NSL All Access- The Deadline Pulse
The first NSL trade deadline has been and gone, and the overall feel across the league is one of underwhelm. The 2019-20 season had been jam-packed full of blockbuster trades as some of the biggest names in the game found new destinations on almost a weekly basis. Superstars such as Kawhi Leonard, Paul George, Jimmy Butler, Chris Paul, Nikola Jokic, Damian Lillard, Karl Anthony-Towns and Khris Middleton all found new homes throughout the season which has created a culture of ‘expect the unexpected’ in the NSL. With all this hype coming into the deadline how could the league possibly live up to expectations? What could possibly stun an audience that has become accustomed to seeing the best players in the world wearing a different jersey on a night-in-night-out basis? While the deadline may not have lived up to the hype, there certainly were some moves that changed the scope of the league and the outlook for the upcoming playoff season.

In the week leading up to the deadline there were rumblings coming out of a number of teams about potential deals but nothing substantial came about across the league. GM Toby of the Celtics seemed active, GM Joel of the Trailblazers was offering up big names in an attempt to lure a 3^rd superstar to Portland, GM Ethan of the Wolves looked to land another key player to play 3^rd banana to a returning Steph Curry and newly acquired Khris Middleton and GM Sheed of the Pistons tried to find potential buyers as he shifted Detroit’s focus to next season after injuries to key players.

It took action from two of the most reliable and seasoned traders in the league to ignite the league as Sacramento GM Klemmo and Phoenix GM Laddas closed the first deal of the deadline week.

 

‘And we’re off!’

Sacramento receive: Bogdan Bogdanovic and Patrick McCaw

Phoenix receive: Nemanja Bjelica and Ed Davis

Sacramento GM Klemm:

‘For some time I felt that I needed a guard/wing who could play multiple positions off the bench primarily, but could be good enough to not be a liability starting. Ibaka being out is worrying me especially as I just traded my other starting calibre 4. But we’ve got a decent shot at the ‘chip baring injuries, so the back end of the season should be fun.’

Phoenix GM Laddas:

‘Moving Bogdan was important simply because we wouldn't be able to afford his expected pay rise in the offseason. We were also struggling to find him a role behind Butler and Prince and we felt we were one short in the front court. Now we get a solid stretch four on a good cheap deal (6m with a team option next year) and gives us the flexibility to have a solid duo in Terry/Kyle off the bench while the starters rest of need be.’

Analysis:

A small deal sent a collective sigh of relief through the league as the pressure was lifted to make a move. Both teams walked away with what they needed from this small move with Klemmo getting the edge for youth/upside. Bogdanovic becomes a restricted free agent this offseason and Klemm will be praying he signs a reasonable number so his Kings aren’t faced with the difficult decision to re-sign or let their man walk.

 ‘A contender finds their missing piece?’

Portland receive- Willie Cauley-Stein, Phoenix 2022 second round pick and Brooklyn 2024 second round pick.

Brooklyn receive- Jakob Poeltl

 

Portland GM Joel:

‘Clearly we aren't where we need to be and it feels like we have been overcomplicating things and we are still yet to find a winning formula. Poeltl was buried behind the C depth we have and WCS will be able to give up a player at PF that we don't currently have on the roster. Super tall and athletic but won't demand the ball. Willie will be given the chance to start at PF and play big minutes as we look to give the ball to James and Kawhi as much as possible. I think the deal only makes us better on paper but looking good on paper isn't our issue. We have to find a way to play consistent winning basketball.'

Brooklyn GM Bo:

‘A young center will lots of upside. A building piece to compliment Drummond and develop alongside Zubac. The Nets roster is one with a primary focus of development. Acquiring a young center for WCS made sense; trying to balance out the roster with complimentary talent and build a comprehensive roster. The ability to contend is a question that has plagued the team, one that I genuinely believe is a work in progress with certain players being the nucleus.’

Analysis:

It appears Bo landed the superior talent (from an NBA sense) in Poeltl who joins a stable of big-big men. He seems to be a long term add as they work out what their direction will be off the back of an expected playoffs run this year. Portland have sneakily added assets with multiple second rounders. Savvy GM Joel will likely move the assets as his quest to make his team a perennial title winner continues after a deep run this season. Oh, and he might have landed the better 2k player in this deal too.

 


‘A shift of power shift in the East’

Atlanta receive- LaMarcus Aldridge, Kendrick Nunn and New York 2020 second round pick.

New York receive- Montrezl Harrell, Matisse Thybulle and Kent Bazemore

 

New York GM Smokey:

‘We had great negotiations with Ben. It flowed and we were both open about what we wanted and what we wanted to give up. The initial idea was to ship out LMA with multiple picks and keep a core of BI, Harrell and Nunn, but things started to get a little tricky, and then when Rose went down Nunn was a certain inclusion. Ideally I didn't want to lose Nunn, but I had a bigger fear of not gaining Harrell so that made my decision a little easier. Harrell adds that grunt that I so truly love. His hustle is amazing on the court and I have a soft spot for players like that. The guys that will grit their teeth and get shit done! Thybulle, I was not across as much as everyone else. But when I looked him up and how he was progressing it was immediate love. Love the defensive beastness about him and how he will terrorise opposition players. The future is bright with the core of BI, Harrell, Thybulle, Melton so far but the trading won't be done, watch out for the Knicks to continue building at draft time.’

