The NBA Trade Deadline and its impact going forward
Despite the blockbuster deal between Philly and Brooklyn, the game's top-tier squads remain front-runners in the quest for the Larry O'Brien trophy.
The 2022 NBA trade deadline and all its wheelin’ and dealin’ will forever be defined by the blockbuster deal between Brooklyn and Philadelphia with the epicenter of the trade being Ben Simmons moved on to Brooklyn while James Harden joins Philadelphia to form a potent 1-2 punch with MVP candidate Joel Embiid.
The deal has forced the entire NBA to recalibrate itself to some extent.
But the truth is, the teams that were among the front-runners to win an NBA title this year, are still in that pole position.
Here are this week’s Super 7 teams in the Association:
PHOENIX SUNS (45-10)
The Suns are still rising high and above all teams with a unit that Phoenix wisely decided to keep intact at the trade deadline. They have firepower on the perimeter, depth, and an undeniable thirst to move one step further than they did last season and win it all.
GOLDEN STATE WARRIORS (41-15)
Golden State got what was essentially a trade deadline addition when Klay Thompson returned to the lineup. He has appeared in seven games this season, averaging 16.7 points while shooting 37.4 percent from 3-point range and 42.5 percent from the field - numbers that will likely rise as he continues to work his way back into game shape.
MIAMI HEAT (36-20)
Of the teams that are at or near the top of the standings, there may not be one that has flown below the top-o-the-pile radar more than the Miami Heat. One of Miami’s greatest strengths this season has been their 3-point shooting. The Heat average 13.5 made 3’s per game which ranks sixth in the NBA.
CLEVELAND CAVS (34-21)
Kudos to the Cavs for not standing pat at the trade deadline. By adding Caris Levert from Indiana, they add an experienced professional scorer whose presence can only enhance their chances of extending their regular-season season success into a deep postseason run which is something few outside of Cleveland would have anticipated.
MEMPHIS GRIZZLIES (39-18)
Memphis’ youth movement is indeed ahead of schedule. And the more you watch them play, it’s clear that they are more than just the Ja Morant show. The Grizzlies are the NBA’s second-best scoring team (113.4) and their defensive rating (108.2) is the eighth-best in the league.
TORONTO RAPTORS (31-23)
The Raptors have lots of weapons to turn to offensively. And when that doesn’t work, they hit the glass hard, which often has been their best means of scoring. Toronto has an offensive rebound percentage rate of .326, second only to the Memphis Grizzlies (.335).
BOSTON CELTICS (31-25)
The Celtics' winning percentage (.554) only ranks 13th in the NBA, but they have won six in a row (only Toronto, winners of eight straight, is hotter) and eight of their last nine. And they’re not just winning games. They are crushing teams, good and bad, during their best stretch of play this season. During that span, their average margin of victory has been 20.5 points which includes a 30-point win over Miami.