Unthinkable Trades in the NBA that Should Happen
June 16, 2018
Trade Review:
Miami Heat Receive: G John Wall, F Kelly Oubre Jr., G Jodie Meeks, C Ian Mahinmi
Washington Wizards Receive: G Goran Dragic, C Hassan Whiteside, F Derrick Jones Jr., 2019 Miami Heat 1st Round Pick
Recap: Starting off with an inner division blockbuster trade only felt right. John Wall had a bad season last year and it led the Wizards to an eighth seed in the Eastern Conference. The past three seasons Washington has finished 10th, 4th, and 8th in a weakened Eastern Conference. Last season Wall shot 42% on all field goal attempts, his worst since his rookie year, while also setting a career low from the free throw line, shooting 72.6%. He set a career low in rebounds per game with 3.7, which was his first season with fewer than 4. The Wizards went 15-12 without Wall, and 28-27 with him, playing at the same level, if not better, when he wasn’t on the court compared to when he was. After six seasons of Bradley Beal and Wall sharing a backcourt it might be time to mix it up. With the NBA being a shooters league Washington would be more likely to keep Beal than Wall. Beal is also set to make around $26 million through the 2021 season, while Wall’s super max of an average of over $40 million will kick in during the 2019 season. Wall will make up to $46 million in 2023, which is a lot of money for only reaching the conference semifinals. That being said, Miami should jump at the opportunity to obtain an All-NBA level talent this summer, hopefully helping persuade LeBron and other free agents that the Heat are a top destination. While Miami would be giving away their star center, he has shown some regression since breaking out during the 2014-2015 season. Hassan Whiteside came out of nowhere that season and immediately averaged a double-double in points and rebounds. After setting career highs with 17 points and 14.1 rebounds per game in 2016-2017, he showed signs of regression this past season while also creating conflict with his team. Pat Riley was quoted saying, “By the time we got to the playoffs I don’t think he was ready. He wasn’t in great shape. He wasn’t fully conditioned for a playoff battle mentally. He and we got our heads handed to us.” Whiteside also clashed with head coach Erik Spoelstra about playing time while getting benched for some fourth quarters. That being said, Whiteside’s talent is clear, standing 7 foot 265 pounds, he has averaged 2.4 blocks over his career and should always be able to help anchor a defense. If the Wizards are looking to trade Wall they’ll obviously be looking for a lot of value in return. Receiving Goran Dragic would fill the void left at point guard, while obtaining Whiteside would be an upgrade at the center position and also help their overall team defense. Giving away two star-level talents and a first round pick for one All-star won’t be enough for the Heat, so they’ll also receive young talent Kelly Oubre Jr. and sharpshooter Jodie Meeks. Ian Mahinmi is thrown in to help the salary’s work, but he can potentially play backup center behind Kelly Olynyk or young stud Bam Adebayo.
Trade Review:
Phoenix Suns Receive: F Kenneth Faried
Denver Nuggets Receive: F Marquese Chriss, G Troy Daniels, #31 Overall 2018 2nd Round Pick
Recap: With the first trade being so large and very unlikely to happen, we’ll let this next trade bring us back to reality. It’s no secret Kenneth Faried has been on the trade block the past two seasons and this should be the summer he’s finally dealt. After starting the majority of the Nuggets games his first five seasons, he has slowly fallen out of Mike Malone’s rotation and only played in 32 games this past season. Faried is clearly not apart of Denver’s future, but they also haven’t been able to find much value while shopping him. This is where the Suns come in. Phoenix has four draft picks this year, two in the first round and two in the second. The Suns selected Dragan Bender and Marquese Chriss in the lottery two seasons ago and neither have done anything to prove they deserve a starting position. With neither of their previously selected power forwards showing much development, they need to find a starter to fill that position. With Denver receiving the first pick of the second round, an uber athletic 20 year old in Chriss, and a sharpshooter in Troy Daniels, they might not be able to get more value in return for Faried. With Phoenix receiving a starting caliber big man, he should be able to play alongside building blocks Devin Booker, Josh Jackson, and either DeAndre Ayton or Luka Doncic. Faried will add veteran leadership while also bringing consistent energy to a young and upcoming team.
