NBA Trade Deadline 2017: Best-Case Trade Scenarios for Every Team
The Feb. 23 trade deadline won't treat every NBA team well.
Some squads will surely be stuck scrounging for solutions after 3 p.m. EST has come and gone. Others will get suckered into disadvantageous deals—one already has (cough, Sacramento Kings, cough). A handful will emerge as winners, strengthening their positions for either rebuilds or runs deep into the 2017 postseason.
We're playing a different game here, one where every team gets its best shot at its best bet. Yes, each individual trade still has to conform to cap restrictions and must be reasonable for all sides involved. But the same names can (and will) appear multiple times.
After all, multiple teams can (and often do) covet the same prizes, right?
Atlanta Hawks
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Atlanta Hawks Get: K.J. McDaniels, 2017 second-round pick (via Denver Nuggets), 2017 second-round pick (via Portland Trail Blazers)
Houston Rockets Get: Thabo Sefolosha
The Atlanta Hawks need to accept the inevitable—to an extent, at least.
They aren't going to compete with the top teams in the Eastern Conference during a seven-game series, and they must act accordingly. That doesn't mean packaging Paul Millsap and committing to a full-scale rebuild, but it does mean they should trade Thabo Sefolosha's expiring contract to a team starving for defensive assistance on the wings.
The Houston Rockets fit the billing, especially because they can offer an unused wing with enduring potential. K.J. McDaniels may enjoy a brighter future under head coach Mike Budenholzer's supervision, and the Hawks can go after two upside plays in a loaded 2017 draft even if he doesn't work out.
Sefolosha, in a vacuum, may seem worthy of a larger return, but his enduring groin injury and the fact he'll hit free agency this summer make this the most the Hawks can reasonably expect for his services.
Boston Celtics
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Boston Celtics Get: Jimmy Butler
Chicago Bulls Get: Amir Johnson, Terry Rozier, James Young, 2017 first-round pick (via pick swap with Brooklyn Nets)
Let's dream big.
"It's been a trade that has been circulating for the better part of a year now," Sporting News' Sean Deveney wrote. "It's a good and sensible marriage—the Bulls have Jimmy Butler, a star player who can hold his own on both ends of the floor, and the Celtics have a bevy of valued assets, from draft picks in the next three years, to stashed overseas players, to productive youngsters."
Even if the two sides haven't been able to reach a reasonable agreement in real life, the ideal scenario for the Boston Celtics still involves landing the best player thought to be (at least somewhat) on the market. They have the assets to do so, as long as they're willing to give up 2017's potential No. 1 pick and some of their young talent.
Terry Rozier's inclusion shouldn't be a hurdle. Nor should that top selection, as it's exceedingly rare that even the first picks wind up playing at Jimmy Butler's current level.
Make it happen, Danny Ainge.
Brooklyn Nets
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Brooklyn Nets Get: Al Jefferson, Rodney Stuckey, 2017 first-round pick, 2018 second-round pick
Indiana Pacers Get: Brook Lopez
The Brooklyn Nets need to ship off their veteran pieces and acquire young talents capable of expediting this continual rebuild. Failing that, they must get their hands on draft picks that can help make up for the previous regime failures.
"The price on Brook Lopez has dropped, league sources say. Instead of two first-rounders, word is Brooklyn would accept a first and a second," ESPN.com's Marc Stein reported. And that's exactly the package the Nets should be seeking, so long as it comes with players who don't burden the Nets with exorbitant long-term financial commitments.
The Indiana Pacers, who former New York Post writer Peter Vecsey linked to Lopez on Twitter, can do exactly that, matching salaries with the inclusions of Al Jefferson and Rodney Stuckey. While the latter has a player option for a meager $7 million in 2017-18, the former is owed just under $20 million for the next two seasons—a reasonable sum in the new cap climate.
If Lopez can turn into two solid—and affordable—rotation pieces, as well as coveted draft picks, it would be hard for Brooklyn to say no.
