Weather has been very active the last week. Between the school delays, constant snowfall, and freezing temperatures, you might have missed some NBA headlines. Well, I have been keeping track of them, and I made a list just for you to enjoy.

1. Cavaliers make two trades in two days

We all know that Cleveland has not been doing well, especially since the injury that forced LeBron James out for two weeks. Well, they took big action over a two-day span, and hopefully, it will help them win games.

On January 7, Cleveland participated in a three-team trade with the Oklahoma City Thunder and New York Knicks. In the trade, the Cavaliers received J.R. Smith and Iman Shumpert from the Knicks, and a protected future first-round pick from the Thunder. The Thunder received Dion Waiters from the Cavs. The Knicks received Lance Thomas from the Thunder, and they got Alex Kirk, Lou Amundson, and a 2019 second-round draft pick from the Cavs.

The Cavaliers will be assisted tremendously by the trade.  Smith, who averaged 10.9 points and 2.8 assists per game with the Knicks, will help the team’s shooting, while Shumpert, who averaged 9.3 points and 3.3 assists per game with New York, will assist on wing defense. This is a field in which the Cavaliers are not doing well this season.

Dion Waiters, who has played for three seasons, had 10.5 points and 2.2 assists per game for the Cavaliers.

New York was trying to trade Shumpert, a four-year player, and Smith, an 11-year veteran, for a long time. It was also announced that the three players New York received in the trade were released shortly afterward in an effort to save money.

But, the Cavs were not done. On January 8, the Cavs traded two protected first-round picks to the Denver Nuggets for center Timofey Mozgov, who was being hunted by Cleveland for some time. This is a neat move for Cleveland, as Mozgov actually played under Cavaliers coach David Blatt on the Russian National Team in the 2012 Summer Olympics in London. (Russia won the bronze medal.) The need for him increased tremendously after center Anderson Varejao was lost for the season with a torn Achilles. This season with Denver, Mozgov averaged 8.5 points and 7.8 rebounds per game.

These are huge additions for Cleveland. Hopefully, they can start winning again after these trades; and, with any luck, they can win a championship with LeBron.

2. Lakers GM Kupchak mourns death of daughter

Los Angeles Lakers general manager Mitch Kupchak was worried about his team’s tendency to lose, and about Kobe Bryant. Unfortunately, team matters aren’t important anymore.

Kupchak’s daughter, Alina, died in the morning hours of January 5, after a long sickness, which was not specified. She was 15 years old.

In a statement, Kupchak and his wife, Claire, said, “The family asks for and appreciates their privacy at this difficult time, and would like to express their gratitude for everyone’s love, support, thoughts and prayers.” The couple also have an 18-year-old son named Maxwell.

Kupchak has been the GM for the Lakers for 15 years, and a member of their front office since 1986.

Byron Scott, coach of the Lakers, said this before the game against the Portland Trail Blazers: “We’re all hurt…It just kind of puts basketball in a different light. It’s not that important. … We sat down as coaches this morning and there wasn’t a whole lot of words to be said. Because as a parent, all of us have kids. And especially us fathers who have daughters, I can’t imagine being here and my daughter is not here. It’s not the way it’s supposed to happen. We send out our condolences to the Kupchak family.”

Doc Rivers, coach and president of basketball operations of the Los Angeles Clippers, also expressed his sadness over the loss. He said, “On behalf of the Los Angeles Clippers, I would like to send my condolences to the Kupchak family.”

I also share my condolences to the Kupchak family. Hopefully, they can get through this hard time.

3. 76ers earn first home win this season

On January 5, Philadelphia 76ers fans were not hopeful when the team hosted the Cleveland Cavaliers on Monday, January 5. Most were braving out the weather, and did not give Philly a big chance to win at home. Well, shooting guard Tony Wroten was tired of losing at home, and he took action.

