Jae Crowder Finally Makes It Out of Phoenix
Milwaukee receives: Jae Crowder
Phoenix receives: Grayson Allen, two second-round picks
Jae Crowder’s season-long standoff with the Phoenix Suns is assuredly coming to a close soon. After being relegated to a reserve role, Crowder opted to sit out and wait for a trade. The 3-and-D wing is a streaky player who can be volatile at times. Though, teams covet his toughness and willingness to defend top perimeter threats. The Bucks are a bit thin on the wing, and could use a player of Crowder’s size and defensive prowess against the top teams in the East.
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Eric Gordon Reunites With An Old Friend
Philadelphia receives: Eric Gordon
Houston receives: Matisse Thybulle, Danuel House, future second-round pick
Eric Gordon is not a fit in Houston. The tanking Rockets have no use for a 34-year-old marksman given the team’s current timeline. As such, a deal would be beneficial for both sides as the Rockets could potentially recoup a couple of young pieces plus a pick in a deal. The 76ers are a team on the cusp of competing for an NBA title, and need just one or two more pieces to fill out their roster.
Matisse Thybulle is the prized piece of this deal, as the defensive specialist has fallen out of favor in Philadelphia over the last year-plus. Gordon is a former teammate of 76ers star James Harden, and the two always seemed to have solid chemistry on the floor dating back to their time together in Houston.
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Derrick Rose Gives Memphis Veteran Leadership
Memphis receives: Derrick Rose
New York receives: Danny Green, two future second-round picks
For the Grizzlies to truly contend in the Western Conference, some added leadership and experience could go a long way. A deal for a player like Rose — a former MVP who has played in a number of big games — could be had while not sacrificing any prominent rotations players on the current roster. Rose would slot into a mentor role, and also provide a nice playmaking punch off the bench next to Sixth Man of the Year candidate Tyus Jones.
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Kelly Oubre Jr. Provides Wing Depth
Brooklyn receives: Kelly Oubre Jr.
Charlotte receives: Seth Curry, Markieff Morris, future first-round pick
Brooklyn looks to be a contender this season, but could use a few tweaks to its roster. Namely, the backcourt is especially small with Kyrie Irving, Seth Curry, and Patty Mills all occupying the same space. In an effort to get a bit more length on the perimeter, targeting a player like Kelly Oubre Jr. of the Charlotte Hornets would be a savvy move. Oubre is a supreme athlete who is averaging a career-high 20.2 PPG this season. While he can be streaky from three, Oubre will get plenty of open looks playing next to Irving and Kevin Durant.
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Jakob Poeltl To Backup The Two-Time MVP
Denver receives: Jakob Poeltl
San Antonio receives: Zeke Nnaji, Ish Smith, future first-round pick
The top center likely available this trade season is San Antonio’s Jakob Poeltl. A slew of teams will be vying for his services, including contenders in need of a big man such as the Nets, Clippers, Celtics, and Mavericks. However, one team to look out for in the Poeltl sweepstakes are the Denver Nuggets — who already boast the league’s best center in back-to-back MVP Nikola Jokic. Poeltl would be the ideal backup for Jokic, but given both player’s skill level we could even see some lineups featuring two bigs. San Antonio could try and pry either Bones Hyland or Christian Braun in this deal, but Zeke Nnaji plus a first-round pick should be enough to snag Poeltl who is on an expiring deal.
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Fred VanVleet Finally Gives The Clippers A Point Guard
Los Angeles receives: Fred VanVleet
Toronto receives: Terrence Mann, Luke Kennard, Brandon Boston, future first- and second-round pick
The John Wall experiment has been dreadful. The 34-year-old former All-Star can’t shoot and is second on the team in turnovers despite playing just over 20 minutes per game. Upgrading from Wall and Reggie Jackson would greatly benefit a Clippers team that desperately needs another piece to compete in the West. Fred VanVleet is obtainable from the Raptors, and boasts championship experience plus plenty of two-way ability. VanVleet is a gifted scorer who will compete on the defensive end. He would fit in perfectly next to Paul George and Kawhi Leonard.
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Delon Wright Is A Highly-Coveted Backup PG
Sacramento receives: Delon Wright
Washington receives: Terrence Davis, Alex Len, two future second-round picks
Over in Washington, veteran point guard Delon Wright has quietly had a nice season for the Wizards. On his seventh team in eight years, Wright is an underrated guard who could certainly help any of the contending teams. How about the Sacramento Kings who are looking to secure their first playoff berth since 2006? Wright would provide stability to the bench as a playmaker who defends at a high level. Additionally, Wright is a security blanket in the event Davion Mitchell isn’t ready to contribute down the stretch. This deal seems like a win-win for both sides, as the rebuilding Wizards recoup some assets for a valuable player.