Charlotte Hornets
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Charlotte Hornets Get: Darren Collison
Sacramento Kings Get: Jeremy Lamb, 2018 second-round pick (via Cleveland Cavaliers/Brooklyn Nets)
The Charlotte Hornets still need help when Kemba Walker isn't playing.
It's troubling enough the team's net rating plunges from 3.9 to minus-7.7 when he leaves the floor. It's downright disconcerting that the excessive responsibilities are now affecting his play, as he was showing significant signs of wear and tear before the All-Star break—something that will torpedo this team during the stretch run.
Ramon Sessions, Brian Roberts and Ray McCallum haven't cut it as backup point guards, and that's not likely to change. But the Hornets could capitalize on a team engaging in an all-out fire sale by making a move to acquire Darren Collison from the Sacramento Kings.
At this point, it shouldn't take much to get Collison. The biggest potential hurdle could be the simple fact that the speedy floor general is overqualified to serve as an undisputed backup. But if he's willing to take on that important role and keep Walker fresh, the Hornets may not have to rule out a playoff appearance quite yet.
Chicago Bulls
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Chicago Bulls Get: Amir Johnson, James Young, 2019 first-round pick (via Los Angeles Clippers, lottery protected), 2017 second-round pick (via Minnesota Timberwolves)
Boston Celtics Receive: Taj Gibson, Doug McDermott
The Bulls could go plenty of different ways before the deadline. They could deal the aforementioned players. They could find a new home for Nikola Mirotic, though they might have to attach a draft pick just to get someone to bite. They could even seriously shop Jimmy Butler—a strategy that won't qualify as ideal.
But this is the simplest and best option: They can tread water in the short term with Amir Johnson while improving their long-term prospects.
Originally proposed here, this deal would allow the Chicago Bulls to unclog their frontcourt, escape from the remaining year of Doug McDermott's contract and add some serious upside.
No, we're not talking about James Young. That ship has just about sailed, though a throw-in with some enduring potential never hurts the team giving up the established player (Taj Gibson). Earning another first-round pick is what does the trick.
Cleveland Cavaliers
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Cleveland Cavaliers Get: Shelvin Mack
Utah Jazz Get: 2017 second-round pick (via Charlotte Hornets)
The Cleveland Cavaliers still need their playmaker.
Though they could make a bigger play and go after Darren Collison, a smaller endeavor is more ideal. There's no reason to disrupt this roster much, as it's still sitting atop the Eastern Conference and should be the prohibitive favorite to get back to the NBA Finals in defense of its 2016 title.
Shelvin Mack is the play. He's fallen out of the Utah Jazz rotation and shouldn't take much to acquire, allowing the Cavaliers to maintain their current rotation and add a backup point guard for nothing more than a second-round pick. Thanks to trade exceptions, the Cavs don't even have to send a player back in return, just absorbing him into the created space.
Mack isn't a glamorous addition, but glamour isn't what Cleveland needs.
Dallas Mavericks
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Dallas Mavericks Get: Jahlil Okafor
Philadelphia 76ers Get: Devin Harris, 2018 first-round pick (lottery protected through 2019)
Sean Deveney of Sporting News previously linked Jahlil Okafor to the Dallas Mavericks, and the move still makes sense.
Dallas has to make some sort of upside play. In almost every other location, Okafor's lack of shooting range and defensive inadequacies would render him nearly unplayable, but coach Rick Carlisle has turned far less talented players into usable assets before.
Plus, Okafor shouldn't cost much anymore.
Whereas the Philadelphia 76ers' asking price might've been higher a few weeks back, the market for the Duke product has all but dried up. The Portland Trail Blazers and Denver Nuggets swapped centers, then the New Orleans Pelicans shored up their hole at the 5 with some guy named DeMarcus Cousins.
Dallas doesn't have to offer anything more than a salary-matching veteran and a heavily protected first-round pick that likely won't be conveyed until 2020.
Denver Nuggets
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Denver Nuggets Get: Jimmy Butler, Michael Carter-Williams, Nikola Mirotic
Chicago Bulls Get: Wilson Chandler, Kenneth Faried, Emmanuel Mudiay, 2017 first-round pick, 2019 first-round pick (lottery protected)
It's time for some consolidation.
