NFL
By: Joe Cardoso
Well that was fun, wasn’t it? Another NBA trade deadline has come and gone but unlike some of the deadlines of the past, we had a TON of action and some teams moved to make a legit run at the Larry O’Brien. The moves are still fresh and we need to see how things look on the court. One of the funniest things about trades is the amount of time we can spend analyzing the moves and deciding who we think made the best ones. The earth shook on Saturday night when Luka Dončić was sent to the Lakers and then the floodgates opened. If you are a player in today’s league this deadline shows you that the era of players in power is over, anyone can be moved at any time. But is the era of player empowerment REALLY over or is this just a blip in the Matrix? We saw 9 All-Stars move this deadline that’s insane and so much fun.
Good Luck:
Phones were buzzing for NBA GM’s league wide but a few teams just couldn’t get a deal done, or didn’t even try. I was shocked the Orlando Magic were unable to do anything to help a team that so far isn’t meeting expectations. Injuries have hurt them but adding a piece might have helped a bit.
The Memphis Grizzlies tried to grab guys like Cam Johnson of the Brooklyn Nets, rumors of KD, and some other names that could help the Grizzlies level up. It didn’t happen now we have to see if Desmond Bane, and Jaren Jackson Jr can help Ja Morant reach the goals they had ahead of the season. At least the move to dump Marcus Smarts should be all that’s needed to keep Jaren in the fold with a new contract.
Atlanta Hawks, what are we doing? A star guard in Trae Young with a nice piece in Jalen Johnson with a 23-28 record and 9th in the East. What’s the plan? Terrance Mann, Bones Hyland, Bogdan Bogdanovic all gone. That front office must be working overtime to convince Trae to trust the plan and stick with it. I’m not seeing it.
The Phoenix Suns made a nice comfy bed and filled it with Kevin Durant, Devin Booker, and Bradley Beal. No depth in the roster, no true point guard. Oh, and the injury bug had a 3 bedroom townhouse in that organization. Fast forward to this season and things are even worse Beal is showing why most owners hate no-trade clauses in contracts, Kevin Durant wants to stay and people say he should go. It’s going to take more than a meeting with punch and cookies to repair this current team.
If we learned anything from the Luka trade reaction it’s that you don’t waste a generational talent in his/her prime. With that being said the Denver Nuggets have an NBA champion, MVP on the roster who is busting his butt this season with little to no help. So the way we show him a commitment to winning is not to make any moves at all? Currently sitting at 4th in the ultra-competitive west a wing player or a serviceable big would’ve been a nice touch.
We Coming Boston:
The defending champs are chilling in the cut waiting for the playoffs to start. Well, these teams are doing anything but chill and making moves to be a threat. Others did trades to show current players the plan they have is working and just trust it.
I love the move by the Spurs to grab De’Aaron Fox to pair with Wemby as well as learn from the vet Chris Paul aka the “point god”. Even with time still on his contract the Spurs aren’t stupid show the young star you mean business. This will quickly be one of the best duos in the league book it.
From what the hell are you doing too well hold up now we got something here. That’s the last few days for the Los Angeles Lakers. They revamped the roster and found the next guy to lead this franchise for the next decade or more.
THE QUEST FOR CHAMPIONSHIP NO. 18 BEGINS NOW.
WE GOT A SQUAD Y’ALL. pic.twitter.com/FqbZXujYiN
— Lakers All Day Everyday (@LADEig) February 6, 2025
If you read the outstanding articles from my teammates Ashmere Prasad and Mark Wilson they go in-depth with the NBA mega move. For me it is simple Luka is 25, he can learn a lot from Lebron, and they added a nice young big. As the 2nd half moves on this team will only get better. Now can JJ Reddick put it all together and make something cook, time will tell.
The Milwaukee Bucks let one of the OG’s in Kris Middleton go to Washington for Kyle Kuzma. Interesting lineup now in Milwaukee and which Kuz do they get? If it is the bubble version he will be a much-welcomed addition to the club. Still need Dame to pick it up some but this isn’t a horrible roster is it enough to push Boston or even the Knicks?
We can have two winners, can’t we? I like the Miami Heat picking up former NBA champ Andrew Wiggins and what he brings to the table for a team even with the Jimmy Butler drama being 6th in the east and on the Bucks heals. You have to think the drama was wearing on the team and now that is gone and you can focus on ball. For the Warriors I like that unlike the Nuggets they did SOMETHING to help their star, now how will it work we have to wait and see. Plus grabbing a 2-year deal for $121 million Jimmy should be just fine in the Bay.
I owe the Cleveland Cavaliers an apology. From the start, I called them front runners and fake contenders. Well, first in the east role players having career years shut me up a few weeks back. Just in case I wanted to comeback to hating they made a move for a solid player in De’Andre Hunter from the Hawks. He is decent from deep and adds a wing who can defend and give quality minutes.
The other part of the Luka trade is that Anthony Davis is now on the Mavs. He won’t play the center spot even though I think he should and let those freak athletes who are bigs for Dallas clean up loose balls and rebound. He is a better fit on this team at the five in my opinion. It will be fun to team up with Kyrie as they grow as a duo. In the here and now can you say the Mavs won the trade? Maybe but in 2-3 years I would argue it will be the Lakers hands down.
The Mavs updated rotation:
PG: Kyrie Irving
SG: Klay Thompson
SF: PJ Washington
PF: Anthony Davis
C: Dereck Lively IIPG: Spencer Dinwiddie
SG: Max Christe
SF: Queintin Grimes
PF: Naji Marshall
C: Daniel GaffordTitle contenders? pic.twitter.com/JcUUqYHiaZ
— NBA World (@NBAW0RLD24) February 2, 2025
No talk about the Knicks or Thunder Joe? I think both teams didn’t have to make any moves just for the sake of it. These are good rosters who if anything might be players in the buyout market depending on who is around. For more NBA talk check out Kevin Lucas, Melo Williams, and me on our show “The Hoop Heads”
