and salary fillers, need to be submitted and agreed upon by 2pm my time.

So far there has been one major trade in my eyes. It was a four team deal, but it was pretty much Clint Capela going to Atlanta and Robert Covington joining the Rockets. Sure, the Timberwolves got a few solid role guys that will get to show what they can do with extended minutes in Juancho Hernangomez and Malik Beasley, and they also got a pick. But, Capela and Covington are the big names. All in all, I don't get this trade for any team involved really. As I said, the Timberwolves got some guys to give extra minutes to, but they will, most likely, not be able to retain either of them in the offseason. The Nuggets, I think, got Evan Tuner and a pick. That is very ho hum for a contender. Capela going to the Hawks is good and bad. It's good for him because he gets to leave Houston. It is no fun to watch Houston, so I can't imagine it is any fun, especially for a true center, to play there. It's also good for him because he will get to play, and show the league what he can do when he isn't under James Harden's thumb. It is bad because he is going from a surefire playoff team to a team with 13 wins. That is a true bummer. As for the Rockets, Covington is a solid three and d guy, that they covet, but he is a guard. They have a roster full of guards. They have no real center anymore. Sure, Tyson Chandler is on the roster, but he is as old as me. This Rockets team is going to trot out a starting 5 with no one bigger than 6'6. They are going to get murdered on the boards, and their interior defense is going to be atrocious. They are going to get killed by the Lakers, Clippers, Bucks, any team with a viable center is liable to go off any night. This trade seems like a big deal, but it doesn't really move the needle, to me, for any of the four teams involved.

As for the "other" big trade, Andre Iguodala, who I have really soured on this year, was traded from Memphis to Miami. This looks very good on paper for Miami. They also got Jae Crowder as well. Crowder and Iguodala bring even more toughness and defense to an already great defensive team. But, Crowder's shooting has been iffy, and Iguodala is my age, and hasn't played competitive basketball in almost a full year. He is going to be rusty and need time to get back into playing shape. As for Memphis, they got rid of a headache, got Dion Waiters in return, who I am sure they will waive, and now they can go play and have fun. Oh, and I almost forgot, they also acquired Justice Winslow. I know he is hurt, and hasn't played much all year, and hasn't lived up to the hype, but maybe all he needs is a change of scenery. I think this could really benefit him, and the Grizzlies, as they make a playoff push.

Another deal went down last night, the Warriors traded Alec Burks and Glenn Robinson III to the 76ers for some picks. The Warriors aren't going anywhere this season, so why not take picks, and the 76ers need shooters and depth, both of which Burks and Robinson III can bring. This is a solid deal with no real big named players.

I just read that the Danilo Gallinari trade from OKC to Miami has stalled, but it could still work itself out. Also, with Iguodala and Crowder, and if they can add Gallinari, they will be legit contenders. They can beat the Bucks.

Now that we are a few hours away, I wonder if any other big names will get moved. I’m sure role players and buyouts will happen, but what about the big names? As far as I can tell, some of the big names being mentioned lately are LaMarcus Aldridge, Jrue Holiday, and for some reason, and it’s been going on all year, either Ben Simmons or Joel Embiid have been brought up. First of all, I don’t think the 76ers are going to blow up their team right now. I know they’re struggling right now, but they’re in the playoffs, and these are the dog days of the NBA season. Every team goes through a rough stretch. It might be better for Philadelphia to get this out of the way now. They should not trade either of these guys. As far as LMA, I don’t think he’ll get moved because San Antonio is still in the playoff race, and Greg Poppovich likes to win and play in the playoffs. He needs LMA for that. Also, he’s been playing much better as of late. If the Spurs are to move anyone, I don’t see it being LMA or DeMar DeRozan. It will be a bench guy to get a veteran, if they trade anyone at all. And then we have Jrue Holiday. He seems to be the biggest name, and a player all the contenders want. The only problem, I don’t think the Pelicans want to move anyone because Zion is back. I think New Orleans really wants to see what they have now that they’re fully healthy. They’re also not totally out of the playoffs yet. I don’t they they’ll move Holiday unless they get an absolute king’s ransom for him. I’m talking a player of equal caliber, or players, and picks upon picks. They’d have to get a lot to move him.

I guess this is all to say, I think that Capela-Covington is the biggest trade to happen this deadline. Seems boring, and I think it is too. I see most teams staying pat because the league is so wide open this year. All the big stuff went down during the offseason. This trade deadline will, most likely, end with a dud. Sorry to all those who were expecting fireworks.

Editor’s note: After Ty sent in his article, he texted to say another trade has gone down. The Warriors sent D’Angelo Russell to the Timberwolves for Andrew Wiggins. Looks good for both teams, but Ty thinks Minnesota and especially Karl Anthony Towns will be very happy to welcome Russell. We will see.

Ty

Ty is the Pop Culture editor for SeedSing, the other host of the X Millennial Man Podcast, and the greatest basketball writer on the internet. 

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