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The 2020-21 NBA season has witnessed a shift in the power balance after James Harden's blockbuster trade to the Brooklyn Nets and the rest of the league is now left scampering to make moves to contend with a new 'Big 3'.
It started with an eventful offseason with the Phoenix Suns' acquisition of Chris Paul and a point guard swap between the Washington Wizards and the Houston Rockets that saw Russell Westbrook head to the capital and John Wall to Houston.
While Wall and CP3 have turned their new teams into playoff contenders, the Wizards saw their fortunes take a U-turn for the worse.
The Brooklyn Nets then changed the landscape of the league by acquiring three-time scoring champion and former league MVP James Harden from the Houston Rockets in a blockbuster trade. The move saw the Nets form a new 'Big 3', featuring Harden, two-time NBA Finals MVP Kevin Durant and Kyrie Irving.
Teams around the league are now frantically trying to improve their roster to compete with the Nets' Big 3 and the quickest way to achieve that is with trade moves of their own that could bring over the right talent to help them when it matters the most — the 2021 NBA playoffs.
On this note, let’s take a look at five teams that could make a big move before the NBA trade deadline.
#5 Brooklyn Nets
The Brooklyn Nets had to part ways with top-performing role players to make the four-team trade that saw them acquire Harden come to fruition. While the move worked wonders for the Nets' offense, making them one of the top-rated offences in the NBA, the same has also presented a new challenge on defense.
DeAndre Jordan is no longer the elite center he once was, and the team continues to suffer in the paint area as a result. Joe Harris has been shooting lights out this campaign, but his defense remains a worrying point for their title aspirations in the postseason.
Jeff Green and new acquisition Iman Shumpert could help tighten things up on the defensive end, but they will need a lot more help to match the elite teams the Brooklyn Nets will likely meet en route to the NBA Finals. The Nets will be one of the more active teams ahead of the NBA trade deadline as the front office hunts for the right talent that can take the load off their star-studded trio.
#4 Golden State Warriors
The Golden State Warriors are also among the prime candidates to make a big move before the NBA trade deadline this season. They hold the Minnesota Timberwolves' 2021 first-round pick and also have trade assets in up-and-coming star James Wiseman and the much-improved Andrew Wiggins. The Warriors front office have a big decision to make this season. Do they continue with their current roster or go all out for a blockbuster trade that transforms them into title contenders immediately?
Given Stephen Curry's incredible form this campaign, the Warriors could be tempted to trade for a superstar like Bradley Beal and pair him with Curry in the absence Klay Thompson, who won't be returning until next season.
On the flip side, the team's management could have long-term goals that may not align with the urgent roster moves needed before the fast-approaching NBA trade deadline. Irrespective of the Beal situation, the Golden State Warriors are in dire need of new talent, especially in the frontcourt, having lost multiple centers to injury in their recent stretch.
#3 Denver Nuggets
The Denver Nuggets' need of the hour is to generate more offense on a nightly basis. The Nuggets surprised everyone with their awe-inspiring playoff run last postseason and they will back themselves to repeat the feat this season, as star center Nikola Jokic has taken a massive leap this season, putting himself in the reckoning for the MVP award.
While Jokic and Jamal Murray are among the top duos in the league, they won't be able to get the job done by themselves. Every title contender needs reliable role players that can play their part to perfection, and it is clear that the Denver Nuggets need more firepower on the offensive end to take their game to the next level. The Nuggets are among the prime candidates to make a splash before the upcoming NBA trade deadline.
#2 Milwaukee Bucks
It could be argued that the Milwaukee Bucks are the team most affected by the Nets' blockbuster trade as they could potentially face off against them in the postseason this year. The reigning league MVP Giannis Antetokounmpo and Khris Middleton's chances of matching up with Durant, Irving and Harden in a seven-game series look slim on paper. The Bucks did well in the offseason, adding Jrue Holiday to bolster their backcourt, but his effectiveness come playoff time remains to be seen.
The Milwaukee Bucks have not dominated the Eastern Conference this season as they did in the last two campaigns. The Bucks were a disappointment in the 2020 playoffs, losing to the Miami Heat in the Conference Semifinals, and league experts and pundits don't fancy their chances of winning the East this time around. Now is the time for the Bucks' front office to move some pieces around and bring in the right talent before the NBA trade deadline blows past them.
#1 Miami Heat
It's pretty evident that the Miami Heat will be in the running for a big trade move ahead of the NBA trade deadline. The 2019-2020 Eastern Conference champions have struggled to replicate the form that saw them make it to the NBA Finals last season and will need to turn things around quickly or risk losing their chances of getting another shot at the NBA title.
Jimmy Butler and Tyler Herro returning to their hundred percent is a positive sign for coach Erik Spoelstra. Their return has the potential to change their team's fortunes and cover lost ground to get themselves back into the playoff spots in the East.
But they still lag behind in terms of talent to their competition in the East, let alone those they could potentially face in the NBA Finals from the West. With the NBA trade deadline fast approaching, the Miami Heat could be one of the teams that makes a splash and trade Tyler Herro along with other assets for a perennial All-Star in exchange.
Guess the Bulls players in this quiz and it's not going to be easy!
