The buzz and hysteria surrounding the Week 9 trade period was as exciting as I have ever seen it. GMs constantly spotted with GREEN marks emboldened against their names for hours upon hours in the Discord. Many names were floated and some found new residence in cities across the NSL. This is a deep-dive analysis into the top 5 deals that dropped on how they influence their respective teams, their old teams and the league at large. These will be unpacked for the value that they bring in their ability and difference making capabilities, what is gained and what is lost. Several deals are omitted to analyse in depth, the deals that will have the most lasting or instantaneous impact on the league and their new homes.

The Indiana Pacers send James Harden and Jabari Smith Jr. to the Utah Jazz. The Toronto Raptors send Pascal Siakam to the Indiana Pacers. The Utah Jazz send Scoot Henderson to the Indiana Pacers. The Utah Jazz send Julius Randle and Josh Giddey to the Toronto Raptors.

The Big Fish � James Harden, Pascal Siakam, Julius Randle

What was gained?

Utah bring in James Harden, an NSL hall of famer for his impact on the scoring end. Harden is an elite 2k presence and while he has slowed, still presents a challenge for others. Indiana couldn�t make it fit and find a return in Scoot Henderson, along with Mr.Consistency, Pascal Siakam. Toronto swap bigs here with Utah, and land Julius Randle and add depth with Josh Giddey � a better fit alongside Chet Holmgren. Utah gain a scoring guard/play maker to compliment their colossus Joel Embiid, and supplementary size comes in the form of Jabari Smith Jr.

What was lost?

Toronto loss the length of Pascal Siakam. Not much lost with their size and presence with Holmgren and the bigger bodied Julius Randle. Indiana lose an all-star to bring in a project in Scoot Henderson. Henderson and Wembanyama together make for an interesting future. Jury is still out. Randle and Giddey will see starters minutes in Toronto. Dylan pads out the roster. Toronto don�t lose much here.

Overall League impact:

Beware Utah. Utah lose two players that could afford to lose. And add players that can help them in their aims of lifting a trophy. Indiana dedicate themselves to the future and bring in an all-star big to support their young no.1 draft pick. Toronto continue to a deep roster that can be competitive for years to come.

The Dallas Mavericks send Marcus Smart, Chris Duarte and Rayan Rupert to the Philadelphia 76ers. The Houston Rockets send Goga Bitadze to the Indiana Pacers. The Houston Rockets send Royce ONeale to the Milwaukee Bucks. The Indiana Pacers send P.J. Tucker and Dariq Whitehead to the Houston Rockets. The Indiana Pacers send Cory Joseph to the Milwaukee Bucks. The Milwaukee Bucks send Miles Bridges to the Dallas Mavericks. The Milwaukee Bucks send Dario Saric to the Indiana Pacers. The Philadelphia 76ers send Talen Horton-Tucker and Gabe Vincent to the Dallas Mavericks. The Philadelphia 76ers send Jericho Sims to the Milwaukee Bucks.
The Houston Rockets send a 2nd-Rounder (Hou) and 2nd-Rounder (Por) to the Indiana Pacers. The Milwaukee Bucks send a 2nd-Rounder (Orl) to the Philadelphia 76ers. The Philadelphia 76ers send a 2nd-Rounder (Mem) and 2nd-Rounder (Por) to the Dallas Mavericks. The Philadelphia 76ers send a 2nd-Rounder (LAL) to the Indiana Pacers. The Philadelphia 76ers send a 1st-Rounder (NO) to the Milwaukee Bucks.

 

The Big Fish � Marcus Smart

What was gained?

Philly bring in Marcus Smart, Duarte and Rupert. It seems to be that they have assessed the league for their attributes and secured that defensive edge they were wanting to bolster. Already a well-rounded roster, the 76ers add a starting quality combo-guard. Fox, Brogdon, Westbrook and Smart - GM Nenjabin boasts a roster with arguably the best guard depth. Milwaukee add an exciting prospect in Jericho Sims, alongside the newly waived Cory Joseph. Dallas add the volatile Miles Bridges � a mystery gain, as his off-court antics seem to have clouded his 2k impact.

What was lost?

There�s a lot of asset management in this deal. Houston lose some size in Goga from their already secure big men. Saric joins Indiana to play a back-up role, Milwaukee lose the contract. Dallas lose a starting guard with experience.

Overall League impact:

The 76ers get deeper. The 76ers get more defensive. The 76ers protect the court. Other moves seem peripheral and are a rollercoaster of role players and team needs. Milwaukee lured the young prospect Jericho Sims away. Also landing the New Orleans 1^st rounder to cover themselves for future moves or to be used as currency for further team construction.

