Is it the calm before the storm or an indication that things won’t be that wild at the trade deadline, now six days away on February 6 (at 3:00 p.m. ET)? History might suggest one answer, the new CBA’s intricacies another.
In the past, nothing big moves until the biggest trade piece gets dealt (and we all know who that is,) then the flood gates open, usually 48 to 72 hours before the deadline, with the majority of trades taking place in the last 24 hours but some pushing right up the 3:00 p.m. ET deadline..
This year with so many teams at or near an apron or threshold or cap, GMs might find it challenging to make big moves considering the financial implications for their owners.