By Leon Collington
With the NBA draft around the corner, the NBA offseason is not too far off.
With the offseason comes trades, and with trades comes player movement. There are some players in the rumors who may get traded, from Rudy Gobert and Jerami Grant to Deandre Ayton as well as OG Anunoby.
With these players and many others in the trade rumors, I decided to explore and made some trades to see which teams would be the best fit for these players to go to in these rumors. So far I came up with six potential trades for those who are the rumors.
Trade 1: Jazz/Hawks/Pistons
Jazz Receive: Clint Capela, John Collins, 2023 Second Round Pick (From New Orleans Via Atlanta)
Hawks Receive: Cory Joseph, Rudy Gobert, Jerami Grant
Pistons Receive: Danilo Gallinari, Nickeil Alexander-Walker, 2023 First Round Pick (From Charlotte Via Atlanta), 2024 Second Round Pick (From Oklahoma City Via Atlanta),
With this trade, the Hawks upgrade their defensive core and frontline with Gobert and Grant. They also add a solid defensive backup in Cory Joseph. Sure it may have cost them a few core pieces and a few picks but it is worth the gamble, improving the defensive line around Trae Young.
As for the Jazz, they unload Gobert and give up a young wing in Alexander-Walker in order to acquire more depth and some two way ability in their front line in Collins and Capela, plus they get a pick as a future asset for giving up Gobert. Finally for the Pistons, they give up Grant and turn him into a few assets plus get a vet like Gallinari, as well as unload Joseph’s salary. Gallinari is also a vet that they can use in future trades as well to acquire another pick or young prospect alongside their core.
Trade 2: Jazz/Raptors
Jazz Receive: Khem Birch, OG Anunoby, Gary Trent Jr., Precious Achiuwa, 2023 First Round Pick (Top Five Protected).
Raptors Receive: Rudy Gobert, Royce O’Neale
In this trade, the Jazz turn Gobert and O’Neale into four quality pieces to balance out their roster. With those pieces, they are able to retool the roster and add to their depth. Anunoby and Trent Jr are solid wings that they can pair with Donovan Mitchell, while Birch and Achiuwa can become the short term replacement for Gobert at Center.
With the Raptors, they add Gobert, which can solidify their defense and fill their need at Center. In addition, they free up more minutes for Pascal Siakim and Scotty Barnes. They also obtain O’Neale to replace Anunoby and Trent Jr on the bench.
Trade 3: Suns/Hawks
Suns Receive: Clint Capella, Jalen Johnson, 2023 First Round Pick (Via Charlotte), 2024 First Round Pick.
Hawks Receive: DeAndre Ayton
Even though they do give up Capela and a few picks and a prospect to get Ayton, I think it’s worth the risk. Ayton has the potential to be an amazing two way big and is much better offensively than Capela. He also has the potential to be a two way big that can be an amazing fit next to Trae Young. If Ayton can raise his ceiling in his next contract to become a star player or a borderline all star player, the Hawks win this trade and can become a major title contender.
As for the Suns, they get a good haul for Ayton and save some money in the short term. Honestly, I would keep Ayton but we’re not sure of the Suns want to do that. So they might as well get as much as possible for him before they lose him for nothing going forward.
Trade 4: Suns/Hornets
Suns Receive: Mason Plumber, Kelly Oubre Jr, James Bouknight, 2022 First Round Pick (Via New Orleans), 2025 First Round Pick.
Hornets Receive: DeAndre Ayton
With this deal the Hornets finally get the Center they have been looking for. Ayton alongside LaMelo Ball could be a dangerous tandem together in the pick and roll as well as the half court too. They do give up two first round picks, a young prospect in Bouknight and two solid vets but it’s worth it, being that Ayton is not only a former number one pick but has two way potential that can raise the ceiling for the Hornets. As for the Suns, just like the last trade they get a good amount of stuff back for Ayton, and comparing the two trades, the Hornets are more in need of a center, especially someone like Ayton.
Trade 5: Knicks/Raptors
Knicks Receive: Khem Birch, OG Anunoby
Raptors Receive: Evan Fournier, Nerlens Noel, 2023 Second Round Pick (Via Oklahoma City, Washington, Dallas or Miami), 2023 First Round Pick (Via Dallas).
In this trade, the Knicks acquire a solid young wing that has major two way potential (when healthy) in Anunoby. Although they give up some solid vets on Fournier and Noel, along with a few picks, I think it’s worth the risk. Anunoby could be a nice fit alongside RJ Barrett and could make them a solid tandem on the wings for coach Tom Thibodeau. Anunoby can become someone similar to how Luol Deng was for Thibs in Chicago in terms of solid two way potential.
As for the Raptors, they get some assets for Anunoby and do get a solid shooter in Fournier plus get to add draft capital for future trades.
Trade 6: 76ers/Jazz/Hawks
76ers Receive: Mike Conley, Danilo Gallinari, 2024 Second Round Pick (Via Oklahoma City), 2023 Second Round Pick (From Charlotte or Brooklyn)
Jazz Receive: Clint Capela, John Collins
Hawks Receive: Tobias Harris, Rudy Gobert
In this scenario, the Hawks acquire two big pieces that could help their roster on both ends, especially on defense. Harris should be a solid defensive upgrade from Collins and Gallinari, as well as Gobert being way better defensively than Capela is at this moment. It did cost them three solid players and a few picks but it could be the shakeup the Hawks need to solidify the roster around Trae Young.
As for the Jazz, they get some picks and are able to get rid of Conley’s contract while parting ways with Gobert. Plus, they get two solid rotation players with Collins and Capela to replace Gobert.
For The 76ers, they get rid of Harris’ massive deal and acquire some picks along, with bringing in two vets that better compliment the roster around James Harden and Joel Embiid.
With all this being said, it’s only a matter of time before some trades begin. Let’s see which trades go down and who ends up getting moved.
Leon Collington
Born and Raised in the Greater NYC Area. Long time New York Knicks fan as well as a Huge NBA fan since 2006. You can follow him on twitter at @KyosotaComics.