The NBA offseason is an exciting time for basketball fans. Blockbuster trades, free agency signings, and coaching changes keep NBA fans on their toes. It seems as if a new development arises daily. This exhilarating period for NBA fans, however, corresponds to one of uncertainty and confusion for NBA players. The prevalence of the “win-now” mentality in the NBA has motivated organizations to frequently reconstruct their team - despite the long tenure and strong commitment of some of their players. Regarding front offices, loyalty has seemingly become obsolete. The decisions made by organizations imply that they owe these players nothing. Even over the past two weeks, this attitude has been reflected in trades.

The most notable headline this offseason so far has been the Chris Paul and Bradley Beal trade. In a recent interview, Chris Paul revealed that he was shocked to discover that he had been traded. Rather than finding out from the Suns' organization directly, he was informed by a text message from his son while on a flight. Mind you, Chris Paul and the Suns were just two games away from winning the championship three seasons ago. In the interview, Chris Paul did his best to conceal his frustration but it was apparent that he felt betrayed. A few days ago, Marcus Smart - the longest-tenured Boston Celtic of this era - was traded to the Memphis Grizzlies. Smart had been the heart and soul of the team for nearly a decade, and much of their success could arguably be attributed to him. Yet, Smart said that he did not see the trade coming. “Shock” and “hurt” were two words he used to describe how he felt. This lack of transparency between organizations and players is not unprecedented. 

In the 2018-19 season, Dallas Mavericks forward Harrison Barnes was traded to the Sacramento Kings mid-game. Yes, that’s right. He was traded while he was playing in a game with a Mavericks uniform on. News broke during the game and quickly made its way to Barnes from the stands. In 2017, the all-star point guard, Isaiah Thomas, was traded from the Boston Celtics to the Cleveland Cavaliers. Despite only being 5’9”, Thomas carried the Celtics to the Eastern Conference Finals in back-to-back seasons. He also received a handful of MVP votes in these seasons. Whenever he stepped on the court for Boston, Thomas gave the city his all. Most admirably, in 2017, he played in a playoff game the day after his sister was killed in a single-vehicle accident. Not only did he drop 33 points in this game, but he channeled his heartbreak into a competitive fire for Boston. However, his dedication to the team did not exempt him from the business side of the league. He was traded in the subsequent offseason. These are just a few examples from a long list. 

I am fully aware that at the end of the day, the NBA is a business. Teams aspire to compete at the highest level each season to generate revenue and entertain fans across the world. That said, there should still be a level of professionalism and communication honored between organizations and players. Although it may be difficult for teams to remain loyal to players in this era of basketball, they should strive to be as transparent as possible with the players.