The deadline for NBA trade in 2021 is less than 48 hours away, which means that fighting teams want to strengthen their roster for a play-off shot, while teams are on their way to a lottery, downloading assets to better position themselves for the future. The addition of play-in matches for the post-season has kept more teams in contention, so there are more buyers than usual. Although it was expected to be a relatively quiet deadline, it did not prevent rumors of flying. There is a lot to keep up with until March 25, so check out the latest rumors surrounding the deadline.
If there’s anyone in the NBA who knows how to trade, it’s Victor Oladipo, the Houston Rockets’ Guardian. Oladipo has only been in the league since 2013, but he has been traded three times already and a fourth trade could be imminent. After acquiring him just in January, the Rockets are likely to move ahead of the Oladipo deadline, according to ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski. Oladipo will become a free agent during the off-season, which is likely to limit the Rockets’ returns, as teams usually hesitate to trade too much for a player they could lose after the season. Oladipo, on the other hand, apparently have an interest in joining the Heat and the Knicks, so both teams are reluctant to trade too much for a player who could end up in a free agency. Nevertheless, the Rockets are becoming more comfortable with outside offers for Oladipo, according to Wojnarowski. So it seems quite possible, probably even, that Oladipo will be in a new team by the end of the week.
Atlanta Hawks forward John Collins is available at the right price, and the Boston Celtics are one team interested in the versatile forward. However, the two parties ultimately cannot agree on an agreement. According to Chris Kirschner of The Athletic, the Hawks wanted to expand a potential Collins deal to include Jaylen Brown. It was not a starter for the Celtics unless the Falcons were willing to go from Trae Young and De’Andre Hunter, and there was no indication that the Falcons wanted to part with one or both or with those young players. Things could change, but at this stage it does not look like an agreement will be reached between the Celtics and Falcons.
The Indiana Pacers could be sold on the deadline, and one player they could possibly part with is former rookie of the year, Malcolm Brodgon. The Pacers are listening to offers on Brogdon – and they also apparently monitor Domantas Sabonis – according to Vincent Goodwill of Yahoo Sports. As for Brogdon, the Pacers feel he may be redundant following the team’s addition of Caris LeVert, who is able to play the points standings. The Pacers are not necessarily buying Brogdon, who is holding the second year of a $ 85 million four-year deal. However, if the right offer comes up, expect them to respond.