NBA Trade Deadline Roundtable: Ben Simmons on the move; bold predictions

Which Eastern Conference playoff team will make the biggest move?

Saenz: Boston Celtics. I’m not really sure what they plan on doing at the trade deadline, but there’s no way this team is not going to make a substantial move.

Knitzer: If Ben Simmons is traded, this obviously becomes Philly, but I am going to say Washington Wizards. Put Atlanta in here with an asterisk, because they surely consider themselves a playoff team, even if the standings do not.

Bernal: The Cleveland Cavaliers will acquire Eric Gordon. If my first two answers come to fruition then the easy answer will be between the Sixers and the Nets. However, for the sake of variety – and because I’ve proven that I am terrible at making predictions – I am going with the Cleveland Cavaliers.

Incidentally, this also allows me to make a shameless plug! A win for everyone really.

In writing about the Cavaliers and Jarrett Allen this past week, one of the things that became clear is the lack of back-court depth the organization has on-hand following the season-ending losses of both Ricky Rubio and Collin Sexton. While Sexton will become a restricted free agent following the season, Rubio’s expiring $17 million deal makes him an ideal candidate to build a trade offer around, along with a smother of draft picks – and maybe even Cede Osman if you feel like getting really frisky.

It may not be the splashiest of moves, but the acquisition of Eric Gordon may be all it takes for the Cavs to be a contender for the Eastern Conference Finals. In a year in which another Ohio team made the Super Bowl with the mantra “why not us?”, the Cleveland Cavaliers may be saying the same thing.

Mcewen: I think the Celtics deal Marcus Smart. The C’s are currently 28-25 and sit ninth in the East they are in danger of missing the playoffs. Earlier this season, Smart called out Boston’s top duo and their season has been in a tailspin ever since.