May 17, 2024
Trae Young
Young and Atlanta are about to split, and the mediocre Hawks need to get as many assets as possible to add pieces to the No. 1 pick of the 2024 NFL Draft. There are several teams who could help Atlanta with that process.
Nets
Because of their draft assets, large tradable contracts and younger talent, notably Cam Thomas, there is not a team that has the assets for a blockbuster deal like the Nets. If they were to trade two first-round picks, their stud talent Cam Thomas, and Cam Johnson – for the salary room-, they could get an All-Star next to Mikal Bridges.
Heat
Is Young the kind of guy that the Heat normally go for? No, but given the huge contract discussions with All-Stars Jimmy Butler and Bam Adebayo, a trade for Young would signal “title or bust” for the Heat who are desperate to win again. Miami could probably make it work, though it would be expensive with two first-round picks, Duncan Robinson and Jaime Jaquez.
Warriors
The Warriors are desperate to win again with Stephen Curry, and they have the mix of contracts – Chris Paul -, picks and talent to make a deal. Although Young’s fit would be odd, Steve Kerr can make it work. The price would be something like Chris Paul and three first-round choices?
Raptors
The Raptors seem to not be aware if they are re-building or not. They could speed said re-build if they were to sign and trade Immanuel Quickley to Atlanta alongside some of their many draft picks for Young.
Jazz
This is a darkhorse, but the Jazz have a ridiculous amount of assets to trade. If they want to try and get Young they could, but that isn’t really Danny Ainge’s style.
Lauri Markkanen
Markkanen is 29 and the Jazz are rebuilding, so they need to trade him while he is still an All-Star. That would give them further picks and talent to help them build the roster.
Nets
Again, the Nets have the pieces to make the strong trade, and they must give Bridges a true No. 1 scoring option. They would have little issue making a Cam Johnson-and-pick trade.
76ers
Joel Embiid and Markannen would be fun, and as it’s quite obvious the 76ers want to make a trade to add star talent, so Philadelphia and Atlanta could make a deal. That would give the 76ers the No. 1 big duo in the league.
Heat
The Heat are lacking a No. 1 scorer, and Markkanen would give them that scoring as well as the No. 1 big duo in the East. A deal involving Tyler Herro and a couple of first-round selections to Utah makes sense.
Kings
Defensively, you have to be a bit concerned about a Domantas Sabonis-Lauri Markkanen big-man duo, but it would be epic on offense. The Kings need that third star, and Markkanen could be that for them. They would have to trade two or three first-round picks, alongside Kevin Hueter and some kind of salary margin.
Lakers
An Anthony Davis-Lauri Markkanen big-man duo would rival the Timberwolves for the No. 1 in the West, plus the Lakers need a third star. They have three first-round choices and the contracts to make the trade. I love the fit of Markkanen on the Lakers.
Paul George
Paul George has a habit of jumping teams when he losesm and with the Clippers not willing to pay the 33-year-old a max contract, he may leave. His departure would likely be a sign-and-trade, as the club won’t want to lose him for zero assets.
76ers
The 76ers are being talked about regarding most stars because they really want to pair Embiid and Tyrese Maxey with another legitimate star. Getting George would cost a lot, but such a team could challenge Boston.
Knicks
Basically, if you are not Jalen Brunson, Josh Hart or OG Anunoby, you could be included to get the Knicks another All-Star. Then they can try, and fail, to beat the Celtics.
Nets
Due to the Nets’ treasure trove of assets and desire to improve, they have to be mentioned if there is an All-Star available. George isn’t a strong age fit, but he’s obtainable.
Kings
The Kings need another All-Star, and although a Zach Lavine deal makes more sense for them, if they were to include Keegan Murray, Harrison Barnes and picks, it could work.
Bucks
Really, the Bucks need to look at their options for improvement. Although there is very, very little chance this actually happens, stranger blockbusters have been made. Milwaukee could trade Khris Middleton and picks.
