2016 NBA Trade Deadline (Third Update!)

In the days between the end of All-Star Weekend and the Trade Deadline, general managers around the league were at their busiest of the season.

Trade rumors kept surfacing.

Markieff Morris, unhappy with management forcing his hand; Jamal Crawford and Rudy Gay, who were put on the trade block year after year; Brandon Jennings, whose play had declined sharply after returning from injury...

This year's trade market had far more rumors than last year's.

Some were even rather unusual.

For example, the red-hot Warriors were interested in moving Iguodala.

The Rockets wanted to trade the well-performing Batum in hopes of regaining a First-Round Draft Pick.

Many teams were also trying to clear Salary Cap Space, even if it meant giving up the First-Round Draft Picks in their hands.

These unusual moves made many people start paying attention to what might happen next summer.

Next summer, Durant, who had failed to reach an early extension with the Thunder, would become an unrestricted free agent.

Although Durant had suffered a severe injury last year, his performance after returning had not declined at all.

There were All-Star Players every summer, but Superstars were rare.

A weak team with Durant would instantly become a Playoff Team. A strong team with Durant would instantly become championship favorites. And if championship favorites got Durant, they might have a chance to build a dynasty!

Moreover, the Salary Cap would rise sharply next summer. As long as they cleared enough Salary Cap Space, they would have a chance to form a Big Three out of thin air, just like the Heat had done back then.

Horford, Conley, Whiteside, and Noah were all equally capable All-Star Players.

Trade rumors continued to swirl as the market churned.

With one day left until the Trade Deadline, the density of rumors reached