NBA News & Rumors: Evan Fournier Gets Traded to the Celtics

The trade deadline has now come and gone in the NBA, which means that it’s time to look at the potential aftermath of all the moves. The reality is that all eyes have been on the movement of players over the last week or so, which is to be expected, but there were also other pieces of business going on in the NBA that had nothing to do with trades. The news, though, will have an impact on how teams will look in the future, so that is the first piece of news that we will be covering. With that in mind, let’s get right to the NBA news and rumors from this past week so you can keep placing your bets against their NBA odds.

2021 NBA Betting News & Rumors March 29th Edition

The first piece of business announced by the league this week is the dates of the upcoming combine, draft lottery, and the actual draft. The goal with the combine is to have five-on-five games where the guys heading for the draft can show off their stuff, but that is all subject to the current health conditions when that rolls around. The combine is set to run from June 21 through June 27. The draft lottery will be held on June 22, just as the combine is starting, while the draft proper will take place on June 29, so a vey busy week to ten days this summer.

Evan Fournier was traded from the Orlando Magic to the Boston Celtics last week, but he has yet to step onto the court in Celtics green. Fournier was held back from the court after coming into close contact with someone who tested positive for COVID-19. The health and safety protocols put in place by the NBA dictate that a player needs to stay isolated for a week after said contact. Fournier has now dome that and should be ready to go for the Celtics on Monday night.

The Celtics were rumored to be in the running to sign Andre Drummond after he cleared waivers, but it was the LA Lakers who eventually landed their man. With Anthony Davis and LeBron James still both sidelined with injuries, the Lakers needed a veteran presence to get them through what has been a very rough patch. Another player to clear waivers and move to a championship contending team is LaMarcus Aldridge, who signed for the Brooklyn Nets for the remainder of the season at the league veteran minimum salary.

Those two signings, as well as the Nets also picking up Blake Griffin from the Detroit Pistons, have some teams in the league crying foul. Their complaint is that they are forced into buying out the contracts of these veteran players and getting nothing in return. Teams stand pat knowing that the players will clear waivers as teams try to dump salary, which is when they swoop in. The feeling among some of the smaller market teams is that the system, as it is now, is designed to allow the rich to get richer at the expense of the little guy. The reality, though, is that it is a system that is unlikely to change anytime soon.

I have read enough, I need to place my bet now. What to do?