Endgame lineup: CP3 is leading a Thunder closing group that is the league’s best

The combination of an NBA without a truly dominant team along with a new collective bargaining agreement that will become more punitive for teams over the second luxury tax apron could create a situation where certain players and teams are motivated to execute trades this offseason and into the trade deadline period. Because of the timeline of the new CBA taking effect, there could be a sense of urgency for all parties to get their business in during the next two transaction cycles.

During a conversation about the future of Joel Embiid, ESPN’s Zach Lowe asserted the expectation that there could be an inordinate amount of player movement in the near future.

“This is all prelude to I think the next year in the NBA could be an unbelievable period of superstar and star player movement because you’ve just got a lot of sort of roiling situations,” said Lowe on his podcast. “You have one year left before the really harsh trade rules kick into place after the 2023-24 season where teams over the second apron, like the Clippers, for instance, cannot even aggregate salaries. They can’t add up money to bring in a big money player. That’s starting after next season.

“I think we could see a ton of movement in the offseason and up to the deadline. And a ton of big names moving. That’s not to say Embiid, but I think this going to be a hot and heavy offseason and people should buckle up.”

Beyond the future of Embiid, there are also uncertain situations facing the likes of Damian Lillard, Luka Doncic, Giannis Antetokounmpo, Karl-Anthony Towns, Trae Young, Pascal Siakam, Julius Randle, Kawhi Leonard, Paul George, DeMar DeRozan, Zach LaVine, Bradley Beal, OG Anunoby and Deandre Ayton, amongst others.