While the NBA trade deadline is a month away, numerous targets could make their way to a new organization. Some players are happy with their current situation, while some are ready for a bigger role. The trade deadline can become a glorious event as teams look to improve for the future as far as the playoffs.
The only trade that has occurred so far in this shortened season was James Harden being shipped from Houston to Brooklyn. Amid the trade, the Rockets were able to bring in Victor Oladipo from Indiana, while players like Jarrett Allen and others were traded to the Cleveland Cavaliers.
Blockbuster trades are always ones that bring fans out of their seats. When a superstar caliber player in Harden is available, a franchise automatically gives up available roster pieces.
Let’s look ahead into a few predictions for this season’s trade targets and the best possible landing spots for each of them.
John Collins
The Atlanta Hawks are one of the younger teams who have a bright future ahead of them. To begin this season, they came out on the ropes looking for an opportunity for a playoff push. But through the course of this month, the team has gone 1-6 with no signs of improvement.
Collins has not been happy with his role in Atlanta. Although he shows to have a special connection with Trae Young, Collins understands that he could become the number one option on a rebuilding team.
Collins may be unhappy with his role, but if he wants to be apart of a winning culture, he should look to remain in Atlanta. Although the Hawks are suffering through growing pains, their roster is built to be a winning team in the next few years. Both Collins and the Hawks organization will need to figure out a way for him to be utilized more in the offense.
If Collins remains in Atlanta for years to come, that means a brighter opportunity to clinch a playoff spot.
Kyle Lowry
Lowry has certainly paid his dues in Toronto. Transitioning the franchise into a winning organization in the NBA, Lowry should one day have his number hanging in the rafters. As Lowry is now 34 years of age, The Raptors should want to start fresh with young pieces to build for the future.
Lowry still shows to be a leader on the floor by making all of the hustle plays. Outside of the offense that he can provide to a team, he provides toughness that provides a spark for his team. The 2019 Finals was a prime example of Lowry making necessary plays to win a championship. In Game 6, Lowry started the game on fire, which carried over to other aspects to close out the Golden State Warriors.
The Miami Heat could be a team that trades a few of their young stars for a star-caliber player in Lowry. Pairing Lowry along with Jimmy Butler and Bam Adebayo could potentially put the franchise back in gear for another playoff run. The Heat have gotten off to a slow start through the course of this season. Possibly making a few changes in the rotation could do them wonders.
It is a risk by getting rid of future all-star players. But if the Heat is in a win-now position, Lowry is the perfect piece for the Miami culture.
Bradley Beal
Although Beal has stated that he does not want a trade, anything can happen from now until March 25th. The Washington Wizards are the worst team in the NBA. The lack of improvement on the floor is hindering Beal from being a part of a winning culture.
Beal is currently the leading scorer in the NBA by averaging 32.8 points per game. The games show that Beal can have a ridiculous stat line while the team still loses games. The frustrations of not winning games have shown for Beal whether it is on the floor or the bench. There are a few contending organizations that should keep an eye on Beal, whether he will change his mind on leaving or not.
Teams in Miami or New York could use Bradley Beal and what he brings to a roster. Although he can become a defensive liability on a roster, Beal makes up for it with the way he puts the ball in the basket. Both the Knicks and the Heat are two teams that are a piece or two away from transitioning to playoff contention.
Beal’s offense alone can immediately take these teams to another level.
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