NOTE: This trade is able to be completed October 6th, which is during the preseason.

NOTE 2: The Warriors 2025 pick is top-8 protected

Another inspired trade here - I saw a trade, I’m forgetting who made it (sorry, if you see this lmk and I’ll credit you) of Jrue Holiday to the Warriors. I told him the Celtics were unlikely to deal Holiday but Smart could be a good consolation prize. He replied that the Dubs would also need a scoring big in that case, which is where Vucevic comes in.

Why the Warriors do this:

The Warriors bolster their backcourt defense in acquiring former DPOY Smart and add frontcourt scoring in Vucevic. These two, alongside Curry, Green, and Kuminga, form a very respectable starting lineup with a deep bench as well.

Why the Bulls do this:

Vucevic’s value is low and they acquire Andrew Wiggins for him, who has always thrived with low pressure and will likely do the same on a rebuilding Chicago team. This is a bet on Wiggins’ trade value improving to be flipped elsewhere in the off-season or further out.

Why the Grizzlies do this:

Memphis flips Smart for Melton (essentially Smart-lite) plus a solid end of bench guy in Waters along with former Grizzly Jevon Carter. As a possible follow-up trade to the Ingram deal (or even incorporated into it), the Grizzlies’ bench unit gets significantly stronger here to supplement an already-great starting group.

What do you think of this trade? Let me know in the comments, I look forward to the discussion