Rumors were that there were trade winds swirling, and that it wouldn't take long for big news to break.
How true it was, because on Monday, two big trades were made that have shifted the NBA landscape just a bit.
As we still await news on James Harden and Russell Westbrook - the former who, according to reports, prefers the Brooklyn Nets, with the latter thought to be potentially dealt as well - the Phoenix Suns and Milwaukee Bucks made drastic deals to improve their teams.
Going to Phoenix is 10-time All-Star Chris Paul, and going to Oklahoma City are Ricky Rubio, Kelly Oubre, and a 2022 first-round draft pick, according to ESPN's Adrian Wojnarowski on Monday. The move for Suns gives them a veteran floor general who was incredibly instrumental in the Thunder getting the 5th seed in the Western Conference. It gives them their best floor general they've had since Steve Nash, and gives Devin Booker a Hall-of-Fame running mate in the backcourt who he can learn from. Paul, who will be 36 next year, is the ideal floor man for Booker and big man Deandre Ayton. Expect the Suns to be a major player in the Western Conference next year.
The Milwaukee Bucks, in a very strong move that is sure to influence Giannis Antetokounmpo's free agency decision next summer, made a deal Monday night for New Orleans Pelicans' guard Jrue Holiday, who is a very strong defender who will also provide them with scoring punch. With a nucleus of Antetokounmpo, Holiday and Kris Middleton, the Bucks, with the trade, build off of their 56-win season last year. It will be a dog fight in the East with the Bucks, Brooklyn, Boston, and Miami.
In another trade tonight, the Rockets traded Robert Covington to the Portland Trail Blazers for Trevor Ariza, a first-round draft pick in Wednesday's draft, and a 2021 protected first-round pick. according to Wojnarowski.
These trades of course come off the heels of Dennis Schroeder to the Los Angeles Lakers yesterday for Danny Green and the 28th pick in Wednesday's draft.
More dominoes are to fall, but we have already had two huge trades in just the first day.
Cue the wait on the Harden and Westbrook front.
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