Thursday is fast approaching, which means it’s crazy season in the NBA: The draft is two days away.
Below are trades that make some sense for both teams. To be clear, these are my wild ideas, not anything to do with actual sourced information or DeMarcus Cousins “snakes in the grass” emoji combos. I actually try to intentionally stay away from stuff that has been floated publicly. ESPN’s trade machine is down, so some of these might not work officially, but will be the base of deals that need some salary working to go through.
LET’S MAKE A DEAL!
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Deal No. 1
New York Knicks receive Ty Lawson and the seventh pick.
Denver Nuggets receive Jose Calderon, Tim Hardaway Jr. and the fourth pick.
Why it makes sense:
The Knicks get shot creation ability at the point guard position they desperately need with Ty Lawson and are able dump Calderon’s contract (runs through 2016-2017). Denver wants to dump Lawson and can guarantee itself Emmanuel Mudiay as their PG of the future or someone else of their desire jumping up to four. New York still gets one Mudiay, Justise Winslow, Willie Cauley-Stein or Mario Hezonja at seven.
Deal No. 2
Philadelphia 76ers receive fifth pick, rights to the Lakers 2018 first round pick and Maurice Harkless
Orlando Magic receive third pick
Why it makes sense:
The Magic jump up and take Kristaps Porzingis who has the potential be the rim protector/outside shooter needed next to Nikola Vucevic. Philadelphia still gets good value for whoever they want at five, stockpile another first round pick and Harkless fits the prototype of what they want in a young player. He’s athletic, raw and needs to be developed. Harkless still has one more year on his rookie deal for Philly to keep him at a cheap price.
Deal No. 3
Detroit Pistons receive 13th pick, P.J. Tucker and Archie Goodwin
Phoenix Suns receive eighth pick
Why it makes sense:
The Pistons continue down their path to win now under Stan Van Gundy getting one of the better “Three and D” forwards in Tucker. Archie Goodwin gives Detroit a third guard who is younger than a bunch of the players in the upcoming draft since he’s still only 20 (turns 21 in August). At 13 they can still get a high quality player because this is a deep draft. The Suns jump up and guarantee themselves Myles Turner. Outside of the top eight players, Turner has the highest upside left in the draft.
Deal No. 4
Washington Wizards receive Wilson Chandler
Nuggets receive 19th pick
Why it makes sense:
The Wizards might be looking for a Paul Pierce replacement and even if they aren’t they could use more depth at the wing. Wilson Chandler could play next to Pierce if he’s back or Otto Porter. Denver very well could be embarking on a rebuilding stage and another pick is always helpful to bring in more talent.
Deal No. 5
Portland Trail Blazers receive Brendan Haywood (contract purposes), 24th pick and two more future first round picks (2018 and 2020 unprotected)
Cleveland Cavaliers receiver Nicolas Batum
Why it makes sense:
If LaMarcus Aldridge leaves it’s probably time for the Blazers to blow up the core. It would seem unlikely Robin Lopez or Wes Matthews return in that situation either. Damian Lillard is young enough to move forward with another core. Who knows what Cleveland will look like come 2018 and 2020. Those could end up being valuable picks, but more likely the 2020 one. Batum gives the Cavs versatility to play LeBron James at the four and opens the the option to let one of J.R. Smith or Iman Shumpert walk during free agency.
