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The day after the All-Star weekend ended, stars from the Eastern and Western Conference embarked on their journeys home.
Usually, the period before and after the All-Star weekend often symbolizes a watershed in an NBA season.
From now on, weaker teams play to lose in hopes of better draft positions, while stronger teams must win as much as possible for better rankings.
Before the teams make their final sprint, the management has a big stage to step onto.
That is the annual trade deadline.
Every year, the trade deadline serves as a chance for tormented star players to be liberated.
This year, there are just as many players hoping to be freed.
The Timberwolves' Kevin Garnett, for the past couple of years, has been strongly hinted by the team's various moves: KG, go ahead, you don't owe Minnesota anything anymore.
In previous years, they let go of Tskitishvili.