Around the Association: Trade Season Is Upon Us

This article is part of our NBA Daily Recap series.

Welcome to Around the Association!  Four days per week (Monday through Thursday), this article will serve as a comprehensive recap of the previous night's NBA action, taking you through all of the biggest performances, notable box scores, injury updates and any other fantasy-relevant headlines from around the league.

It was a trade-filled and exciting day in the league -- here is all you need to know:

Nightly Notables

Trades galore

• The NBA world was first set on fire when the Pelicans and Trail Blazers agreed on a trade to send CJ McCollum over to New Orleans, marking the end of the Damian Lillard-McCollum era in Portland. The official terms of the trade also shipped Larry Nance and Tony Snell to the Pelicans, while the Trail Blazers received a package of Josh Hart, Tomas Satoransky, Nickeil Alexander-Walker, Didi Louzada, a protected first-round pick and two second-round picks.
  • I like the deal for both sides. The Pelicans get an established scorer in McCollum and he really helps to bolster their lineup once Zion Williamson gets back. Nance is a valuable addition, as well, when he gets back healthy. 
  • For Portland, the deal means they're officially committed to blowing things up around Lillard. Picking up both Hart and Alexander-Walker is a solid return for the Trail Blazers. From a fantasy outlook, I think the deal specifically helps out Anfernee Simons and Alexander-Walker's value the most.
• I am still a little bit shocked by the next major trade that took place when the Kings agreed to send Tyrese Haliburton and Buddy Hield over to the Pacers in exchange for Domantas Sabonis. Tristan Thompson is also heading to Indiana while the Kings pick up Jeremy Lamb and Justin Holiday.
  • I wrote in my Monday article that it would not surprise me to see Sacramento trade De'Aaron Fox and roll with a Haliburton and Davion Mitchell lineup. They did the exact opposite and went for a more win-now move in adding Sabonis. Haliburton's departure certainly does boost Mitchell's value going forward. There is a lot of hate on Sacramento for the trade, and while I don't like it long-term, I really do think that Sabonis is about to tear it up in Sacramento.

Suns rally in Philly

• Perhaps the only really exciting game that came out of Tuesday's loaded slate was the clash between two juggernauts when the Suns traveled to Philadelphia. After a tight first half, the 76ers got up by nearly 20 points as they started the third on a 12-0 run. However, the Suns stormed back and were able to walk away with a 114-109 win.
• Devin Booker was sensational once again, finishing with 35 points (11-23 FG, 3-8 3Pt, 10-11 FT), four rebounds, three assists and one steal over 37 minutes of action. The All-Star has topped 28 points eight of his last nine showings while averaging 31.6 points, 5.2 rebounds, 3.9 assists and 1.0 steals per game. Booker's hot play has the Suns sitting at a league-best 44-10.
  • Chris Paul continues to control Phoenix's offense in a commanding way. The future-Hall-of-Famer ended with 16 points (7-18 FG, 1-2 3Pt, 1-2 FT), four rebounds, 12 assists and two steals over 41 minutes. Paul has recorded a double-double in 10 of his last 12 outings while averaging 19.1 points and 12.3 dimes over that span.
• Joel Embiid did his thing despite the losing effort. The MVP candidate dropped in 34 points (13-25 FG, 2-8 3Pt, 6-6 FT), 12 rebounds, three assists and three steals across 32 minutes. Embiid's shot-creation and impressive footwork were on full display during the defeat. In 18 appearances since the start of the new year, Embiid has recorded a 30-point double-double in 10 of those showings. 
  • Tobias Harris had another solid outing for Philly. The veteran wing recorded 30 points (13-18 FG, 2-4 3Pt, 2-2 FT), seven rebounds and three assists over 40 minutes. Harris currently ranks as the 38th overall nine-category option over the past month.

Bucks put Lakers into shambles

• The Milwaukee Bucks made their yearly trip into Los Angeles to take on the Lakers and got off to a fast start. After getting up by over 20 points in the first half, the Lakers were able to attempt to make it close in the fourth, however, the Bucks prevailed to a 131-116 win.
• Giannis Antetokounmpo was dominant in the win, finishing with 44 points (17-20 FG, 2-2 3Pt, 8-13 FT), 14 rebounds, eight assists, two blocks and one steal across 35 minutes. This marked Antetokounmpo's sixth 40-point outing of the season.
  • Bobby Portis continued his impressive scoring stretch, ending with 23 points (9-18 FG, 5-9 3Pt), seven rebounds, one assist and two steals across 33 minutes. The forward is averaging 25.7 points per game over his last three appearances
  • Khris Middleton: 21 points (8-19 FG, 3-10 3Pt, 2-3 FT), five rebounds, four assists and one steal in 34 minutes
• This is starting to become a running theme with the Lakers this season: LeBron James had a great outing, yet Los Angeles comes up short once again. The 37-year-old went off for a team-best 27 points (11-19 FG, 3-7 3Pt, 2-4 FT), five rebounds and eight assists in 35 minutes. This has statistically been one of James' best seasons yet, but the struggling play of the Lakers has overshadowed it.
  • Anthony Davis continues to produce since coming back from his wrist injury. Davis finished with 22 points (8-10 FG, 6-10 FT), nine rebounds, four assists, three blocks and one steal across 37 minutes. Davis is averaging 28.0 points, 12.5 rebounds, 2.7 assists, 1.7 steals and 2.8 blocks per game over his last six appearances.

