EDIT PLEASE READ BEFORE COMMENTING: The Detroit 2025 pick is supposed to be lottery-protected and gradually get less protected over 3 years so that it is somewhat low risk to bank on a resurgence from Collins with a bigger role. My bad!
The Bulls, Jazz, and Hawks are all in that awkward stage of mediocrity and must decide on a course of action. This trade sees the Jazz and Hawks choose to push for contention while the Bulls blow it up.
Starting with New York, this trade sees them solidifying their bench by bringing in some much-needed scoring and support at the SF/PF slot with Bogdanovic, and some center depth in case Robinson does not return for the playoffs. They move off of Fournier's expiring contract, essentially exchanging it for Bogdanovic's similar contract for next season to make other big moves, accelerate the Piston's heavily protected pick by getting the 2nd rounder that would convey at the end of the protections, and give up Grimes and a projected late first this year when they still have their own first. Overall not a super risky move but huge in terms of the roster for this year.
As bad as the Pistons have been this year, I have faith they can be much better next season with some retooling. This trade sees them bring in much-needed floor spacing in Grimes who fits the team's timeline well, and Collins who alongside Duren and Cade I envision as a modern Clippers Lob City. They get their first back which allows them more flexibility in trading draft picks and they immediately use that flexibility in this trade by giving up a first next year.
For the Bulls, they are in a very difficult spot where things seem to be trending upwards this season, but with DeRozan and Vuc aging, and Lavine's value plummeting, they have to start thinking about a rebuild. Even in a difficult position, this trade sees them bring in some large expiring contracts, some great young prospects with George as the centrepiece of this trade, and three first-round picks for Lavine and some other key role players. The next moves for them would be to look for new homes for DeRozan and Vuc if possible and further build around their young players.
The Jazz have a difficult decision to make currently. The fit with Markkanen and Collins is not great, but they have pieces around them like Sexton, Clarkson, Olynyk, and Kessler that I believe they could be a playoff team with some major retooling. This trade sees them go all in on, bringing in Murray, Hunter, Caruso, and exchanging firsts with Atlanta so that they have a first in this draft and not 3 next year. This would give them a stellar starting lineup of Murray-Sexton-Hunter-Markkanen-Kessler with Caruso-Clarkson-Agbaji-Fontecchio-Olynyk off the bench. It does come at a high price of Collins, both of their rookies, Horton-Tucker, and a 2027 future first in a draft where they have 4 firsts, but seems well worth it when the roster is so solid and locked down for several years which would entice Markkanen to sign an extension.
Finally, for the Hawks, the backcourt of Young and Murray has not been working, and they have been stuck in mediocrity for a long time. This trade sees them try out Lavine to pair alongside Young, bring in Carter and Craig as excellent role players, and get a first-round pick in next year's draft in which they didn't have one. I think Lavine will thrive alongside Young, and this trade opens up even more of an opportunity for Johnson to step up and be a 3rd option on this team.
I'm usually not one to make massive 5-team trades like this, but in my mind this one is somewhat feasible. What do you think? What would you change about this trade? Who wins? Let me know your thoughts in the comments below!