Pascal Siakam trades was initially on the prime of this text, however life strikes quick when the deadline approaches on February on 8. Masai Ujiri simply couldn’t wait till this column dropped earlier than dealing him, huh?
So, earlier than any extra trades happen, it’s time to have a look at another offers that would go down within the coming weeks. If something resembles the proposals beneath, be happy to present me all of the credit score. And if not, properly, toss my concepts into the ether — they’ll in all probability land beside these misplaced Siakam trades.
Let’s begin with the Lakers since they by no means get sufficient consideration.
To LAL: Dejounte Murray
To Atlanta: D’Angelo Russell, Max Christie, a 2024 or 2025 first-round decide (relying on NOP’s deferral), and a 2024 second-round decide (LAC)
Dejounte to the Lakers has been rumored for a while now, and whereas he isn’t the proper match, it’ll nonetheless improve an underperforming roster. Russell must be included for salary-matching functions, and the identical goes for Christie — though he has some worth given his age and restricted potential. The most important query right here is how Atlanta views Russell. He’s one of the vital polarizing gamers within the league, and there are undoubtedly loads of groups who imagine he has optimistic worth, and others who suppose the precise reverse. If we assume that he’s a internet impartial, then the opposite items must be sufficient to get this deal finished.
To LAL: DeMar DeRozan
To Chicago: D’Angelo Russell, Gabe Vincent, a 2024 or 2025 first-round decide (relying on NOP’s deferral), and a 2024 second-round decide (LAC)
Just like the earlier proposal, Russell and Vincent are included right here largely to match wage. Once more, DeMar isn’t an ideal match, however he not less than offers the Lakers one other ball-handler and creator. Chicago looks like they wish to commerce LaVine extra, however that’ll be a a lot more durable process given his monumental contract. DeRozan, in the meantime, can be a free agent on the finish of this season, so the Bulls are extra incentivized to get some worth in return earlier than he doubtlessly walks for nothing.
To OKC: Royce O’Neale
To Brooklyn: Aleksej Pokusevski, 2025 second-round decide (extra favorable of BOS and MEM), 2026 second-round decide (most favorable of OKC, DAL and PHL)
A easy commerce, OKC wants to start out utilizing their treasure trove of picks since they’ve a roster that’s ok to win now. With that stated, Sam Presti in all probability gained’t have an urge for food to accumulate gamers with contracts that reach previous this season on condition that they’ll have to pay Chet and wing Jalen Williams very quickly. O’Neale’s expiring wage, veteran presence, and three&D means thus make him an ideal goal, and hey, perhaps my beloved Poku can be freed in Brooklyn too.
To Boston: Jae’Sean Tate
To Houston: Oshae Brissett, Svi Mykhailiuk, Sam Hauser, 2024 second-round decide (from Dallas’), 2025 second-round decide (extra favorable of CHI and NOP)
The Celtics have one of the best top-six league-wide, however something past that’s questionable come playoff time. Tate, who’s largely fallen out of Houston’s rotation, may give Boston one other dependable wing defender off the bench. He’s not a lot of a scorer or shooter however that shouldn’t be a lot of an issue given the Cs’ plethora of perimeter creators. So long as Tate offers good protection and makes good cuts on offense, he ought to see some first rate minutes as a bench possibility for the remainder of the season.
To Orlando: Alec Burks
To Detroit: Gary Harris, 2025 second-round decide (much less favorable of BOS and MEM)
Though the Magic are nonetheless younger, they’re a lock to make the play-in and have a plethora of additional picks that can be utilized to improve the roster. Harris has been a very good veteran presence, however his lack of capturing means exacerbates what’s already the largest situation with Orlando’s roster. He’d be included on this deal to match wage in trade for an excellent shooter in Burks, and Detroit would get an additional second to compensate. Each gamers are on expiring offers too so the deal doesn’t have any lingering results previous this season.
To Milwaukee: Delon Wright
To Washington: Pat Connaughton, 2024 second-round decide (POR), 2027 second-round decide (MIL)
Milwaukee’s guard play behind Dame has been atrocious this season, and far of that may be attributed to Pat Connaughton’s decline. With three years remaining on his contract, the Bucks will doubtless want to connect a second-round decide to simply get off of his cash alone, and the extra second is akin to what Washington may get again for Delon Wright. It’s not an enormous transfer, however Milwaukee can be considerably shoring up their backup guard play whereas having a bit extra cap flexibility transferring ahead as properly.
To Philadelphia: Gordon Hayward
To Charlotte: Marcus Morris Sr., Robert Covington, 2024 second-round decide (center decide of CLE, IND and UTA), 2029 second-round decide (LAC)
To Philadelphia: Tyus Jones
To Washington: Furkan Korkmaz, Danuel Home Jr., Patrick Beverley, Mo Bamba, 2024 second-round decide (NYK), and 2029 second-round decide (Portland)
Philly would ideally like to accumulate a 3rd star, however nobody on the commerce market is a perfect match with this Sixers roster. Provided that Embiid’s within the midst of his finest season, although, Philly nonetheless must make strikes in order that his historic marketing campaign isn’t wasted. Getting each Hayward and Jones can be substantial upgrades for the group: a theoretical beginning 5 of Maxey-Melton-Hayward-Harris-Embiid can be top-of-the-line within the league, and the Sixers would even be a lot deeper with Jones, Batum, and Oubre Jr. all coming off the bench. Extra importantly, each Hayward and Jones are on expiring contracts, which nonetheless offers Philly the power to signal a max participant, and never giving up a first-rounder signifies that the Sixers will be capable of commerce as much as 5(!!) firsts this offseason.
