Trade Deadline - Feb 9

[mufan2003]

I had to travel today and got a chance to listen to Sirius XM NBA Radio in the hours leading up to the deadline. Crazy, one of the busier deadlines I can remember.

Already Rui Hachimura to the Lakers. Kyrie Irving and Kevin Durant head West. The Lakers adding D'Angelo Russell, Malik Beasley, Jarred Vanderbilt and Mo Bamba in 24 hours. Golden State trading #2 overall pick James Wiseman to Detroit, Detroit sending Saddiq Bey to Atlanta and Gary Payton II back to Golden State. Crowder eventually happening for Milwaukee. That is just the tip of the iceberg.

https://www.nba.com/news/2023-nba-tr...ine-buzz-feb-9

The West is so loaded now with stars. Brooklyn drops off as a contender in the East, and they probably knew they weren't good enough to beat Boston or Milwaukee and maybe throw in Philly.

This was a really good day for Milwaukee. The power of having a franchise player, a unicorn like Giannis (only 28), is a magnet to draw in other players wanting to win a ring. The NBA has become all about "back channels" and valuable players can practically force their team's hand when they want out.

The Bucks' depth chart is ridiculous now. The eventual starting five are all high quality, 2-way players. When the playoffs roll around, my guess at how the depth chart looks:

1-Holiday
2-Middleton
3-Crowder
4-Giannis
5-Lopez

Portis
Connaughton
Ingles
Carter
Allen
Matthews
Beauchamp

The Bucks will be able to play so many different ways and the reserves' minutes will fluctuate at times based on opponent and needs in that series. It will be about the matchups. If a player misses 2 or 3 games in a series due to injury (Giannis in the 2021 ECF......games 5 and 6), they have quality depth to cover it.

[Goose85]

I had to travel today and got a chance to listen to Sirius XM NBA Radio in the hours leading up to the deadline. Crazy, one of the busier deadlines I can remember.

Already Rui Hachimura to the Lakers. Kyrie Irving and Kevin Durant head West. The Lakers adding D'Angelo Russell, Malik Beasley, Jarred Vanderbilt and Mo Bamba in 24 hours. Golden State trading #2 overall pick James Wiseman to Detroit, Detroit sending Saddiq Bey to Atlanta and Gary Payton II back to Golden State. Crowder eventually happening for Milwaukee. That is just the tip of the iceberg.

https://www.nba.com/news/2023-nba-tr...ine-buzz-feb-9

The West is so loaded now with stars. Brooklyn drops off as a contender in the East, and they probably knew they weren't good enough to beat Boston or Milwaukee and maybe throw in Philly.

This was a really good day for Milwaukee. The power of having a franchise player, a unicorn like Giannis (only 28), is a magnet to draw in other players wanting to win a ring. The NBA has become all about "back channels" and valuable players can practically force their team's hand when they want out.

The Bucks' depth chart is ridiculous now. The eventual starting five are all high quality, 2-way players. When the playoffs roll around, my guess at how the depth chart looks:

1-Holiday
2-Middleton
3-Crowder
4-Giannis
5-Lopez

Portis
Connaughton
Ingles
Carter
Allen
Matthews
Beauchamp

The Bucks will be able to play so many different ways and the reserves' minutes will fluctuate at times based on opponent and needs in that series. It will be about the matchups. If a player misses 2 or 3 games in a series due to injury (Giannis in the 2021 ECF......games 5 and 6), they have quality depth to cover it.

Not sure Crowder will start, but you are right, we can match-up with almost anyone. Reminds me of the title year when one series Portis didn't play at all, and the next series he was a key reserve.

I think Beauchamp is the only one who won't get good minutes depending on match-ups. He may get time in early rounds to save some legs for later rounds though.

The West is going to be fun to watch.