Brooklyn Nets Receive

Grant Williams

Nick Smith Jr.

2026 2nd (via DEN/GSW, from CHA)

2029 CHA 2nd

2030 CHA 1st

Why Nets do it:

They move off Nic Claxton, who’s extension-eligible and will be very expensive soon, in exchange for a controllable starter-caliber PF (Grant Williams) and a former lottery-level talent (Nick Smith Jr.).

Picks help replenish their asset pool as they’re retooling post-Kevin Durant/Kyrie era.

Clears roster logjam in the frontcourt while adding depth to the wing/guard rotation.

Essentially pivoting toward long-term flexibility over paying big for Claxton.

Charlotte Hornets Receive

Zach LaVine

Nic Claxton

P.J. Washington

Jaden Hardy

Why Hornets do it:

They consolidate their pile of youth and picks into proven players, speeding up LaMelo + Brandon Miller’s timeline.

Zach LaVine gives them a go-to scoring guard, complementing LaMelo’s playmaking.

Nic Claxton locks down the starting center spot (elite rim protector, lob target for LaMelo).

Retain PJ Washington as a steady stretch big, plus Jaden Hardy as a developmental scorer off the bench.

Makes Charlotte much more competitive right now without fully gutting the roster.

Sacramento Kings Receive

Miles Bridges

Josh Green

Tidjane Salaün

2027 DAL 1st (from CHA)

2029 DEN 2nd (from CHA)

2031 MIL 2nd (from CHA)

2031 PHX 2nd (from CHA)

2032 CHA 1st

Why Kings do it:

They flip Zach LaVine (expensive, injury history, fit issues with DeRozan/Monk/Sabonis) into multiple rotation pieces and future assets.

Bridges + Green fit the Kings’ defensive wing needs better and are lower-maintenance contracts.

Tidjane Salaün adds a young, high-upside forward to develop.

Picks give Sacramento flexibility to make another star move down the line.

Essentially a better roster balance move, trading one big name for depth and future currency.

Dallas Mavericks Receive

Collin Sexton

2027 2nd (via NOP or POR, from CHA)

Why Mavs do it:

They’ve lost some backcourt depth around Kyrie Irving. Collin Sexton gives them a younger combo guard who can provide scoring punch.

Cost-controlled contract vs. chasing a more expensive guard.

Adding a pick helps offset risk.

Doesn’t cost them any core players (AD, Kyrie, Flagg, etc.), just Jaden Hardy (who hadn’t cracked rotation consistently).

✅ Overall Logic:

Nets pivot to future flexibility.

Hornets accelerate into win-now with LaMelo/Miller.

Kings rebalance depth + defense instead of paying LaVine.

Mavs upgrade bench scoring with Sexton at a cheap price.