While we certainly saw a flurry of activity prior to today’s trade deadline, seven teams didn’t make any moves at all over the past week, observes Keith Smith of Spotrac (Twitter link). That group features the Lakers, Cavaliers, Hawks, Bulls, Magic, Heat, and Pelicans.
Miami and New Orleans made previous trades this season, but the other five teams did not.
According to Dave McMenamin of ESPN and Brad Turner of The Los Angeles Times (Twitter links), the Lakers were actively involved in trade talks, but decided any deal would have been a “marginal upgrade” with a prohibitive cost. L.A. plans to be “aggressive” in the buyout market, however, and will have up to three first-round picks to trade this summer, versus the one it had available during the season.
As Dan Woike of The Los Angeles Times writes, Dejounte Murray and Alex Caruso were among the players the Lakers were interested in, but they decided the Hawks’ and Bulls’ asking prices were too steep.
The Cavs — the league’s hottest team — “believe strongly” in the roster they’ve constructed, and they also have a pair of standard roster spots open to peruse the buyout market, per Chris Fedor of Cleveland.com (Twitter link).
The Hawks were reportedly aggressive in proposing trade concepts, yet decided to keep the roster they have, despite their mediocre 22-29 record. Murray was the player most prominently featured in rumors from Atlanta’s roster.
The 24-27 Bulls also decided to stand pat, with center Andre Drummond among the players they retained, confirms Chris Haynes of Bleacher Report (via Twitter).
According to Jason Beede of The Orlando Sentinel, the Magic’s front office “did its due diligence” in evaluating the market, but it likes the current roster and wanted to maintain continuity ahead of a potential postseason push. Orlando is currently 27-24.
The Raptors made a handful of trades this season, including two on Thursday, yet one player who many expected to be on the move remains on the roster. Toronto decided to hang onto Bruce Brown past the deadline, tweets ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski.
The rebuilding Wizards were viewed as sellers ahead of the deadline, and they did trade Daniel Gafford to Dallas. But they also decided to keep veteran guards Tyus Jones and Delon Wright, two players featured in plenty of trade rumors, per Josh Robbins of The Athletic (Twitter link).
⌛
The Chicago Bulls have to be the most inept franchise in the NBA.
Three trade deadlines in a row the FO did nothing, with AK says he wants the Bulls competitive, but didn’t say he wants to win championships. Just striving for mediocrity
Not just striving for it but absolutely nailing it. If mediocrity is the goal they are currently spot on lol
It really sucks being a fan of Reinsdorf teams. I used to get so excited for each sport’s season to begin, but the excitement is stripped away when you know in advance that my team will suck and will happily continue sucking. I know it’s the middle of the season now, but I am glad I haven’t wasted any time following it.
No disrespect to the players. I used all my disrespect up with ownership.
GarPax all over again.
IMO, There is a zero chance Lakers can defeat Clippers in the first round playoffs
What is the reason Lakers keep 2029 first round pick?
Lakers trade, Lakers trade rumors, Lakers trade candidates
What trade?
Result
If Davis plays 65 games or less, Lakers become the worst team in California
that future 1st rounder will be valuable since both LeBron and AD are gone in 5 years. Lakers do not have any players to trade that they can’t afford to lose.
LAL will just sign stars like they usually do once those guys are off the books. They don’t build in the draft.
Lakers front office is clueless!
Rockets trade away Oladipo
Rockets are far better than I predicted.
so far
Rockets 23 wins
Grizzlies 18 wins
I don’t understand why Orlando didn’t make any trade, now they are in risk to lose players like Chuma Okeke, Markelle Fultz, Jonathan Isaac, Gary Harris and Goga Bitadze for nothing. I would trade at least Chuma and Gary Harris for at least few second round picks.
Nobody bailed out the lakers… Good job.
No team is letting the Lakers fleece them. D’Lo and Reaves are not a major piece for any team and neither are futures. LAL never plays Hood-Scifino so how can he have any value?