The 2024 NBA Trade Deadline was a relatively quiet one in terms of star-level players being on the move. It was going to be tough to live up to those expectations after the Brooklyn Nets traded Kevin Durant and Kyrie Irving ahead of last year’s deadline.
However, some star players were discussed in trade talks. The Los Angeles Lakers reportedly had discussions with the Golden State Warriors centered around LeBron James. It would have been a chance for him to team up with one of his biggest rivals, Stephen Curry.
Rumors swirled in early February that the likeliest Laker to be on the move was James. Rich Paul shut those rumors down quickly, but cryptic messages from James on social media and some NBA rumors continued popping up.
NBA NEWS & TRADE RUMORS: LeBron James, Los Angeles Lakers, Joel Embiid, Philadelphia 76er Updates
Ultimately, no deal was completed. But, the Warriors weren’t the only team to gauge interest in acquiring James. Daryl Morey of the Philadelphia 76ers also made a call to Rob Pelinka to see if James was available. He was quickly rebuffed.
“Dunleavy was the second team executive call to Pelinka on a possible James trade, sources said. After seeing James’ cryptic social media post of an hourglass a week before the trade deadline, Philadelphia 76ers president of basketball operations Daryl Morey called Pelinka to probe on a James trade and was immediately told that James wasn’t available.”
Seemingly irked at Morey’s request to even ask for James in a deal, Pelinka quickly countered Mroey’s request with an outlandish one of his own. He asked if reigning MVP Joel Embiid was available for trade.
“In fact, Pelinka responded by asking Morey if Joel Embiid was available, sources said. And that ended that brief conversation. These sorts of bold trade calls are historically a common practice for Morey…”
That would have certainly been something to see former NBA MVPs on the move ahead of the deadline. The Lakers ended up staying pat, opting to stick with what they have currently on the roster.
NBA NEWS & TRADE RUMORS: LeBron James, Los Angeles Lakers, Joel Embiid, Philadelphia 76er Updates
Golden State’s only move was trading Cory Joseph to clear a roster spot. The 76ers were relatively active, as they acquired Buddy Hield from the Indiana Pacers. They also traded Patrick Beverley to the Milwaukee Bucks and Jaden Springer to the Boston Celtics.
All three contenders are hoping the rest of the season presents them with better injury luck. That would make a deep playoff run more feasible, as all have experienced some sort of struggles throughout the 2023-24 NBA regular season.
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