The Wizards are enjoying their best season in years (eons?), thanks to the additions of ex-Lakers Montrezl Harrell, Kyle Kuzma and Kentavious Caldwell-Pope, as well as (ex-Net) Spencer Dinwiddie, who was also acquired in the Westbrook deal.
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Thankful for Rob Pelinka, or LeBron James, or whoever it was that made the final call to free the Wizards from Russell Westbrook’s suffocating contract … and provide an all-new supporting cast for Bradley Beal. But where would the Hornets be without the largesse of the Celtics, who sent them Terry Rozier in 2019 (sign-and-trade for Kemba Walker) and Gordon Hayward in '20 (for a second-round pick and a trade exception)? Rozier and Hayward are both starters, both averaging 17 points a game and helping fuel one of the NBA’s most entertaining offenses. Yes, the revival of Charlotte basketball is being led by LaMelo Ball and his celestial passing. Where would the Bulls be without DeMar DeRozan (averaging a career-best 25.8 points), acquired from San Antonio in a deal that cost them just one role player (Thad Young) and some picks? Where would they be without defensive pit bull Alex Caruso, who they signed to a very reasonable four-year, $37 million deal that the Lakers refused to match? Where would they be without Lonzo Ball, who they acquired in a (possibly illegal) sign-and-trade deal with the Pelicans, on a four-year, $85 million deal that New Orleans balked at paying? Thankful for the generosity of the Spurs, Lakers and Pelicans. Tucker, but it’s Herro’s third-year leap that makes Miami a true threat. The Heat bolstered their title chances with the celebrated pickups of Kyle Lowry and P.J. He’s averaging 21.8 points, 5.7 rebounds, 3.7 assists and shooting. After last season’s sophomore slump, Herro looks like a new player, a rising star and a potential Sixth Man of the Year. Thankful for Tyler Herro’s offseason weight-training regimen, or whatever he put in his Wheaties. Of course, the Nuggets did pretty well for themselves along the way, drafting their own star tandem in Nikola Jokić and Jamal Murray. So with two trades, the Nuggets essentially helped the Jazz build a perennial powerhouse. Mitchell was taken 13th by the Nuggets in 2017 and promptly traded to Utah for Tyler Lydon and Trey Lyles. Gobert was taken 27th by the Nuggets in 2013 and traded to Utah that same night, for Erick Green and cash. O.K., so this isn’t some revelatory note, but it is still my favorite bit of Jazz trivia: Both Donovan Mitchell and Rudy Gobert were originally Denver draft picks. But how great is it that this fiercely intense superstar can then step to the mike and give a two-minute soliloquy on the joys of dipping Oreos in milk? Giannis can heal the world. Yes, the Greek Freak is assembling another MVP campaign (27 points, 11.8 rebounds and 5.9 assists), powering the Bucks back into the East’s top tier after a slow start to the season. Thankful for Giannis Antetokounmpo’s charming sense of wonder.