Jimmy Butler
Jimmy Butler is not a free agent, but can sign a two-season, $110 million contract to stay with the Heat. Due to being 33, expensive and the Heat not likely winning soon, it seems they may choose to trade or sign then trade Butler, who would be coveted around the NBA. Miami’s focus is on Bam Adebayo. Due to Butler’s age and cost, only teams that truly feel like he can be their missing piece should apply.
76ers
The 76ers would much rather pay Butler than Tobias Harris, but they would need to make a trade for Butler. The only real fit are sign-and-trades involving Butler alongside Buddy Hield and Kelly Oubre. A three-team deal with Harris also makes sense.
Knicks
The Knicks need a third guy to go with OG Anunoby and Jalen Brunson, and an aging Butler makes sense for that spot. It would cost the Knicks probably two of Miles McBride, Josh Hart and Donte DiVincenzo, but then they could challenge the Celtics.
Rockets
Jalen Green and two first-round picks might be the No. 1 deal the Rockets get based on potential, but they have what it takes to get him on the team.
Donovan Mitchell
Donovan Mitchell has one season remaining on his Cleveland deal, but likely will not re-sign. That means the Cavaliers need to get as many assets as they can, because they still have pieces to compete, at least a little.
Nets
The Nets have picks galore, Cam Thomas, Cam Johnson’s contract, and many other pieces to make a blockbuster deal. Pairing Mitchell with Mikal Bridges would makes Brooklyn an elite team in the East.
Rockets
The West’s version of the Nets, the Rockets are stacked with assets and can also easily trade for Mitchell using Jalen Green and three or four picks. Acquiring Mitchell would make Houston relevant again.
Lakers
There’s no doubt that the Lakers want Mitchell, but if they can string together a package that works is the question. The Lakers would have to trade Austin Reaves and three first-round choices, at the minimum.
Heat
Mitchell isn’t much of a defender, and that’s not really the Heat way. Some players, however, are bigger than culture, and Mitchell is a superstar. Miami needs a true No. 1.
Knicks
You would hate to see the Knicks have to trade away valuable players, but it would cost them least two of Donte DiVincenzo, Miles McBride and Josh Hart, as well as most of their picks.
Warriors
A Chris Paul and four-pick package deal for Mitchell would be expensive, but that is the kind of thing the Warriors need to contend again. This would extend Stephen Curry’s prime.
Zach Lavine
Zach Lavine is 29 and has a ridiculously expensive deal the Bulls want to rid themselves of. He may be a recent two-time All-Star, but it won’t take many assets to make a deal.
Lakers
The Lakers need a third star, and due to the fact that Chicago wants him gone ASAP, he’s probably the strongest fit among available “stars.” Legitimately, Rui Hachimura, Gabe Vincent and a first-round selection could make a deal for Lavine happen.
Warriors
The Warriors need a reliable 20-plus-point scorer next to Stephen Curry and Lavine would fit that. It would also take some burden from their young guys, who feel they have to score more. Chris Paul and his one-season contract for Lavine – straight one-to-one – would likely be accepted because the Bulls want to trade him so much.
Kings
The Kings have to find a third star, and Lavine is one of their only chances to legitimately get one. Kevin Hueter, Davion Mitchell and salary filler would probably work for him.
Nets
The Nets need another scorer, and Lavine for Ben Simmons and his one-season contract would financially be huge for the Bulls.
Brandon Ingram
The Pelicans want to trade the star forward because they won’t give him a max deal, which he has earned. The two-time All-Star is just 26 years old and a walking 20-5-5 three, so it’s hard to consider which teams wouldn’t want him. Personally, I cannot fathom why the uber-small-market Pelicans would trade a star in his prime, but they must assume Ingram and Zion Williamson cannot win together. There’s also talk that the Pelicans won’t sign starting big man Jonas Valanciunas, so I have no clue what they’re trying.
76ers
Due to the obvious awareness that the 76ers are desperate for a third star player, Ingram has to be in the mix. He also would cost less than many star players. It would have to be a sign-and-trade for a few 76ers – Kelly Oubre and Buddy Hield primarily – and at least two first-round picks.