The Denver Nuggets are still overflowing with assets, and this trade would fix that problem while giving Denver a legitimate star to pair with Nikola Jokic. Make no mistake about it: This is all about getting Jimmy Butler into the Mile High City.
But moving away from the commitment to Mudiay wouldn't actually be a bad thing. Though there's still plenty of time for development from the 20-year-old sophomore point guard, it's no coincidence that Denver's rise into the postseason picture and utter reliance on Jokic's offense has coincided with Mudiay's injury-related absences.
If the Nuggets have a chance to acquire a player of Butler's ilk, they have to swallow hard and make it happen. Even if they're asked to include Malik Beasley in this deal, they shouldn't hesitate.
Detroit Pistons
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Detroit Pistons Get: D.J. Augustin, Mario Hezonja
Orlando Magic Get: Reggie Jackson, 2018 second-round pick
It's hard to blame the Detroit Pistons if they've grown tired of Reggie Jackson. He entered the 2016-17 campaign as a surefire star, a point guard expected to steer the Motor City out of the Eastern Conference's middle-class morass and toward the top of the standings.
Instead, a knee injury forced him out of the lineup for the opening salvo, and it's not like he's done much since returning.
Thanks to his (potentially injury-related) defensive inadequacies and diminished willingness to attack the basket, he's often been outplayed by Ish Smith. In fact, the Pistons' net rating sits at minus-7.4 when he plays and 2.3 when he's on the pine—a major reason Detroit is staring at a potential lottery finish if it doesn't improve substantially around the trade deadline.
But if they could unload Jackson and the massive salary he'll receive through the end of the 2019-20 season, they could start expediting the all-too-necessary rebuilding process.
Doing so while getting back a point guard capable of keeping them alive in the race for No. 8 (D.J. Augustin) and a promising wing not getting the requisite minutes for improvement in his current location (Mario Hezonja) just makes the deal even more appealing.
Golden State Warriors
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Why exactly would the Golden State Warriors make any moves?
Everything about this team works, whether we're talking about the dominant starting five or the backups who have earned a 6.8 net rating—second in the league, behind only the bench of the San Antonio Spurs (10.4).
Even the perceived weaknesses heading into the season have turned into strengths, since the Dubs are excelling on defense, protecting the rim nicely and experiencing no drop-offs after sacrificing their previous depth in the Kevin Durant pursuit.
Changing anything would be foolish.
Houston Rockets
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Houston Rockets Get: Wilson Chandler
Denver Nuggets Get: Tyler Ennis, K.J. McDaniels, Nene, 2019 first-round pick (lottery protected)
The Houston Rockets have established themselves as fringe contenders, thanks primarily to the offensive excellence of James Harden and the shooting of Eric Gordon and Ryan Anderson. But their defense has stealthily been rather impressive as well.
This might be shocking, so brace yourselves. But a team coach by Mike D'Antoni went into the All-Star break allowing just 105.5 points per 100 possessions—the league's No. 14 mark.
That's progress. But there's still room for improvement, especially after the reported addition of one-way guard Lou Williams, per The Vertical's Adrian Wojnarowski.
Acquiring Wilson Chandler from the Denver Nuggets would be a bit costly, but his two-way versatility would allow for that further growth. Not only can Chandler guard multiple positions and allow the Rockets' offensive specialists to remain fresher, but he can break down many different matchups with the ball in his hands.
He'd be a perfect do-everything rotation man for the Western Conference hopefuls, which may be why he's already been linked to the organization by ESPN.com's Chris Haynes.
Indiana Pacers
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Indiana Pacers Get: Brook Lopez
Brooklyn Nets Get: Al Jefferson, Rodney Stuckey, 2017 first-round pick
This is the same trade featured as the Brooklyn Nets' ideal swap, with one exception: The Indiana Pacers are now giving up only a first-round pick and holding onto their second-round selection. It's still even enough that they can afford to lowball the reported demands in their ideal version.
