NBA Trade Deadline: Mikal Bridges, John Collins, OG Anunoby Among Best Players On The Block
The Kevin Durant trade could start a domino effect ahead of Thursday's 3 p.m. ET deadline. Other NBA contenders are expected to join the Phoenix Suns in improving their roster for a possible championship run.
OG Anunoby and John Collins have been in trade rumors for several weeks, and both players might finally be moved. The same goes for Bojan Bogdanovic. The Brooklyn Nets are expected to consider offers for Mikal Bridges and Jae Crowder shortly after acquiring them from the Phoenix Suns in their blockbuster trade.
The Suns were in talks to acquire Collins just prior to trading for Durant, according to ESPN's Adrian Wojnarowski. The Atlanta Hawks seem ready to move the forward, who could be a significant upgrade for a contender. Collins is averaging 13.2 points per game on 51.3% shooting.
Keep an eye on John Collins finally being traded today. As Woj wrote here, Phoenix was about to acquire Collins before pushing the chips all-in for Kevin Durant. https://t.co/w7CX5rWPmA
— Evan Sidery (@esidery) February 9, 2023
Toronto's talks on forward O.G. Anunoby are rolling into the final hours of the trade deadline. The landing of Kevin Durant with the Suns could escalate Anunoby's value among Western Conference teams pursuing an elite forward to defend Durant.
— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) February 9, 2023
The Toronto Raptors have been receiving offers for Anunoby for some time. Contenders in the West might improve their trade offers to the Raptors so that Anunoby can guard Durant in a possible playoff series, Wojnarowski reports.
The Memphis Grizzlies have been linked to Anunoby. Bridges could also be a fit in Memphis. Now that the Nets have punted their championship hopes, Brooklyn is looking to trade more veterans by the deadline.
ESPN's Brian Windhorst said on "First Take" that he wouldn't be surprised if the Nets make at least two more trades. Brooklyn could receive at least one first-round pick in exchange for Bridges. The forward is one of the league's best defensive players and has the longest active consecutive games played streak.
A lot of the teams discussed as OG Anunoby suitors, like the Grizzlies, Blazers, Pelicans, Knicks, and Kings, would logically be Mikal Bridges suitors, if he becomes available. https://t.co/1ge3ujzvNB
— Yossi Gozlan (@YossiGozlan) February 9, 2023
Crowder might be headed to the Milwaukee Bucks, according to Windhorst. The Bucks have been trying to pry Crowder from the Suns all season long.
The Detroit Pistons could be another beneficiary of the arms race in the West. Teams have been pursuing Bojan Bogdanovic, but Detroit has been reluctant to part with the veteran for only a first-round pick. The Durant trade could motivate a Bogdanovic suitor to also include a young player in their final trade offer to the Pistons.
The Bucks, New York Knicks and Los Angeles Lakers have expressed serious interest in Bogdanovic, according to The Athletic.
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