NBA Notebook: Trade deadline beginning early for 76ers, Pacers, Blazers

NBA front offices typically rest on trades in-season, content with their standing and unmoved until the pressure of the deadline, draft night or other point of breaking procrastination. The play-in tournament, giving 20 teams chances to call their seasons "playoff campaigns," further allowed most franchises to wait-and-see. Danny Ainge always said the offseason presented more opportunity than the regular season for moves. 

With the return of that tournament this season, that figured to remain unchanged. Only James Harden and Derrick Rose deals shook up the league last season, before teams largely delayed major activity like Lonzo Ball, Demar DeRozan and Kyle Lowry trades until the summer. A strange start to this NBA season could change that dynamic though, as Kyrie Irving, Ben Simmons and John Wall await movement for various reasons, only 65% of the league could be dealt until this point and rebuilding possibilities already emerged for two teams.

Wednesday, Dec. 15, could become something akin to trade deadline season, with talks and rumors ramping up for contenders once 84% of the NBA becomes trade-eligible following early-season restrictions. This December already became an active month of rumors.

Adrian Wojnarowski reported that will be the case for Simmons, who is fielding increased interest in anticipation of the increased flexibility imminent around the league. Zach Lowe and Woj signaled more two and three-way deals emerging, before Portland responded within minutes, asserting Damian Lillard is unavailable despite a recent losing streak and front office changes within the Trail Blazers pointing toward needed changes. That response casts some shade on Philadelphia's public confidence in the Simmons saga ending soon. 

The Pacers also reached a rebuilding conclusion this week, with Myles Turner all but asking for a trade or shakeup. Ownership reportedly conceded, with Domantas Sabonis or Turner possibly on the move -- at some point. Could the array of teams coming to mid-season epiphanies lead to coinciding trade activity? It depends. 

For Joel Embiid-centered Philadelphia, the prospect of adding Sabonis or Turner for Simmons would be more asset management -- which Daryl Morey has so far avoided regarding Simmons -- over the final return on the star. Sabonis-for-Simmons straight up doesn't work money-wise, nor does Caris LeVert's contract add much value for the Sixers. Philadelphia already rejected Malcolm Brogdon (now trade-ineligible all season) with LeVert for Simmons. LeVert could still be had individually at a pricey $17.5-million figure, with full salary matching mandatory for a Pacers team currently straddling the luxury tax line.

The 76ers dream of the Lillard-Simmons swap, which is currently as unrealistic as Indiana's Simmons pursuit. Portland's new brass more likely eyes sending C.J. McCollum out to jump-start a reset, rather than rebuild, though his $30.9-million salary complicates that immensely. Dallas would be the most likely suitor, but couldn't send back much beyond Tim Hardaway Jr., who's one of the few players ineligible to be dealt until January. McCollum doesn't appear favorable for Philadelphia and kills three-team potential between Indiana, Philly and Portland, despite Lillard seemingly curious about teaming up with Simmons. 

Elsewhere, Irving's retirement threat and Wall's $44.3-million salary prevent the Nets and Rockets from moving them anytime soon. All signs point toward no traction on an Irving-Simmons flip. The amount of outstanding trade needs and demands around the league could make for a major surprise in the month ahead, with teams potentially breaking and joining forces to take on each other's problems. It's more likely any actual activity we see is minor. 

Kelly Oubre, Lauri Markkanen, Kelly Olynyk, Frank Jackson, Evan Fournier, Kemba Walker, Nerlens Noel, Robin Lopez, Danny Green, Spencer Dinwiddie, Will Barton, Daniel Theis, Josh Hart, Devonte' Graham, Garrett Temple, Cody Zeller, Tony Snell, Ben McLemore, Doug McDermott and most of the Lakers' roster become trade-eligible this week on teams in positions to be active -- Charlotte, Cleveland, New York, Orlando, Philly, Houston, LAL, New Orleans, Portland and San Antonio. 