Trade Review:
LA Clippers Receive: #2 Overall 2018 1st Round Draft Pick, F Zach Randolph, F Justin Jackson
Sacramento Kings Receive: F Tobias Harris, G Sindarius Thornwell, #12 Overall 2018 1st Round Draft Pick, 2019 2nd Round Draft Pick, 2020 2nd Round Draft Pick
Recap: Rumors have been circling that Jerry West would like to move up in the draft to select guard Luka Doncic. If the Clippers want to obtain a top three draft pick they’ll have to be willing to give away a lot of assets. Top draft picks are extremely valuable since they allow you to potentially have an extremely talented player for very cheap. This is especially the case when it comes to Doncic who is coming from multiple seasons of top-level professional basketball overseas. He is coming off of a Euroleague championship and MVP for Spain’s top team Real Madrid. Doncic is the highest anticipated foreign recruit in years and is coming with much more professional experience than most rookies. This is why Jerry West would be willing to trade the Clippers top scorer in Tobias Harris. Los Angeles will also receive second year player Justin Jackson, who still has untapped potential, and Zach Randolph to help make the trade work financially. Sacramento will receive second year player and tough defender Sindarious Thornwell to go along with the 12th overall pick in this years draft. The Clippers will throw in two additional future second round draft picks to help persuade the Kings to make the deal.
Trade Review:
Phoenix Suns Receive: G De’Angelo Russell, F DeMarre Carroll
Brooklyn Nets Receive: F Dragan Bender, G Tyler Ulis, G Brandon Knight, #16 Overall 2018 1st Round Draft Pick, #58 Overall 2018 2nd Round Draft Pick
Recap: Here we are talking about the Phoenix Suns again. They are one of the teams primed to make some big moves this summer so it only makes sense they have two potential trades in this article. The last trade had them receiving big man Kenneth Faried whereas this trade is centered on them obtaining guard D’Angelo Russell. This would be Russell’s third team in four seasons after being selected second overall in 2015. The talent level is clearly there for Russell; he just hasn’t exactly shown the capability to lead a team. If the Suns select center DeAndre Ayton first overall as many have projected, Russell could complete the starting lineup and potentially Phoenix’s rebuild. With scoring assassin Devin Booker playing shooting guard, he would take most of the defensive pressure off of Russell at the point. This would easily be the most talented team Russell has ever been apart of, after playing on two Lakers teams in the beginning of a rebuild and a Nets team struggling to rebuild. Which would allow him to display his playmaking abilities that were so sought after coming out of Ohio State. The way the Suns can obtain Russell from Brooklyn will be all about giving them young talent and draft picks. With the Nets trading away so many consecutive first round draft picks a few years ago they have been a bad team with nothing to lose for. While most teams that are struggling decide to tank the Nets have had to try to win as many games as possible all while trying to maneuver around the league for draft picks and young players with upside. Dragan Bender was the fourth overall selection in the 2016 NBA draft because of his size and shooting abilities. Although he didn’t earn much playing time his rookie season, he did play in all 82 games last season while shooting 37% from three-point range. At 20 years old and standing 7’1’’ the Nets should leap at an opportunity to acquire a player Bender’s upside. Brooklyn also is selecting 29th in this years draft after finishing 28-54, so they would love to obtain another first round draft pick. While Phoenix is receiving D’Angelo Russell, they’ll also take on proven veteran DeMarre Carroll and the rest of his terrible contract. The Nets will be receiving the Suns second 1st round selection, sixteenth overall, a late second round pick via Toronto, Brandon Knight’s contract, and another young player in Tyler Ulis to go along with Bender. Ulis is a very small point guard with a lot to prove in the NBA. Although he has shown flashes, Ulis will have to improve his shooting from the field if he wants to earn consistent minutes. All in all, this trade would benefit both teams long term and going into this years upcoming draft.
Trade Review:
Washington Wizards Receive: C DeMarcus Cousins, G E’Twaun Moore
New Orleans Pelicans Receive: F Otto Porter Jr., G Jodie Meeks
Recap: This trade would be a sign-and-trade if DeMarcus Cousins decides he wants to join the Wizards this summer during free agency. Because of this, Moore or Meeks probably won’t be involved. I just had to include this so the trade worked on the trade machine, so ignore them in this recap. Early I suggested the Wizards trade John Wall, but if they ultimately decide to stick with their current backcourt for the foreseeable future then they’ll need to pursue another marquee free agent. Cousins and Wall are close friends and both played at Kentucky together before turning professional. If Wall can recruit Cousins to come to Washington then they’d have to move some pieces to make room for him financially. The best way to do this would be by helping his former team, the Pelicans, as well. If Cousins signs with the Pelicans and they trade him to Washington for Porter, it would benefit both teams. Otto Porter Jr. signed a huge contract last summer that the Wizards might already be regretting, limiting their options to improve their roster. If Cousins turns down New Orleans this summer then Porter would be a decent complimentary prize as a result. Porter has improved his scoring output every season along with his three point shooting accuracy. The Wizards would be glad to part ways with him if it meant receiving Cousins, especially since they have 22-year-old Kelly Oubre Jr. to fill Porter’s position immediately.
Written by Clifford Buck