Atlanta GM Ben:

‘Atlanta wasn't keen on making any big moves before the deadline. They liked their core as it's served them well so far this season. However, it was always in the back of the GM's mind that Harrell just didn't seem to be meshing well with the others, no matter where he played. He sent out feelers and the LaMarcus Aldridge discussion began over the period of a couple days. There were a few varieties of the trade discussed but nothing that Ben could firmly say ‘yes’ to, that is until word that Derrick Rose could miss the rest of the season came to light. At that point, the prospect of essentially two starters out and Harrell still not scoring was enough for the team to pull the trigger. Atlanta wants it known that they are all-in this year and this last move helps prove that. They've battled the big dogs in Chicago and Portland and while they came up short, they were close games. Can LMA help against Anthony Davis? Can a healthy Hawks team hang with the Trailblazers? We'll have to see how the rest of the season will play out!’

Analysis:

Both teams got their guy, LMA is the big name in this but it seems his time might be numbered as a star in the NBA. Because of this trade, Atlanta have a genuine big 3 and look as strong as any team in their conference. They could make a push for 2^nd seed in the East if all their star power takes the court at the same time. A sneaky inclusion in this deal is landing Nunn who, in future versions of the game could be an elite scorer. NYK keep eyeing the future and now have a tough, gritty identity. Good move for both.

 

Trade: ‘The buzzer beater’

Warriors receive-Harrison Barnes, Deonte Burton and Admiral Schofield

Philly receive- JJ Redick, Joe Harris, Nicolo Melli, Golden State 2022 first round pick and Golden State 2022 second round pick.

Philly GM Ben:

‘So titles came to me with 10mins left on the deadline and said, ok let’s try Barnes. Salary would work with Redick, Harris, Melli...I’ll put in the 2022 1st. What else is needed? We struggled to run the numbers and the trade screens on our phones and I finally got a deal in with Burton and Schofield included with the 2nd and he accepted with seconds to go. On my end, I’d been shopping Barnes mostly to cut some salary for next year and pick up an asset or 2 given I’ll be well over the lux and laden with wings. Harris will be gone end of year, cutting cap, and Redick/Melli add some vet depth at the big man spot, where I have been lucky that Samanic has been so good off the bench, and Redick will know his role and play it and possibly be a trade chip next year. The picks were the future insurance. For now, I think my team carries on similarly with maybe more shots for Whiteside again which is efficient ball. With Redick starting once healthy, and Brooks holding the fort right now. Do I take a step back in my playoff pursuit? Hopefully not. Am I better equipped for the future? Probably. So win-win.’

Warriors GM Clay:

‘We've been looking to give the backcourt some help defensively by adding a ball stopper and some length. Didn't really think about Harrison until we were up against the deadline clock. He fit the bill, and we had some extra draft capital to pull the trigger with. We're worried a little about spacing, but think Barnes can knock them down consistently enough.’

Analysis: Barnes is clearly the best player in the deal in terms of 2k skill/ ability. He now teams up with point Lavine, young-gun Ayton, defensive wing Covington and a stable of solid 2k role players, in a Golden State team that should climb the Western Conference and finish in a position to shake up the playoffs. It appears they’ve gone all in on the season as Clay has paid the premium for a shot at contending, at the last minute of the deadline. Ben played the clock masterfully and got a nice return for someone of Barnes’s ability. The players should keep him competitive in the current season, Reddick, Harris and Melli will space the floor, but the picks are what wins this deal in the eyes of Philly fans.

 

Trade: ‘The blockbuster!’

Dallas receive- Kevin Durant, Kelly Oubre, Mfiondu Kabengele, Dallas 2020 first round pick (back to original owner)

Orlando receive- Trey Young, Bobby Portis, Andrew Wiggins and Alex Len

Dallas GM LJ:

‘It was an extremely difficult decision to let Trae Young go, but when Orlando came with Durant, Oubre AND our 1st rounder back, it made sense that this was a deal we could not decline. We saw ourselves as a playoff team but still far from contending this season, so we took the best offer out there that no one in his right mind would turn down.’

Orlando GM GC:

‘Well, it’s no surprise that I hate my team. I’ve been saying it since about midway through the season. Trae is someone who fits the timeline of my young, developing squad and Wiggins has an opportunity in Golden State to become a more well-rounded player with less of the attention from the D and learning great habits from championship calibre veteran superstars. We never truly saw the 2020 Dallas pick as our own so we happily gave it back. With the latest move, I hate my team less. And as an owner, that’s all we can hope for.’

Analysis:. Any deal involving two superstars creates a frenzy in the NSL but this one has one of the brightest young stars and arguably the best player in the league at full strength. The questions marks for Dallas will surround how Durant returns from injury. Achilles injuries seem to be the toughest to come back from but KD has all the physical attributes, a light frame and epic height/wingspan, to be able to return strong. For Dallas, landing Oubre (also out for season) as well as a 2020 first, means the starting lineup for next year is super promising as they surround the unicorn with more range on the wings. For Orlando, they have landed a franchise piece, a young superstar who will give the team plenty to watch through the rebuilding phase. Young will be the centrepiece to build around as they continue to hit the draft hard and add to their roster. This writer loves the value for Dallas even though it may mean sacrificing season 2019-20.

 

The first trade deadline has come to an end and though quieter than expected, there have been a number of moves that will shape the makeup of the coming playoffs. The time for rumours and hearsay is now over and all eyes look to the run home as the playoff race for both conferences heat up.