The NBA’s Board of Governors made a significant decision this week regarding in-season roster moves, as they voted to move the trade deadline 10 days before the All-Star Game. For the 2017/18 season, the deadline will be Feb. 8.
Traditionally, the deadline was set in late February and trade chatter was prevalent during All-Star weekend. Now, teams’ rosters will be virtually set by the break, save for the occasional buyout and 10-day deals with lower-level free agents. The statement issued by the league read in part that the new deadline will allow teams to “avoid the disruptions that result from players joining new teams just as practices and games are beginning to resume following the All-Star break.”
This means that front offices will have to decide earlier rather than later whether to be buyers or sellers on the market. Teams that are struggling will be essentially waving the white flag for over two months if they decide to deal veteran players for salary relief, draft picks and/or unproven players.
There will also be more pressure on teams in mid-season to decide whether to retain impending free agents and players with opt-outs or trade them for assets, rather than lose them during the offseason without compensation.
This leads us to our question of the day: Do you like the NBA’s decision to move the trade deadline to early February or would you rather have it after the All-Star break?
Please take to the comments section and share your opinion on this topic. We look forward to what you have to say.
I don’t like it I’d prefer if someone needs to get traded they get traded, and the Allstar break helps get that done. It took long enough for cousins to get traded from the Kings, and that all star break gave them the chance to complete it. While it can be a downer during the festivities, it is for the best. Like toxic situations like that, it was helpful.
Get rid of Trade Deadline so Trades can happen all year round or have a Wavier Trade Deadline to. Also Wavier Draft and other Minor Leagues.
I feel like it’s arguably more distracting to the ASG festivities to have players traded right before that weekend.