Hawks is on a bad season. Everyone expected they will be a dark horse once again this year, and think they will at least be a top 4 seed, and they ends up being the 9th. Defense has been a big problem the whole season, especially perimeter defense, with Trae at PG and Huerter/Bogdon at SG. Also Trae has been the focus of this team, way too heavy of a focus. Miami lockdown Trae Young, and ends up Hawks got blown out for like 2-3 games. This trade’s aim is to get ball handlers, another guy to hold the ball to allow Trae play a bit of offball. And also hopefully fix their defense.

Hawks:

Hawks get back Diallo, SG/SF, who’s a good young wing defender, Burks, SG/PG, who have better defense than Huerter, and Bogdan, which will hopefully provide the defense beside a no D Trae Young, and he did play PG for some time this season, he can be the extra ball handler Hawks need. And Randle… PF, he have a kinda bad season (or disappointing) after the tremendous season he have last season. But if he bounces back he will be a very valuable player. He’s a guy who can dish out some assists, play a slight bit of point forward, and defensively he’s slightly better than Collins. Hawks need to give up on Collins which i think irl they also need to just to switch up the team a bit.

Lineup: Trae Burks Hunter Randle Capela

Reserve: Wright Huerter Okongwu Johnson Gallinari (16th pick: first i went with Branham on my mock, but then now with Burks they might go with guys like Kendall Brown to increase D) (FA)

Expectation: 6-8th seed (East is too stacked)

Pistons:

They traded Grant, Diallo, Bagley for Collins, Saric and Ish Smith and a srp. Grant is a guy they need to move he doesn’t fit their timeline. They get back Collins who is a very good fit beside Stewart who hv not good offensive skills. Collins is on a 4 year deal, with a not bad contract. Grant 1 year deal Diallo 1 year deal and Bagley sign and trade, i don’t think this will be an overpay for the Pistons. They will need to eat Saric and Smith’s contract but that’s just for 1 year, they will get back 1 srp for that.

Lineup: (3rd pick: Went with Jaden Ivey for me) Cade Bey Collins Stewart

Reserves: Joseph (trade block) Hayes Garza Lee Jackson Olynyk (46th pick)

Remark: Buyout Ish Smith

Expectation: still not gonna be in the playoffs, but i think they might be like 12th seed? I think Cade will develop into an all star type of guy next season.

Wizards:

Wizards don’t have a PG, they go with Cam Payne here. Don’t forget last year’s playoff, when Chris Paul’s injured, Cam Payne is the guy who stepped up big time. He shows he can be a very good floor general as well. Ish Smith rlly doesn’t have a use for the Wizards, Cam Payne will be the playmaker for this win now team. The only thing is a backcourt of Beal and Payne might be too weak on defense, but Payne definitely can fill out the need of PG for the Wizards.

Lineup: Payne Beal (probably will resign although i don’t want him to) Deni Porzingis Gafford

Reserves: Kuzma Kispert Neto Bryant (probably Wizards want to resign him as well) KCP (56th pick: went with Andrew Nembhard on my mock draft) (FA)

Expectation: 9-11th seed

Knicks:

For real blowing the Knicks up benefits them the most (aka trading Randle, Fournier, Burks, those vets) They have a solid young core, with Quickley, Toppin, Barrett, Reddish, Grimes, and some minor guys like McBride and Sims. Randle keep take Toppin’s mins away, but Toppin shows that he can be a good player when he’s playing starter mins. So trade Randle, Burks and they enter rebuild after 1 year of success. They get back Bagley, a young guy who seems like having a rebirth in Detroit, he can play some C mins or backup PF. Bogdan’s value should be similar to Burks, but Bogdan is on a bigger contract, so Hawks need to give srps to get off Bogdan’s contract. They get back 4 srp and 1 frp, making their number of picks to 28 (Thunder is just on 34)

Lineup: Quickly Barrett Reddish Toppin (11th pick: went with Jalen Duren on my mock draft)

Reserves: Grimes Bagley Rose (trade block) Fournier (trade block) Bogdan (Knicks won’t want him he’s here cus of Hawks wanting to get off salaries, maybe trade block next year) Noel (trade block) (42th pick: went with Dalen Terry on my mock draft)

Remark: Mitchell Robinson i think he’s gonna leave for a contender (Grizzles who have cap space) (Best case scenario: Warriors on MLE :), we gonna play him 25+ mins every night)

Expectation: The young core shows they can all average 15+ PPG, so i think 11-13th seed

Suns:

An absolutely steal here. Suns might be an underdog for Grant, but i can see them trying to get him. Suns is surprising good suddenly, and bounced back these 2 years, from a rebuilding team. They still hv ton of picks comparing to other contending teams. Grant still hv 1 year left on his deal, so his price won’t be that high. He will definitely be a huge upgrade over Crowder. Suns need to secure him, and I think teams will request more from them since that's a 1st seed getting another 'close to all star' player. They give up Payne, who is very good for them, but getting Grant will be even better for them. And they can just sign a backup PG in FA. If they add Grant they will automatically became heavy favourite.

Lineup: Paul Booker Bridges Grant Ayton

Reserve: Shamet Cam Crowder Craig (3 FA)

Remark: i did this Grant to Suns trade already in another trade, but after i heard of comments, i think i made the Suns overpay, so yea i did it once again

Expectation: 1 or 2 seed

Lemme know what you think of this trade down in the comments, and pls also upvote.

Also check out my full detailed mock draft!: https://fanspo.com/nba/s/nba_draft/mock-drafts/1KOD4v-z_o6g6b/2022-nba-full-mock-draft-with-detailed-explanation-and-comparison