by Evan Joseph ’23

Over the last week, the NBA community has been going crazy due to rumors flying everywhere and no one’s name seems safe. Since free agency opened on November 20,  NBA fans are hearing gossip about free agency or possible trades. Hopeful and delusional fans are piling on by creating some blockbuster trades in their minds with little to no chance of it really happening and a lot of people don’t know what to believe. Let’s look at just three that show the range from the near-impossible to the very-likely. 

First will be a trade that has been alluded to heavily, even though it has no chance of really happening. This trade is a deal that would send Bradley Beal to the Los Angeles Lakers. The possibility of this happening is nearing 0%, but that hasn’t held fans back from making it seem like a reality. The GM of the Wizards has come out and said, “Bradley Beal isn’t going anywhere” On top of this is that if  the Wizards were looking to trade Beal, the Lakers would not have the proper package of young assets and picks in order to entertain the Wizards in exchange for the young star Beal.

Next will be a deal likely to happen where the Indiana Pacers move young center Myles Turner to the Boston Celtics. This is more on the likely side to happen because the Pacers initiated the offer, and Turner is a player the Celtics have been interested in due to their hole at center and need for a defensive presence inside. The Celtics also have the proper young talent and picks needed for a player like Turner to be a realistic trade option. Although the Celtics did lose Gordon Hayward who was originally the main piece of the trade for the Celtics, they still have the assets necessary in order to trade for Turner.

Finally, a trade that is very likely to happen. After the devastating injury to Warriors star Klay Thompson, Golden State  may look to make a trade including Bulls shooting guard Zach Lavine. The Bulls are turning to the future and are rebuilding so Lavine doesn’t really match their timeline. The Warriors are in a win-now situation and need a replacement for Thompson for this year. The Warriors have an abundance of first-round picks and would look to have Andrew Wiggins be a part of the deal. This trade satisfies both teams and their needs and therefore has a high likelihood of happening.