Grabbing Brook Lopez makes sense for a team that wants to win now. His newfound floor-spacing ability and overall offensive acumen would relieve the offensive burdens endured by Paul George and Jeff Teague on a nightly basis, and his defensive limitations could be overcome by the solid perimeter defenders and presence of Myles Turner.
And, as Peter Vecsey explained on Twitter, acquiring Lopez could be meant to convince George to commit to the franchise throughout the foreseeable future.
Unless the Pacers are supremely confident they can turn a non-lottery pick in the 2017 NBA draft into a star, Lopez is better than anything that selection will produce.
Los Angeles Clippers
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Los Angeles Clippers Get: P.J. Tucker
Phoenix Suns Get: Brice Johnson, Paul Pierce, 2019 second-round pick
The Los Angeles Clippers have already offered the Phoenix Suns a second-round pick for P.J. Tucker, per ESPN.com's Marc Stein. That offer might still get the job done, so long as Brice Johnson is included and the Suns are willing to throttle back on their original expectations.
Tucker is already nearly 32 years old and has been playing professional basketball for over a decade, though this is just his sixth NBA season. By the time Phoenix's young core is ready to compete, he won't have the enduring athleticism necessary to remain a key part of the rotation. Therefore, getting something for him now just makes sense, even if that's little more than a second-round pick.
As for the Clippers, the rationale for their interest should be obvious.
It's not just that head coach Doc Rivers is a "not-so-secret admirer" of Tucker, per Stein, but that P.J.'s a tremendous physical defender who can add a new element to Los Angeles' core. The search for a feasible small forward is ongoing, and he'd finally fill the hole even if he continued to throw up bricks from beyond the arc.
Los Angeles Lakers
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Los Angeles Lakers Get: Richaun Holmes
Philadelphia 76ers Get: Luol Deng, 2018 second-round pick (via Denver Nuggets)
The Los Angeles Lakers are already just about set after trading Lou Williams to the Houston Rockets for Corey Brewer and a first-round pick, per The Vertical's Adrian Wojnarowski.
But they'd be even better off if they could also unload Luol Deng. They have little use for his long-term services with Brandon Ingram looking better as the season progresses, while Deng's contract is too expensive and lengthy to mesh perfectly with the rebuild.
Unfortunately, finding a team willing to take on that cap figure is tough. Los Angeles would have to prey on someone sitting well below the maximum amount of allocated money, then attach a draft pick along with the veteran small forward to provide an incentive.
Perhaps the Philadelphia 76ers, still in need of a legitimate 3 while Ben Simmons heals, would be willing to add to their draft-day coffers, knowing they won't be handing their future stars big paydays until Deng is off the books.
Memphis Grizzlies
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Memphis Grizzlies Get: Darren Collison
Sacramento Kings Get: Vince Carter, 2017 second-round pick (via Miami Heat), 2018 second-round pick (via Charlotte Hornets)
Credit for this trade idea—and it's a good one for the Memphis Grizzlies—goes to Jack Noonan of Grizzly Bear Blues.
"Collison is on an expiring deal that Sacramento would love to get any kind of value from. He is a much cheaper and better fit for Memphis," Noonan explains. "... As mentioned with [Eric] Bledsoe, this would make for an interesting two-guard system with two true ball-handlers. Even shorter than Bledsoe at 6’0”, Collison would be an upgrade for an interesting small backcourt lineup. This year he is shooting a career high from three-point range at 42 percent, so shooting would not be affected."
Darren Collison is indeed having a strong year, though he's flying under the radar while playing for a Sacramento Kings organization in seemingly constant turmoil. If he were able to maintain his shooting excellence and improved defense for the Memphis Grizzlies, he'd be able to play either alongside Mike Conley or, more importantly, off the bench.
Though Wade Baldwin IV could fix this in the future, the Grizz have posted a negative net rating when Conley is on the pine.
Miami Heat
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Miami Heat Get: Iman Shumpert
Cleveland Cavaliers Get: Josh McRoberts, Dion Waiters, 2018 second-round pick
ESPN.com's Brian Windhorst recently revealed on The Insiders podcast that the Cleveland Cavaliers could deal Iman Shumpert. In fact, the swingman is "definitely" available, he claimed.
