The NBA’s ‘Untouchables’

The NBA has seen some monster trades over the last few days, including arguably the biggest trade in NBA history as Luka Doncic was sent to the Lakers. But following the big trades of the week including Doncic, Davis and Lavine, here’s who exactly are the ‘untouchable’ players.

The Obvious Ones

When we think of untouchable players in the NBA, its pretty obvious as to who will most likely never be traded, but following the Luka Doncic trade, player trade protection is looking less and less, and some of those ‘untouchable’ players will have to keep their guard up.

Before the Luka trade, himself and Anthony Davis probably would have made this category simply because of what they bring to their teams, and the value they have, making them non-trade candidates. But this massive trade, including two of the league's best players, has completely changed the NBA market landscape forever.

So which one of the untouchables are left. Well number one has to be Victor Wembanyama. The former first overall pick is already playing like an all star, and will probably lead the Spurs to a championship one day, and the chances of him being traded are more than slim. Wembanayama who came into the league as a generational talent, already being one of the top 10 centres in the league, the Spurs will likely never trade the Frenchman, and has changed the Spurs franchise for the better. Similarly to Wembanyama, Shai Gilgeous Alexander from the Oklahoma City Thunder is another player who has revived OKC as a franchise, and being traded isn't a thought that could ever be in his mind. Although being traded by the Clippers in 2019, Shai is nowhere near the trade block now. With and MVP caliber season on his hands, and an extremely good chance of taking the Thunder all the way, Shai is there to stay in OKC for the foreseeable future.

With Wembanyama and Shai being the two 100% locks to stay put, there are still some others who wont see a trade anytime soon, but following the Luka trade, they definitely shouldn't be too comfortable. 

For example, it's silly to say Steph Curry is at risk of being traded, being one of the Warriors greatest ever players, but definitely not 100% safe. Steph is locked up in Golden State until 2027, and has a pretty massive, and rather unappealing contract to other NBA teams, and is a contract unlikely to be picked up, indicating Steph will be a Warrior until retirement. At his age, and what he can still give to the game on top of his monster contract, it's very unlikely any team will go in for Curry, and even more unlikely that Golden State would answer any calls regarding Steph, making him one of the untouchable stars of the league.

Now with a player like Luka being traded, it was hard for me to put Giannis into this category, because if Luka’s up for grabs, so is Giannis. Giannis for me isn't untouchable, and had he decided to leave, he definitely could be traded in the future. On the other hand, it was easy for me to put LeBron and Jokic in this category for one simple reason. Their names. Denver isn't the team it is now without Jokic, and isn't a household name in the NBA without him. Differently with LeBron, the Lakers are still arguably the most popular team in the world, by why so now compared to the past? Because of LeBron. Trading two of the greatest players of all time would be more than a shock, and probably make this list irrelevant, so understand these two are here to stay. Aside from what both have done for their teams, winning championships, and bringing back the culture, they are two massive players for the markets of the teams, and that's why they will never be traded, and cap of the five players in the NBA who actually are ‘untouchable’.

The ‘Hear Me Out’s’ 

If there was one thing that the Luka Doncic trade taught us, it would be that your team's big star is not safe, and anybody is up for grabs, even the likes of Giannis and LaMelo Ball. So here are some of my ‘hear me out’, and some players that could be traded in the near future.

Now for me Giannis is one of these all star players who isn't 100% safe in Milwaukee, and could eventually find a new home in the NBA. Giannis clearly stated all he ever wanted to do was win the championship, and has stated on multiple occasions that he would love to play with some of the biggest players in the league. Now I'm not saying Giannis is going to demand a trade, or even want to be traded, but nor did Doncic. Giannis is one of those players that I can definitely see being involved in a similar trade to the Luka trade, and as he gets older, becomes a great asset for the Bucks as they progressively age as a team and start to decline. Even as he gets older, the Bucks may look to utilise Giannis to trade for a massive haul, and could be one of the classic NBA one player trades who joins a playoff team, and for me it’s a 50/50 as to whether he retires as a Buck.

Differently to Giannis’s situation, I really believe LaMelo Ball isn't anywhere near untouchable. With the Hornets showing no sign of progression, and LaMelo Ball being the way to go for the franchise, LaMelo has already begun to attract trade interest, and could be a very good asset for Charlotte to start over again. LaMelo and his talent will easily fix Charlotte a massive haul of players and picks, and with LaMelo’s ability, and playoff value, I think he is definitely one to watch on the trade block in the next few years, even maybe come the trade deadline. The Hornets wont particularly want to give up LaMelo, but it's safe to say after five years of playing for a painfully bad Hornets team, LaMelo despite signing that long term deal, will definitely prefer to be someplace else, and competing with the best of the best.

There are a massive number of players in the league who could be on the end of the trade block when they least expect it, but in a realistic world, the Mavs messed up on the Luka trade, and most general managers won't just deal their biggest player. But it is definitely something to think about after the trade as to whether some general managers may take a big gamble on some of their big players, and potentially cash in when it benefits them the most.