SEC News: NBA Trade Deadline, LSU tops preseason coaches poll

FAYETTEVILLE, ARKANSAS - APRIL 16: Head Coach Jay Johnson of the LSU Tigers on the field before a game against the Arkansas Razorbacks at Baum-Walker Stadium at George Cole Field on April 16, 2022 in Fayetteville, Arkansas. The Razorbacks defeated the Tigers 6-2. (Photo by Wesley Hitt/Getty Images)
FAYETTEVILLE, ARKANSAS - APRIL 16: Head Coach Jay Johnson of the LSU Tigers on the field before a game against the Arkansas Razorbacks at Baum-Walker Stadium at George Cole Field on April 16, 2022 in Fayetteville, Arkansas. The Razorbacks defeated the Tigers 6-2. (Photo by Wesley Hitt/Getty Images)

Here is everything you need to know from across the SEC on Thursday, headlined by a few notable former conference stars switching teams at the 2023 NBA Trade Deadline.

LSU picked to win SEC in 2023 preseason coaches poll

Released on Thursday morning, LSU has been picked to win the SEC this season according to the conference’s 14 coaches. The full 2023 preseason coaches poll, as well as preseason All-SEC teams, can be found here.

Former Arkansas G Patrick Beverley traded to Orlando Magic

Former Arkansas guard Patrick Beverley was traded Thursday from the Los Angeles Lakers to the Orlando Magic. Beverley, the 2006-07 SEC Freshman of the Year, is currently in his 11th season in the NBA, and was averaging 6.4 PPG, 3.1 RPG, and 2.6 APG across 45 games with the Lakers so far this season, each of which he started.

Former Kentucky G John Wall traded to Houston Rockets

Former Kentucky guard John Wall was traded Thursday as part of a three-team deal, going from the Los Angeles Clippers to the Houston Rockets, whom he had previously played for during the 2020-21 season. Wall, who was the 2009-10 SEC Player of the Year among other honors, is currently in his 13th season in the NBA, and had averaged 11.4 PPG, 2.7 RPG, and 5.2 APG across 34 games with the Clippers.

Former Kentucky F Kevin Knox traded to Portland Trail Blazers

Kevin Knox, a former Kentucky forward who was the 2017-18 SEC Freshman of the Year, was traded Thursday from the Detroit Pistons to the Portland Trail Blazers as part of a multi-team deal. Knox is currently in his fifth season in the NBA, and was averaging 5.6 PPG and 2.6 RPG across 42 games in Detroit.

Former Tennessee G Josh Richardson traded to New Orleans Pelicans

Former Tennessee guard Josh Richardson was traded from the San Antonio Spurs to the New Orleans Pelicans on Thursday. Richardson is currently in his eighth season in the NBA, and is currently averaging 11.5 PPG, 2.8 RPG, and 3.3 APG.