The Miami Heat should capitalize.
Acquiring Shumpert shouldn't take much if the Cavaliers are making him available, and the Heat have the pieces to give up. By dangling Josh McRoberts (who remains out indefinitely with a foot injury but could help space the court further if he returned) and Dion Waiters (who could serve as Cleveland's sorely needed playmaker), they'd give Cleveland a reasonable return.
Convincing LeBron James to accept the latter might be the more difficult part, considering he basically ran Waiters out of town upon his return to Northeast Ohio. But Waiters is a better player now, and James' desire to keep adding to his legacy with more wins should push him toward acceptance and a resumption of their communication.
Meanwhile, Shumpert's three-and-D ability would allow Miami to continue pursuing a playoff berth. Josh Richardson's slump and Justise Winslow's season-ending shoulder injury have created a hole in the Heat's rotation, and this 26-year-old could fill it in one fell swoop.
Milwaukee Bucks
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Milwaukee Bucks Get: Danuel House, 2017 second-round pick
Washington Wizards Get: Michael Beasley
The Milwaukee Bucks are caught in a pickle, especially since they're unlikely to get a worthwhile return if they shop Greg Monroe.
They don't have the talent to compete with the Eastern Conference's top teams and would be better served letting their youngsters regain health and developing organically than making an ill-advised deadline deal. They also don't have too many non-essential veterans on reasonable contracts who they can just sell for pennies on the dollar.
Milwaukee's best option involves trading away Michael Beasley to a team desperate for a stronger second unit, taking whatever can be had for him. The Washington Wizards, for example, might be able to make use of the forward's scoring talent and float the Bucks a second-round pick in return.
Failing this, Milwaukee is the rare non-contender that should just hold tight at the deadline.
Minnesota Timberwolves
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Minnesota Timberwolves Get: Eric Bledsoe
Philadelphia 76ers Get: Ricky Rubio
Phoenix Suns Get: Gerald Henderson, Shabazz Muhammad, 2018 first-round pick (from Philadelphia 76ers, lottery protected), 2020 first-round pick (from Minnesota Timberwolves)
Fast forward to 2017-18 and imagine the scene.
Eric Bledsoe dribbles the ball down the court to initiate a fast break, flanked by a healthy Zach LaVine and Andrew Wiggins just raring for an alley-oop opportunity. The defense collapses around the rim, so Bledsoe dumps the rock to a trailing Karl-Anthony Towns for a spot-up triple. Then, the dynamic quartet runs down the court and lets Bledsoe initiate against the opposing point guard a few steps above the arc to begin the defensive set with a physical tone.
That hypothetical scenario could become reality if the Timberwolves are willing to deal Ricky Rubio and an unprotected 2020 first-round pick in a three-team deal with the Philadelphia 76ers. That might seem like a hefty price to pay, but picks are supposed to turn into stars, and Bledsoe qualifies as such.
If Rubio isn't long for Minnesota, the ideal scenario involves not just staying far away from Derrick Rose, about whom ESPN.com's Ian Begley reports the 'Wolves have inquired, but also landing a bona fide stud to replace him at the 1.
New Orleans Pelicans
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New Orleans Pelicans Get: Bojan Bogdanovic
Brooklyn Nets Get: Quincy Pondexter, 2019 second-round pick
The New Orleans Pelicans desperately need to pair their devastating new DeMarcus Cousins-Anthony Davis duo with some shooting. The team simply doesn't have the floor-spacers necessary to maximize the output of their bigs, especially since Buddy Hield was the centerpiece of the Sacramento Kings' return for their departed center.
Just take a gander at the rostered players averaging at least two deep attempts per game:
| Langston Galloway | 4.9 | 37.7 |
| Jrue Holiday | 4.0 | 39.3 |
| Solomon Hill | 3.1 | 35.7 |
| Dante Cunningham | 2.9 | 38.8 |
| E'Twaun Moore | 2.9 | 38.7 |
| Tim Frazier | 2.0 | 34.9 |
Even though four players are over the league average (35.9 percent), one of them is a point guard (Jrue Holiday), and another (Dante Cunningham) won't receive as many minutes, given the new two-big strategies.
