This trade will only happen in the trade deadline, if KAT doesn't return to All-Star form before then and if Atlanta remain mediocre. This is a 5-way trade that helps Atlanta break out of its mediocrity, Minnesota a way out of KAT's extension, Toronto expiring contracts to help resign OG and GTJ, and Barnes the following year, OKC one of the best rebounding centers in the game and Wizards a first to continue their tanking.
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Reasoning for the Washington Wizards
Washington recieve: De'Andre Hunter, Alexei Pokusevski, Shake Milton, Jalen McDaniels, 1 FRP, 2 SRPs
Washington give up: Kyle Kuzma, Danilo Gallinari, Delon Wright
Why they do this: They pick up a former FRP in Poku, as well as a former lottery pick in De'Andre Hunter and a FRP that probably is in the 15-20 range. All that for a player that's never made All-NBA or an All-Star game is more than good value. Kuzma's having one of his best seasons in Washington but for a tanking team, another FRP and younger talents would make more sense and help to speed up their rebuild.
Moves after the trade: Waive Anthony Gill
The Wizards Depth Chart
PG: Tyus Jones │ Shake Milton
SG: Jordan Poole │ Landry Shamet
SF: De'Andre Hunter │ Bilal Coulibaly
PF: Deni Avdija │ Corey Kispert
C: Daniel Gafford │ Alexei Pokusevski
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Reasoning for the Oklahoma City Thunder
OKC recieve: Clint Capela
OKC give up: Tre Mann, Alexei Pokusevski, Davis Bertans, 1 FRP
Why they do this: OKC rank dead last in giving up offensive rebounds per game, and often go for stretches at a time without a center at the court, also being in the bottom 5 for total rebounds per game. They can start or have Capela off the bench depending on matchups, but most importantly will have at least one of Chet or Capela on the floor at all times. Capela's a great lob threat for a bench facilitator for Giddey to utilise as well.
The Thunder Depth Chart
PG: Shai Gilgeous-Alexander │ Vasilije Micic
SG: Isaiah Joe │ Cason Wallace
SF: Luguentz Dort │ Josh Giddey
PF: Jalen Williams │ Kenrich Williams
C: Chet Holmgren │ Clint Capela
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Reasoning for the Toronto Raptors
Toronto recieve: AJ Griffin, Davis Bertans, Patty Mills, 2 FRPs
Toronto give up: Pascal Siakam
Why they do this: The fact that one of Siakam and OG won't be in Toronto by the end of the season is one of the league's worst kept secrets. It would be malpractice to invest almost 100m into resigning Siakam, OG and GTJ and then giving Barnes his rookie max extension the following year, especially when the team is below .500 and has been mediocre for the past 5 years. Trading away the older Siakam so that they can keep their younger players would make more sense, and they get two firsts and almost 25m in expiring contracts to help them do so, clearing up enough cap space for them to remain under the tax after resigning OG and GTJ to their projected values. AJ Griffin would also be a young wing they can have off the bench. With some lottery luck, they may even retain their own pick.
Moves after the trade: Waive Garrett Temple
The Raptors Depth Chart
PG: Dennis Schroder │ Malachi Flynn
SG: Gary Trent Jr │ Gradey Dick
SF: OG Anunoby │ AJ Griffin
PF: Scottie Barnes │ Chris Boucher
C: Jakob Poeltl │ Precious Achiuwa
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Reasoning for the Minnesota Timberwolves
Minnesota recieve: Kyle Kuzma, Dejounte Murray, Tre Mann
Minnesota give up: Karl-Anthony Towns, Shake Milton
Why they do this: They've been in the top 3 for defensive ratings for the whole season, and have been holding down the 1 spot in the West 21 games in. It would be silly to trade away one of their best players, but while everything seems fine now, KAT's looming contract extension would spoil whatever financial freedom they would have. With Ant's and McDaniels's extensions kicking in soon too they would rocket to the second apron and be heavily limited in trades. For a team that's rarely paid taxes, it's not a future they would like. Conley turns 37 next year and it wouldn't be illogical to conclude that he wouldn't be able to keep up this playmaking and defensive intensity for much longer. Dejounte Murray's elite playmaking hasn't been on full show ever since he moved to Atlanta, but his playmaking capabilities despite a low usage rate can be shown in its entirety in Minnesota, as will be his All-NBA defensive calibre defending in a team structured to maintain a defensive identity for the next decade. Kyle Kuzma is turning into a high-scoring 3&D wing and could replace some of the scoring lost in trading away KAT, and Mann could have untapped scoring potential hidden away in the depths of Oklahoma, and is an upgrade over the disappointing Milton this season. An eventual starting 5 of Murray, Edwards, Kuzma, McDaniels and Gobert will be a scary sight indeed.
The Timberwolves Depth Chart
PG: Mike Conley │ Tre Mann
SG: Dejounte Murray │ Nickeil Alexander-Walker
SF: Anthony Edwards │ Kyle Kuzma
PF: Jaden McDaniels │ Kyle Anderson
C: Rudy Gobert │ Naz Reid
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Reasoning for the Atlanta Hawks
Atlanta recieve: Karl-Anthony Towns, Pascal Siakam, Delon Wright, Danilo Gallinari
Atlanta give up: Dejounte Murray, De'Andre Hunter, Clint Capela, AJ Griffin, Patty Mills, 2 FRPs, 2 SRPs
Why they do this: Atlanta have been the definition of mediocre. They've been flirting with a .500 record for the past 2 years, and haven't come close to replicating the ECF run in 2021, with two first round exits in a row, which either calls for a blow-up or a roster overhaul, especially with the Celtics and Bucks looking better than ever. Trae's a franchise player and they haven't done a great job in surrounding him with All-Star talent, but obtaining Siakam and KAT for only two FRPs is a STEAL for Atlanta. While KAT's extension does sound ominous, they still remain under the second apron due to smart, cheap extensions by the FO of key players such as Okongwu. The fit's immaculate and they'll be in the same tier as Boston and Milwaukee when it comes to Eastern contenders.
The Hawks Depth Chart
PG: Trae Young │ Kobe Bufkin
SG: Delon Wright │ Bogdan Bogdanovic
SF: Jalen Johnson │ Saddiq Bey
PF: Pascal Siakam │ Danilo Gallinari
C: Karl-Anthony Towns │ Onyeka Okongwu
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