It was pretty quiet before the NBA 2021 trade deadline. We’ve seen the rumors and speculation, of course, but little in terms of actual deals.
That could change on Thursday. Many notable players have sparked interest recently – Lonzo Ball, John Collins, Aaron Gordon, Kyle Lowry and Victor Oladipo are among that group – and the pressure of the 3 p.m. ET cutoff could finally force front offices to do so. movements.
Which contenders will find valuable contributors for the regular season final stretch and the playoffs? What sinking teams will emerge as sellers?
Sporting News will cover all of the action on the day of the deadline. Follow here for the latest news and closed deals.
RUMORS OF COMMERCE: Why acquiring Lonzo Ball could be a difficult task for the Clippers
NBA business news from 2021 deadline
(All Eastern hours)
Thursday March 25
11:30 a.m. – And another is gone. Orlando sends Evan Fournier to Boston.
11:20 a.m. – Yes, reconstruction is underway. With Nikola Vucevic gone, expect the Magic to make more moves over the next few hours.
The Knicks have emerged as a team to show interest in Orlando’s Evan Fournier, according to league sources, while Boston also remains strongly linked with Fournier and other bidders could emerge depending on location. where Toronto’s Kyle Lowry lands. More than three hours before the commercial buzzer
– Marc Stein (@TheSteinLine) March 25, 2021
11:10 am – Apparently Orlando got the “substantial package” he wanted. Nikola Vucevic is heading for Chicago.
Here’s the deal: The Bulls land Nikola Vucevic and Al Farouq Aminu for Otto Porter, Wendell Carter Jr., and two first-round picks. Huge addition for Chicago, who remains in pursuit of Lonzo Ball. The magic is now heading for a rebuild with Aaron Gordon’s deal on the bridge.
– Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) March 25, 2021
The Bulls are sending the 2021 and 2023 Magic first-round picks into the deal, sources tell ESPN.
– Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) March 25, 2021
10:40 a.m. – The Magic are unsurprisingly reluctant to trade Nikola Vucevic. The All-Star center is enjoying a career year, averaging 24.5 points and 11.8 rebounds per game.
Sources: Orlando continues to listen to offers on All-Star Nikola Vucevic, but it would take a substantial package to force it. As Magic deepens Aaron Gordon’s trade, a further move with Vucevic for assets would position the franchise towards more substantial retooling in the long run.
– Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) March 25, 2021
10:05 am – The Nuggets had better do a JaVale McGee comeback video.
Cleveland Cavaliers finalize deal to send JaVale McGee to Denver Nuggets, sources say @TheAthletic @Stadium.
– Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) March 25, 2021
Denver acquires Cleveland center JaVale McGee for Isaiah Hartenstein and two future protected second-round picks, sources have told ESPN.
– Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) March 25, 2021
Cleveland is in the process of acquiring an unprotected 2027 second-round pick and an No. 46-protected 2023 second-round pick, according to sources at ESPN.
– Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) March 25, 2021
9.45 a.m. – Oh, now it’s getting interesting.
00:35 – We’re not kicking off the deadline with a Woj Bomb, but rather a Woj Sparkler.
The Detroit Pistons trade guard Delon Wright to the Sacramento Kings for guard Cory Joseph and two second-round picks, sources at ESPN say.
– Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) March 25, 2021
The Kings are sending a 2021 via a second round pick via the Lakers and their own 2024 second round to the Pistons in the deal, a source told ESPN. https://t.co/yXGXXwbsL6
– Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) March 25, 2021
12:05 am – Did Kyle Lowry play his last game for the Raptors?
Wednesday March 24
7:45 p.m. – Norman Powell is a pretty popular guy.
The number of teams expressing interest in Toronto’s Norman Powell, according to an educated estimate on Trade Deadline Eve, is “among teens.”
– Marc Stein (@TheSteinLine) March 24, 2021
5:30 p.m. – The Timberwolves “do not intend to receive any offers” for Anthony Edwards, D’Angelo Russell or Karl-Anthony Towns, according to Jon Krawczynski of The Athletic. Minnesota wants to see this base trio grow under new head coach Chris Finch.
3:00 p.m. – It looks like Harrison Barnes will stay in Sacramento until the end of the season unless the Kings are blown away by a big offer.
Boston’s attention continues to be on Aaron Gordon, with the likelihood that a deal for Harrison Barnes will fade away. The Kings have no interest in selling cheap on Barnes, believing he may be a key part of a playoff push next season.
– Chris Mannix (@SIChrisMannix) March 24, 2021
1:05 p.m. – Several contenders are competing for Cavaliers center JaVale McGee, according to Athletic’s Shams Charania. There is a “strong feeling” that McGee will be sent to another team before the deadline.
10:40 a.m. – John Collins would love to stay in Atlanta, but the Hawks forward knows he may be on the move before the deadline.
