The Clippers, powered by a deep backcourt and a sneaky talented frontcourt, continue to look the part of a potential playoff team despite trading Tobias Harris. Things will likely go south at some point, but Landry Shamet adds to a nice combination of youth and experience.
The Nets are trending toward the sixth seed in the East, an impressive development for a team coming out of a long, complicated rebuild. D’Angelo Russell deservedly made his first All-Star appearance on Sunday, while Caris LeVert‘s return adds another dynamic to the offense.
The Kings made a win-now move at the deadline, adding Harrison Barnes to one of the league’s most exciting young cores. De’Aaron Fox and Buddy Hield have been one of the best backcourt combinations in the talent-laden West this season. Barnes is an upgrade, especially when used correctly.
The Spurs, at times, are boring. But it’s an effective boring, complete with gorgeous ball movement, two mid-range stars and some underrated complementary shooters. Gregg Popovich continues to make the most out of a limited arsenal.
The Pacers aren’t tanking in Victor Oladipo‘s absence. Myles Turner has a real shot at Defensive Player of the Year, while Thaddeus Young and Bojan Bogdanovic continue to put together productive minutes. The Wes Matthews addition helps. Indiana has a one-game hold on the third seed.