The trade deadline is always a stressful time for NBA players, many of whom don't know whether they'll be playing in the same city or searching for a new place to live before the 3 p.m. deadline. Thanks to the wonders of social media, that stress can sometimes play out live in front of a worldwide audience.
The star of NBA Twitter on Thursday had to be Orlando Magic guard Terrence Ross, who seemed like the only longtime Magic player who was NOT traded on deadline day. Ross tweeted through it as best he could.
😫😫😫😫
— Terrence Ross (@TerrenceRoss) March 25, 2021
— Terrence Ross (@TerrenceRoss) March 25, 2021
🤣🤣🤣🤣 pic.twitter.com/OAgoHm9eLy
— Terrence Ross (@TerrenceRoss) March 25, 2021
— Terrence Ross (@TerrenceRoss) March 25, 2021
Lol if you don't laugh, you cry 🤣🤣🤣
— Terrence Ross (@TerrenceRoss) March 25, 2021
The story was the same in Chicago, where All-Star Zach LaVine watched much of the roster change around him.
😳
— Zach LaVine (@ZachLaVine) March 25, 2021
When Rajon Rondo was traded to the LA Clippers, players from around the league had reaction -- and jokes -- on both sides, particularly with Lou Williams headed to Atlanta, where he got in some pre-bubble trouble last season.
Appreciate your presence bro! @TeamLou23 that one hurt. 😔
— Marcus Morris (@MookMorris2) March 25, 2021
Rondo to the clippers.... best trade today
— Draymond Green (@Money23Green) March 25, 2021
Lou about to have them Magic City wings everyday
— Josh Hart (@joshhart) March 25, 2021
Striking a more serious tone, Williams himself admitted to considering retirement after the deal, but decided to return to Atlanta, where he previously played from 2012 to 2014.
Meanwhile, Portland Trail Blazers guard CJ McCollum was sleeping on the action -- literally.
Always indecisive on this day. To take a pregame nap or not? That is the question. Every time I go to sleep theday of the trade deadline I miss all the interesting news and movement.
— CJ McCollum (@CJMcCollum) March 25, 2021
Nap time. Blessings and enjoy the deadline ✌🏾 🙏🏽
— CJ McCollum (@CJMcCollum) March 25, 2021
That left teammate Jusuf Nurkic to bid the initial farewell to Gary Trent Jr. and Rodney Hood, who were traded to the Toronto Raptors.
— Jusuf Nurkić (@bosnianbeast27) March 25, 2021
— Jusuf Nurkić (@bosnianbeast27) March 25, 2021
McCollum did eventually wake up, and shared multiple tweets about Trent and Hood, including these heartfelt images.
— CJ McCollum (@CJMcCollum) March 25, 2021
Multiple Denver Nuggets players were saddened by the departure of longtime teammate Gary Harris, who is headed to Orlando in the deal to bring Aaron Gordon to Denver.
Tough day man 😔
— Monte Morris (@BigGameTae) March 25, 2021
Never one to miss out on a good tweeting opportunity, Philadelphia 76ers center Joel Embiid had some advice on how the Oklahoma City Thunder should use Tony Bradley, his former backup in Philadelphia.
Y'all better do it... He's the TRUTH!!!!! @okcthunder https://t.co/vlctOjlGU2
— Joel "Troel" Embiid (@JoelEmbiid) March 25, 2021
