As we get to a crucial point in the 2022/2023 NBA season, the trade deadline approaches with some major buyers and sellers. This trade seen here includes 3 of the biggest Buyers and arguably the biggest seller. Here is my explanation for why each team does these trades and why certain players are moved.
TOR X The only seller in this trade and most important seller in the league is north of the border this year, the Raptors. A team you could argue that has had the most success in the past 9-10 years outside of Golden State. Outside of the Tampa tank year, playoffs every year, great development, coaching and not to mention but a championship back in 2019. It’s clear they need to restart and build around OG and Scottie, which they do in this trade. The Raptors send out -
Pascal Fred Gary Precious Banton Juancho(Bo Cruz) Flynn
= $82.5 million
Receive
Ayton Brooks Cam Johnson Quickley ~ Rose ~ Green Draft picks: via NY.) 2023 1st. 2025 2nd, via PHX 2023 1st. 2024 1st. 2025 1st, via MEM.) 2023 1st. 2025 2nd. 2026 1st.
= With Rose and Green bought out $50.1 million
Toronto’s main goals with this trade is to get younger, clear cap space moving forward and to gain draft capital while keeping what they got. It checks all the boxes. With acquiring Cam Johnson and Brooks who both have this half season left on their deals. The Raptors could easily keep sign and keep one of them and use the other as a potential sign and trade to acquire more assets to flip or keep in the future depending on what they get. So some may look at this and say why would the Raptors tank and restart? Simple answer. They have to and it’s for the better.
PHX X The Suns are in a weird spot. They have had a year that I don’t think many teams who have championship aspirations want to be in. Injuries, up and down play, lack of effort from some. And you could say at times lack of scoring from a team that is known for their buckets. Here is what they do:
Send out: Ayton Cam Johnson Jae Crowder Picks 2023 1st. 2024 1st. 2025 1st 2025 2nd 2026 2nd
Suns receive Pascal Precious Malachi Cam Reddish
Overall the Suns championship window is closing. They know it and I thinking the league knows it. They may lose Ayton but everyone see’s that he doesn’t wanna be there and is unhappy. And could be a reason why the team’s chemistry maybe damaged as we have seen at times. But gaining Siakim, Precious, Malachi and Reddish could really balance out the team. Precious can play C, Reddish and Flynn can be solid scorers off the bench and well Pascal, that’s your gem of the trade that I think could push the Suns over the top.
NY X This team is interesting. Some nights they look like they could be a team that could give a true contender in the East like MIL, MIA, BOS, PHI or BKN a run for their money in the playoffs. But on other nights their youth shows and they don’t look like they could even win a play-in game or get too one. I think they are closer than most people believe so. So here is what they do
NY receives: Gary Trent Jr. ~ * Jae Crowder Picks 2025 2nd, 2026 2nd
Sent out: Derrick Rose Quickley Picks 2023 first, 2025 2nd
Bottomline, the Knicks can easily get better with this trade. Jae Crowder is a wild card here. If he plans on wanting to play he can add a true legit playoff vet that can start or come off the bench. And the big piece is Gary Trent Jr. Adding him to Barrett, Randle, Brunson, and Mitchell would really add a true player that can space the floor and score anywhere. It would be a fun team to watch. And possibly someone they can resign this off season to add to their future.
MEM X To me out of the 3 buyers in this deal they are the most championship ready threat who I believe need championship experience to push them over the hill. They are legit but not there yet. One more move and I think they will be able to stand toe to toe with anyone and everyone. Here’s what they do
MEM receives Fred Van Vleet Juancho Delano Banton
Sends out Dillon Brooks ~ Danny Green Picks 2023 1st, 2025 2nd, 2026 1st
Memphis is my pick with the right trade to come out of the west. Very very well coached, balanced roster, a true star in Morant, and maybe the most underrated team in the whole league. They are fun, but fun only get’s you so far. That’s why they land a vet with championship experience in Van Vleet. Someone who can create for players which they need. Ja will be burnt out if he continues this role. If he can come down the court at times with Fred calling the shots, tons of double teams on Ja will lead to others being open and created chances. Look another bonus. With Fred becoming a free agent he can sign an extension and be kept or they can move him in a sign and trade and land players they feel that can improve them also this coming off season.
Finals notes. This trade could be called massive and crazy. And that’s fair cause it somewhat is. But it’s also realistic. A team every year who can sell off for the future and gain a’lot such as Toronto comes always around. As known by many the Raptors could be the domino that really sets the standard for the trade market. So why not go big. I wouldn’t call the Knicks a championship level contender but moves shown here get them a’lot closer and build on what has been thrown together so far. Memphis and the PHX are whom this trade fully benefits. So we will see what happens. But to me, this is ideal as a blockbuster trade it gets this trade deadline. Also the win total for PHX is misleading. They will be in a plus wins, not minus losses.