All basketball fans will be loving the action as the season rumbles along in top gear. As the games come thick and fast leading up to the playoffs and finals later in 2019, there are bound to be more amazing games to follow. What is also interesting for all NBA fans is seeing how the big trades their teams made have performed so far.
Of course, as a sports fan, you may well be able to use this information to your advantage! If a player has managed to make a real impact and galvanize your team to greater success, then you could make some money by betting on them. The best way to go about this for many now is by placing a wager via the internet. Although primarily a place to play casino and slot games, SugarHouse NJ online casino also has a sports betting app that makes it easy to do this for New Jersey residents.
Who has done well so far in the 2018/19 season for their new teams?
NBA signings and trades that have worked out well
If you are looking for some of the best trades over the NBA season so far, then the below are worth thinking about.
Luka Dončić
Arguably the best factor in a trade around the NBA this season has been Luka Dončić. This highly talented Slovenian baller was snapped up by the Dallas Mavericks and has done amazingly well so far. With so much success in European basketball before the move, many hoped that he would do well, but perhaps nobody thought that he would smash it so much.
The triple double that he recorded in January 2019 shows the ease with which he has settled into pro American basketball. With a great arm, youthful energy and a superb reading of the game, he has certainly been valuable on court. It is not just there that he has excelled though. Off court, Dončić has helped to further build up the reputation of European basketball and show NBA fans the kind of talent that exists outside of the US.
While Doncic came in via the draft, he’s become a lure to help the Mavericks add big talent via trade, most notably Kristaps Porzingis coming over from the New York Knicks.
LeBron James
When you talk about big signings for the 2018/19 NBA season, you have to mention this player. Already a megastar and arguably the best baller ever, James opted to move to the Los Angeles Lakers for the current season when a free agent.
How has this worked out for all involved? As you would expect for a player of his caliber, it started off well and he was a regular scorer for the Lakers. A season-high points tally of 51 against the Miami Heat in November 2018 was a great example of this. Since then though, injury has curtailed his NBA season and left him on the sidelines, looking on. We all know what James brings on court, but what about off it for the Lakers? His celebrity status and legions of fans will surely have brought more attention and money to their brand.
Kawhi Leonard
This trade was something of a surprise in a way due to the obvious talents that Leonard possesses. Following an injury-hit 2017/18 though, the San Antonio Spurs traded him to the Toronto Raptors – this has turned out to be a great deal. Although now ended, he had gone on a career-high run of scoring more than 20 points in 22 games for his new team this season at one stage. At both ends of the court, his energy and accuracy have worked out well for the Raptors. Off court, all has been quiet so far, but the Raptors may need to look at the acrimony when his stint with the Spurs ended to avoid it happening to them.
DeMarcus Cousins
After his bad injury the previous season when playing for the New Orleans Pelicans, many may have raised an eyebrow at the Golden State Warriors paying over $5m for this player’s services. However, there is no doubt of his standing in the game, and he has the build, ball handling skills and athleticism to succeed. Since the move, he has recovered from injury and started well, leading up to netting 22 points against the Indiana Pacers in January 2019. All Warriors fans will hope that this is the springboard for him to push on and finish the season on a high.
Trade deadline will soon be up
Of course, what will be even more interesting is what the latest round of trades may do to the NBA picture. With the 2019 trade deadline up as of February 7 at 3pm ET, it will be fascinating to see who ends up where and what impact they will have on their new teams going forward. As ever in the NBA, you will certainly be in store for some fabulous action when following your favorite side.
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