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As we turn the corner into week 13, the NSL draws ever closer to the trade deadline. As per usual, the trades have been ticking over and it�s beginning to becoming clear who the buyers, sellers and consolidators are as we enter the 11^th hour for deals this season. At the top of the league, it�s clear who the contenders are- the Bucks have just landed superstar Paul George, the Lakers have added a quality power forward in Wendell Carter Jr, the Wizards have landed the one and only Lebron James, the Spurs added gunner Khris Middleton and the Wolves have solidified their defensive identity with the acquisition of Dorian Finney-Smith. But who are the wild cards who we haven�t talked about with the potential to shape the post-season? Which teams are holding the cards close to their chest? Who are the players that could change the fate of the title hopefuls this season?

 

Portland Trailblazers

Whilst sitting clearly in the playoff picture, GM Jmac identified now as the best time to sell. The league has never looked more competitive and while there is a top tier, there�s more than enough room for championship contenders to join the race. Portland�s decisiveness has been rewarded with a bounty of picks as well as a collection of players worth another bounty of picks. The Blazers still hold assets that could be moved to push a wannabe into contender status. OG Anunoby, Derrick White, Chris Paul and Jordan Clarkson are all names that have been posted on the trade block in the last fortnight. The only question will be whether Jmac wants more picks or if he�s satisfied with only 22 and same talent to build around.

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New York Knicks

Another seller making the list, the Knicks had one of the best big threes in the competition just a few weeks ago until GM Smokey made the call to split them up with only Ls coming in. Since then Smokey has been open to moving win-now types such as Mason Plumlee to bring back players who could be valuable in the future. With Leonard and Lillard in hand, it will be interesting to see if a godfather offer can tempt Smokey to set the sights even further into the future?

 

New Orleans Pelicans

The Pels recently made a blockbuster trade to move Ingram and a plethora of youth out to create their own big 3 of Luka, Kyrie and Gobert. After a somewhat shaky start, a pretty clear statement was made on the trade block, �Will talk anyone not named Luka�. There�s no doubt the makings are there for a formidable 2k team but finding the role players to fit around the fringes can be a real challenge especially as time runs low with the deadline approaching in a sellers� market. Will Gm Leeroy join the sellers club or make one more hail Mary swing?

 

Memphis Grizzlies

Another day, another Memphis Grizzlies tax bill conversation. The worst kept secret in the NSL is the whopping upcoming tax bill heading directly for GM Rootsy. He currently stares ahead unblinkingly with a smile on his face as the headlights get brighter and brighter with no clear intention to avoid the collision. If the bill and ramifications are deemed somewhat troublesome, Bradley Beal or Tyler Hero could be the parting piece, however there might even be an intention to buy some more with a useful looking Chicago pick sitting in Memphis�s pocket. Surely something will happen?

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Philadelphia 76ers

Nenjamin has found himself in unfamiliar waters in possession of a handy 2k team with excellent chemistry cemented in the top 3 of the Eastern Conference. He owns 1,000,000 second round picks and 500,000 combo guards and has a clear gap at the C spot which he makes light of in front of fellow gms. He appears to know what he wants but the results are currently speaking for themselves, is it worth actively trying to find a big man? If the spinner lands on �yes� gm Nenjamin could move any of his 5 quality Shooting Guard eligible guys for a big man who stands above 6�9. Most likely guys he could move are Smart, Wiggins, Westbrook, Brogdon or Norman Powell. Surely one goes before the deadline?   

 

The buying cellar dwellers

Perhaps one of the biggest reasons why the league is so geared towards the seller at present is because we have so many bottom teams not in possession of their own pick. The flow on effect of this is a league where the bottom teams have no incentive to be bad and therefore become buyers instead of sellers. Teams like Golden State, Sacramento, Chicago and Charlotte all do not have a pick tied to their results which means in the words of N*Sync it�s still time to �buy, buy, buy�. The sellers list is much smaller than in previous years and remarkably most of the major market movers are coming from the top of each respective conference. As a result, we�re seeing a reverse rebuild model if you will and the traditional buyer and seller model is out the window. Will the bottom teams find a way to wrangle their pick this year and what could it cost? Is it possible? Could a bottom team push the chips in to land a star and part ways with some of their pick assets?

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