The two veterans were specifically added to the pool of players available for selection by National Basketball Association commissioner Adam Silver.
Especially since they were unable to make much noise at the deadline themselves, despite the persistent Anthony Davis rumors.
The format of having two team captains - selected by virtue of getting the most fan votes in their respective conferences - draft their all-star teammates without regard to conference is in its second year, but Thursday marked the first time the process was televised. The Raptors added center Marc Gasol to play alongside Kawhi Leonard, while the Bucks traded for Nikola Mirotic to compliment Giannis Antetokounmpo. "Every time I take a hit, I'm able to nudge it off and keep going", he said. I think it's going to be random. James took Wade, his former Miami and Cleveland teammate and longtime close friend.
Barkley's suggestion prompted laughter from the two captains, who were tasked with picking four starters in the first round and seven reserves in the second round each. Not only did Embiid lose the chance to play with his real-life teammate in the All-Star Game, he was stuck with Westbrook, who has made no bones of his dislike for Embiid.
The Milwaukee Bucks star then selected Philadelphia's Joel Embiid before adding Paul George and Kemba Walker.
Klay Thompson, Damian Lillard, Russell Westbrook, LaMarcus Aldridge, Karl-Anthony Towns and Bradley Beal completed the squad.