NBA Announces Surprise Transaction Window: Will Any Team or Player Benefit from it?

With the NBA resuming from 31st July, players will finally hit the court after a three-month hiatus. Because of this long gap and concerns of the virus, GMs have been asking for roster flexibility.

Two weeks ago, ESPN had reported about a GM survey. “When asked if the playoffs should have expanded rosters or teams should have more of an ability to replace players sidelined by injury or illness, only two teams voted for neither option. Twelve voted for expanded rosters, and 16 voted for an increased ability to replace players who are injured or sick.”

GMs also wanted to include the two-way players into these plans of a season resumption. Finally, 16 teams had voted for two extra sports on the rosters, while nine voted for one and the remaining five voted for three.

On 8th June, Adrian Wojnarowski and Bobby Marks of ESPN reported that the NBA has taken some of these suggestions and started a Transaction Window.

Breaking down the NBA Transaction Window

The Transaction Window will involve all 30 teams, not just the Orlando-bound ones. They’ll have one week to sign free agents (who have had a contract at some point in this season), and convert two-way and 10-day contracts into standard contracts. But only the teams with roster spots available already can make these moves.

The Spurs, who just lost LaMarcus Aldridge to an injury, can pick up a replacement as well as another player since they have a roster spot open. Similarly, the Nets will also be looking at replacements for the injured duo of Kevin Durant and Kyrie Irving.

The biggest rumor so far is the potential return of DeMarcus Cousins. His injury status is uncertain, but even a 60-70% fit Boogie is a valuable asset to any team. He could be exactly what the Spurs need now, with Alridge out.

But his connection with the Los Angeles Lakers, despite his waiver, cannot be ignored. He is still on their group chat and was likely to join them next season. However, the Lakers do not have a spot currently to sign him, so others can swoop in. Miami Heat, reportedly, are also interested in signing him but like the Lakers, they do not have a roster spot free as of now.

Other players who are available include Trey Burke, Troy McDaniels, Iman Shumpert, and Isaiah Thomas,

Potential tweaks for the transaction window

One ‘flaw’ of this transaction window is that free agents who haven’t had a contract at all this year are not eligible. So veterans like Jamal Crawford and JR Smith cannot be signed according to the current rules.

Crawford became the oldest player to drop 50 last season and has shown he still has the quality at 39. Meanwhile, Smith can still provide a solid 3&D option off the bench. So, a change in rules could help teams add these veterans to their roster. The Nets could use a scorer like Crawford in the absence of KD and Kyrie. Whereas, Smith can be useful for the Thunder, who are lacking a quality backup wing player, or the Jazz, who have lost sharpshooter Bojan Bogdanovic to injury.

One last tweak that GMs are seeking is an extended roster. They want the spots to go beyond 15 spots in case someone gets injured or gets affected by the virus. This would let the Heat and the Lakers sign Boogie without releasing anyone. With less than two months left for the season to start, one cannot rule out a fairytale return for DeMarcus Cousins or Jamal Crawford.