It’s still early in the season, but NBA teams have had a while to shake off the summer rust and show what they can do on the court. And of course the trade season is here, which will certainly impact the second part of the season.
Given the number of players who will be available for trades, and some high profile teams that can acquire top talent without breaking the cap, there are a few dark horses that may be worth keeping on your radar as we move into 2023.
While almost all of the US sports betting sites still feature the Boston Celtics at the top of the favorites chart, there are a lot of games left to play, and a few teams with longer odds may turn their seasons around to start off the new year. On the flip side, some may be angling for a finish at the bottom of the table to lock down a tantalizing French draft pick.
New York, New York
It’s been a rough decade or so for New York sports teams, but the Nets are on an absolute tear right now, making their +800 odds (FanDuel) seem almost like a safe bet. And then we have the Knicks, who have been in the middle of trade rumors surrounding none other than LeBron James.
Perhaps a bit of wild speculation, but James has always made it abundantly clear he’s still in the league to win, which is doubtful in LA. The Knicks could send off players and picks alongside Evan Fournier and RJ Barnett to clear a ton of space, and hang on to the in-form Julius Randle and the up-and-coming Quentin Grimes to support a championship run for the first time in half a century.
New York has always been a hotspot for talented players, and with the added draw of the King, the Knicks could certainly shift their standings to become a serious threat to win the Championship, but that’s a lot of what-ifs.
Bradley Beal’s (no) Trade Clause
It may seem odd to talk about the only current player in the NBA with an actual No Trade Clause in his contract, but just looking at the state of the Wizards right now might cause Beal to have a little think about whether he wants to actually stay in Washington for the next five years if he really wants a Championship.
Sure, the Wizards have shown some signs of brilliance this season, and look like they may be creeping their way into the top half of the Eastern Conference table, but it seems unlikely a player like Beal will want to live out his career on a middling team.
It would need to be a pretty colossal move to impact this trade clause and entice Beal to move away from such a secure position, especially considering his remarks on staying in Washington. With the likely departure of Kyle Kuzma in the off-season, something along the lines of a Russell Westbrook move could potentially impact a decision, but this seems exceedingly unlikely for the Lakers to consider if LeBron is still there.
Tanking for Victor Wembanyama
It’s no surprise that every team in the NBA has their eyes on the 7-foot-4 French phenom, and while the league doesn’t condone tanking a season just to pull in draft picks, some clever trades will not only free up cap space but also help certain teams limit their chances to win games.
Even with the additional playoff spots up for grabs, and the lottery system designed to reduce the impact of tanking a season, it still happens, and sometimes players are worth it. Wembanyama may just be that player in the 2023 draft.
The Hornets are probably in the worst spot in the NBA right now, but LaMelo Ball is back, and playing as well as everyone expected which puts Charlotte in a tricky spot – try and get something good together for the rest of the season with a hopeful trade, or try and get some more lottery luck at this year’s draft?
Also in the East, the floundering Pistons are not in a position to really contend this year, and a focus on rebuilding around a player who can fit the franchise in his 8-foot wingspan is a tantalizing prospect if they can shift some space.
Either way, the huge center would make an immediate impact to both teams, and if long term rebuilding is the focus, maybe trading away some talent for more future picks and a better shot to snag the number one draft spot isn’t such a bad idea.
The February 9th trade deadline will certainly come with a few unexpected moves and shake up the table leading up to the playoffs. It wouldn’t take much to get a few teams onto the playoff bubble, and then anything can happen.
