On February 22, Beijing time, the first day after the end of the NBA All-Star Game, the teams began to act. As is customary in previous years, after each year's All-Star Game, the fiercest competition begins. Both title-winning teams and playoff-level teams are doing everything they can to get better. The trading market has been closed, the next step is to buy out the market, or to find a lot of good players. Just today, 2 people were cut and 2 people signed! The eastern pattern has changed again, with the Bulls becoming the winner and the Nets starting 5 Tigers.
First layoff: Jay-Wan-Carter (Nets)
According to Woj, the Nets will cut Jervan Carter to make room for Dragic, who is about to sign a team. There's been a lot of news about when "Skinhead Carter" left the Nets, and now it's finally gone. Carter, known as the Nets' "grandson of the wind," has always been the object of ridicule by fans. Last summer, the Nets traded goalscorer Shamet from the Suns for Jerwan Carter + first-round draft picks (later selected Sharp), which was questioned by fans. In fact, the Nets did not have enough salary space to renew Shamet's contract to make this deal.
Carter has played 46 games for the Nets this season, averaging 3.6 points, 1.5 rebounds and 1.0 assists per game, shooting 33.3 percent from the field, a career-low. However, he has a good defensive background and is not worried about finding his next home.
Dragic signs to the Nets
After Dragic was bought out by the Spurs, he has been the biggest player in the buyout market. According to Stein, the Warriors, Clippers, Bucks, Nets, Lakers and Bulls are all interested in signing the veteran point guard. Dragic's playoff experience, as well as his individual ability, is perfectly capable of playing as a substitute point guard for a championship team.
According to Shams, after much measurement, the 36-year-old veteran chose the Nets to reunite with his former big brother Nash in Brooklyn. Previously, there were media reports that Nash took the initiative to recruit Dragic. Due to Harden's departure, Irving is a part-time player again, and the Nets are missing an organizer. Compared to other teams, Dragic was able to get more playing time and more opportunities at the Nets.
Second layoff: Dennis Smith (Trail Blazers)
Woj reported that the Blazers will lay off Dennis Smith and sign a new four-year, $5.8 million contract with rookie striker Watford, who previously contracted in both directions.
The Blazers are already planning to rebuild this season, trading core players Powell, CJ McCollum and Covington. Therefore, cultivating new people and abandoning veterans will be normal plans. Dennis Smith has been out for weeks with injuries and has played in 37 games for the Trail Blazers this season, averaging 5.6 points, 2.4 rebounds and 3.6 assists from 41.8 percent shooting. Rookie Watford played in 33 games and averaged 4.5 points, 3.2 rebounds and 1.1 assists from 59 percent of the range.
Bulls become winners
The Chicago Bulls are bound to be the biggest winners of the season. The first is to form the core lineup of Lavin + DeRozan + Bauer + Vucevic + Caruso, and the result has reached the second place in the East, which is the same as the Heat record of the first place in the East. This was followed by DeRozan, who ushered in the second spring of his career and exploded in form, becoming the starter of this year's All-Star. In other words, the Bulls got a superstar who could kill a game at a crucial moment. In the end, the buyout market got Thompson, the former champion center, who served as James' royal bodyguard.
Thompson, who is 2.06 meters and has excellent rebounding ability, has averaged 7.3 points and 4.5 rebounds per game this season, shooting 55% from the field. As Vucevic's replacement, he was able to defend the Bulls' penalty area. From this point of view, this year's bulls have great hopes.
Nets new starting 5 Tigers
Harden's departure will not affect the Nets' determination to win the championship. Seth Curry and Drummond have proven themselves to be able to play a huge role in the Nets, solving the problem of bench guards and weak interior lines. Ben Simmons has yet to make a comeback, but he's still an All-Star, top-notch except for the shooting shorts. On the defensive end, in particular, you can defend both defenders and forwards, and even head up to the No. 5 position. Dragic's arrival solves the problem of Irving's part-time players very well.
With the Nets still in 23 games, Irving only has nine to play, and dragic needs to play the rest. According to the open-air stand reporter, in Irving's absence, the Nets will send a new starting 5 Tigers: Dragic, Curry, Simmons, Durant, Aldridge.