SUMMARY OKC is best in the west. It’s wide open after that, and even OKC themselves have had a few injuries. Between that and being young, I wouldn’t be surprised if they get unexpectedly bounced in the playoffs. If that happens, literally any one of these teams after these moves has a real shot at coming out of the west (except Milwaukee who’s competing in the east and Chicago blowing it up).
BREAKDOWN Warriors: Steph needs a second scorer and a big who can stretch the floor. Zach Lavine catch and shoot percentages are like Klay, teams can no longer just zero in on steph since Lavine can create as well, Jalen let’s you play 5-out, and you get off Wiggans contract. The fact that Zach can play both on and off the ball makes the pairing uniquely dangerous, and Jalen stretching the floor will undoubtedly unlock Kuminga who can’t slash as much with non-shooters clogging the lane. What I like most about this trade isn't just adding the players to the team, but how much better it likely makes the players who are still there. Steph, Zach, Kuminga will definitely be the best big 3 in the west rivaling Denver and OKC, and GSW will still have their bench after. This is certainly the only trade on the market that increases the ceiling this much.
Bulls: You’re in this weird situation where the players on the team have a ton of talent (two players in all-star conversation), but the team doesn’t fit at all together which leads to losses. Blow up some of the pieces and take on a few bad contracts to try your hand at drafting the right pieces to build a team that doesn’t JUST have talent, but also fits.
Lakers: AD couldn’t have been more clear that he wants to play the four. There’s really only one center available that’s capable of starting that won’t cost two firsts (if Kessler is really even available). This trade increases scoring, gets a starting big, increases 3-point shooting, playmaking, and perimeter defense all in one trade. Offload Vando (who’s played no games and has long money) as well as players that aren’t in high demand. The swap is favorable for the Bulls obviously. There’s no singular trade on the market that would make the Lakers better.
Suns: The 2031 first here (which they no longer own) would actually be Cleveland’s 2025 first this year. That pick will be 28-30, which makes it almost a second. It’s the least valuable of all three they just got, since the others at least have a chance of being better than 28-30. Nurkic is the 4th center on the depth chart, and is unplayable. Even with a Jimmy trade (that may or may not happen for them), this is the best trade on the market to turn Nurkic into a young player (22) who can start, defend 2-5, shoot 40% from 3 despite not needing many touches (very valuable on a team with so many shooters).
Bucks: CAN aggregate as long as the trade lands them below the second apron. This trade does just that and more. Bucks need more perimeter defense that they lost from Jrue and would lose from Middleton (Vando, Vincent), the front office has said they’d like another center (looney), get expiring contracts, a vet wing who’s situationally playable all while offloading Middleton’s bad contract. Kyle Anderson will be useful against Boston since you can put him on Hortford and other smaller bigs. These guys all play more often than Middleton (besides vando, but he’s still young and on his way back within a week or so). This will be the best, deepest version of this team by far since they traded Jrue away.