NBA Rumors: Five Trades We'd Love to See Go Down Before the Trade Deadline
NBA Rumors: Five Trades We'd Love to See Go Down Before the Trade Deadline
There are many players that are known to be available in trades this coming trade deadline, and some could have an impact for years to come. Within a month of the trade deadline, it’s time to talk about five trades we would like to see go down.
Five Potential Trades Before the NBA Trade Deadline
1. Ben Simmons to Brooklyn
This trade intrigues me for many reasons. If the reports are true, and James Harden truly is considering relocation in the offseason, Brooklyn may as well maximize his value and get a nice package deal for him. Of course, for this to work, the Philadelphia 76ers would have to be okay with trading Simmons now instead of in the Summer.
As for Simmons and the 76ers, Simmons doesn’t plan on playing this season if he isn’t traded and adding Harden to a roster that hasn’t been bad – and isn’t far off from being a top seed in the Eastern Conference – you trade for that guy. This trade could easily benefit both sides. Brooklyn could use a guy that can guard 1-5, and if playing within his role, could easily play around Kyrie Irving and Kevin Durant. Harden in Philadelphia is an easy one – Harden and Embiid would easily be a top duo in the league immediately.
Potential trade package: Philly receives James Harden, Brooklyn receives Ben Simmons, Furkan Korkmaz and a 2022 first round pick
2. Jerami Grant to Chicago
Grant to the Lakers doesn’t seem reasonable for many reasons – one of the biggest being the lack of assets from the Lakers – but one team does have the assets, the Chicago Bulls. Despite being aggressive to win now and making plenty of moves the Bulls still have plenty of assets to be dealt for Grant while making the Detroit Pistons happy, too.
Potential trade package: Bulls receive Jerami Grant, Pistons receive Coby White, Derrick Jones Jr. and a 2022 first round pick (Acquired from Trailblazers with lottery protection)
3. Domantas Sabonis to Charlotte
Of all the trade destinations for Sabonis, I think Charlotte would be the most fun. LaMelo Ball-Domantas Sabonis pick-and-rolls could be very successful. The big man would serve as a large upgrade over current starting center Mason Plumlee. Their starting lineup would be a team that could make a run for a top-5 seed in the Eastern Conference, and even potentially win a series. The Indiana Pacers would get two young assets while also earning some draft compensation, making it worth trading.
Potential trade package: Hornets receive Domantas Sabonis, Pacers receive James Bouknight, PJ Washington and draft compensation
4. Buddy Hield to Dallas
While building around Luka Doncic, the Mavericks have failed to put enough shooters around Luka and Kristaps Porzingis, and especially since getting rid of Seth Curry. The Kings are looking to get younger and build around De’Aaron Fox and Tyrese Haliburton, which would begin with stripping their current roster. The Kings would also receive draft compensation which would be their sole reason for trading Hield there. Dallas would be adding instant offense in Hield, who would provide much-needed shooting.
Potential trade package: Mavericks receive Buddy Hield, Kings receive Dwight Powell, Reggie Bullock and draft compensation.
5. Terrence Ross to Denver
The Denver Nuggets have already shown they’re ready to make trades to add depth and shooting around Nikola Jokic, and they’re not done yet. Because the Nuggets have dealt with injuries, they’ve needed depth, and Ross would add just that. He would fill in a scorer role while Jamal Murray is out and be a great spark plug player after Murray returns. The Magic would be inclined to a trade like this to simply appease Ross while also gaining more draft capital.
Potential trade package: Nuggets receive: Terrence Ross, Magic receive Jamychal Green, Vlatko Cancar and draft compensation.