“It’s something you obviously have to get used to, but it’s just the nature of the business and the nature of being an NBA player,” Collins said Tuesday night (via Athletic’s Chris Kirschner). “Obviously, teams with the ability to move around however they want and trade between you is the nature of the game, so I’m not trying to think about it too much.
“But I understand that things happen, so I always try to have an open mindset.”
9:00 a.m. – When asked on Tuesday night why he wanted to be traded out of Orlando, Magic forward Aaron Gordon did not give the “no comment” standard or deny making a request. He basically confirmed what had been reported previously.
“There were times when I just expressed my frustration at management,” Gordon said. “Frustration with the losses, the injuries, the way we play, the way we play and the number of losses that have accumulated over the years. So it’s just my frustration that’s overflowing, I would say.”
“Frustration with the losses, the injuries, the way we play, the way we play and the number of losses accumulated over the years.
Aaron said his frustration has boiled over the past seven years with the team. #MagicTogether pic.twitter.com/Qi8QjJOv8n
– FOX Sports Magic (@FOXSportsMagic) March 24, 2021
Tuesday 23 March
10:00 p.m. – ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski with the latest news on Raptor Guards Kyle Lowry and Norman Powell:
Sources: Raptors discussing deals with Kyle Lowry and Norman Powell on multiple fronts and those talks are expected to last through Wednesday — and maybe even Thursday. Philadelphia and Miami are interested in Lowry, but the two have been restrained as far as they go to get a deal.
– Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) March 24, 2021
Beyond Lowry, the Sixers have shown interest in other guards available in the market – including Powell, Lonzo Ball and George Hill, according to sources.
– Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) March 24, 2021
7:45 p.m. – It’s no secret that Heat is trying to win Kyle Lowry’s raffle, but they don’t want to put Goran Dragic or Tyler Herro in a deal with Lowry, according to New York Times’ Marc Stein.
The success of Miami’s lawsuit against Lowry could therefore hinge on Toronto’s interest in a young player like sniper Duncan Robinson or rookie Precious Achiuwa packed with Kelly’s expiring $ 12.6 million contract. Olynyk, ” Stein wrote in its latest newsletter. “The Sixers have the advantage when it comes to first-round draft picks to soften a commercial offer.
“It’s clear: Toronto won’t just trade Lowry anywhere. He is considered Raptors royalty in his ninth season with the franchise and management is treating him accordingly after Lowry’s essential contributions to the race. 2018-19 Toronto Championship – and with new memories from the critics for trading a dedicated DeMar DeRozan in San Antonio for a season of Kawhi Leonard. “
5:15 p.m. – The Nuggets have considered acquiring Magic shooting guard Evan Fournier, according to Athletic’s Joe Vardon. Fournier’s name has also reportedly been mentioned in trade talks between the Celtics and Magic.
3:40 p.m. – It’s not really shocking news here, but Bradley Beal hasn’t indicated that he wants the wizards to trade him, according to Ava Wallace of the Washington Post. Beal and the Wizards have been consistent with their message throughout the season.
1:45 p.m. – So . . . Victor Oladipo should probably start packing.
ESPN sources: Heat and Knicks – with a summer cap space – are reluctant to offer premium packages for Victor Oladipo, but the market has developed capped teams bidding with young player / first-round pick combos. One thing has become clear: Houston is likely to move Oladipo before the deadline.
– Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) March 23, 2021
1:10 p.m. – Several teams claim that the Pacers “listen to the pitches” on Malcolm Brogdon, according to Vincent Goodwill of Yahoo Sports, who also reported that teams were monitoring the Domantas Sabonis situation in Indiana.
11:40 am – Several teams have expressed interest in Bulls forward Lauri Markkanen, according to Athletic’s Shams Charania, and Chicago is at least listening to the offers. The 23-year-old is set to hit a restricted free agency this offseason.
11am – A note on asking prices for Harrison Barnes, Aaron Gordon and Victor Oladipo:
The trade deadline could get interesting in the final hours on Thursday. Active teams expect – or at least hope – that the asking price for the big players (Oladipo, Gordon, Barnes) will drop as the deadline draws near. Right now, the price of all three is described as quite high.
– Chris Mannix (@SIChrisMannix) March 23, 2021
10:15 a.m. – The Celtics are considered the “pioneers” to acquire Magic forward Aaron Gordon, according to Matt Moore of The Action Network. Boston would have put two first-round picks on the table, although those picks could come with heavy protections.
9:00 a.m. – Let’s start with the biggest trade from last week. The Bucks officially acquired PJ Tucker from the Rockets on Friday, giving them a solid shooter and defenseman for the regular season final stretch and the playoffs.
“PJ Tucker ticks all the boxes,” Bucks chief executive Jon Horst said. “He’s a great teammate who brings a veteran presence with playoff experience. PJ’s is a versatile, high IQ defenseman and on the offensive side he plays with discipline, is selfless and spaces the pitch with his ability to knock down. the three. .
