People waiting for fireworks on this trade deadline will be disappointed. The major moves that make a significant impact have already happened:

• Harden to the Clippers • Anunoby to New York • Siakam to Indiana

We might see smaller changes. Dejounte has four more seasons on his contract (after this season), so if Atlanta can't get the two first-round picks they're looking for, they can simply wait until the summer. Every summer, teams have picks available, and restrictions from the previous year are lifted. As soon as the draft ends, you usually get a current pick and another one in the future (the rule extends up to seven years in the future). In the 2024 Draft, everyone automatically gains the right to trade the 2031 pick.

Remember one thing: Only one team becomes the champion. Every year, there are six teams with high expectations and 4-5 disappointed teams.

This summer, several players might become available, and if you spend picks on lateral moves now, you won't have them in the summer.

For instance, if you're ranked 6-8 in the standings, there are no available players who can elevate you to 1-2. Maybe in the East, the door is slightly more open due to Embiid's absence, but in the West, there aren't many available players who can move the needle if you're outside the top 4, and the ones available are expensive. The biggest move might be Bruce Brown at most. - Poet