Why the Bucks do this: They build a Celtics-like starting lineup with tons of talent and spacing around Giannis. They trade all off their picks as well as Bobby Portis and Pat Connaughton, but they can sign depth and/or trade for it at the deadline. As for the picks, they are in win now mode anyway. Markkanen is a perfect fit offensively next to Giannis, and he helps resurrect their defense too as a seven-footer.

Why the Warriors do this: Andrew Wiggins has forgotten how to play basketball, so the Warriors trade him and his atrocious contract for Bobby Portis and Pat Connaughton, two quality rotation players (Portis might even start if Draymond keeps regressing). I think the Olympics have shown us that Steph can still carry a team, even if it is just the next two years. I feel like with this trade they can be a sneaky 4-6 seed that can upset some teams. Even if they don’t end up making serious noise, Steph will retire a Warrior, and the team owes it to him to remain competitive.

Why the Jazz do this: Danny Ainge is asking for 3 FRPs for Lauri, and everyone thinks it is a tremendous overpay. In this trade they get 6 solely by adding Colin Sexton and taking on the Lavine contract. The Lavine contract doesn’t really affect them as they don’t want to be competitive for the next few years, and if they nail the draft, it will have expired by the time they want to pay a rookie.

Why the Bulls do this: They have to take on the Wiggins contract which sucks, but it is better than Lavine’s. They also get Colin Sexton, who quietly averaged 18 PPG and 5 assists. Additionally, Wiggins could turn it around with more minutes and less personal issues, making him a valuable trade asset or long-term building block.

Let me know what you think in the comments!