After James Harden was traded to Philadelphia, the NBA is expecting more NBA superstars to ask a trade in the future.
According to Howard Beck of Sports Illustrated, several NBA executives are plotting to acquire the next disgruntled NBA star.
Beck noted several names, including Damian Lillard and Zion Williamson. Lillard has been on a Blazers’ team that retooling their roster, while Zion Williamson is away from New Orleans to nurse a foot injury.
“The teams that have a star are feverishly doing everything to keep them happy. The rest are plotting to poach them. Around the league, team executives are already bracing (and/or plotting) for the next disenchanted star to ask out, with speculation focused on Zion Williamson in New Orleans, Damian Lillard in Portland and Donovan Mitchell in Utah.”
The Blazers recently traded away Lillard’s longtime backcourt partner CJ McCollum to the Pelicans. They also sent Robert Covington to the Clippers and traded away Larry Nance Jr.
Zion Williamson’s situation appears to be unclear for now. The explosive forward has experienced many injury setbacks since he underwent a foot surgery prior to the start of the season.
As for Donovan Mitchell, he addressed the trade rumors recently, claiming he wants to find a way to win with Utah. The Jazz appear to be safe for now, but they will need to make considerable strides as a team to bring a title to the city.
NBA commissioner Adam Silver expressed his dissatisfaction with public trade demands from superstar players.
“It’s no secret that I’ve expressed my unhappiness with public trade demands,” commissioner Adam Silver said Saturday night.
“I don’t want to pretend standing here that I have some secret idea that I know can fix that problem,” Silver noted.
Star players have earned their power and their autonomy. Still, their choices can have severe consequences for teams and fans https://t.co/HliORL7I7y pic.twitter.com/ChTnqGwXMu — The Crossover (@TheCrossover) February 21, 2022
Photo: Katelyn Mulcahy/Getty Images
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