After a couple of months full of unexpected trades, everything is starting to come together for a few NBA teams, while not that much for others. While the Los Angeles Lakers keep climbing positions in the West in their fight for a playoff spot with a cold-blooded D’Angelo Russell leading the charge, the Los Angeles Clippers are starting to regret the trade for Russell Westbrook.
With the playoffs right around the corner, and the race starting to get hot, there are plenty of NBA News going around as well. Ja Morant just came back from his suspension. LeBron James is still injured. Westbrook being Westbrick as usual and much more.
Let’s analyze the most important NBA trades this season and their impact.
Is Irving Carrying the Mavs?
Since Kyrie Irving left the Brooklyn Nets to join Luka Doncic and the Dallas Mavericks, I thought everything would be better. But, come on Dallas, you can do better! The Mavericks are eighth in the West and trying to improve.
Even though Irving is averaging 27.2 points and being a big headache for defenders lately, the Mavs are not in their best shape right now, losing six of their last 10 games.
Clearly, Doncic has the keys to the franchise. He’s easily top 10 in the league at 24 years old, putting up crazy numbers and, most importantly, having a solid confidence in his game. Kristaps Porzingis was supposed to be Doncic’s right hand, but he was traded to the Washington Wizards in 2022.
There’s some feeling of disappointment about this Mavericks version, so we’ll have to see if they bounce back. They need to bounce back ‘cause there’s a lot of money involved. They traded one of the top players in the league to get results, not to keep losing.
KD on Another Super Team
Kevin Durant is a Phoenix Sun. Let that sink in. If we take a look, the Suns have one of the most elite rosters in the league. Chris Paul, Devin Booker, DeAndre Ayton and now Kevin Durant are in charge to lead the Suns and dominate the West, or at least make it to the playoffs.
The Suns are currently fourth in the standings, with a 5-5 record in their last 10 games. Durant is averaging 29.5 points and if the Suns work on improving their chemistry, they will be contenders to win a championship.
There’s enough talent, experience and hunger for CP3 to finally get his first ring. I mean, we’re talking about a man who said he’s better than Stephen Curry. But better? With no rings? I wouldn’t let that slide Mr. 18 seasons and zero rings.
Durant’s injuries are giving him and the Suns a hard time. We are talking about the biggest trade of this season. However, KD has been sidelined due to an ankle injury in a pregame warm-up since March 8. Shams Charania of The Athletic indicates that the Phoenix star will be able to return at the end of this month.
D-Lo Refreshing Lakers
D’Angelo Russell finding his path with the Lakers. For now, D-Lo is averaging 18 points, but it feels like just the beginning.
The Lakers made a lot of moves in order to improve the roster and retain LeBron on their team, ‘cuz just a couple months ago he was ready to leave when the Lakers were riding 13th in the West. Now that LA is back on the winning road and slowly getting to the playoffs zone
LA is 6-4 in its last 10 games, if the Lakers keep using their fire chemistry and mixing good young players such as Dennis Schroder with the experience of LeBron or Anthony Davis this will help them settle as contenders for the title.
The Lakers are always a contender. We are talking about a generational team. So you should never count them out of any conversation, even when thinking if they will be a good underdog bet to place in your NBA betting picks packet.
D’Angelo Russell holds high praise for Austin Reaves 💯
The Lakers are 6-4 in their last 10 and have 9 games remaining on the schedule. What seed will they finish? 🤔 pic.twitter.com/xHa2nXzC9h
— ClutchPoints (@ClutchPointsApp) March 24, 2023
Is Westbrook Cursing The Clippers?
Westbrook is slowly becoming the villain of the NBA because of his behavior on and off the court. When Westbrook arrived. Now a couple months later they are running fifth, quite a downgrade. Westbrook is averaging 15.6 points with the Clippers and they’re on a 6-4 record in their last 10 games.
The Clippers have a good roster right now. In my opinion, though, they need to show their young rotational players more love. Yes, they have All-Star players like Kawhi Leonard and Paul George, but they need more unity to take their game to the next level.