Shooting is necessary, especially if it can be acquired rather cheap from the trade-desperate Brooklyn Nets. Despite his lack of development and defensive woes, Bojan Bogdanovic is exactly the type of player who could thrive in a lower-usage setting than the one the Nets have forced him into.
New York Knicks
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New York Knicks Get: Ricky Rubio, Shabazz Muhammad, 2017 second-round pick (via New Orleans Pelicans)
Minnesota Timberwolves Get: Justin Holiday, Derrick Rose
If the New York Knicks can turn Derrick Rose into this type of return, the fanbase should universally worship Phil Jackson and forgive all of his past transgressions in the organization's front office.
Not only has the point guard's defense been putrid, but his offense has been misleading—and not in a good way, as Dan Favale wrote for NBA Math. Getting him off the books now is an unmitigated positive, if only because it reduces the chances New York will sign him to a max deal after being spurned by other free agents this summer.
That's the type of move the team would have trouble surviving from.
But if the Knicks could get a legitimate distributor back in return (Ricky Rubio), as well as a promising wing scorer and a draft pick? That's an unabashed victory in a season where those have been difficult to find.
New York can't be afraid to take on a lesser name in exchange for a bigger one. Names don't win games.
Oklahoma City Thunder
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Oklahoma City Thunder Get: Bojan Bogdanovic
Brooklyn Nets Get: Kyle Singler, 2018 second-round pick (via Boston Celtics)
The Oklahoma City Thunder desperately need a player to help space the court for Russell Westbrook.
Despite taking the 16th-most threes per game, OKC is connecting at an embarrassing 32.1 percent clip—better than only the Chicago Bulls' much-reported perimeter woes. The Thunder have produced a league-worst 47.4 effective field-goal percentage on spot-up jumpers (which largely stem from Russell Westbrook's feeds).
Bojan Bogdanovic would help, especially because he can likely be had for such a meager return.
The Vertical's Adrian Wojnarowski's recent report that the Brooklyn Nets are getting close to picking between the best offers indicates some teams might be willing to offer something more substantial for the shooter's services. But in this ideal scenario, Oklahoma City can get him with a reasonable offer of salary filler (Kyle Singler) and a second-round draft pick.
Even if the Thunder have to include another pick, it's likely worth doing.
Orlando Magic
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Orlando Magic Get: Reggie Jackson
Detroit Pistons Get: Jeff Green, Elfrid Payton
It may seem confusing that while the Detroit Pistons' ideal trade involved shipping away Reggie Jackson and a second-round pick for D.J. Augustin and Mario Hezonja, the Orlando Magic's best scenario involves getting the same player without the pick, but giving up Jeff Green and Elfrid Payton instead.
Isn't Payton supposed to be an untouchable? (He was the 10th pick of the 2014 draft, which wasn't that long ago.) The young floor general is a solid price to pay when the Magic also get to unload Green's contract and all the negative contributions that come with his presence on the roster.
This is addition by subtraction, since he'll free up time for Hezonja, who may well be even more promising than Payton at this point.
Plus, this swap allows the Magic to add more shooting. Hezonja profiles as a floor-spacer, and Jackson can knock down jumpers. Payton, for all the good he brought to the table, allowed too many defenders to sag back and gum up the team's half-court sets.
Philadelphia 76ers
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Philadelphia 76ers Get: Devin Harris, 2018 first-round pick (lottery protected)
Dallas Mavericks Get: Jahlil Okafor
The Philadelphia 76ers could do plenty to improve at the deadline. They could take a shot at Ricky Rubio or Eric Bledsoe to upgrade from T.J. McConnell at point guard. Barring that, they could chase after Darren Collison or Brandon Knight to get a lesser 1-guard on board.
But moving Jahlil Okafor remains the biggest priority, and the Mavericks are one of the few teams left that may be willing to offer a (protected) first-round pick for the former No. 3 selection. If that's on the table, Philadelphia should forget about waiting until this offseason to make a move and trade the Duke product before his value sinks even lower.