For the Celtics, Dennis Schröder and Enes Freedom will become available, but their one-year, low-cost deals don't present many opportunities alone. Josh Richardson landing on the COVID protocol list also limits Boston's flexibility for the immediate future. Sabonis makes sense with their core and so could Simmons, but the everlasting dilemma of trade partners seeking Brown likely continues to hamper Boston's opportunities to improve. 

How far can Robert Williams III, the other young players and picks get them? The Celtics are passed due for consolidation, and whether they facilitate as a third team with their array of salaries, or are on the way to a splash is becoming a bigger question for a reeling group. ESPN pitched Boston as a Lillard suitor via the mass of future Celtics picks still available to Brad Stevens. Free agents signed later in the offseason and extended players like Marcus Smart, Jabari Parker and Williams III become eligible in January. That's a more likely sweet spot for a Celtics move once they conclude their gauntlet to conclude 2021.

Don't get too mad at the Brown suggestion, it's just an exercise on the cap flexibility Boston has now and the most realistic use of his talent in a trade, aside from taking multiple players alongside Simmons like Seth Curry and Tyrese Maxey that Philadelphia probably wouldn't accept. The hope, for Boston, would be to acquire Sabonis using multiple future first-round picks, rather than Brown, to add him to the Brown and Tatum core moving forward. Indiana may not oblige. 

Charlotte seems primed to consolidate too. The Hornets extended Terry Rozier, paid Gordon Hayward, owe Miles Bridges big money this offseason and still have LaMelo Ball, P.J. Washington and more players to pay beyond that. They're also struggling to find a defensive identity while winning in spite of that. Turner always made some sense for them, but at what cost? Kelly Oubre's $12-million becomes usable this week, which with Mason Plumlee and Washington gives Charlotte over $20-million in salary matching. 

The Lakers will see 10 of their players become eligible for deals, though all make $5-million or less, allowing for minor, but potentially important deals around the big three. Malik Monk holds the most value of their ancillary players and New Orleans owns most of the LA future picks. They'll have more flexibility in January, when Talen Horton-Tucker's $9.5-million, Kendrick Nunn's $5-million and one or two of the minimum deals gives them upward of $20-million in salary matching. They could then target Portland role players, maybe Robert Covington, Larry Nance Jr. or Jusuf Nurkic. They could also eye Walker or Fournier in New York, or Thad Young in San Antonio.

Then, the ever-unpredictable Kings. Most of their salaries remain free as they hang on in the west playoff race amid uneven play. Do they begin thinking about floating De'Aaron Fox for Simmons? The Spurs creep as a Simmons suitor too, with Dejounte Murray in the midst of a breakout season and San Antonio needing a star to build around more than any other franchise. They could potentially keep their young players and go the draft route instead, though. 

Kelly Olynyk, Frank Jackson and an array of Pistons can be moved Wednesday, with Jerami Grant already among the hot trade names this year. His $20-million matching salary (two years) could be matched by a variety of teams, and he'll be available for Philadelphia as a last resort to end the Simmons saga if they ever give up their higher aspirations. Celtics fans should still dream of the shooting, defensively versatile wing like they did when he was a bigger name last season. Olynyk fits the Fournier trade exception. 

Seven Nets, most of the Heat's roster also can be dealt Wednesday, with more players into January fully unleashing the trade market toward the Feb. 10 deadline. No team owns the combined assets, stomach to spend and young players Golden State does, between their future picks, James Wiseman, Jonathan Kuminga and Moses Moody. They can top any other offers if they decide to, with Minnesota, Dallas, Denver and Phoenix among the teams in weaker trade flexibility positions. Do the Warriors want to add Grant, Sabonis, Simmons, or McCollum? 

It's all in play for them, along with standing pat on a 21-4 team with present and future aspirations. 

Here's what else happened in the NBA this week.