With under 20 seconds left and the 76ers behind one point, 92-91, Wroten was able to split Cleveland’s defense and shoot up a shot from his left hand, which went through. The win was cemented with two made free throws by Robert Covington, who got the rebound after a Cleveland miss. Finally, the 76ers claimed victory at home, 95-92. Wroten had 20 points and eight assists off the bench, while Covington started the game, and finished with 16 points and six rebounds.

For Cleveland (19-16), Kevin Love netted a double-double with 28 points and 19 rebounds. Tristan Thomas added 18 points and nine rebounds. The Cavaliers were without Kyrie Irving, Lebron James, and Dion Waiters throughout the game.

It was the first home win for the 76ers (5-28), who had lost their previous 14 at Wells Fargo Center. Now, with how the Eastern Conference shaping up, Philly could have a reasonable shot at the playoffs. They are only 20.5 games back.

4. The Pistons win seven straight without Smith…

On December 23, 2014, the Detroit Pistons were suffering from a four game losing streak. They knew that Josh Smith was under-performing, and that he did not deserve the $27 million he was bound to get. Therefore, the Pistons released Smith on that day. That did not know it was going to be such a good decision.

Since that decision, the Pistons have been 7-1. In addition, before the loss on January 9, the Pistons won seven straight. This streak includes wins against the Cavaliers, San Antonio Spurs, and Dallas Mavericks. What is even more profound is that the four games played before Smith was waived, the Pistons all lost.

The decision to get rid of Smith has been great for Detroit, who is now 12-24. If they keep this up, they might have a shot at the playoffs.

5. …while the Knicks and Timberwolves still cannot win.

The New York Knicks and the Minnesota Timberwolves have one thing in common. No, it is not that the teams have cool names, because they do not. And no, it is not that they play with great players, because they do not have any. (Who likes Carmelo Anthony?). No, the similarity is that they both have not won for 15 games.

The Knicks and Timberwolves have lost 15 straight each. The Knicks last won on December 12, 2014, while the Timberwolves’s streak lasts two days longer. Their streak began December 10 of last year. But, in both of these streaks, the teams have lost big. The Knicks have suffered blowout losses to the Dallas Mavericks, Portland Trail Blazers, Detroit Pistons, Houston Rockets, and the Charlotte Bobcats, while Minnesota suffered knockout blows from the Oklahoma City Thunder, Cleveland Cavaliers, Milwaukee Bucks, and San Antonio Spurs.

Another big problem that these teams have is a lack of defense and offense. The Knicks (5-35) rank 29th in points scored per game with 92.9; The Timberwolves (5-31) are not that far behind. They are 21st in the league with 98.2 points scored per game. On the other side of the floor, the Timberwolves are dead last in the league, allowing an average of 108.3 points per game. The Knicks are also mediocre in this category. They are 22nd in the league, and they are allowing 101.9 points per game.

The Knicks are putting on a comedy show, and if they do not start winning, they might have to go into ‘tanking’ mode.

6. Meanwhile, the Hawks fly on.

The Atlanta Hawks have had a very surprising season so far. In a conference in which the Cleveland Cavaliers and Chicago Bulls were to rule, the Hawks have jumped into first place in the Eastern Conference. They have a 27-8 record, and are 2.5 games ahead of second place Chicago. In addition, they have a winning streak of their own.

The Hawks are riding on a seven-game winning streak. This includes wins against the Memphis Grizzlies, Cleveland Cavaliers, Los Angeles Clippers, and Portland Trail Blazers. All these teams have winning records. They are also 9-1 in the last ten games. Before a loss to the Milwaukee Bucks, they won against the Clippers, Dallas Mavericks, and Houston Rockets. In addition, they have the best 36-game start in the team’s history. They can be called unstoppable.

Compared to their 38-44 record last year, the Hawks look like they can glide their way into the NBA playoffs with a number one seed.

