If one thing is for certain, it is that the 2020/21 NBA season is going to look a whole lot different.
With the new season just around the corner, several teams have made drastic changes to their squad as they prepare for the long grind ahead.
Here at SBOTOP, we featured some of the trades that went down earlier such as Chris Paul going to Phoenix, Jrue Holiday going to Milwaukee, and the Lakers reloading their supporting cast.
And in today’s set of NBA 2020 news, we will feature the top trades that happened last week as well as examining how these moves will affect their roster moving forward.
Rockets and Wizards complete star point guard swap
The biggest trade news happened last week when the Rockets and Wizards exchanged their point guards in John Wall and Russell Westbrook.
With both teams seeking for a new direction, both of them are hopeful that this trade will somehow change their fortunes.
John Wall will feature in the backcourt alongside James Harden, who recently expressed his desire to be traded elsewhere prior to this blockbuster deal.
The speedy point guard will also be reunited with his college teammate in DeMarcus Cousins, who just signed a new deal with the Rockets.
On the other hand, Washington will witness a reunion of sorts too.
Russell Westbrook will be mentored again by Scott Brooks, who was his coach before with the Thunder, and he will play alongside a dynamic shooter in Bradley Beal.
Bradley Beal will become a free agent next offseason and the Wizards’ management are optimistic that partnering him with Westbrook will be appealing for him to sign another long-term extension.
It remains to be seen on how these stars will fit in to their new teams.
Russell Westbrook’s campaign last term ended on a sour note. He missed games in the Orlando Bubble due to a leg injury and COVID-19, and then he struggled upon his return, posting averages of only 17.9 points and 4.6 assists per game during the postseason.
John Wall, on the other hand, hasn’t played since 2018 with injuries to his knee and Achilles. But so far, several reports indicate that he is now fully fit.
Hawks pushing to be in the playoff hunt
By acquiring a couple of proven veterans, it is clear that the Atlanta Hawks will be fighting for a playoff spot next season.
They brought in knockdown shooters in Bogdan Bogdanovic and Danilo Gallinari and they also signed Rajon Rondo and Kris Dunn.
The Hawks were one of the worst shooting teams in the league at 44.9-per cent. They were also horrible on the other end last year as they were ranked 28th in team defencive ratings.
Bogdanovic and Gallinari offers more shooting and spacing which gives Trae Young more leeway to weave his magic, while Rajon Rondo and Kris Dunn will serve as his backups.
Prior to the end of last season, the Hawks also acquired center Clint Capela from the Rockets.
If he becomes 100-per cent fit, Capela will improve their defence drastically with his shotblocking prowess.
Can the Hawks make the playoffs with this new look? Absolutely. In fact, the NBA 2020 odds see them as a possible fifth to sixth seed in the Eastern Conference next term.
Pelicans add more muscle and size
Besides getting a new head coach, the Pelicans also made moves of their own to re-up their roster.
They were able to get Eric Bledsoe and George Hill as part of the Jrue Holiday trade to the Bucks, and they also got Steven Adams from the Thunder in exchange for draft picks.
Bledsoe and Hill will serve as mentors to the likes of Lonzo Ball and Josh Hart, while Steven Adams is expected to start at center to form a bruising combo with Zion Williamson.
Earlier this offseason, the Pelicans signed Brandon Ingram to a lucrative extension after a career season.
With their core intact, the Pelicans have big plans of making the playoffs after missing out last season.
Warriors retool by bringing in athletic swingman
With Klay Thompson suffering an Achilles injury, the Warriors wasted no time in trying to replace their sharpshooter.
Golden State have acquired Kelly Oubre Jr. from OKC in exchange for draft picks, days after he was part of the trade package for Chris Paul.
Although he pales in comparison to Klay Thompson as far as outside shooting is concerned, Kelly Oubre Jr. adds athleticism and defence to their revamped roster.
One can argue that he and Andrew Wiggins can form a tantalising wing combo as both are dangerous finishers in the fast break.
Add that along to Draymond Green’s all-around play, James Wiseman’s length, and Steph Curry’s otherworldly shooting, the Warriors should remain a force to be reckoned with in the NBA.
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