PLAYERS THAT COULD FLIP THE NBA SEASON ON ITS HEAD
The new year is upon the NBA, and the trade market will soon be open once again for teams to fuel up for the business end of the season.
For you, that means observation, consuming information, and possible new bets.
So, we put together a shortlist of players that are hot right now in the narrative market and could potentially change the tide of the championship.
Kyrie Irving
After an impressive last season in which Kyrie became a member of the NBA's exclusive 50-40-90 stat club, as he led the league's best-ever offense to the playoffs alongside Durant and Harden, Irving's postseason was cut short by injury.
26.9 pts 6 assists 4.8 rebounds 1.4 steals
These numbers were the second-best averages ever in Irving's career, but what made them better is that he got them more efficiently.
Poised for an even better season, Irving would choose to take a rigid stance against the league's and New York City's imposed vaccine mandates and, as a result, has been out of the team all season.
His return to action has been limited to away games, but that should be a massive boost to the Nets, who will get to have their full offensive arsenal, albeit limited to road games.
The chemistry and rhythm may be off in the first few games, but if Irving can soften his stance and return to the team fully, the outlook of the Nets season and championship chances increase exponentially.
Ben Simmons
The last time Ben Simmons played basketball, he was considered a DPOY-level player with great vision on the offensive end, whose two weaknesses were very limiting for a superstar with championship ambition; free throws and shooting.
30% on 0.2 attempts from 3-point range 60% on 5.4 free throw attempts are Simmons' best marks for his career.
The informed impression around the league, especially after last season's playoffs, is that Simmons is an offensive handicap in the postseason when teams decide to clog the paint, leave him open from beyond the arc, or force him to the line.
His extended time away from the court this season may suggest he has been working on his game, and with relationships with the 76ers already so soured, punctuated by Joel Embiid's comments earlier in the season, it is most likely Simmons will play for a different team the next time we see him.
If that be the case, his stellar defense and court vision immediately add to the team's strengths while they evaluate what has become the evolution of his offense.
Klay Thompson
How long have you been away from work? Try 730 days and counting.
That's how long Warriors Shooting Guard Klay Thompson has been out with injury. After tearing his ACL in the 2018 NBA finals, Thompson had to rehab for a season, only to tear his Achilles on the day of the draft, a few days to the beginning of the 2020 season.
The last time we saw Thompson, he was averaging 26 points on almost 60% from 3-point range, coupled with 2.4 assists and 4.8 rebounds.
Also, the last time we saw him, COVID-19 did not exist yet, if you can remember a time like that. Thompson will be returning to a Golden State team that has surprised the league and is currently the best in the NBA.
You might be thinking his addition could be a luxury, but if his offense is anywhere near the level it was or even better, that could unlock even higher heights on offense for the Warriors, who are already the best defense in the league and have the best shooter in the world in Stephen Curry.
Andrew Wiggins and all the players around Curry have been taking advantage of his gravity and the open looks it generates. With Thompson back, teams will have to pay attention to his ability to get supernova hot in a hurry.
Any kind of effective Klay Thompson automatically makes the Warriors a strong contender for the title if they are not already.
John Wall
After a surprise trade to the Houston Rockets last season, Wall was left to be the only veteran and superstar presence of a Rockets team now devoid of Harden, Westbrook, and most of the roster that made the team a contender in the West.
In 40 games last season for Houston, Wall averaged 20.6 points and seven assists.
He showed that he could still be a big présence on a team, but would prefer to play for a team that is a contender. His timeline does not match that of the rebuilding Rockets, which has led to his sitting out this season.
As the trade market becomes active again, Wall could move to a team that feels they need one more piece to make some postseason noise. Adding an All-Star level player is never a bad idea.
Russell Westbrook
This was supposed to be the blockbuster trade of the off-season, and it was, but that had to translate into showtime Lakers basketball, and it has not.
19.6 points is Westbrook's lowest since his sophomore season with OKC. He is leading the league in turnovers, averaging 4.8 per game.
On the court, the Lakers have not had enough playing time with their big three of James, Davis, and Westbrook, but in the time they played together, the chemistry was a little off, especially against the league's better teams.
Currently sitting seventh in the West, there have been rumours of a possible Westbrook trade. Depending on who the Lakers target, Westbrook's move could be telling for the postseason aspirations of both teams.
As we approach the All-Star break and business end of the season, these players will have a big role to play in how the postseason and title race will shape out.
Oops, actually I am, my bad Klaw.
Be sure to follow DEGEN IN THE HOUSE for more sports content!
To join us in more discussions on various sporting and prediction events, head to our Discord Server now!