The Orlando Magic send Delon Wright to the Washington Wizards. The Portland Trail Blazers send Jakob Poeltl and Orlando Robinson to the Sacramento Kings. The Portland Trail Blazers send Lebron James, Tristan Thompson and Ty Jerome to the Washington Wizards. The Sacramento Kings send Naz Reid to the Portland Trail Blazers. The Sacramento Kings send Amir Coffey to the Washington Wizards. The Washington Wizards send Corey Kispert to the Orlando Magic. The Washington Wizards send Paul George, Jalen Smith, Charles Bassey and Anthony Black to the Portland Trail Blazers.

The Big Fish � Lebron James and Paul George

What was gained?

Delon Wright makes his way to Washington, where he can work alongside Tristan Thompson, and Ty Jerome. AS WELL AS LEBRON JAMES� The Wizards stack up the roster depth to dispel any negatives about Zach Lavine. Lebron James becomes a Wizard, and the league is on notice. They gain as big as alpha as they come, and a supporting cast of vets. The Trailblazers continue to build up the war chest. The deepest rebuild in NSL continued to roll on and GM JMac adds � Paul George, Jalen Smith, Charles Bassey and Anthony Black. All assets � gains. Sneakily, the Kings include themselves and add Jakob Poeltl and Orlando Robinson, adding a starting C on a good deal, playing well. And a young Orlando Robinson with plenty of upside and a role in Miami.

What was lost?

Portland lose the biggest fish. Their ultimate aim. The Wizards don�t lose much. They know their aim for the season, and the NSL trophy is in sight for them. The Kings don�t lose much. They add themselves in and don�t lose; they add in fact. This deal works for all involved.

Overall League impact:

Portland position themselves with a team that still beats 2/3 of the league and yet has 20 first round picks. GM Joshua adds the King and has potentially the most terrifying duo in the league in Booker and Lebron. The Kings continue to add to their roster strength � in the right place and time for a successful future.

The Orlando Magic send a 2nd-Rounder (NO), 2nd-Rounder (Was) and 2nd-Rounder (Orl) to the Portland Trail Blazers. The Orlando Magic trade -5 GM points.The Portland Trail Blazers trade -5 GM points.The Washington Wizards receive 10 GM points.

The Golden State Warriors send Herbert Jones to the Milwaukee Bucks. The Milwaukee Bucks send Gary Payton II to the Golden State Warriors. The Milwaukee Bucks send a 1st-Rounder (NO), 2nd-Rounder (Bkn), 2nd-Rounder (Cha) and 1st-Rounder (Mil) to the Golden State Warriors.

The Big Fish � Herb Jones

What was gained?

The Milwaukee Bucks become more defensive. The Milwaukee Bucks get their guy. Herb Jones will continue to have a role in the NBA and NSL, and his impact on the Bucks alongside SGA, OG and the like, will only continue to be a hard task. Golden State add picks to build up their team. Brighter days are needed for the Warriors organisation, and adding Gary Payton II and those picks should be a step in the right direction.

What was lost?

Lost in the mix is the defensive and future upside of Herb Jones. ON the other size, lost is the future prospects on those picks. A price to pay for a player such as Herb.

Overall League impact:

Milwaukee get deeper. Milwaukee get more defensive. Milwaukee will continue to stifle the opposition. OG was already a tough task with SGA, and now Herb joins to suffocate the opposition. The build is clear. The Golden State Warriors add pick depth, and the rebuild in the Bay Area continues.

The Brooklyn Nets send Kyrie Irving, Daniel Theis and Nickeil Alexander-Walker to the New Orleans Pelicans. The Cleveland Cavaliers send Kelly Oubre and Bobby Portis to the Brooklyn Nets. The New Orleans Pelicans send Brandon Ingram and Dereck Lively II to the Brooklyn Nets. The New Orleans Pelicans send Austin Reaves to the Cleveland Cavaliers.

The Big Fish � Kyrie Irving and Brandon Ingram

What was gained?

New Orleans add a superstar in Kyrie Irving, and all the volatility that come with Mr Flat Earth. His is a star, and when on court with Luka Doncic creates the scariest guard duo in the league. Consistently, Irving has hit 50 plus, and now New Orleans are poised for a push in the playoffs. The Brooklyn Nets add depth and a solid star in Brandon Ingram. The Nets needed more consistency and depth in their team, now they boast a lineup of Murray, KCP, Ingram, Markkanen and Lively. With Carter, Oubre, Portis and Zeller off the bench. A drastically improved outfit for the Nets. Cavaliers GM Shams lands Austin Reaves scoring skillset to the roster, and maintains a balance.

What was lost?

Brooklyn lose one of the best 2k players in the game. They lose role players in Daniel Theis and Nickiel Alexander-Walker. New Orleans lose depth. Cavalier lose size and potential upside in the form of Kelly Oubre.

Overall League impact:

Overall League impact is one of mutual gain. Kyrie finds a home and co-star that can compliment his skillset, as opposed to Jamal Murray. Brooklyn land several talented players to build for the future with Ingram an instant impact. Oubre adds bench fire-power. Portis can swing the PF/C. Lively is the center that the Nets have been waiting for. The Cavaliers add a young consistent scorer to compliment Brunson and co.