Ja steamrolls Clippers

• Another night, another MVP-level performance from Ja Morant while the Grizzlies roll to an easy victory. This time it came against the Clippers, as Memphis cruised to a 135-109 win. Morant went off for 30 points (12-19 FG, 1-2 3Pt, 5-9 FT), seven rebounds, five assists and one steal over just 26 minutes of action
  • Jaren Jackson is starting to find a bit of a scoring groove for Memphis, finishing with 26 points (8-14 FG, 1-3 3Pt, 9-9 FT), 11 rebounds, one assist, one steal and one block over 26 minutes. This marked the big man's third straight 20-point outing.
• Norman Powell entered the starting lineup for LA for the first time and had a decent outing in the loss. The newly acquired wing ended with 16 points (6-12 FG, 1-3 3Pt, 3-3 FT), two rebounds, two assists, one steal and two blocks over 23 minutes. Powell has a chance to put up some career-best numbers right now with the Clippers as they remain without Paul George (elbow) and Kawhi Leonard (knee)
  • Isaiah Hartenstein: 19 points (7-11 FG, 1-2 3Pt, 4-4 FT), seven rebounds, four assists and one steal over 28 minutes. 

Celtics embarrass Nets

• Things are not going the Nets' way right now. Albeit, the team was without all three of their All-Star players, the Celtics demolished Brooklyn by a score of 126-91 on its home court. Boston started the game up 28-2 after the first seven minutes of play.
• It was a solid all-around effort for the Celtics, with Jaylen Brown leading the way with 22 points (9-12 FG, 1-3 3Pt, 3-4 FT), seven rebounds and nine assists in 28 minutes. The wing ranks as the 55th overall nine-category fantasy option on a per-game basis this season. 
  • Marcus Smart: 22 points (8-16 FG, 6-13 3Pt), one rebound, three assists, one block and one steal in 28 minutes.
• This was yet another defeating performance for Brooklyn as this loss marks its ninth in a row. It really is too early to hit the panic button as Kevin Durant (knee), James Harden (hamstring) and Kyrie Irving (mandates) all remain out.
  • Really, the only Nets player to have a solid outing was Jevon Carter, who totaled a season-high 21 points (7-16 FG, 7-13 3Pt), three rebounds, three assists and one block over 31 minutes during Tuesday's 126-91 loss to Boston.
  • Cam Thomas: 17 points (7-17 FG, 0-3 3Pt, 3-5 FT), five rebounds, three assists and one steal over 28 minutes. 

Denver pulls away from Knicks

• After a slightly contested first quarter, the Denver Nuggets were able to push past the Knicks and ended victorious 132-115. Nikola Jokic was up to his usual antics, ending with 21 points (8-14 FG, 0-3 3Pt, 5-7 FT), 11 rebounds and seven assists over 30 minutes of action during the easy one. The league's No. 1 overall fantasy player is showing absolutely no signs of slowing down as the season moves along. 
  • Bones Hyland was in his bag during the win, finishing with a team-high 22 points (6-12 FG, 4-7 3Pt, 6-7 FT), six rebounds and three assists across 25 minutes. He also dropped Kemba Walker with this move:

• Julius Randle had another decent outing, but once again the Knicks fell short in the contest. The forward ended with 28 points (11-22 FG, 3-8 3Pt 3-4 FT), 10 rebounds, six assists and three steals over 34 minutes. Randle has averaged 30.7 points, 10.7 rebounds and 6.0 assists per game over the Knicks' last three games. However, New York has lost each of those outings.
  • Evan Fournier 21 points (7-19 FG, 4-6 3Pt), seven rebounds, two assists, three steals and one block over 31 minutes. 

Best and Worst of the Night

• Best of the Night: Devin Booker - 35 points (11-23 FG, 3-8 3Pt, 10-11 FT), four rebounds, three assists and one steal over 37 minutes.
• Worst of the Night: Saddiq Bey - Three points (1-11 FG, 1-7 3Pt), three rebounds and six assists over 31 minutes.
• Rookie of the Night: Bones Hyland - 22 points (6-12 FG, 4-7 3Pt, 6-7 FT), six rebounds and three assists across 25 minutes. 

