It is that time of the year again when the NBA season starts and the offseason ends. Typically, many trades occur during the offseason. This year has been no different. From teams trying to clear salary caps to superteams being formed, the 2023 offseason was very eventful.
To start off, Power Forward John Collins, who averaged around 13 points, 6.5 rebounds, and 1 block per game last season for the Atlanta Hawks was traded for Veteran Rudy Gay and Draft Consideration [via Bleacher Report]. For perspective, the average NBA power forward averages around 9.7 points and 4.9 rebounds per game. John Collins’s statistics as a centerpiece on his team have significantly dropped, after getting 21.6 points per game in the 2019-20 season with the Hawks. This trade will allow them to get rid of the $78 million contract due over the next three years, which Collins has not lived up to. For the Jazz, this will give them another starting forward, to pair with their 2023 All-Star Lauri Markkanen.
Another major trade topic was the Top 75 all-time Point Guard Chris Paul. First off, after multiple draft picks, and pick swaps Paul got traded to the Washington Wizards in exchange for All-Star Bradley Beal [via Bleacher Report]. With this trade, the Suns have arisen as major title contenders in the West, with Devin Booker, Kevin Durant and the newly acquired Bradley Beal. However, the Wizards would go on to trade Chris Paul to the Golden State Warriors for Young Star Jordan Poole and draft picks [via Bleacher Report]. This trade surprised many fans, as Poole averaged 20 points per game off of a 0.43 field goal percentage and was a key part of their 2022 Championship run. Paul, who is now 38 years old and only averaged 14 points and 9 assists per game also has many injury concerns around him.
Multiple Warriors fans at FHS are also disappointed. And they have made it clear that they do not like Paul.
“I think [Chris Paul] is really bad. He doesn’t know how to shoot, cannot make threes or dunk, and he can’t do anything,” FHS freshman Vishrut Tarte said.
However, Jordan Poole was recently signed to a four-year, $128 million extension. And with Draymond Green’s contract finishing up last season, the Warriors had a decision to make. They could either choose Green, who won their team four championships, or Jordan Poole, the possible future of their franchise. Combine this with the conflict between the two, and it made it even more important. With Poole’s heavy contract gone, the Warriors re-signed Green to a four-year, $100 million contract and could now try to go for another championship. The Wizards, who are in rebuild mode, now have a very young team, filled with players who have the potential to be the stars of the next generation.
Finally, the biggest moves made this offseason included Superstar Damian Lillard, NBA Champion Jrue Holiday, and former number one overall pick Deandre Ayton. Prior to this trade, Damian Lillard had spent 11 years playing for the Portland Trail Blazers. Staying with them through tough playoff seasons, and even hitting a buzzer-beating game-winner against the Houston Rockets in round one of the 2014 playoffs, getting their team to the Western Conference Semifinals for the first time since the 1999-2000 NBA season. Additionally, he has been a six-time NBA All-Star, made seven All-NBA teams, and has been deemed the most loyal player in the league by many fans. However, after missing the playoffs for the last two seasons, the Blazers are rebuilding their franchise. This is why Lillard wound up demanding a trade this offseason to the Miami Heat, who lost in the NBA finals last season. The Heat offered Tyler Herro and draft picks, but the Blazers felt that more was needed. So, after tons of drama throughout the Summer, they agreed to a Blockbuster three-team deal with the Milwaukee Bucks and Phoenix Suns.
This trade would send Deandre Ayton, Jrue Holiday, and picks to the Trail Blazers. The Bucks would earn Damian Lillard to match with their two-time MVP Giannis Antetekounmpo and former All-Star Brook Lopez. The Suns also get a more consistent big man in Jusuf Nurkic to help them contend with their three all-stars Kevin Durant, Devin Booker, and Bradley Beal [via Bleacher Report].
The Blazers also had the No. 3 overall pick in the 2023 NBA draft, with which they drafted Point Guard Scoot Henderson. This is why this trade made sense to many.
“I know the Blazers are rebuilding with their new rookie Scoot Henderson, and the Bucks have a really good chance of winning the title,” FHS freshman Joey Miller said.
The Blazers, still in rebuild mode did not want to keep Jrue Holiday, as he recently expressed that he may want to retire in as soon as two years. This is why they would soon ship him off to the championship contenders Boston Celtics. In a trade that would send Jrue Holiday to the Celtics, The Blazers received sixth man of the year Malcolm Brogdon, Robert Williams and two first-round picks. The Celtics, who now have a big four consisting of Jayson Tatum, Jaylen Brown, Kristaps Porzingis and Jrue Holiday, are favorites to win it all this season for NBA fans around the country.
With the West winning the finals the past two seasons, teams in the East are hoping to end this streak. And fans throughout the country are all excited for the 2023-24 NBA season, which kicked off last month on October 24. We will all be able to see how these trades panned out next offseason.
