Mavericks why: With Irving coming back the mavericks are currently sitting 11th in the standings with plenty of time to move up. This would be a win now move, giving them two starters for the price of one, adding a back up center for the year with lively being out for the season, while also shedding klay’s contract next year. In this scenario any picks they would have gotten from the bulls heads over to the blazers.
Mavericks potential line up Pg: Irving, nembhard Sg: holiday, Christie Sf: Flagg, Marshall Pf: grant, Washington C: gafford, Williams

Bulls why: This would be a homecoming for Davis who would instantly bring championship experience and a defensive mindset to the bulls. The bulls are taking a risk with Davis who has only played 20 games for the mavericks(as of writing this). Which is why they are only trading their pick, and the blazers pick back to the blazers while really only sending contract fillers. They could plug Okoro in the starting line up instead and trade white who has been in trade rumors. (I would like to see a 3 team trade where White goes to the Timberwolves, Timberwolves send young prospects and picks to the pelicans, and the pelicans send herb jones to the bulls to bolster their defense) Bulls potential line up Pg: giddey, jones Sg: white, dosunmu Sf: buzelis, Okoro Pf: Davis, Philips C: vucevic, smith

Lakers why: This one is simple. The lakers are trading away knecht for huerter who is currently the better player. In this trade I trade away Bronny and Thiero to make the cap space work. I do think the kings would be the most viable option as far where they could trade Bronny (in California still) but if that’s not a possibility with Lebron, Hayes would work as a substitute. The lakers would then need to sign a center afterwards (my pick would be James wisemen or bol bol). Lakers potential line up Pg: doncic, smart Sg: reaves, huerter Sf: hachimura, LaRavia Pf: LeBron, Vanderbilt C: Ayton, hayes

Blazers why: Blazers are getting their pick and a first rd pick from the bulls while replacing holiday and grant for Lavine and Williams. They are taking the extending contracts of Thompson and Martin however if long term fits are working Lavine and Thompson could both be bought out or traded next year being expiring contracts. Creating the line up was hard for me. I went for a line up with Henderson coming off the bench and starting two natural sg’s (like the suns) but the blazers could also try a small ball line up where Henderson, Lavine, and sharp start together or even Lavine coming of the bench and playing 6th man. Blazers potential line up Pg: sharpe, Henderson Sg: Lavine, Thompson Sf: avdija, Murray Pf: camara, Williams C: clingan, reath

Kings why: This would be one of many trades for the kings (sabonis, derozan, monk, schroder, Ellis). Getting off the Lavines contract was the first move while only taking in 1 year contracts. The original trade I did had huerter going to the kings as well then the lakers get involved sending knecht, cap filler and a 2nd rd pick to the kings. This trade frees up cap space next year which would allow the kings to use their cap space next year to acquire bad contracts for picks. Kings potential line up Pg: Westbrook, schroder Sg: monk, Clifford Sf: Derozan, knecht Pf: Murray, Ellis C: sabonis, Raynaud