Trading Places

By Eddie Castro
Today marks the last day for NBA teams to come up with a trading partner in hopes of a long run into the playoffs. Every year there is always a team who are just one piece away from going on a Cinderella run in the playoffs or even a Finals appearance while other teams who haven’t had much success as far as winning, they will look to entice their stars to contending in hopes of getting future draft compensation towards a rebuild. This trading deadline thus far can be summed up in two words, “Jaw Dropping.”

Late Saturday night, the landscape of the NBA witnessed one of the most shocking trades probably ever when the Dallas Mavericks agreed to trade their 25-year old Super Star Luka Doncic to the Los Angeles Lakers in exchange for 31-year old All-Star Anthony Davis.

The trade will now pair Doncic who many believe is a top 3 player in the NBA, with a player who knows a little bit about top 3 talk in LeBron James.

The trade sent shock waves to not only the NBA, but the entire sports community. With this trade now official, the question is, will our beloved New York teams be able to make a splash of their own when they get their turn?

Let’s start with the Brooklyn Nets. The team was able to swing a trade last month with the Lakers that brought them back a familiar face in D’Angelo Russell. Russell played some of his best basketball during his first stint with the Nets from 2017-2019.

It is uncertain if he will be a part of the team’s future plans as the Nets have been stockpiling on draft picks to perhaps entice a superstar in a blockbuster trade of their own.

Unless the team can get the right amount of draft capital for their other star Cam Johnson, the Nets will probably sit tight during trade negotiations unless a suitable trade partner comes with a trade package that is to the liking of General Manager Sean Marks.

Despite currently being on injured reserve with an ankle injury, Johnson 28, is having his best year as a pro with a career high in points (19.4).

Brooklyn will look to exercise caution with Johnson in the event he is dealt at the deadline. My prediction is Johnson will stay put at least until after the season but, look for playoff-contending teams to be aggressive in their pursuit of him, Especially a team in the market for shooting.

As for the New York Knicks, going into press, the Knicks have won their last six games scoring 110 points in the last five contests. Their starting lineup of Jalen Brunson, Karl Anthony-Towns, Mikal Bridges O.G. Anunoby and Josh Hart is without a doubt a top-five starting lineup.

Barring another blockbuster trade, I do not see Knicks management breaking apart those five players so Spike Lee and fans should look for the Knicks to address needs within their bench.

The Knicks will most likely seek another defensive guy with the ability to protect the rim and eat up minutes for when Towns gets his rest.

The team would also look for guards who can provide shooting or rebounding. Perhaps both if the team can strike a deal. In the Eastern Conference, New York currently sits in third place and just two games out for first in the Atlantic Division with a win-loss record of 33-17.

Unlike the Nets, the Knicks will look to add to the winning formula they already have in place. A few notable names that could land in New York via trade could be Utah Jazz center Walker Kessler.

The 7-foot Kessler provides another big body for New York and adds much needed depth to their bench. Mitchell Robinson is currently working his way back from off-season ankle surgery and has been in a lot of trade conversations.

He would most likely be a name that teams would want back in return especially if the Knicks get back a player like Kessler.

It would not come as a surprise for the Knicks to also add some shooting to their bench. Most likely a veteran player that would not cost them much. We are almost at the halfway point of the NBA season.

Around this time next week, we will see just how the rosters shape up for both the Knicks and Nets. If there is any breaking News to report, Our Time Press will have it here for you.

Sports Notes: (Baseball) Baseball is almost here as pitcher and catchers for both the Yankees and Mets report to their spring training complex in two weeks. (Football) Superbowl LIX is here.

This year it will feature a 2023 Super bowl rematch as the Philadelphia Eagles will try to prevent the Kansas City Chiefs from becoming the first NFL team to win three Super Bowl titles in a row. The Game is on Sunday at 6:30 P.M.