NSL Trade Deadline Premium- Buyers

Happy New Year NSL fans! We�ve snuck into 2022 and are closing in on the trade season as the deadline draws closer. This edition of NSL Trade Deadline Premium will focus on the franchises that are looking to bring in talent and enhance their title odds with savvy acquisitions- I speak of the buyers. In the grad scheme of things, these teams fit below the contenders and above the sellers, and will look join the likes of Charlotte, Portland, Detroit, Chicago, San Antonio, Toronto and Washington at the top of the NELSBET title odds come week 12.

 

BUYING:

Memphis Grizzlies
One could argue the Grizz belong in the contending section of the league with their deep roster loaded with two-way players. They�re incredibly close to being in the elite section but probably lack a tiny bit of star dust. Jaylen Brown, Jaren Jackson Jr, Mike Conley and Tyler Herro are all terrific players but when matched up against a star trio, will they be good enough to get the job done? There�s a great deal of talk coming out of the rumour mill that GM Rootsy will make a splash as he tries to bring in a star to headline the act come week 12, could they be in the market for another star forward to play alongside Brown?

 

Minnesota TImberwolves

The Wolves are the most active traders of the 2021/22 season by a stretch. GM Ethan hit big for his second draft in a row and decided to shorten the rebuild by cleverly acquiring talent with cap space and young assets, while keeping his young superstars. The Wolves recently landed Bogdan Bogdanovic in a nice �under the radar� trade, which will add additional outside scoring to a loaded roster. Bogdanovic is another step in the �contender direction� and I think the Wovles might have one or two more moves that will worry the top dogs of the league. They will be buying and possibly looking for a two-way guy on their wing at the deadline.

 

Denver Nuggets

The Nuggets are good because they have Steph Curry but they�re about to become great with Klay�s return. 2 years couldn�t have gone by slower for patient GM Digger and he�s about to get his first look since the inaugural season at his roster with the splash brothers. With Porter Jr sidelined for the season, he may be tempted to make a move and sell a little low to bring in a win-now guy, that is, if Klay looks as good as expected on return. The Nuggets could use another big man and have assets in their bank to bring a difference maker in. The league will be watching them closely as Klay works back to full strength and there�s no doubt this team could be in the mix at the end of the season with a savvy move or two at the deadline.

New York Knicks

GM Smokey has teased on the trade blocks that a sell might happen as the deadline draws near, but where he sits and with the number of potential sellers his fortunes might be better in the buying market. The Knicks recently brought in a star in Damian Lillard to lead the franchise to an era of contention. They had to use assets but made the right call in the upgrade from DeAaron Fox. They have multiple picks and young pieces with movable contracts that the league desires. Names like Nance and Morris have been thrown up in discussions and even a young star in Ingram could be movable to bring a complimentary star to the biggest franchise in basketball. If Ingram can be upgraded on the wing, the Knicks would have the talent to rival the East and possibly win it all.

 

New Orleans Pelicans

The Pelicans were one of the most feared teams in the league last season, combining youth and sheer athleticism to deadly effect. However, this season it hasn�t looked as dangerous as in the previous engine. They have battled through a significant amount of injuries, including a knee injury to their star Ja Morant, but have still managed to stay in the hunt throughout the hardship. GM Leeroy will probably just want to get a look at how his boys work when they�re all on the court but he could look to add a vet for one of two of his prized young guns. He has enough potential and star power in his asset bank to bring in at least one of the league�s few superstars, but he may keep playing the long game to wait til his boys are all vetted later in their careers. New Orleans will be a fascinating team to follow as the deadline looms.

 

LA Clippers

The Clippers have Giannis locked up in a long-term deal and probably have enough assets now to add another star who fits better next to the best player in the game. Sabonis is stringing together a run of form to start the year in the NBA which will capture the attention of the league, so how will GM Andrew use this attention for the betterment of his team�s aspirations? Could there be a package with Rubio�s salary and one of his young guys to bring in a seasoned vet to push this team over the top? There�s no doubt Giannis wants to contend and won�t be satisfied wasting his prime, is there a way he can get management to buy in or will he be burdened with the entire franchises expectations once again come playoffs?

 

Orlando Magic

Orlando fans have been crying out for a playoff run after narrowly missing the post-season in the play-in tournament last year. Trae Young is one of the better scorers in the league, though he�s off to a slow start, and the Magic roster appears good enough to mix it up and at least make the 8-seed. With new GM Mailo at the helm, it will be interesting to see what direction the franchise takes. Do they set course for the playoffs and move a younger guy for a star or do they keep the build going? There�s plenty of talent and assets in Orlando so this deadline might be as good a time as ever for a GM to get this team in contention.

 

Golden State Warriors

Warriors GM Titles loves what he has�. Zach Lavine. But there�s no doubt he�d like another star in town while being able to hold onto prized big DeAndre Ayton. On paper the Warriors look really good but they�re still working out their best rotations. Hardaway Jr on the wing is probably the guy they need to upgrade. The goal at the deadline will be for Titles to find another great two-way guard or wing to allow Zach all the offensive freedom with limited backlash at the other end. The Warriors have been gradually building for a couple of years now and appear ready to be back up there with the big boys at the end of the season. They will be active at the deadline.

 

Sacramento Kings

There�s no GM that loves to trade more than GM Klemm of the Kings, as long as the trade has at least 6 teams involved that is. He�s a matchmaker who hates picks and loves glitches to the 2K Matrix. The Kings currently sit 10^th in the West with 4 games to make up on the 8^th seed. There�s plenty of season to go for Klemmy to close that gap but the Kings will need to find another quality starter or two to seriously enter the playoff race. If anyone can do it, GM Klemm is up to the job and I�m sure he�s found at least two teams willing for his upcoming 9 teamer.

 

That concludes our buyers edition of Trade Deadline Premium, a number of teams in the playoff picture will likely continue their build and still make the playoffs as they keep squeezing the best out of what they�ve got. The �sellers� market will be most interesting as a number of playoff teams have hinted at moving their window further back. We will investigate this side of the market in the next premium edition.