The NBA trade deadline was a chaotic time for NBA teams, with more than eight percent of players on rosters and more than $225 million in contracts uprooted as teams try to position themselves for postseason runs:
Kyrie Irving, Cleveland Cavaliers: Last year’s All-Star Game MVP, Irving relinquished the honor to Oklahoma City Thunder point guard Russell Westbrook this year, who led the West to victory against Irving’s East squad. Irving also competed in the 3-point contest but was unable to defend his title.
Irving jumped right back into action with the Cavaliers following the All-Star break, leading Cleveland to four straight wins by averaging 21.3 points and playing off LeBron James nicely. Led by James' 42 points, the Cavaliers knocked off Western Conference power Golden State 110-99 and Irving also chipped in 24 points. It wasn't all good for Irving Thursday, though, as the injury prone guard suffered a left shoulder strain and is now day-to-day. Irving is expected to miss Friday's game against Indiana.
J.J. Redick, Los Angeles Clippers: Redick’s sense of humor was put to the test in the competition he entered alongside Irving, the Footlocker Three Point Contest. The Clippers guard set a record of his own in the contest—that for the “most long twos”—after he accidentally stepped across the line for the final seven of his fifteen shots. Reddick took to twitter to poke fun at himself:
The Cookeville, Tenn., native has continued to be a key player for Los Angeles, averaging 14.6 points and 1.9 rebounds in 29.5 minutes per game this season, all totals much better than his career averages. The Clippers are 2-2 since the All-Star break, with Redick scoring in double figures three times, including a 24-point outburst last Saturday against Sacramento.
Miles Plumlee, Milwaukee Bucks: This year’s NBA trade deadline saw a record 37 players traded, including the former Phoenix Suns center. In a three-team trade between the Suns, Bucks and the Philadelphia 76ers that also included Michael Carter-Williams, Plumlee and Tyler Ennis made the move from Phoenix to Milwaukee. The Bucks hope the 2010 national champion at Duke can contribute rebounding and insurance at the center position.
Plumlee may once again see a reduction in minutes in a crowded frontcourt, as head coach Jason Kidd did not utilize the center at all in Wednesday’s matchup against the 76ers, but did play Plumlee for 29 minutes combined in the two previous games. Plumlee scored nine total points in those contests, so his role going forward is still uncertain on his new team.
Kyle Singler, Oklahoma City Thunder: In another multi-team maneuver, Singler was traded from the Detroit Pistons to the Thunder in a deal that also included the Utah Jazz. The Medford, Ore., native averaged 7.0 points per game in 23.8 minutes this season with the Pistons, but has seen a slight reduction in minutes since making the move to Oklahoma City given the team's depth on the wing. Singler has been starting with Kevin Durant out due to injury, and has averaged 5.0 points in almost 20 minutes per game in four contests on his new team.
Austin Rivers, Los Angeles Clippers: After a midseason move uprooted the New Orleans Pelicans shooting guard and sent him to play for his father, Doc Rivers, in Los Angeles, Rivers has averaged more points per game—7.2—with less time on the court—18.8 minutes per game. Redick’s new teammate is averaging a career-best 41.5 percent shooting clip, and is also contributing defensively. Rivers is posting career high blocks—0.2— and steals—0.9—per game along with a career low turnovers per game —0.9.
Rivers took advantage of increased minutes with Griffin out last Saturday against the Kings, scoring 28 points on 11-of-19 shooting and knocking down five 3-pointers in 26 minutes. The 6-foot-4 guard is streaky, but when he gets it going like he did Saturday, along with Jamal Crawford, he can give opposing second units fits.
Rodney Hood, Utah Jazz: Hood is finally back in action for the Jazz after missing every game in 2015 before last Friday's tilt against Portland. The southpaw has scored 20 points in his three games back in limited minutes, and had 11 points and three 3-pointers in 20 minutes in Wednesday's loss to the Lakers. Hood's former teammate Jabari Parker is out for the season, but the Meridian, Miss., native will look to salvage the season for Blue Devil rookies with a strong finish now that he is back on the court.
Luol Deng, Miami Heat: With Chris Bosh recovering from having blood clots on his lung, Deng stepped up this week, scoring 50 combined points in two games against Philadelphia and Orlando Monday and Wednesday, respectively. The small forward's scoring outbursts also resulted in two wins and gave Miami some breathing room as the seventh seed in the Eastern Conference.
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