The weirdest NBA trade deadline ever: The KOC Show explains everything that did & didn’t happen
About this episode
On today’s Kevin O’Connor show, we’ve got a trade-deadline special! Kevin O’Connor is joined by Tom Haberstroh to dissect any and all movement in the league before the 3 PM ET buzzer, going through the biggest winners and losers in what may be the weirdest trade deadline in NBA history.
First, the pair discuss the Milwaukee Bucks’ decision to retain Giannis Antetokounmpo, and what that means for the landscape of the NBA–and for the future outlook of the Golden State Warriors, especially after the anticlimactic end of the Jonathan Kuminga saga. Were the Warriors the biggest losers of the trade deadline? Will another team arise in the summer to win the Antetokounmpo sweepstakes?
Next, they discuss the James Harden trade to the Cleveland Cavaliers, and if this move can bring the city of Cleveland to the Finals once again.
Then, they muse on what exactly made this deadline so weird: multiple All-Stars being traded to bad NBA teams. They ask: why are bad teams trading for good players? Why are the Utah Jazz putting their top-8 protected first round pick in jeopardy? Why such a paltry return for Anthony Davis, who was traded for Luka Doncic just last year?
Plus, they cover all the bases with the more local trades made, from the Chicago Bulls picking up 9 second round picks to the Boston Celtics acquiring their long-coveted big man in Nikola Vucevic. Plus more questions: why didn’t the Sacramento Kings trade for Ja Morant? Why did the Philadelphia 76ers let go of Jared McCain? All that and much, much more on today’s KOC Show!
(0:16) Trade deadline instant reactions
(4:33) Giannis not traded by Bucks
(10:39) Warriors trade Kuminga to Hawks
(25:49) Cavs get James Harden
(43:34) Wizards acquire Anthony Davis
(48:22) Clippers trade Zubac to Pacers
(55:57) Jazz trade for Jaren Jackson Jr.
(1:02:18) Ja Morant stays in Memphis
(1:07:45) Timberwolves trade recap
(01:10:18) What are the Chicago Bulls up to?
(01:13:05) Celtics trade Simons for Vucevic
(01:19:04) 76ers trade Jared McCain to OKC
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