Atlanta (13-13): Allowed 110 points or more in three straight after losing a defensive grind to Philadelphia. The Nets topped them on Friday night, shooting 50%, comfortably finding their big men on the pick-and-roll and clamping down on the Hawks defensively late before a heated moment between Trae Young and Kevin Durant. 

Onyeka Okongwu returned from right shoulder surgery with the Hawks' G-League affiliate and could provide a defensive change of pace inside. This still looks like the early-season Atlanta of last year before Nate McMillan took over. Speaking of McMillan, the head coach is now a 700-game winner. 

Boston (13-14): Reeling defensively with a grueling homestand ahead. The Celtics lost four-of-five on their west coast road trip, as Ime Udoka watched sloppy starts, defensive breakdowns and the team's ball-handlers favor rhythm over ball movement. They lack shooting, facilitating and the defense regressed on the trip, with an uncertain Jaylen Brown (hamstring) return the only thing left preventing a free fall through New Year's Day. Josh Richardson also entered COVID protocol on Friday afternoon. 

Brooklyn (18-8): In the weirdest of seasons for this group, Kevin Durant finished second in an early-season MVP straw poll among voters, James Harden is drawing free throws again and this team flashed real defensive identity and urgency in their commanding win Friday in Atlanta. The Nets stunningly rank sixth in defensive rating, which bolstered them as the east's top team through offensive stagnancy. The Bulls claimed a tiebreaker over them last Saturday though, and Harden's struggles from the field (40.4%) still leave playoff questions in a Kyrie-less world.

Charlotte (15-13): Beat the Kings and hung with the 76ers within a possession in back-to-back losses amid COVID protocol appearances by key players LaMelo Ball, Jalen McDaniels, Mason Plumlee, Ish Smith and Terry Rozier. 

Gordon Hayward, Kelly Oubre and Miles Bridges showed Charlotte's depth of reliable scoring and facilitation, while JT Thor, P.J. Washington's reemergence and rookie James Bouknight's 24 points in 26 minutes on Friday night show an intriguing underbelly of youth on an underrated roster that'd be difficult to face in a playoff series. The projected 10-day window on COVID protocol leaves the Hornets' regulars out until roughly Dec. 15, one or two more games. 

Chicago (17-9): Another COVID hot spot in the NBA, though further along in their recovery than Charlotte. Coby White, Javonte Green, DeMar DeRozan and Matt Thomas entered protocol this month. Stanley Johnson and Alfonzo McKinnie joined the roster on hardship exceptions with Alex Caruso (hamstring) injured. Players should begin shuffling back into the lineup shortly, perhaps as soon as Saturday, but Chicago already reeling with Patrick Williams' season-ending injury needed temporary reinforcements. Zach LaVine, Lonzo Ball and Nikola Vucevic poured it on Denver in a win before hitting an offensive wall in a loss against the Cavaliers this week. 

Cleveland (15-12): Won two more games against Chicago and Minnesota after close losses to Utah and Milwaukee. The Cavs are a legitimate slog to play. They grind you down and make you play their style (third in defense), and Collin Sexton's injury only allowed Darius Garland to thrive more as a facilitator. He's averaging 21.9 points, 3.3 rebounds and 7.0 assists per game with 1.2 steals on 47/37/90 shooting. Cleveland has multiple all-star candidates for the game scheduled to take place on their floor in Garland, Jarrett Allen and rookie Evan Mobley -- who posted the first five-block game by a Cavs rookie since ... LeBron James.

Dallas (12-13): Struggling star, not enough around him, poor spacing and a double-big lineup that doesn't seem to go away. The Mavericks have been the west-coast Celtics, except without the promise of a Brown return and with Luka Doncic acknowledging his shape this season appearing more round than chiseled. ESPN's Tim MacMahon shared on Zach Lowe's podcast that Doncic entered the season weighing over 260 pounds.

"I had a long summer. I had the Olympics, took three weeks off, and I relaxed a little bit," Doncic said. "Maybe too much. I've just got to get back on track."

