This is a 5-team trade that makes the Grizzlies the favourites in the West, the Kings & Pelicans more than just a play-in threat, the Nets a kickstart to blow it all the way up and gives the Hawks a better fit next to Trae.
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Reasoning for the Memphis Grizzlies
Grizzlies recieve: Domantas Sabonis, #21
Grizzlies give up: Marcus Smart, Santi Aldama, Vince Williams Jr, Brandon Clarke, John Konchar, #7, 2025 MEM 1st, 2027 MEM 1st, 2029 MEM 1st
Roster Moves after this: Sign Kelly Oubre to a 42/3 deal using the NTMLE. Sign Kris Dunn to slightly more than the minimum. Sign Lamar Stevens to the minimum. Pick DaRon Holmes II with #21.
Why they do this: If Sabonis is made available, Memphis would leap at the opportunity. He would fit like a glove into the empty 5 spot in the Memphis roster and compliments frontcourt partner JJJ perfectly. He looks best defensively with an elite weak side shot blocker, and JJJ's the best in the business in that department. Meanwhile, Sabonis is the best rebounder in the league which greatly helps out JJJ in hiding his biggest weakness. The team would also be incredibly menacing offensively, being able to play 5-out and having one of Bane/JJJ/Sabonis be the 4th option and also having two of the best playmakers in the NBA.
The Grizzlies Depth Chart
PG: Ja Morant │ Kris Dunn │ Scottie Pippen Jr
SG: Desmond Bane │ Luke Kennard │ Derrick Rose
SF: Kelly Oubre Jr │ Ziaire Williams │ Lamar Stevens
PF: Jaren Jackson Jr │ GG Jackson │ Jake LaRavia
C: Domantas Sabonis │ DaRon Holmes II
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Reasoning for the Sacramento Kings
Kings recieve: Brandon Ingram, Mikal Bridges, Santi Aldama, Vince Williams Jr, Nicolas Claxton (S&T, 100/4)
Kings give up: Domantas Sabonis, Kevin Huerter, Harrison Barnes, 2026 SAC 1st, 2028 SAC 1st (t5 protected)
Roster moves after this: Sign Malik Monk to a 28/2 (2nd year PO) using the NTMLE. Pick Kyle Filipowski with #13.
Why they do this: The Kings roster looks capped out already unless they make serious moves. They had an incredibly healthy season in 2023 leading to a 3rd seed finish and then getting knocked out by a washed Warriors team, and then followed it up with not making the postseason entirely. While it's more realistic that they probably run it back with more marginal improvements, Kings fans have seen enough mediocrity for a lifetime. They should go all in and shake the roster up entirely.
The Kings Depth Chart
PG: De'Aaron Fox │ Malik Monk │ Davion Mitchell
SG: Mikal Bridges │ Keon Ellis │ Colby Jones
SF: Brandon Ingram │ Vince Williams Jr │ Chris Duarte
PF: Keegan Murray │ Trey Lyles │ Sasha Vezenkov
C: Nicolas Claxton │ Kyle Filipowski │ Santi Aldama
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Reasoning for the New Orleans Pelicans
Pelicans receive: Dejounte Murray, Brandon Clarke, #7
Pelicans give up: Brandon Ingram, Larry Nance Jr, #21
Roster moves after this: Sign Jonas Valanciunas to a 14/2 (2nd year TO). Sign Naji Marshall to a 14.5/2 (2nd year TO). Pick Donovan Clingan with #7.
Why they do this: Ingram's on an expiring and Dejounte's signed long-term. He would also be a great fit next to the defensively struggling CJ, and would provide NOP with a real PG who can also create his own shot, something they've been lacking since drafting Zion. They also retain all their picks in this deal, allowing them to move forward and make an all-in move to elevate this team from good to great.
The Pelicans Depth Chart
PG: Dejounte Murray │ Jose Alvarado
SG: CJ McCollum │ Trey Murphy III │ Jordan Hawkins
SF: Herb Jones │ Dyson Daniels │ EJ Liddell
PF: Zion Williamson │ Brandon Clarke │ Naji Marshall
C: Donovan Clingan │ Jonas Valanciunas │ Jeremiah Robinson-Earl
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Reasoning for the Brooklyn Nets
Nets recieve: Harrison Barnes, Kevin Huerter, John Konchar, 2025 MEM 1st, 2026 SAC 1st, 2027 MEM 1st, 2028 SAC 1st (top 5 protected)
Nets give up: Mikal Bridges, Nicolas Claxton
Why they do this: Pretty straightforward. They need to blow it up, and 4 firsts for Mikal & Claxton, who's a free agent this summer, is a steal.
The Nets Depth Chart
PG: Ben Simmons │ Dennis Schroder
SG: Cam Thomas │ Kevin Huerter │ John Konchar
SF: Cameron Johnson │ Dariq Whitehead │ Keita Bates-Diop
PF: Dorian Finney-Smith │ Harrison Barnes │ Jalen Wilson
C: Noah Clowney │ Day'Ron Sharpe
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Reasoning for the Atlanta Hawks
Hawks recieve: Marcus Smart, Larry Nance Jr, 2029 MEM 1st
Hawks give up: Dejounte Murray
Roster moves after this: Pick Matas Buzelis with 10.
Why they do this: Smart's a much better defender than Murray and requires the ball much less. Nance is also an elite backup who honestly might be better than Capela at this stage of their careers. They get a valuable unprotected first for their troubles.
The Hawks Depth Chart
PG: Trae Young │ Kobe Bufkin
SG: Marcus Smart │ Bogdan Bogdanovic
SF: Matas Buzelis │ De'Andre Hunter
PF: Jalen Johnson │ Onyeka Okongwu
C: Clint Capela │ Larry Nance Jr