It appears that the NBA trade deadline in 2024 will be rather easy. There aren’t many huge names ready to move at the deadline, whether it’s because Toronto made its major transactions early or because trade candidates like Zach LaVine got hurt. Nevertheless, before Thursday’s deadline, these five players ought to pack their bags and refrain from signing a lease.
1. Kelly Olynyk, Utah Jazz: Olynyk, 32, has a 12.1 million dollar contract that is about to expire. Additionally, he plays the same position as Utah’s No. 9-drafted 20-year-old Taylor Hendricks last June.
Olynyk has primarily been a bench player this year, averaging 5.1 rebounds and 8.1 points. However, Olynyk’s career-high 4.4 assists and 42.9 percent three-point shooting are particularly noteworthy. Every NBA club could use a stretch five like Olynyk, even though he may not be a defensive stopper. Furthermore, it appears like Utah will be sellers rather than buyers at the deadline based on the recent transfer of Simone Fontecchio.
2. Bruce Brown, Toronto Raptors: It’s been claimed that the Raptors have been offered a first-round pick in exchange for Brown. Since it is highly doubtful that they will exercise Brown’s big player option for the upcoming season, they have strong incentives to sell him.
In particular, Brown seems like a perfect fit for the New York Knicks, who could use big contracts for salary-matching in a summer trade, need wing depth with Quentin Grimes and OG Anunoby sidelined, and have additional first-round picks to trade. These teams obviously know how to communicate with one another because they just worked out a deal for Anunoby.
Evan Fournier and a first-round pick would probably be involved in the transaction; the specific first-round pick could affect the trade. The Raptors most likely don’t want another 2024 pick, but the Knicks would prefer to trade a 2024 pick. However, that’s a little obstacle in what has appeared to be an inevitable transfer ever since Brown began publicly expressing his desire to play for Knicks coach Tom Thibodeau.
3. Andre Drummond, Chicago Bulls: On Tuesday night, Drummond turned back time by recording a 16-point, 16-rebound performance and dishing up four blocks in the Chicago Bulls’ thrilling victory over the Minnesota Timberwolves. It wasn’t an exception, as Drummond leads the NBA in offensive rebounding percentage this year and has also recorded a 24-point, 25-rebound performance this season.
With the greatest lifetime rebounding percentage in history, he is only a generational rebounder. But in the age of three-pointing shooting, that’s less valuable, and Drummond can’t truly shoot or pursue shooters. Having said that, Drummond has a very high recovery rate. The Bulls, who have Nikola Vucevic on a long-term contract, just don’t need him.
4. Tyus Jones, Washington Wizards: Jones isn’t a flawless player, particularly when it comes to defense, but he excels as a point guard in three crucial areas: he dishouts assists, hits three-pointers, and never gives the ball away. Jones turns the ball over less frequently than the Wizards (13.7 times per game).
Jones’ contract is about to expire, and the Wizards are really done for the season. They’ve already sacked their coach and have the second-worst record. Jones need to be allowed to go free and join a contender, or at the very least, a playoff team. Although Jones isn’t as thrilling as adding Dejounte Murray or D’Angelo Russell for a hopeful team that needs help at the position—looking at you, Orlando Magic—he might be more useful in the postseason.
5. Cory Joseph, Golden State Warriors: Lester Quinones, a 23-year-old point guard, joined the team for their current road trip. Because of his success, Joseph has become into a reasonably priced luxury for the Warriors.
As Steph Curry and Chris Paul’s backup point guard, Joseph joined Golden State. However, Joseph’s destiny was set when two-way player Quinones emerged. In the last five games, Quinones made as many three-pointers as Joseph had all season. Additionally, he shoots 33.3 percent from the field and 28.2 percent from beyond the arc. Quinones has surpassed Joseph not only in the rotation but also rookie Brandin Podziemski, who is now trusted to handle the ball for the second unit.In theory, the Warriors would save several million dollars in luxury tax by not paying Joseph’s minimum contract, and there are teams who could utilize a guard with Joseph’s caliber of play. They would also be able to sign Quinones to a cheap, long-term contract, which is why they would probably offer the team that takes Joseph off their hands a second-round pick.
