This may not be the exact best trade, but I think there's something here. I started this as just a basic Nerlens to Houston trade. But when I saw the bloat on the Detroit roster it got me thinking..
https://fanspo.com/nba/s/general/trades/SHOFzI-uyFfsfU/after-sept-9-dethoulal
Why Detroit do it
I have a lot of respect for what Detroit has done the last couple years in terms of their rebuild. But im not ready to consider them done and ready to compete just yet.
Trading for Westbrook makes zero sense when you look at it at face value, but taking on his money for one year and waiving him gives them SO much cap room next year. What this does is allow Detroit to move Kemba and Corey Joseph (two candidates to he waived anyway) but moving Burks, Olynyk and Nerlens means that roughly $30m that would be on the books next year is gone.
This also opens up space for Jalen Duren to get backup minutes right away (I think it would be a waste playing him in the g league). Setting themselves up to be players in the 2023 FA market could see the start of Detroit making real moves back to the play offs.
And just look at all that young promising talent!
Ivey/Cade/Bey/Bagley/Stewart
Lee/Diallo/KJ/Livers/Duren
Why the Rockets do it
Firstly. I need to make a point about that FRP from the Lakers. Here it would be a lottery protected FRP in 2026 and if that doesn't convey it becomes a pick swap in 2027. So Lakers fans, there's a chance this FRP doesn't convey at all. Big risk from the Rockets but that mayyyy be EGs value at the moment.
Walking away with a legit backup big and lob threat behind Sengun this year gives Houston a whole different skill set to utilise off the bench. The shooting may not he great mind you but that can hopefully change with some 2nd year (or even during their 1st year) improvement.
Walking away with a backup big and a late FRP for EG is a total win.
Houston waive Kemba and Joseph.
KPJ/Green/Tate/Jabari/Sengun
Dix(Tyty)/Christopher/Mathews/Tari/Nerlens
Why the Lakers do it.
Talking about the elephant in the room. Russ and PatBev won't play with each other. Nevermind just that, their guard rotation is bloated particularly those who can't move to the 3.
Rumors about the Lakers wanting Heild and Turner may need to be tempered if they aren't willing to give up two unprotected FRPs. So getting Gordon (who I think is better than Heild anyway but that may just be me) and Olynyk for a heavily protected FRP (see my Rockets explanation) is a fair consolation prize.
Burks and Olynyk are under contract for another year and EGs last year is non garunteed (basically) so if they click with Bron and AD, great. But if not they become expirings small enough to be able to move next year (unlike Russ' $47m).
EG is a very good defender who can defend either wing spot who has chemistry with Pat going back to Houston. Olynyk is the perfect backup for this team who can help lend some talent to the bench.
This also allows the Lakers to resign a guy like Melo (or maybe Morris) to help with size on the bench. It puts them in a way better position than they were at the start of the year (if only they could take back that Lonnie Walker signing).
PatBev/EG/Bron/AD/Thomas
Burks/Reeves/Brown(JaunTA)/Melo/Olynyk