7.  Boston’s Green to Memphis in three team trade

The Memphis Grizzlies are in the midst of a tough battle in the Western Conference. They are narrowly behind the Dallas Mavericks, but just needed some extra help to get that boost. Well, they got it in a trade.

The Memphis Grizzlies received Jeff Green from the Boston Celtics and rookie Russ Smith from the New Orleans Pelicans in a three team trade. The Celtics received Tayshaun Prince and a protected first-round pick from Memphis. They also got Austin Rivers from New Orleans. The Pelicans got a second round draft pick and Quincy Pondexter from Memphis, while getting nothing from Boston.

Memphis (25-11), who are almost an automatic fit in the playoffs barring a catastrophic collapse, will be assisted greatly by Green’s ability to score. This year with Boston, he averaged 17.6 points per game, which led the team. He also contributed 4.24 rebounds per game in 33 games. R. Smith, who was picked in the second round of the 2014 draft, has only played six games this season, and averages 0.8 points per game. With these additions, Memphis should give Dallas a scare in the Southwestern Division.

Pondexter is used to New Orleans. He started his career with them in 2010 after a trade with the Oklahoma City Thunder. A defensive wonder, he was traded to the Grizzlies in 2011 so the Pelicans could get an experienced point guard in Greivis Vasquez. (Vasquez now plays for the Toronto Raptors. Point guard Chris Paul was traded from the Pelicans to the Los Angeles Clippers earlier in the month.) Now, with the Pelicans needing a guard and small forward, they can get back Pondexter, who can star in either position alongside fellow players Anthony Davis, Tyreke Evans, and Eric Gordon. Pondexter had 4.5 points and 1.9 rebounds per game with the Grizzlies this year. The Pelicans (18-18) will try to get over .500 on January 12, when they face the Celtics in Boston and continue their quest for a playoff spot.

This trade will help Boston (12-23) in the rebuilding process this season, especially with their multitude of draft picks. Hopefully, they can put them to good use.

8. Pau Gasol has historic night in win against Bucks

With Derrick Rose (left knee soreness) and Mike Dunleavy (right ankle) out for the game on January 10, the ropes fell on Pau Gasol for him to lead the Chicago Bulls against the Milwaukee Bucks. Well, he responded to his responsibility.

Gasol scored 46 points, a career high, and added 18 rebounds and three assists as he used a triple double to help the Bulls (26-12) beat the Bucks (20-19), 95-87. He got 17 out of 30 shots to go through the net, and 12 of 13 free throws. He is the first Bull to have at least 46 points and 18 rebounds since Michael Jordan had 69 points and 18 rebounds in a 117-113 OT win over Cleveland on March 28, 1990. In addition, he is the fourth player since the 1999-2000 season to have at least 46 points and 18 rebounds in a game. Kevin Durant, Shaquille O’Neal, and Chris Webber are also part of this exclusive club.

“He wasn’t going to let us lose [the game],” Tom Thibodeau, coach of the Bulls, said.

Kirk Hinrich had 16 points, and Jimmy Butler had a game with a career high ten assists. He also contributed nine points and eight rebounds.

The Bulls are in a shooting cold right now. Against the Utah Jazz and Washington Wizards, their two previous opponents, the team shot a combined 36% from the field. They lost both games. They only shot 40% from the field against the Bucks, but Gasol helped them hang on.

In comparison to the team, Gasol could be a one-man powerhouse. He scored 46 points in the game, while the rest of the team combined scored 47 points. In addition, Gasol made 17 field goals, while the other players in Chicago uniforms had 17 combined. In addition, Gasol had a 56.6 field goal percentage. The rest of the team: 31.0%.

For the Bucks, Brandon Knight had 20 rebounds, five assists, and five rebounds, while Jared Dudley came off the bench to add 15 points and four assists.

In his first year in Chicago, Gasol is averaging 18.7 points and 11.3 rebounds per game this season.

With this kind of production from Gasol, the Chicago Bulls can continue their run for the playoffs.