Denver (12-13): The weight Nikola Jokic carries here remains astounding, a different kind than Doncic's. Jokic averaged 27.5 PPG, 11.8 RPG, 10.3 APG and 1.3 SPG on 57.7% shooting and it only amounted to a split of four games thanks to an overtime victory over the Pelicans. Jokic remains the top on-off player in basketball, amounting to a 12.5 points per 100 difference on offense and 17-point reduction in opponent scoring during his minutes. His defensive progress is immense and, in many ways, he's what many expected Doncic to be for Dallas the past two seasons. Jokic's MVP case aligns indisputably alongside other strong ones from Curry, Giannis and Durant. 

Detroit (4-21): Poised to take pole position in the tanking race with Houston ascending to the play-in competition in the west. The Pistons lost their 11th straight badly to New Orleans on Friday with their offense remaining nonexistent. With Killian Hayes finally showing something and Cade Cunningham posting first 20 games stats in line with legends, they'll take another lottery ticket in the spring. This team is also an intriguing deadline seller with Jerami Grant and Frank Jackson potentially helpful to contenders. Cunningham and Ben Simmons could be a ton of fun together if they and Daryl Morey decide to take that leap. It's an intriguing one for both sides. 

Golden State (21-4): They can make the Domantas Sabonis or Myles Turner trade happen tonight with James Wiseman, Jonathan Kuminga and Moses Moody available as prospects, along with boatloads of future picks. It's a scary card they can pull to launch back into super team status, but they likely enjoy the present and future success they can balance with Klay Thompson's impending return and the array of young players they can comfortably develop in the G-League. The Suns' success against them inside could increase the urgency to add interior size to help support MVP favorite by a landslide -- Steph Curry. 

Houston (8-17): The hottest team in the NBA. Just know that they're the only team to turn a 15-game losing streak into a seven-game win streak, which ended Friday with a close loss against the Bucks. The deadest group in the league now sits 2.5 games back in the play-in race as they've unlocked Christian Wood with Daniel Theis benched and John Wall's role still undecided. Alperen Sengun continues to dazzle off the bench, and they're finally a fun watch. Jae'Sean Tate is thriving at the four and Eric Gordon's threes keep falling. 

The key though? This year's Celtics training camp cut Garrison Mathews -- 17 PPG and 46.4% from three over Houston's last eight as a starter. Google his name and you'll read 'Garry Bird' and 'MVP' headlines following his beatdown of Brooklyn. Tough blow for Boston. 

Indiana (12-16): Bracing for an undefined rebuild, according to The Athletic. Myles Turner sounds frustrated and Domantas Sabonis could apparently be had for the right price. They're highly intriguing players individually, but will any team entice the Pacers, who like both, to actually make that leap? Neither player approaches free agency anytime soon, T.J. Warren remains safe from being dealt, Malcolm Brogdon is trade-ineligible until the offseason due to his extension and Caris LeVert may not draw much interest as he struggles on a $17.5-million deal. The bigger trade a team going all-in would desire doesn't seem possible here, nor does the one that kick-starts Indiana's rebuild. They'll be patient as long as they can. 

“It’s clear that I’m not valued as anything more than a glorified role player here, and I want something more, more opportunity,” Turner told The Athletic this week. 

Clippers (14-12): Games like Brandon Boston Jr.'s breakout 27-point performance, including 18 points in the second quarter and trash talking Marcus Smart as he scored over him continues to be the story of this team. They beat Boston without Paul George (elbow), win the rare minutes they play without him and Ty Lue's offense involves everyone while the defense buoys the team. It's clear why they're so hopeful Kawhi Leonard returns, with Reggie Jackson, Terance Mann, Luke Kennard, Ivica Zubac and Isaiah Hartenstein coming into their own while the stars try to get healthy.