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Jordan Clarkson Provides A Spark For Playoff-Bound Pelicans
New Orleans receives: Jordan Clarkson
Utah receives: Devonte Graham, Kira Lewis, future first-round pick
The Jazz have been a pleasant surprise this season and currently hold a spot in the play-in tournament. That being said, we would not be shocked to see multiple Utah veterans moved at the deadline. Even with the Jazz exceeding expectations, this is not a team built to win now. As such, gathering assets for its top talents is the best thing Utah can do right now. Reigning Sixth Man of the Year Jordan Clarkson has thrived in his new role with the starting lineup. So much so that teams now think that Clarkson is ready to contribute to a contender. The Pels could use some more quality guards, especially one more reliable than the streaky Devonte Graham. Utah has to take on an extra year of Graham, but they obtain a lottery ticket (former lottery pick Kira Lewis Jr. who is still just 21 years old) in addition to a future first for its troubles.
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Naz Reid Goes To The Defending Champs
Golden State receives: Naz Reid
Minnesota receives: JaMychal Green, two future second-round picks
It feels like the Warriors are just waiting to make a splash in the trade market. Naz Reid might not be the big name Dubs fans were hoping for, but the stretch big from Minnesota could be just what the Warriors need right now. Reid is buried deep in Minnesota’s rotations when the team is healthy. However, he has shown flashes during stretches when both Karl-Anthony Towns and Rudy Gobert sit out. Reid can finish around the rim, block shots, and even hit the occasional three-pointer. He would add much-needed size and toughness to the defending champions — and is still only 24 years old.
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Rozier to the Valley of the Sun
Phoenix receives: Terry Rozier
Charlotte receives: Cam Johnson, Dario Saric, Torrey Craig, future first-round pick
Phoenix needs something to help the team become more competitive. With Chris Paul’s health a huge question mark, the team could use some juice in the backcourt. Enter Rozier — a fiery competitor currently in the midst of arguably the best season of his career. He’s averaging 21.3 PPG for the floundering Hornets. While the Suns get smaller in this deal, the possibility in exploring three-guard lineups with Paul, Rozier, and Devin Booker could make them a uniquely difficult team to defend against.
As for Charlotte, it will collect a few one-year deals along with the sweetener of a first-round pick. Johnson is the headliner — as he’s shooting over 44-perecent from 3 on the year. He’d be a guy the Hornets should look to extend.
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Cleveland Gets Some Shooting
Cleveland receives: Malik Beasley
Utah receives: Caris LeVert, future first-round pick
This is a deal which maintains Utah’s standing as a potential playoff team in the West — while also adding to its collection of future assets in the process. Getting a future first from Cleveland is ideal for Danny Ainge’s thorough rebuild of this franchise. LeVert is still good enough to help Utah this year. Duly, as an expiring contract, the move maintains Utah’s flexibility.
Cleveland desperately needs wing help, especially someone who can spot up once the likes of Darius Garland and Donovan Mitchell attack the lane looking to kick the ball to the perimeter. Beasley is shooting 36-percent from 3 on the year. He’s an athletic player with positional versatility, and fits the age timeline of this squad.
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Houston, We Have Liftoff
Houston receives: John Collins
Atlanta receives: Eric Gordon, two future first-round picks
Collins has been rumored to be on the block for virtually years. Atlanta would like to explore another option with perhaps more shooting on the floor at the four spot. Plus, he’s also technically blocking a former high-round draft choice in Onyeka Okongwu. Gordon is nothing more than a salary dump at this spot.
Houston will get a legitimate scorer to help its frontcourt rotation. Atlanta will be motivated to get the two first-round picks. Based upon the fact Houston is in a rebuild, we’d have to think the picks will have some sort of protections.
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Boston Gets a Big
Boston receives: P.J. Washington
Charlotte receives: Danilo Gallinari, two second-round picks
Boston could stand to add some help up front before a playoff run. Robert Williams has an injury history — as does the aging Al Horford. Washington is on a very team-friendly expiring contract. While not a true center, he could provide Boston with a nice option off the bench. Washington can score, rebound, and block a shot or two on occasion. By offloading Gallinari and a couple of second-round picks, the Celtics would in theory be able to improve their team without touching its current rotation.
