What’s New in the NBA?

Keep up with the latest developments in the NBA by reading our blog. We’ll cover everything from player trades to new rule changes.

The Kyrie Irving Trade

On August 23, 2017, the Boston Celtics and the Cleveland Cavaliers made one of the most consequential trades in recent NBA history. The Celtics traded All-Star point guard Kyrie Irving to the Cavaliers in exchange for All-Star power forward Isaiah Thomas, shooting guard Jae Crowder, center Ante Zizic, and the 2018 first round pick of the Brooklyn Nets. The trade sent shockwaves through the NBA world and had many people questioning whether or not the Cavaliers won the trade. Let’s take a look at some pros and cons for both teams.

Pros for the Celtics:
-The Celtics acquired one of the best young players in the NBA in Jayson Tatum. Tatum is a 19-year-old small forward who was drafted 3rd overall by the Celtics in this year’s draft. He is a very talented player who has a lot of upside.
-The Celtics also acquired a very good defender in Jaylen Brown. Brown is a 20-year-old small forward who was drafted 3rd overall by the Celtics in last year’s draft. He is an excellent defender and has shown great improvement on offense this season.
-The Celtics acquired a future first round pick from the Brooklyn Nets, which is most likely going to be a high pick because the Nets are not expected to be very good next season.

Cons for the Celtics:
-The Celtics gave up a lot for Irving, including two very good young players in Tatum and Brown.
-Irving is only under contract for one more season, so there is no guarantee that he will re-sign with the Celtics next summer.

Pros for the Cavaliers:
-The Cavaliers acquired one of the best point guards in the NBA in Kyrie Irving. Irving is a 4-time All Star and was named MVP of last year’s NBA Finals. He is one of the best offensive players in the league and will be a great addition to any team.
-The Cavaliers acquired a very good scorer in Isaiah Thomas. Thomas is an All Star point guard who averaged 28.9 points per game last season. He will provide much needed scoring off ofthe bench forthe Cavaliers.
cons forthe cavaliers: -The cavaliers gave up two very good players in Irving and Thomas.-Irving has already stated that he plans on leaving Cleveland when his contract expires after next season.-The Brooklyn Nets pick that they acquired from Boston will likely be a high pick, which means that it could be used to draft someone who could replace Irving if he leaves next summer

The Jimmy Butler Trade

On November 10, 2018, the Minnesota Timberwolves traded Jimmy Butler and Justin Patton to the Philadelphia 76ers in exchange for Robert Covington, Dario Šarić, and Jerryd Bayless. This trade came as a surprise to many NBA fans, as Butler is one of the best players in the league.

The trade gives the 76ers a much needed boost on offense, as Butler is averaging 21.3 points per game this season. However, it remains to be seen how well he will fit in with the rest of the team, as he has been known to be locker room issue in the past.

It will be interesting to see how this trade pans out for both teams involved. The 76ers are now one of the favorites to win the NBA championship, but they will need to find a way to mesh Butler’s talents with those of their other star players, Joel Embiid and Ben Simmons. Meanwhile, the Timberwolves are now without their best player and will likely struggle to make the playoffs in a very competitive Western Conference.

The Kawhi Leonard Trade

On July 18, 2018, the San Antonio Spurs traded Kawhi Leonard and Danny Green to the Toronto Raptors for DeMar DeRozan, Jakob Poeltl and a protected 2019 first-round pick. The Raptors also received a 2018 second-round pick from the Milwaukee Bucks in the trade.

The move sent shockwaves through the NBA, as Leonard is one of the league’s best players. The two-time Defensive Player of the Year has averaged 19.3 points, 6.2 rebounds and 2.6 assists per game over his seven-year career.

The trade also included two other notable players in DeRozan and Green. DeRozan is a four-time All-Star who has spent his entire nine-year career with the Raptors. He has averaged 19.7 points, 4.1 assists and 3.9 rebounds per game over that span. Green is a 10-year NBA veteran who has played for the Spurs since 2010. He is a two-time NBA champion and has averaged 9.1 points, 3 rebounds and 1.6 assists per game in his career.

The Carmelo Anthony Trade

On July 19, 2017, the Oklahoma City Thunder traded All-Star forward Carmelo Anthony to the Atlanta Hawks in a three-team deal. The Hawks then immediately traded Anthony to the Houston Rockets. The Rockets divested themselves of a good amount of youth and draft picks to make room for Anthony’s salary, giving up sharpshooter Ryan Anderson and rookie De’Anthony Melton, as well as first- and second-round picks in the 2020 draft. In return for losing Anderson’s scoring and floor-spacing abilities, the team will gain a strong post presence and scorer in Carmelo Anthony.

The DeMarcus Cousins Trade

On Monday, July 2, 2018, the New Orleans Pelicans traded for All-Star center DeMarcus Cousins. The Pelicans gave up Buddy Hield, Tyreke Evans, Langston Galloway, and a future first and second-round draft pick for Cousins and Omri Casspi. This move gives the Pelicans one of the most talented frontcourts in the NBA with Cousins teaming up with Anthony Davis.