Sometimes, opportunities pass us by. On the other hand, sometimes, they only appear to. Suppose you interview for the job of your dreams. A month passes, and you haven’t heard anything. You may assume you didn’t get the gig – until the employer is on the other line, apologizing for the delay. The NBA trade market can be similar.

Sometimes, a trade is so heavily rumored that everyone assumes it’s going to happen.

If one of the teams involved in the proposed deal makes a separate transaction, it’s easy to assume that the deal is dead.

On the other hand, it’s possible that it will merely have to take on another form.

LATEST NBA NEWS & TRADE RUMORS: Russell Westbrook, Los Angeles Lakers & Utah Jazz Updates

For example, many fans expected the Los Angeles Lakers and Utah Jazz to make a deal involving Russell Westbrook this summer. It never happened, and moreover, the Jazz already moved Bojan Bogdanovic. 

Could the two sides still capitalize on an opportunity?