Unfortunately, then, that immediately disqualifies the following teams: Phoenix Suns, Minnesota Timberwolves, Boston Celtics, New York Knicks, Los Angeles Lakers, Milwaukee Bucks, and Denver Nuggets. The Golden State Warriors and Dallas Mavericks are also very close to the first apron and could struggle to sign him as well.

The Brooklyn Nets and Ben Simmons are working toward a contract buyout, a league source said Friday, and Simmons will meet with the Cleveland Cavaliers, LA Clippers and Houston Rockets as he decides on his next destination.

The Dallas Mavericks’ shocking trade of 25-year-old superstar Luka Dončić to the Lakers for 10-time All-Star Anthony Davis is one example of the power starting to sway back in the other direction. So was the not-as-stunning-but-still-consequential trade of Jimmy Butler from the Miami Heat to the Golden State Warriors.

Injuries have challenged the top-ranked Cavaliers, but could this hypothetical three-team trade bolster their frontcourt?

As it turned out, the bulk of the NBA trade drama occurred before the day of the deadline. There were no deals Thursday that matched the magnitude of Luka Doncic, Anthony Davis or Jimmy Butler changing teams.