Yes, this is the same ideal trade presented for the Dallas Mavericks' slide, but with one small modification—whereas the Mavericks' ideal trade featured a lottery protection on that first-round pick that extended through 2019, the Sixers' version cuts that short: If Dallas can't successfully rebuild, Philly will benefit.
The 76ers wouldn't be striking while the iron is hot, but lukewarm is better than ice-cold.
Phoenix Suns
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Phoenix Suns Get: Gerald Henderson, 2017 second-round pick (via Los Angeles Lakers), 2018 second-round pick
Philadelphia 76ers Get: Brandon Knight
Step 1: Find a team that wants a new point guard, hoping it'll bite on the premise that Brandon Knight might blossom in a new location, as he once did with the Milwaukee Bucks.
Step 2: Take back a more reasonable contract that doesn't last ad infinitum, and accept whatever draft picks you may get in return.
Step 3: Pull the trigger and get rid of the man with three full seasons remaining on his five-year, $70 million contract.
The blueprint is straightforward for the Phoenix Suns, even if it isn't simple. And the Philadelphia 76ers may be the perfect trading partner, since Gerald Henderson only has a season left on his deal and his team is eager to add another point guard to the rotation.
Though there's plenty more it could do, getting rid of Knight's deal should be Phoenix's top priority at the deadline.
Portland Trail Blazers
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Portland Trail Blazers Get: Paul Millsap, Thabo Sefolosha
Atlanta Hawks Get: Allen Crabbe, Meyers Leonard, 2017 first-round pick (via Cleveland Cavaliers), 2017 first-round pick (via Memphis Grizzlies)
It's time for a blockbuster.
Though it might be painful to part with Allen Crabbe after signing him to such an exorbitant deal over the summer, that's a price the Portland Trail Blazers should be willing to pay if they can land a bona fide star at power forward. Pairing Crabbe with Meyers Leonard and two first-round picks could enable them to completely recreate their identity, putting enough defensive pieces around C.J. McCollum and Damian Lillard to thrive.
The inherent risk here, of course, is that both Paul Millsap, per ESPN.com's Chris Haynes, and Thabo Sefolosha will be free agents at the conclusion of the 2016-17 campaign.
But if the Blazers are convinced the former will re-sign, it's worth doing. Given his defensive prowess and offense versatility—which includes the skill to thrive off the ball—he'd be an ideal fit next to the high-scoring guards.
Sacramento Kings
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Memphis Grizzlies Get: Darren Collison
Sacramento Kings Get: Vince Carter, 2017 second-round pick (via Miami Heat), 2018 second-round pick (via Charlotte Hornets)
The Sacramento Kings already got rid of DeMarcus Cousins for a more than questionable return, and there's now nothing to prevent them from moving into unabashed fire-sale mode.
"The Kings excised Cousins, and there are strong indications they are not done dealing, either," Chris Mannix reported for The Vertical. "Sacramento is determined to restock the franchise with assets and will be targeting rookie-deal players and draft picks in the coming days, sources told The Vertical. Free agents-to-be Ben McLemore and Darren Collison are available, sources said, as is Arron Afflalo, a solid bench scorer with a manageable contract."
Trading Collison makes the most sense.
He's in the midst of a strong season at a position so many teams are looking to strengthen, so not only should he bring back the most in return, but his absence would also foster the biggest drop down the Western Conference standings. Dealing McLemore or Afflalo would almost be addition by subtraction, given the plethora of wings waiting their turns.
If a team such as the Memphis Grizzlies is willing to offer an expiring contract and multiple picks, general manager Vlade Divac has to say yes—though it might help if he'd turned down a better offer two days prior.
San Antonio Spurs
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The San Antonio Spurs, just like the Golden State Warriors, are in a position that allows them to turn off their ringers and go about their normal business leading up to the trade deadline.
Even with Pau Gasol still rehabbing, there's no need to make a move of any consequence. Instead, the Spurs should focus on continuing to build chemistry and getting healthy for the playoffs. When both your starters and bench are so successful, changes are unnecessary, and could do more harm than good.
