Hello everyone! What a crazy deadline season it has been so far! Certainly injected a level of excitement and bewilderment into the league I haven't seen in a long time. I normally keep my trades down to 2-3 teams, but was inspired by the lunacy we are seeing to go for something a bit more eccentric. This sees 5 teams interconnected by the current picks they own make some deals.

After the Fox trade, the Spurs could very well remain content on hanging on to their remaining assets, both players and picks, and see what they've got before making any other moves. That being said, I think they are in a perfect position to capitalize on the moment and continue to surround Wemby with a tailor-made roster of talent. This trade sees them going out and getting Cam, Bam, and Vit at the cost of Keldon, Barnes, Castle, Branham, four firsts and 4 seconds. This would leave them with still plenty of picks, including most of their own, and keep some of the other young guys together like Vassell and Sochan. Although it may seem a hefty price to pay, in the grand scheme of things, to achieve a starting lineup of Fox, Vassell, Johnson, Adebayo, and Wemby with a bench of Paul, Vit, Champagnie, Sochan, and Bassey, it is decent value. Imagine a frontcourt of Bam and Wemby, two defensive powerhouses that complement each other flawlessly, surrounded by a guy as shifty as Fox and two excellent 3-and-D specialists in Vassell and Johnson. The best part is these guys are all under contract for several years which means they can lock in this core and build chemistry year after year. Fox already has stellar chemistry with Bam as the two were roommates back at Kentucky and Bam was a groomsman at Fox's wedding. To me, this is a roster with endless lineup possibilities that is destined for greatness.

For the Lakers, it is clear the need is frontcourt help after acquiring their next franchise cornerstone in Luka. This trade sees them landing Claxton as their starting center of the future, with Nance as backup and Watford as additional help, as well as getting their own first-round pick back this year from the Hawks to bring back some youth to the team. This costs them Rui, Vanderbilt, Vincent, Wood, a 2025 second (essentially swapping it for a first), and most valuable of all, the 2031 unprotected first-rounder. Teams aren't going to line up to help the Lakers after they robbed the Mavs, so to anyone who says this is too hefty of a price to pay, I would say, if anything, it is too low. However, Claxton is indeed having a down year and is on a large long-term contract, so there is a bit of a gamble there. Then again, we have seen how Luka can enable his centers to play their best, so I think it is worth the risk. This gives them a lineup of Luka, Reaves, Bron, DFS, and Claxton with Shake, Knecht, Nance, Hayes off the bench. Obviously, the gap would be the backup 1 spot, but with Doncic, Reaves, and Bron on the team, I think JJ can rotate enough to mitigate it. I had originally wanted to reroute Kleber to the Hawks to keep Vincent but doesn't work within the CBA no matter which way I tried. Very well could move Kleber as well for a backup such as Tre Jones. Overall, I think this is a decent value move to give the Lakers a true chance at competing with Luka and Bron.

For the Nets, this is where the trade gets tricky. I am aware the current asking price for Johnson is two firsts and/or preferably a young guy to fit within the core with names such a Nikola Topic brought up. That being said, I think this trade sees them getting back two valuable first-round picks, some additional seconds, a flyer on Branham, and then three solid guys who should have value either to pair with Thomas or to flip for more assets. It is not a perfect trade for them, I will admit that. They have no immediate rush to trade these guys included, but I think if you want to capitalize on them at probably their highest value even despite a down year for Claxton, I think this is a very competitive offer that gives them a boatload of assets and sizeable contracts in the offseason to form a winning roster hopefully around Thomas and their top draft pick this year.

For the Hawks, this trade sees them give up most likely a late first this year and an expiring Nance who is looking great thus far to take on some extra money while getting control of their 2027 first and 2026 second back. To me, this would be a no-brainer as with the injury to Jalen Johnson they can't possibly hope to remain competitive this year. As much as I would have liked to give them back their own first so that they could properly tank, I decided that would overall be too much value for what they are giving out. I could be easily convinced to swap it in though as it would probably be more intuitive to want their pick back this year so they can tank and reap the benefit of that. However, that is currently one of the more valuable assets the Spurs have, and to pry away Bam, I viewed it as a necessary piece. In my eyes, if they were to get their own 2025 pick back, their 2027 pick plus either the 2025 SAC pick they own and/or a future pick swap would be necessary.

For the Heat, with Butler as good as gone and a retooling imminent, I think they should take it one step further and fully rebuild around Ware. He has shown flashes of being a very promising star center in this league, and with the right pieces around him, they could become competitive again soon. This trade sees them ship out Bam for Barnes, Castle, two very valuable firsts, and 3 seconds including one this year. This allows them to pair Castle, who desperately wants to be a franchise point guard and not be relegated to the 2 spot, with Herro, Jaime, Jovic, Ware, and whoever they pick with the Hawks pick. To me, that is a pretty solid return and a promising young core. Bam is a great player, but it is clear that his ceiling is within reach and with the large amount of money he is owed 4-5 years from now, it might be wise to rebuild without him rather than around him. I know Pat Riley would hate to stop being competitive, but ultimately with control over their own pick next year as well as every year after 2027, they are in a decent spot to start over. Their rebuild would also include whatever they get in a Butler trade, and would probably trade other pieces like Rozier and Robinson. I think this would be an unexpected move for sure, but as we've seen, anything can happen. In the way of returns, this ain't half bad.

That brings me to the end of my lengthy explanation. So what do you think? What would you change? Who says no? Who wins? Let me know your thoughts in the comments below and as always, please be constructive and kind. The world could certainly use a bit more of that these days.