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Bogie to Brooklyn
Brooklyn receives: Bojan Bogdanovic
Detroit receives: Joe Harris, two future first-round picks
This trade would work brilliantly for both teams. Detroit would get a battle-tested sharpshooter to add to its young core. The two first-round picks are obviously attractive as assets. As for Brooklyn, you’d be adding another alpha scorer to your lineup. Bogdanovic has been playing out of his mind this season. He can score in a myriad of ways, is a willing wing defender, and is the type of guy that can play both on and off the ball depending on the situation. He’d be a scary-good fit next to Kyrie and KD.
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LeBron Gets More Help
Los Angeles receives: Josh Richardson
San Antonio receive: Patrick Beverley, future second-round pick
If the Lakers are able to turn Patrick Beverley, Kendrick Nunn, and four second-round picks into Rui Hachimura and Josh Richardson, they’d be doing cartwheels. The first piece of that puzzle has been completed — with the former Gonzaga star now in LA.
The Lakers would love to add both shooting and wing depth. The Spurs are just as happy to collect a future asset during their extreme rebuild. Richardson is shooting 36-percent from 3 on the season. He can also guard multiple positions, and gives the Lakers some veteran leadership on the wing.
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Gary Trent Jr. Adds Much-Needed Perimeter Threat
Los Angeles receives: Gary Trent Jr.
Toronto receives: Patrick Beverley, Damian Jones, future first-round pick
One more deal for the Lakers. If GM Rob Pelinka isn’t satisfied with a player of Josh Richardon’s caliber, he could end up shipping off one of those coveted first-round picks for someone like Toronto’s Gary Trent Jr. The former Blue Devil is just 24 years old and would be an ideal fit next to Los Angeles’ two stars. Trent Jr. is a career 38.5-percent three-point shooter and has averaged over 18 PPG since joining the Raptors. Based on his recent play, it’s likely Trent Jr. opts out of his deal following this season and hits free agency. This is a chance for Toronto to pick up a valuable asset (a future Lakers draft pick) in exchange for a player they have developed over the last two-plus seasons.
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Indiana Gets a Wing
Indiana receives: Kyle Kuzma
Washington receives: Chris Duarte, Goga Bitazde, second-round pick
The Pacers are shockingly a pretty decent team despite the thought that they’d tank this year. With Tyrese Haliburton, Bennedict Mathurin, Myles Turner and others playing well, Indiana’s rebuild has been accelerated. Kuzma is a gettable wing in the midst of his best year as a pro. He can score from all levels, has Championship experience, and is a guy who’d slot into this team very well. He even seems like the type of guy Indiana would want to re-sign alongside its young and promising core.
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Heat Love Some Hart
Miami receives: Josh Hart
Portland receives: Caleb Martin, Dewayne Dedmon, future first-round pick
Josh Hart is the total epitome of a Miami Heat player. Tough, aggressive, smart and physical, he fits the mold of what the Heat are looking for as the deadline nears. Portland is sort of in limbo at the moment, and would like to further open up playing time for some of their younger guards.
Aside from that perk, Martin is a solid rotation guy. Dedmon would be salary filler, and the first-round pick would clearly hold some value as the Trail Blazers look to reboot around Damian Lillard.
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Dallas Makes a Big Move
Dallas receives: Nikola Vucevic
Chicago receives: Jaden Hardy, Reggie Bullock, Dwight Powell
Dallas finally opts to make a big move to help its playoff chances. Vucevic is a decorated big man with soft hands, great touch around the rim, and a pedigree requisite of a player who can help the Mavericks advance in the playoffs. This move would then enable the frontcourt to be a real area of strength with Luka Doncic, Christian Wood and the aforementioned Vucevic.
The Bulls are getting a couple of ancillary pieces with Vucevic’s contract coming off the books. Hardy is the intriguing player here. He was projected as a first-round pick before falling to the second round. We’ve seen flashes of a guy who can put up points.
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Conley Back With Gobert
Minnesota receives: Mike Conley, Nickeil Alexander-Walker
Utah receives: D’Angelo Russell, future first-round pick
The Russell experiment in Minnesota isn’t working. The Timberwolves are in desperate need of a winner at the PG spot. You’re talking about a veteran with experience — and essentially one who can help glue together this young and talented albeit volatile team. Conley is the perfect fit to get the job done here. He has the preexisting experience playing alongside Rudy Gobert, and he’s the type of guy who teammates will respect immediately.
As for Utah, it’s all systems-go with the process of obtaining assets. Russell falls off the books once this year ends, and the first-round pick from Minnesota could potentially be quite lucrative down the line.
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