Heading into the All-Star break, the Spurs starters had outscored the opposition by eight points per 100 possessions—behind only the Warriors (15.9) and Los Angeles Clippers (8.9). Better still, their bench had posted a 10.4 net rating that outpaced everyone else by no less than 3.6 points per 100 possessions.
Don't mess with that combination.
Toronto Raptors
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Toronto Raptors Get: P.J. Tucker
Phoenix Suns Get: Patrick Patterson, 2018 second-round pick, 2019 second-round pick
We've already linked Tucker to the Clippers, but we'll do the same for the Toronto Raptors.
"Phoenix is taking calls on most of its veterans, with P.J. Tucker the best candidate to move, sources say," ESPN.com's Zach Lowe reported. "(Watch the Raptors and Clips, among others.) I'd be surprised—and impressed—if Phoenix got a first-rounder for him."
Canada's NBA representative shored up the power forward position by acquiring Serge Ibaka. That leaves wing depth behind DeMar DeRozan and DeMarre Carroll as the only relative problem now that Terrence Ross has joined the Orlando Magic.
Tucker would bring a hard-nosed defensive mentality north of the border, forming a potentially terrifying bench tandem with Lucas Nogueira. When playing with the starters, he could ease the responsibilities of DeRozan, cross-matching and allowing the shooting guard to focus his energies on, well, shooting.
If the Suns back off their desire to receive a first-round pick, the Raptors shouldn't hang up the phone until a deal is done.
Utah Jazz
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Utah Jazz Get: Darren Collison
Sacramento Kings Get: Boris Diaw, 2017 second-round pick, 2018 second-round pick
"The Jazz reached out to the Los Angeles Lakers with an interest in acquiring shooting guard Lou Williams. ... Williams, 30, is one of the better bench scorers in the league," Tony Jones reported for the Salt Lake Tribune.
That's no longer possible, as the Houston Rockets won the bidding war for Williams. But Utah could still look for a similar deal that would come without the inclusion of a first-round pick: stealing Darren Collison from the Sacramento Kings.
Head coach Quin Snyder has employed a carousel at the point when George Hill is either injured or catching his breath. And not one of Raul Neto, Shelvin Mack or Dante Exum has proved capable of functioning as a primary backup 1 on an elite team.
Collison could.
The Jazz have a dominant defensive unit, and their offense has been top-notch with their starting point guard on the floor. Give them a legitimate floor general to lead the second unit, and the sky could be the limit.
Washington Wizards
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Washington Wizards Get: Darren Collison
Sacramento Kings Get: Jason Smith, 2017 second-round pick, 2018 second-round pick
The Washington Wizards have posted a 6.8 net rating with John Wall on the floor, a figure that would rank first in the Eastern Conference this season. But without the All-Star point guard, that number plummets to a putrid minus-7.1, forcing the Wizards to play catch-up when the bench squanders yet another lead.
In fact, while the Wizards starters rank No. 6 in net rating, the backups sit at No. 28. No team has a bigger disparity:
| 1. Washington Wizards | 6.9 | minus-5.8 | 12.7 |
| 2. Los Angeles Clippers | 8.9 | minus-3.2 | 12.1 |
| 3. Golden State Warriors | 15.9 | 6.8 | 9.1 |
| 4. Cleveland Cavaliers | 7.4 | minus-0.8 | 8.2 |
| 5. Charlotte Hornets | 2.9 | minus-3.8 | 6.7 |
Washington's unexpected ascent in the standings won't continue if it can't fix its bench at the deadline. And Darren Collison is the perfect man for the job, given his ability to create his own offense and give the second unit a distinct identity.
Even if the asking price rises above this ideal level, the Wizards should be willing to make it happen. No team needs bench help more.
Adam Fromal covers the NBA for Bleacher Report. Follow him on Twitter: @fromal09.
Unless otherwise indicated, all stats from Basketball-Reference.com, NBA.com or NBA Math and accurate through the All-Star break.
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