The Atlantic Division’s trade chatter is being shaped by three different injury and rotation storylines: Philadelphia’s growing reluctance to trade Kelly Oubre Jr., Toronto’s uncertainty surrounding Jakob Poeltl’s back injury, and New York’s use of OG Anunoby as a small-ball center — plus continued defensive contributions from Miles McBride and Landry Shamet.
Sixers value Oubre’s versatility
According to Keith Pompey of The Philadelphia Inquirer, the 76ers no longer view Oubre as expendable heading into the February trade deadline. The 28-year-old wing, on an expiring deal, has filled in at shooting guard, small forward and power forward while holding opponents’ top scorers in check and hitting 38.0% of his three-pointers. Head coach Nick Nurse cited Oubre’s two-way impact and decade of NBA experience, noting, “He plays both ends… he’s been pretty effective on both ends.” Pompey adds that Philadelphia’s main incentive to move Oubre would be cap relief, a priority the club is expected to revisit after the season.
Poeltl’s back strain complicates Raptors’ deadline plans
TSN’s Josh Lewenberg reports that Poeltl is considered out indefinitely with a lower-back strain, leaving Toronto in a difficult spot just weeks before the deadline. The 28-year-old center is under contract through 2029/30, and the team’s preference is to stay patient, Lewenberg says. However, the lack of recovery progress is “the biggest wildcard” for the front office, which has been linked to several high-profile centers — most recently Domantas Sabonis — as it gauges how long Poeltl might need to regain form.
Anunoby debuts at the five in Knicks’ win
Saturday’s victory over Philadelphia saw Knicks head coach Mike Brown deploy Anunoby as the primary defender on Joel Embiid after Karl-Anthony Towns fouled out. The unconventional lineup stalled at times but delivered in crunch time, Newsday’s Steve Popper writes. “OG allows us to play the basketball game in a lot of different ways,” Brown said. Anunoby followed a put-back dunk with a three-pointer, then set up Shamet for another triple; Brown was most impressed by his defensive work across multiple positions.
Bench guards key New York’s perimeter defense
Jared Schwartz of the New York Post notes that McBride and Shamet, both recognized as elite shooters, are also anchoring the Knicks’ point-of-attack defense. Brown labeled the duo the club’s best backcourt stoppers, pointing to their effort in Saturday’s finish against the Sixers when they closed the game over Mikal Bridges. “To have that type of relentless pursuit with athleticism and strength and toughness… is phenomenal,” the coach said.
The developments surrounding Oubre, Poeltl and the Knicks’ new rotations are expected to influence each organization’s approach as the trade deadline approaches.
Source: Hoops Rumors
