With the 2021 NBA Trade Deadline being about two weeks away, a couple of big-name players have been in the middle of the latest trade rumors.
Dallas Mavericks big man Kristaps Porzingis and Houston Rockets guard Victor Oladipo are the latest players that sportsbooks think could get traded before the NBA trade deadline on March 25.
According to Bovada, it’s looking like a long shot that Prozingis will be gone by the deadline. The sportsbook has him at -1400 that he won’t be moved. On the other hand, a potential Oladipo trade looks more likely. Bovada lists him at +200 that he will be traded by the deadline and -300 that he won’t.
Will Kristaps Porzingis Be Traded Before the NBA Trade Deadline?
Odds via Bovada as of Monday, March 8
- No -1400
- Yes +650
At first, it may seem strange that the Mavericks would want to trade Porzingis. After all, he’s a 25-year-old 7’3” power forward/center who can shoot relatively well. He was supposed to be the perfect secondary option for Luka Doncic. Now, rumors are circulating that the Mavericks want to move him for a different option for Doncic.
However, the problem with Porzingis hasn’t been his offense this season. It’s been his defense. Porzingis’ 116.6 defensive rating per 100 possessions is the eighth-worst out of all centers in the NBA who’ve played at least 20 games. Some people like to classify Porzingis as a power forward, but, even then, he’d still be ranked 16th-worst for that position.
If the Mavericks want to succeed with Doncic, they may need to trade Porzingis. Teams like the Miami Heat or Boston Celtics, who lost out on the Blake Griffin sweepstakes, may circle to Porzingis by the NBA trade deadline.
On the other hand, the Latvian has two more years and a player option left on his contract following this season. This season, his cap hit is at $29.4 million, so it might be tough for some teams to match that contract. That’s why it may be easier to acquire Porzingis in the offseason rather than by the NBA trade deadline.
Will Victor Oladipo Be Traded Before the Deadline?
Odds via Bovada as of Monday, March 8
- No -300
- Yes +200
While seeing Porzingis getting traded by the NBA trade deadline might be a long shot, sportsbooks think that it’s more realistic to see Victor Oladipo being traded by then. After all, Oladipo was sent to Houston as a part of the four-team James Harden trade. The Rockets acquired him, who will be an unrestricted free agent this offseason, knowing that they intended to rebuild. Oladipo has enough value where he can help a team compete for the NBA Championship. He should also bring in valuable picks and prospects for the Rockets
One of the teams that is interested in him happens to be the Golden State Warriors.
Oladipo is a former All-Defensive First Team and All-NBA Third Team player in the 2017-18 season. While he’s not at that level anymore, as of March 8, Oladipo is still averaging 19.9/4.9/4.7 this season. However, his shooting efficiency is down.
Still, the Warriors could use Oladipo’s help. Their backcourt right now is essentially just Stephen Curry without Klay Thompson. It’s at the point where Andrew Wiggins has had to play shooting guard minutes, even though that’s not his primary position. Oladipo would help take some of that pressure off Curry while filling the defensive void that was created by Thompson’s absence.
While Bovada is leaning towards Oladipo staying in Houston, the Warriors acquiring him isn’t unrealistic.