Quick Hitters

• Luka Doncic balled out once again as he pushed the Mavericks to a 116-86 win over the Pistons. The All-Star ended with 33 points (13-28 FG, 1-6 3Pt, 6-9 FT), 13 rebounds, 15 assists and two steals over 40 minutes. Doncic has been on fire as of recent, averaging 31.3 points, 9.0 rebounds and 11.7 assists per game over his last six showings.
  • Jalen Brunson: 21 points (7-11 FG, 2-4 3Pt, 5-5 FT), one rebound and four assists over 26 minutes.
• Isaiah Stewart continued his stretch of impressing rebounding as he posted 14 points (6-9 FG, 2-3 FT), 15 rebounds, one assist and one steal over 29 minutes. The second-year big has recorded double-digit rebounds in six straight showings while averaging 9.5 points and 13.3 rebounds over that span.
• The Pelicans eased to an easy 110-97 win over the Rockets as they await the arrival of CJ McCollum. Brandon Ingram continued his scoring prowess, finishing with 26 points (11-17 FG, 1-3 3Pt, 3-4 FT), two rebounds, two assists and three blocks over 34 minutes. In his first four games since coming back from injury, Ingram is averaging 27.0 points, 3.0 rebounds, 7.5 assists, 1.3 steals and 1.8 blocks per game over that span.
  • Herbert Jones: 10 points (5-11 FG, 0-3 3Pt), 11 rebounds, three assists and three steals over 31 minutes
• Kevin Porter had one of his better outings in the loss to New Orleans. The athletic guard ended with a season-best 27 points (9-16 FG, 7-12 3Pt, 2-3 FT), three rebounds, five assists and one steal over 36 minutes.
  • Christian Wood: 19 points (5-15 FG, 3-8 3Pt, 6-10 FT), nine rebounds, one assist, one steal and one block over 32 minutes.
• With the Pacers heavily short-handed after making their trade with the Kings, the Hawks were able to whomp them by a score of 133-112. Trae Young impressed once again with 34 points (13-20 FG, 6-9 3Pt, 2-2 FT), one rebound, 11 assists and one block over just 30 minutes.
  • John Collins: 20 points (10-19 FG, 2-6 3Pt, 1-2 FT), six rebounds, one assist, one steal and one block over 34 minutes.
• Chris Duarte had a decent game for the depleted Pacers. The rookie out of Oregon ended with 25 points (8-16 FG, 2-6 3Pt, 7-7 FT), two rebounds, four assists, one steal and one block over 35 minutes. Duarte has now seen 35 or more minutes while breaking the 20-point mark in two straight showings. The guard appears in line for more work as the Pacers shuffle their roster. 
  • Lance Stephenson: 24 points (7-15 FG, 0-2 3Pt, 10-12 FT), nine rebounds and eight assists across 34 minutes. 
• The Timberwolves took advantage of Sacramento's under-manned and were able to pull away in the second half to a 134-114 win over the Kings. Karl-Anthony Towns shined with 25 points (10-14 FG, 2-3 3Pt, 3-3 FT), nine rebounds and three assists over 28 minutes.
  • Malik Beasley: 21 points (7-11 FG, 7-8 3Pt), two rebounds and one steal across 19 minutes.
• De'Aaron Fox made his return from his ankle injury and had one of his more productive games of the season. The speedster guard ended with 29 points (11-22 FG, 4-6 3Pt, 3-4 FT), seven rebounds, six assists and one steal over 35 minutes. I am interested to see how his play develops with Domantas Sabonis' addition.
  • Harrison Barnes: 18 points (4-7 FG, 1-3 3Pt, 12-12 FT), six rebounds, three assists and one steal over 32 minutes.
• After a fairly tight first three quarters, the Magic pushed ahead to a 113-95 win over the shorthanded Trail Blazers. Cole Anthony led the way with 23 points (9-18 FG, 3-5 3Pt, 2-2 FT), seven rebounds, nine assists, two steals and one block over 35 minutes. 
  • Franz Wagner: 13 points (5-14 FG, 3-4 3Pt), nine rebounds and seven assists over 30 minutes.
  • Jalen Suggs exited the game in the first quarter with a sore Achilles and did not return.
• There weren't many bright spots for the Trail Blazers. Anfernee Simons scored a team-high 19 points (7-17 FG, 3-9 3Pt, 2-3 FT), five rebounds, five assists and one steal over 37 minutes. 
  • Greg Brown: 15 points (4-13 FG, 2-7 3Pt, 5-6 FT), eight rebounds, one assist and one steal over 18 minutes.

A Look Ahead to Wednesday Night

• The Bulls head to Charlotte to face the struggling Hornets.
• Dejounte Murray and Darius Garland go head-to-head when the Spurs travel to Cleveland.
• Can the Jazz take down the Warriors in Utah?
• Caris LeVert makes his Cavs debut.