Kings
Ingram fits Sacramento’s age range, and it would cost some legitimate assets, such as two or three first-round picks and a talented young talent. Would the Kings add Keegan Murray? I would.
Nets
The Nets have the assets to trade for Ingram and barely sweat because they have more picks than they can use, as well as the salary and talent. Ingram would be an excellent fit with Mikal Bridges, and the Nets really, really, really need a No. 1 scorer.
Rockets
The Rockets really want an All-Star, but will likely want a bigger name. So why is Ingram here? He would really, really help them.
Heat
The Heat aren’t very pleased with the aging Jimmy Butler and may trade him. This means they will need a No. 1 scorer, which was a team issue. Ingram also fits the age range of Miami’s core players.
Bulls
As a Chicaogan, this spoke to me and I had to add the Bulls. I have no idea how they would make this work, but it’s a chance to improve my team. Would New Orleans take Zach Lavine and three first-round choices?
Nikola Vucevic
As a Bulls fan, I’m not a Vucevic fan, and he is still has two years and $40 million left on his deal, but he is the rare big man who is truly skilled at scoring inside. He is one of the league’s elite rebounders, but he has zero defensive talent. Yes, Vucevic was an All-Star several seasons ago, which still counts.
Nets
The Nets are rumored to be losing Nic Claxton this offseason, and they will need a center. They could really use a true big man who can score, so the fit with Vucevic could work. A Vucevic-for-Ben Simmons deal, who only has one season remaining, is one I could see.
Warriors
The Warriors haven’t had a true center in a long time, and adding the 7-foot, 250-pound Vucevic would give them a legitimate scorer in the paint. It’s a part of their game that they have been missing. Trading Andrew Wiggins’ big contract would work for Golden State, and he’d really assist Chicago.
Grizzlies
Memphis has no center, and although he isn’t the team’s normal type of five, he’s solid, available and would fits with Jaren Jackson Jr. A trade involving Vucevic and several picks could net the Bulls Desmond Bane to give them a second youngish guard to build around.
Pelicans
The Pelicans will soon be losing Jonas Valanciunas, so why not try for a somewhat similar big man to pair with Zion Williamson? A sign-and-trade of Valanciunas could work.
Julius Randle
The Knicks, to me, are superior lacking the All-Star big man, which I have said for awhile is overrated and not a winner. With the Knicks’ playoff run, they may agree, so there’s a chance they could deal Randle. It’s not a huge chance, but a real one.
Lakers
The Lakers drafted Randle and could pair him with Anthony Davis, adding serious size to their small big group. If Randle could temper his shot selection, he could really perform well. A simple trade of a first-round selection and Austin Reaves could work, as the Knicks need another scoring and playmaking guard.
Pistons
The Pistons want veterans, and Randle could jump into the four spot and be the second scorer to Cade Cunningham. It would fill two needs for the Pistons, and they could deal Isaiah Stewart, Marcus Sasser and a pick. That’s a versatile, rather cheap, starting big and a first-round sixth man.
Heat
Jimmy Butler for Julius Randle? It may just be that easy. Word is that Miami wants to move on from Butler, and Randle is cheaper and younger, plus would help the Heat compete in the East.
Bradley Beal
Beal isn’t the issue in Phoenix. He’s just their only trade chip, and the Suns need depth. Should they trade him? That’s for them to choose, but it’s possible.
76ers
The 76ers really want to add talent and win, and if they were willing to trade, technically sign them first, a mix of free agents like Buddy Hield, Mo Bamba and more, they could make Beal their No. 3 option.
Cavaliers
If the Cavaliers can somehow keep Donovan Mitchell, they will want to add talent. A trade of Beal and a pick swap for Max Strus and Caris LeVert would be a nice two-for-one.
Pistons
Beal is yet another veteran guy I could easily see the Pistons targeting. If they were to trade Isaiah Stewart and Marcus Sasser, plus sign and trade James Wiseman, that could work well.
