Why is the trading market so deserted? All because the epidemic is too fierce A manager: I am busy putting together 8 players to play

This season, the trading market has been very deserted. Originally, a wave of trades was expected after December 15, but now that December is nearing its end, there has not been a single trade this season. In an interview with ESPN, the two general managers complained that the trading market was deserted, all because the epidemic was too fierce.

According to the regulations, after December 15, most players who sign new contracts in the offseason will end the trade freeze period and can be traded by the team. In previous years, as soon as this date passed, there would soon be some transactions. But this year's situation is different, the epidemic is fierce, except for the Jazz, other teams have multiple people triggering health and safety agreements, multiple teams have difficulty in getting 8 players to play, and there is no energy to negotiate a deal.

According to statistics, as of December 29, more than 200 people in the league have triggered health and safety agreements, and the number of players who are still in quarantine accounts for nearly 20%, which is far more than last season. Six teams, including the Bulls, Lakers and Nets, have reached double digits, and the league has been postponed in nine games.

Now, multiple teams are busy signing short-term players with difficult exceptions to save the day, trying to get at least 8 players to keep the game running. One general manager complained: "We are all in survival mode now, and now we are in a world of rapid changes, and my main focus is on ensuring that the team has at least 8 healthy players to play." ”

There are still some stars in the league that are in isolation, which affects trade negotiations between teams. Because if a player tests positive for COVID-19, he cannot report to the new team or undergo a medical examination until he is released from isolation.

"If we get a star with $80 million left on a contract, but we can't arrange a medical examination for him because he's still in quarantine, how do I account to my boss?" Another general manager complained, "It would be reckless to make a deal without knowing if a player is infected with a virus." ”

The collective bargaining agreement stipulates that after a team reaches a deal agreement, the players involved need to report to the new team within 48 hours and pass a medical examination within 72 hours so that the transaction can be officially completed. However, the agreement also states that, in the event of exceptional circumstances, the two times may be postponed appropriately.

Recently, many teams such as the Lakers and Pacers have been involved in trade rumors, but these teams are in a state of inactivity. The Lakers belong to a team that cannot operate temporarily due to the epidemic, they have many people or injured, or isolated, and their favorite Ben Simmons has not played so far this season, and Jeramie Grant will be absent for a long time due to injury.