The NBA regular season is rapidly approaching. On Oct. 24, the first game will officially tip-off, with the defending champion Denver Nuggets taking on the Los Angeles Lakers. However, the offseason is still far from over.
Typically, big offseason trades are made on draft night or during the July free agency period, but this year's summer has not followed that pattern. Heading into September, many unresolved offseason storylines linger. From superstar trade requests to failed trade attempts, these four players have a good shot at being moved before the start of the season. Let's break it down.
4. Marcus Morris Sr., Los Angeles Clippers
Morris is not the splashiest name on the trade market, but his name has been actively involved in trade discussions. In June, the Clippers agreed to send Morris, Amir Coffey, and a first-round pick to the Washington Wizards as part of a three-team deal to acquire Malcolm Brogdon. However, the Clippers pulled out of the deal due to injury concerns regarding Brogdon, according to The Athletic's Law Murray.
In addition, the Clippers have been engaging in trade talks for All-Star guard James Harden. According to Jake Fischer of Yahoo Sports, Morris has been included in those discussions. Morris's $17.1 million expiring salary makes him a natural fit in a Harden trade. Trading Morris would allow the Sixers to create cap space next summer. Additionally, the Clippers have some depth at power forward (Nicolas Batum, Robert Covington, Kenyon Martin Jr.), so trading Morris would not leave a big hole in their rotation.
Morris had a cold finish to the 2022-23 season, shooting 23.5 percent from 3 in 12 games after the All-Star break. The slump and the continued trade rumors have understandably frustrated the veteran. He has openly taken shots at the fanbase on social media.
Whether he's part of the Harden trade or a separate deal, Morris's tenure in Los Angeles appears to be over.
3. Pascal Siakam, Toronto Raptors
Trading Pascal Siakam is the logical move for the Toronto Raptors. Last season, they were clearly behind the top teams in the Eastern Conference with a 41-41 record. During free agency, they lost All-Star guard Fred VanVleet, who signed a three-year deal with the Houston Rockets. That only moves the Raptors further out of contention this season. Most importantly, Siakam is on an expiring contract, so if they do not trade him, they risk losing him in free agency for nothing.
Of course, there is a chance that Siakam is willing to commit to Toronto long-term, but is the front office? According to The Athletic's Shams Charania, the Raptors and Siakam have not had "substantive discussions" regarding a contract extension. That is noteworthy.
On one hand, the Raptors appear content to hold onto Siakam. On the other hand, they are showing hesitancy to give him a new contract. The Atlanta Hawks offered a package of De'Andre Hunter, A.J. Griffin, and draft compensation, per Charania, but the Raptors were seeking a larger return. If a team meets their asking price, Siakam should play out the final year of his deal elsewhere.
2. James Harden, Philadelphia 76ers
This one is obvious. Harden requested a trade in June, but he remains on the Sixers' roster. Until he is traded, he is prepared to make things "uncomfortable" in Philadelphia.
In China, Harden spoke candidly about the situation, calling general manager Daryl Morey a "liar". On NBA Today, ESPN's Ramona Shelburne said the following about the incident:
"Somebody said to me yesterday, 'This is only the beginning. This is just the beginning of what James Harden is going to do to make life very uncomfortable for the Philadelphia 76ers going into training camp.'"Harden is openly expressing his feelings, and a Sixers reconciliation does not seem to be in the cards. Morey is notorious for holding out for the highest offer and targeting superstar players, but he lacks leverage in this situation. Harden's trade value is at an all-time low, and there is no indication the situation will improve heading into the season.
If the tension continues to build into the preseason, the Sixers may be better off shipping Harden to the Clippers for expiring contracts and draft compensation. This would allow them to reshape their roster around Joel Embiid next offseason. Harden holding out offers them no value this year, and holding onto for him for zero return is illogical.
1. Damian Lillard, Portland Trail Blazers
The Lillard trade request has dominated the NBA news headlines for the past two months. The superstar's request is understandable. He has played 11 seasons for the franchise without winning a championship. Individually, he has been one of the best players in the league during that stretch. Since 2013-14, he is second in the NBA in total points (17,814), trailing only Harden. He even led the Blazers to the Western Conference Finals in 2019 without an All-Star teammate.
However, Lillard's trade request puts the Blazers' organization in a rough spot. He has expressed his desire to only play in Miami, but the Heat lack top-level assets to improve the Blazers' long-term outlook. The Heat have managed to remain competitive every year. As a result, their first-round pick has only landed in the top 10 once since 2008. So, Miami's first-round picks offer little upside. Furthermore, the Blazers are reportedly not interested in Tyler Herro. Logically, a third team should be included to facilitate the deal.
Subsequently, the Lillard trade saga has been drawn out, but we may be finally building toward a resolution. Lillard talks are expected to "pick up" as we approach training camp, per Anthony Chiang of The Miami Herald. A deal could be reached soon.