Lakers (14-13): A wake-up win over the Celtics didn't translate against the Grizzlies, as the Lakers dropped another demoralizing game in Memphis where Russell Westbrook struggled to score and Anthony Davis' inconsistency continued. Davis (knee pain) missed Friday's game where LA got right again over the Thunder, who had beaten them twice prior, thanks to Avery Bradley, but the Lakers' issues remain. It's a 23rd-ranked offense and 13th-ranked defense. They can't shoot around James, he plays too much while his two fellow stars trade bad nights. Trevor Ariza and Kendrick Nunn don't seem poised to save this. 

Memphis (15-11): Winning without Ja Morant. They deserve credit for overwhelming Davis in their win over the Lakers, with a resurgent Jaren Jackson Jr. scoring 25 points against the big LA front court. Steven Adams grabbed 13 boards and Desmond Bane continues to score at a high rate (16.3 PPG), to the chagrin of Celtics fans. Winning six of their last seven, they've climbed from last to 22nd in defense. 

Miami (15-11): Caleb Martin's 28 points led them through a Jimmy Butler-less and low-scoring Tyler Herro win over Milwaukee, as Miami continues to bend and win around injuries. That trend will continue on Saturday, with Kyle Lowry poised to pick up the slack again. KZ Okpala, Gabe Vincent and former Celtic two-way candidate Max Strus also continue to draw rave reviews when called upon to help the veterans manage ailments. They're 11th in offense and 10th in defense with little lineup consistency this year. They're still an east threat, for sure. 

Milwaukee (17-10): Woke up from their brief post-championship nap and won 11 of their last 13. Remember the guy who didn't worry for a second about that awkward start? Two words: Giannis Antetokounmpo. I don't even want to mention the mind-blowing offensive numbers. Which star in the NBA is playing defense at the level he is, while carrying the team's offensive load? He became the all-time Bucks leader in blocks this week, is in the 99th percentile of defensive impact (-13.3 points per 100), eliminates opponent offensive rebounding and holds opponents to 44.7% shooting while contesting over 13 shots per game. He's my MVP, especially considering he's had no center all season. 

Ok, now back to his offense. 

Minnesota (11-15): In the play-in tournament by default as the Spurs and Blazers slide in a bad western conference. Meanwhile, the Wolves dropped five straight games to begin December. 

“We just gotta play better, all of us. It’s pretty simple as that," Karl-Anthony Towns said after trailing by as many as 32 points in a loss to Cleveland. "I’ve lost for a long time here. I’m not trying to f***ing lose anymore.”

They rank 27th in offense and defense this month, inexplicably returning to playing like one of the worst teams in the NBA as they have numerous times during the Towns era. Anthony Edwards needed to inspire the older star, as Edwards struggles himself, D'Angelo Russell (ankle) missed time and Patrick Beverley returned to inexplicably make fun of Rudy Gobert with Edwards after losing to Utah. 

New Orleans (8-20): Kira Lewis tore his ACL, the Pelicans lost two of their last three to play-in competitors and Zion Williamson's step forward in rehab seemed to regress right into one step back with foot pain. Thought the MacMahon Doncic weight report was bad? The Pelicans star reportedly checked in around 330 pounds, from what MacMahon heard. The photographers kill him and it may not matter in normal circumstances, but it probably isn't helping a foot fracture recovery. 

New York (12-14): Upcoming games between the Knicks and Celtics could swing the bottom of the play-in ladder in the east into the new year. The Knicks lost five of their last six, with Julius Randle stagnating, R.J. Barrett falling back to earth after a hot start to the season and Alec Burks scoring one point in the point guard spot over 37 minutes in the team's recent loss to Toronto. They've phased out Kemba Walker and Evan Fournier is trending in that direction. One night they're allowing 23 to Chris Duarte, then the next the Knicks are starving for points. They rank 18th in offense and 24th in defense in December. Tom Thibodeau's squad feels lost. 

Oklahoma City (8-17): Two wins after their historic loss showed they're a competitive group when Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Lu Dort and Josh Giddey play, with little reliable depth behind them. They're the betting favorite to land Simmons, for whatever that's worth. It doesn't feel like they have the game-changing player Morey wants and OKC doesn't stand to gain much from giving up one of those core three players for the Simmons flier that probably doesn't place them any closer to contention, even at his best. The OKC pick mountain is useless to Philadelphia. 

