Trade Scenarios for NBA Stars Who Need a Fresh Start
This 2023-24 NBA seasons isn't quite over, but we've seen enough to know a handful of stars could use some fresh starts.
Whether they're stuck on a team headed nowhere, have been in the same spot for too long, would make more sense elsewhere or some other reason, each of the stars below need a new situation. And we found one for each.
Since we're already past the trade deadline, there's at least a little guesswork about what it would take to make a deal, what assets each team will have, how much cap space they'll have, etc.
Unlike some of our other fake trade articles, we won't include exact frameworks here. Instead, we'll walk through the cores of what it would likely take to make these moves.
Zach LaVine to the Lakers
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At this point, going after Zach LaVine might not exactly qualify as star-hunting for the Los Angeles Lakers. He only managed 25 appearances this season, and his 19.5 points in those games was his lowest scoring average since 2017-18.
But as recently as February's trade deadline, LeBron James was reportedly supportive of trading for LaVine, according to Sam Amick, Anthony Slater and Jovan Buha of The Athletic. He'd likely cost a lot less than some of the Lakers' other rumored targets (like Trae Young).
Given LaVine's lower production and health issues, L.A. might be able to get him from the Chicago Bulls with little more than salary-matching contracts (which would likely include D'Angelo Russell and Rui Hachimura). With LeBron James nearing the end of his career, the Lakers should have some desire to preserve draft capital.
Given the way L.A. has played since head coach Darvin Ham finally decided to put Hachimura in the starting five with Russell, you might ask why the Lakers would do this at all.
Beyond getting the LeBron blessing, LaVine is bigger than Russell, which could move Austin Reaves to the 1. While he had an underwhelming 2023-24 campaign, LaVine averaged 24.6 points, 4.4 assists and 2.7 threes while shooting 38.2 percent from deep over the two seasons before that.
As a third or fourth option in lineups with LeBron, Anthony Davis and Reaves, LaVine could be even more effective going against opponents' weaker perimeter defenders.
Mikal Bridges to the Knicks
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For the past few years, the New York Knicks were seemingly stockpiling assets to go after a superstar. At one point, the rumored target was Donovan Mitchell. Before he signed his latest extension with the Milwaukee Bucks, there were whispers about Giannis Antetokounmpo.
In the meantime, the free agent whom they signed to a below-max contract in 2022, Jalen Brunson, developed into a superstar himself. The Knicks can now use some of those assets to go after a second or third option, and Mikal Bridges seems like the most natural fit in the league.
On top of being another Villanova Wildcat—Josh Hart recently joked that Bridges is Squidward jealously looking on from the attic as everyone else is having fun below in the classic Spongebob meme—Bridges would just fit perfectly in lineups led by Brunson.
Adding his outside shooting to Donte DiVincenzo's would give Brunson plenty of spacing for drives. And his multipositional defense would make him an instant favorite of Knicks head coach Tom Thibodeau.
Bridges also isn't likely to cost as much as Mitchell or Giannis. Bojan Bogdanović and a big chunk of the Knicks' trove of draft assets might get it done. That could make it feasible to pass on re-signing OG Anunoby in free agency if the front office is concerned with his lack of durability.
Having an All-NBA player like Brunson on a below-market contract has opened up tons of team-building avenues for the Knicks. They should explore the one that leads to Bridges.
Donovan Mitchell to the Magic
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There's already plenty of smoke arising on the Donovan Mitchell trade front. This season with the Cleveland Cavaliers has felt eerily similar to his last season with the Utah Jazz.
If that script plays out again, Mitchell could once more find himself on a smaller-market team than he'd like.
Mitchell and the Knicks have seemingly been circling each other for years, but the ascension of Brunson makes that pairing feel less likely. Starting two sub-6'4" guards, no matter how tenacious they are, can lead to some defensive difficulties.
Orlando would make more sense for both Mitchell and his potential new team. The Magic have the defensive infrastructure to cover for Mitchell's shortcomings on that end and need his scoring on the other. Plus, the Magic have the potential cap space this summer to absorb most (if not all) of Mitchell's salary without giving up many players of their own.
Orlando could put together a package with Anthony Black and tons of draft consideration, which wouldn't help the Cleveland Cavaliers immediately, but they could use those assets in future trades. A slower build around Darius Garland, Evan Mobley and Jarrett Allen still has plenty of potential.
Trae Young to the Spurs
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There will be plenty of buzz about Trae Young potentially joining the Lakers this offseason. But the better situation for the All-Star playmaker is with Victor Wembanyama and the San Antonio Spurs.
Like Orlando, San Antonio could have the cap space to absorb much of Young's salary, and the Spurs can offer enough draft assets to offset what the Atlanta Hawks gave up in the Dejounte Murray trade.
The partnership between those Murray and Young hasn't worked for Atlanta. While Young is the better individual talent, it may make more sense for the Hawks to move forward with Murray since Young will return the bigger trade package.
For San Antonio, Wembanyama has accelerated the team's timeline. He's already a top 15-20 player. Pairing him with a high-end playmaker now, while expensive, could have them in the hunt for a playoff spot as early as next season.
On offense, Wemby and Young would fit seamlessly as pick-and-roll partners. On the other end, Wembanyama's defense could help cover for Young's struggles on that end.
It may be tempting for the Spurs to be bad next year and potentially add Cooper Flagg or Ace Bailey in the 2025 draft. But if this opportunity presents itself this offseason, they'll have to think about taking it.
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.jpg?w=600 "Burrow's IG Story Before Trade")
