What happens after the trade deadline?

As someone who loves trading, I am met with a bittersweet feeling when the trade deadline approaches and passes.

It is obviously disappointing when you are no longer allowed to pursue trades. For some, this is the lifeblood of their existence as managers. The hustle, the evaluation, the integration, and the dynamic ability to shapeshift a roster overnight. It keeps the community together, more than any other aspect of the league, in my opinion. Whether you love to trade, or you reluctantly listen, every manager shares the same experience, united. Trading is an experience that requires others for it to exist.

Yeah, I think trading is great.

A lack of trading does bring some stability and forces teams to look inward, figure out what they have before they try and move it.

Mmmm�. Yeah, it was more fun to trade.



But it is done. It is over, and it wont be back this season. So, what does happen when the chastity belt goes back on the league? Depending on the personal perspective and attachment to the league from the manager, and the trajectory of the team, I think managers can fit clearly into analogies that I concocted.

I have classified each team into one of four categories

Hibernating � This party has fattened up, grown tired and has nothing to gain from being awake and exposed throughout the coldest months. It is all about the internal growth and the next years summer. Sure, it will be a lonely and docile experience, but all the eating they have been doing has enabled them to stay satisfied until the winter ends (and the draft begins).

Surviving � This party are still developing, in terms of leadership, ability to hunt, ability to stave off enemies and to function as a team. They are either too immature and are staving off death while still trying to grow, or they are in a position where the ability to fully function has been reduced, so they are hoping to float instead of sink. Swimming provides to be too difficult.

Hunting � This party have experience and have shown an ability to survive. They want more than to just survive, they want to thrive. In order to do this, they have to work harder than they have, try new daring strategies and take down a big kill in order to prosper. Can they ascend?

Organising � Having established safety and prosperity, and feared/respected by others, there is less worry, and this party looks inward to maximise their hierarchy, culture, strategy and knowledge about the coming months. Are they too content, or just that aware of how able they are?

Hibernating teams
Los Angeles Lakers, Utah Jazz, Oklahoma City Thunder, Atlanta Hawks, Indiana Pacers, Boston Celtics, New York Knicks, Miami Heat*, Phoenix Suns*.

***admin/NSL cultural roles will keep them relevant, present in a community sense

Fat and happy and content with their body of work (or lack thereof), the teams in this section have no stress at all - when it comes to potential playoff seedings and progression, when it comes to clambering to get a high draft pick, when it comes to retaining players in the offseason � no worries at all. Do some of them want to win some games, after a poor season on the win front? Sure. However, the damage they have done to their regular season record is already done, so feel free to give the fans some hope for the future.



Surviving teams
Dallas Mavericks, Brooklyn Nets, Chicago Bulls, Toronto Raptors, Philadelphia 76ers, Houston Rockets, Los Angeles Clippers.

Arguably the most unfortunate section to fall into, but life looks different to everyone and even the most negative outlook can be perceived as hopeful and content by an optimist. The only team truly comfortable in this list are the Clippers and the Rockets, but they are also the most puzzling.

Both GMs see the game differently to most and operate in isolation and quiet existences as managers. I dont know the exact answer, but it seems that they are content with whatever happens during the playoffs and are taking a long term view of the team and portfolio.

The remaining teams are the unfortunate teams that I mentioned previously. These teams are undermanned and injured and are without their own first round picks. With no incentive to lose and not a full roster to maximise winning, it is a place where no front office wants to be.


Hunting teams
Cleveland Cavaliers, Milwaukee Bucks, Denver Nuggets, New Orleans, Golden State, Sacramento Kings, Orlando Magic.