AROUND THE LEAGUE UPDATE
Boston Celtics (33-16)
Cleveland Cav's (31-17)
Atlanta Hawks (31-17)
Detroit Pistons (30-19)
Philadelphia 76er's (28-19)
New York Knicks (27-22)
Toronto Raptors (26-23)
Charlotte Hornets (25-23)
Indiana Pacers (25-24)
Miami Heat (25-24)
Brooklyn Nets (24-23)
Washington Wizards (18-31)
Orlando Magic (18-31)
Chicago Bulls (18-32)
Milwaukee Bucks (15-32)
"The Big stories here is the race for the #1 seed and the playoffs. Well it looks like a 3 way race for #1 with the Celtics, Cav's and Hawks, Detroit has done a excellent job in putting their name into the mix with the addition of Grant at PF.
Well the Top-4 seeds look pretty clear, the biggest question is seeds 6-8. Can Miami make a push and get Lillard a shot at a title? The former Trail Blazer is having a MVP season in South Beach averaging 30.6 PPG, 4.6 RPG, 7.6 APG well shooting 44% from 3pt. But Miami is going to need more then just their Big 3 to compete for a NBA title.
WEST
Oklahoma City Thunder (33-15)
Seattle Super Sonics (32-19)
Golden State (26-23)
Memphis Grizzlies (28-21)
Denver Nuggets (26-23)
Las Vegas Hustlers (26-24)
Houston Rockets (25-23)
Dallas Mavericks (24-24)
San Antonio Spurs (23-25)
Utah Jazz (21-28)
Los Angeles Lakers (20-28)
Los Angeles Clippers (20-30)
Sacramento Kings (19-29)
Portland Trail Blazers (16-31)
Phoenix Suns (16-33)
Oklahoma City seems to love their new spot in the Southwest as they take the #1 seed away from Memphis in a division in which all 5 teams are still vying for a playoff spot.
The Clippers and Suns have dropped 8 straight and both squads appear to be out of the playoff race. L.A is without Kawhi Leonard who is out with Lower right Leg Stress Fracture for the next 2-4 months leaving James Harden to leave a star depleated roster, well Phoenix's Devin Booker still hasn't played this season with a Torn Right ACL.
BEAL ON THE MOVE AGAIN
Phoenix made a move to try and help Kevin Durant (25.9 PPG, 8.2 RPG, 4.2 APG) as the Suns deal SG Bradley Beal (23.3 PPG) for SG Jordan Clarkson (14.0 PPG) and PF John Collins (15.6 PPG, 7.4 RPG, 1.4 APG, 1.0 BPG), but so far it hasn't paid off.
Could Durant be heading out the door? Rumors are he wants to finish his career where it started back in Seattle. Question is how does Durant fit on a roster with Ingram and Williamson? He doesn't as one of those guy's probably would have to be included in the deal to get this done.
LEBRON HEADED HOME
The Lakers firmly out of the playoff race has given Lebron James a chance at one more title, a return home and a chance to play with his son.
Cleveland traded PG Kira Lewis and a pair of 2nd Round picks to the Nets for Bronny James earlier in the day and the Cav's then dealt SF Isac Okoro, SG Carvis LaVert and veterans Georges Niang and Dean Wade to the Lakers for the King himself.
Lebron will settle into the Cav's lineup at SF, well Bronny will see some minutes off the bench as the 3rd PG on the Cav's roster, with veteran Mike Conley currently backing up Darius Garland.
Senior Lebron was averaging 27.0 PPG, 11.0 RPG 6.4 APG, 1.5 SPG and 1.9 BPG this season for the Lakers showing he still has something left in the tank at the age of 40.
Little Lebron saw action in 19 games for the Nets averaging 12.8 MPG, with a 3.9 PPG, 2.1 RPG and 2.5 APG average.
GIANNIS READY TO EXPLORE NEXT CHAPTER
With Milwaukee currently the worst team in the NBA, super star Giannis Antetokounmpo is ready to move on and explore other options. G.A. has spent his entire 12 year career with the Bucks averaging 22.3 PPG, 9.7 RPG, 5.0 APG, 1.2 SPG, and 1.4 BPG.
Rumors are the Atlanta Hawks are offering a trade package of SF De'Andre Hunter-81 Ovr (4th Overall pick in 2019), PF Onyeka Okongwu-82 Ovr (6th Overall pick in 2020) as well as 3-1st Round picks (a 2024 Lottery protected via Sacremento, a 2026 Swap with San Antonio, and a 2028 unprotected.