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It felt like yesterday that the Lakers won the NBA championship. It was actually a little over a month ago. Now heading into Thanksgiving, the offseason is in full swing with franchise swinging trades, a deep draft, and notable free-agent signings. It truly feels like a simulation of NBA 2K. It moves so quickly and there are a lot of things to keep up with. You have your “Woj. Bombs” and “Shams Scoops”, but it is a lot to follow along if you aren’t glued to your phone and have tweet notifications on blast. House Enterprise is here to provide you an overview of what went down!
Photo: ESPN, Twitter
The Thunder are selling
The first major trade of the new season (as seen above) happened in the early hours of the start of the trade window opening. Before we dive into that, we need to address that Sam Presti has to be considered one of the top General Managers in the league. He has always built competitive teams, and have drafted guys like Kevin Durant, Russell Westbrook, Serge Ibaka, James Harden, Eric Bledsoe, Reggie Jackson, and Steven Adams. He also managed to land Carmelo Anthony, Paul George, and Chris Paul in trade deals.
Last year, he made more trades, sending away stars PG and Westbrook for a slew of players and multiple draft picks. The team was “destined for the tank” and they shocked the league, claiming the fifth seed in the west and taking the Houston Rockets to 7 games in the playoffs. The tides are turning for the Thunder, and with a new head coach, they are looking to shake things up and build up again.
One of the first moves announced in principle, the Los Angeles Lakers received Dennis Schroder from OKC Thunder in exchange for their 2020 first-round pick (No.28), and Danny Green. In an out of nowhere move, the Thunder flipped Danny Green and Terrance Ferguson to the 76ers for Al Horford, another first-round pick (2025), and a second-round pick (2020 - No.34).
The biggest move of them all involves the one and only CP3. After improving his value and leading OKC to the playoffs, Chris Paul was traded to the Suns. The Thunder received Ricky Rubio, Kelly Oubre, Ty Jerome, Jalen Lecque, and a 2022 first-round pick. OKC now will have 19 first-round picks from now and 2027!!! They are seeking another first-rounder (shocker) for Kelly Oubre as well.
How about the Rockets?
When the Rockets failed to reach the NBA finals yet again, the offseason was going to be spent heading back to the drawing board. The team and Coach Mike D’Antoni parted ways, and he found himself a job as an assistant for Steve Nash and the Nets. The rumors turned to drama, and it seemed like there was no happy component in the Rockets organization.
The buzz first was around Russell Westbrook, who stated he wanted out. The Knicks and Hornets are gaining the most supposed traction, but don't count out the Clippers and Wizards.
Then news broke out that James Harden was having his “AD Moment” and felt his time in Houston was done as well. They tried offering him a historic extension of over $50 million a year, but he is adamant about being traded to the Brooklyn Nets. Yikes. They seem content on keeping at least Harden, but only time will tell. The Nets are rumored to be "throwing the kitchen sink", but the 76ers and Celtics are said to have an interest.
Their first move, however? They sent Robert Covington to the Portland Trailblazers for Trevor Ariza, the 2020 first-round pick (No. 16), and a 2021 protected first-round pick. This was a short-lived move, an hour before the draft, they flipped both Ariza and the No. 16 pick to the Detroit Pistons for a future first-rounder and they purchased Detriots 2021 second-round pick for $4.6 million.
Photo: ClutchPoints
The Bucks help keep Giannis… for now
After getting bounced in the bubble, the idea of Giannis leaving in 2021 or requesting a trade, suddenly became a harsh reality. In order to try and keep/satisfy him, the Bucks needed to make significant upgrades.
Coming out of left-field, the New Orleans Pelicans traded Jrue Holiday to the Milwaukee Bucks in exchange for Eric Bledsoe, George Hill, and major draft compensation (three future first-round picks, and pick swaps). A side note; The Pelicans have now turned Anthony Davis and Jrue Holiday into Brandon Ingram, Lonzo Ball, Josh Hart, Eric Bledsoe, George Hill, seven 1st-Round Picks, one 2nd-Round Pick, and 4 Pick Swaps. They also added more to this year's draft, swapping two future second-rounders to the Orlando Magic to hold the No. 45 pick tonight.
In the following hour, the Bucks also landed Bogdan Bogdanovic in a sign-and-trade deal with the Sacramento Kings for Donte Divincenzo, Ersan Ilyasova, and DJ Wilson. If Giannis walks, the Bucks are going to be in a rebuild for years to come. But breaking news (11/18/2020) - Bogdan did not agree to this! The trade has fallen through and he will enter Free-Agency. He will seek another sign-and-trade. Oh boy, this league!!
How can the Knicks fix their issues?
Oh the New York Knicks, what to do, what to do? There is a lot to fix on this team and they have been in conversation with teams to trade for the likes of Russell Westbrook, Victor Oladipo, Gordan Hayward, and more. There is a lot of uncertainty going in, but you could make the assumption a move will be made.
On the day of the draft, the Knicks traded the No.27th pick (via Clippers) and their 2nd round pick (No. 38), to move up to the No. 23 spot. This could mean a lot of things. The goal would be to move into the top-five and land the likes of LaMelo Ball or Obi Toppin. They could also trade that later first-rounder for a player or keep it and be in the works to get a Saddiq Bey or Cole Anthony.
The draft is set to kick off tonight at 8 p.m. EST, a full breakdown of the selections made, plus more trade information and free agents will come shortly after. Get ready for the excitement!
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