With the 2023 NBA Offseason almost behind us (although the New Orleans Pelicans fans may still have one more move up their sleeve), the next big event for fans who are more interested in the transactional element of the league will be the trade deadline. So, when is the 2024 NBA Trade Deadline?
This year, the trade deadline will be on February 8th, with all trades having to be finalized by 3 PM Eastern Standard Time (EST). That is eight days before the league will break for All-Star weekend. This trend is relatively new. In fact, before the 2017-18 season, the trade deadline normally occurred after the All-Star break.
At that point, the Pelicans will have played 49 games. So, roughly 60% of their regular season will be complete. It is very unlikely that the team will be sellers at the deadline this go-around. The only way I could envision that happening is if their team remains relatively healthy (if the last couple of weeks are any indication, that probably won’t be the case) and the team is still out of the playoff picture.
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Most likely, the team will either stand pat or look to improve their roster. If they stand pat, the 2024 Trade Deadline will be a boring one for fans of the team. But if they are looking to improve, there is a chance things get interesting.
As of right now, Damian Lillard is still with the Portland Trail Blazers. Yeah, right now he says he’ll only play for the Miami Heat, but will he keep the same energy if he’s still not moved by February? Another situation to monitor is the one brewing within the Toronto Raptors organization. If they have another disappointing start to the season, will the team look to trade Pascal Siakam and/or OG Anunoby?
If they aren’t in the market for a superstar (or can’t land one), then they will likely look to add some perimeter shooting or rim protection (their two most glaring needs when Zion Williamson is healthy).
Regardless of where the team is when trade deadline rolls around, one thing is certain: transactional fans can’t wait for the morning of February 8th.