Orlando (5-21): Lost three straight this week as Markelle Fultz appeared at practice with the big league squad. Help is on the way, and hopefully more excitement too. Fultz tore his ACL one year ago on Jan. 6. He took part in 5-on-5 scrimmages on Friday, though no timetable is in place for him to play in a game. Jonathan Isaac (knee) remains further out. 

“(Fultz)'s court presence is great," head coach Jamahl Mosley said. "He’s getting back into it, which is really good. His physicality, his basketball IQ, and then just his spirit of the game. What he brings with the communication, the talking, and getting guys involved. He brings so many of those things."

Philadelphia (14-12): Won three of four since their loss in Boston, hitting a speed bump against Utah, but overall looking closer to the form they showed before Joel Embiid got COVID. Tyrese Maxey remains their swing player, with no Simmons deal in sight, despite more organizational bluster on his value. 

Phoenix (21-4): Slid by the Spurs and Celtics without Devin Booker to win 20 games over their last 21 around the Warriors slip-up. Monty Williams described progress for Booker (hamstring) and Dario Saric (knee), who remained engaged all offseason in-person to attack his rehab after tearing his ACL in the NBA Finals. Chris Paul got Jalen Smith going in Friday's blowout win over Boston, along with Javale McGee, who pummeled the Celtics for 21 points and 15 rebounds. They're a deep, cohesive unit on both ends that made Booker and Deandre Ayton's (illness) absences look like nothing. 

Portland (11-15): A Saturday blowout loss to Boston led to a report about an impending sale that seems even murkier than Indiana's, due to the Trail Blazer's uncertain front office future. Interim GM Joe Cronin aimed to improve during his official introduction, before the team signaled no Damian Lillard availability through Woj on Friday. Lillard, meanwhile, aimed for a return from injury this weekend. Portland's executive search, Lillard's patience and the everlasting hope of play-in berths could delay the inevitable here. 

Sacramento (11-15): It's good to be in the west. Sacramento backed into a playoff spot by going 3-3 over their last six games. Marvin Bagley III took advantage over minutes during the team's last three to average 13 PPG and 9.0 RPG, a signal he can still be effective if given an opportunity. De'Aaron Fox' rough season continued when he missed two game-tying free throws after a late gift by Charlotte. His makes would've continued the Kings' three-game win streak behind his back-to-back 30 point games. 

“I’m very disappointed because I wanted the ball in my hands," Fox said. "They took the foul and you want to punish a team for making a mistake like that. I missed them. There’s nothing I can do about it now.”

Toronto (12-14): They're 3-1 and 0.1 seconds away from 4-0 in December on Justin Champagnie's initially game-winning tip in against OKC. Fred VanVleet's excellent season -- 19.7 PPG, 5.1 RPG, 6.4 APG and 1.5 SPG on 43% shooting and massive minutes -- carries a surprisingly competitive offense. They rank third in offense to start this month and Scottie Barnes moments eliciting the "G-word" continue to pop up. They're a fun watch, and add a mild advantage beginning Jan. 15 when unvaccinated opponents can't play in Raptors home games. 

Utah (18-7): Can Gobert catch a break? The Jazz have won six straight, and they're still headlined by opponents disrespecting him. 

“It’s more funny than anything,” Gobert said. “It’s just funny, but it’s part of it. People are going to try to discredit what I do, what we do as a team. It’s been the same my whole career.

Washington (15-11): One NBA team usually seems to start hot then slide as the season progresses. They lost 8-of-12 before escaping Detroit on Wednesday with an overtime win. Bradley Beal and Spencer Dinwiddie have struggled, their rim protection is poor and the shooting isn't there. They ominously now have a negative (-0.6) net rating for the season. Keep an eye on them.