By: Christopher Jordan
This past week and weekend were busy in the basketball world with the NBA tradeline which took place on March 25, 2021.
There were quite a few teams that made the right moves to improve their basketball team. Teams such as the Denver Nuggets, Clippers, 76ers, etc. The playoffs are slowly approaching, and teams are trying to have the best roster possible going into the playoffs.
The playoffs start Saturday, May 22. These playoffs may be on the best playoffs we’ve had in quite a while because there are a few teams that have a chance at winning and holding that Larry O’Brien trophy at the end of the season.
Between the Eastern and Western conferences, any title-contending team can make a serious run when it’s all said and done.
After the tradeline was officially over at 3 P.M. on Thursday. The NBA buyout market was the talk around the NBA because two players could make a difference for a team that has a realistic chance at winning a championship.
Players such as Andre Drummond and LaMarcus Aldridge. Over the weekend Drummond was bought out by the Cleveland Cavaliers, and Aldridge was bought out by the San Antonio Spurs
Drummond spent the last year and this year with the Cavaliers before he was bought out. He was averaging 17.5 points per game and 13.5 rebounds per game. Since Drummond’s second season in the NBA, he has always averaged a double-double.
Drummond has also led the league in rebounds four times in his career. He is one of 20 players in league history to record more than 9,000 career points, 8,500 rebounds, 850 steals, and 950 blocks.
Throughout, the season the Lakers haven’t been getting much support from the center position because Mac Gasol has not played his best in the purple and gold. His better days are behind him.
Drummond is more athletic, a better rebounder, and he’s someone who can help the Lakers defensively and offensively.
On the other hand, Aldridge has decided to go to the Brooklyn Nets who was already stacked with Kevin Durant, Kyrie Irving, James Harden, and a great supporting cast.
Aldridge is career 19.4 points per game scorer and 8.3 rebounds. He is a seven-time all-star, and he is someone that’s more than capable of having a big impact on the Nets.
Durant is still out with a left hamstring injury, and the team doesn’t have a set date for when he returns.
Aldridge can help the Nets offensively with his low-post presence and he can help defensively because the Nets need someone to help DeAndre Jordan and Blake Griffin.
The Nets are highly motivated to win the Championship this season, and they making sure they have a roster that’s more than ready.
Are the Nets a lock to win the title or will the Lakers adding Drummond be enough to overtake Brooklyn if they meet in the finals?