Teams, assets, goals…
Sixers: Outgoing: McCain, PG13, #3 pick Incoming: Jimmy Butler, Kelly Olynck, #7 pick
Pelicans: Outgoing: Zion, McCollum, #7 pick, 2027 Mil Swap (they get the 2nd best pick between GSW, MIL, NO) Incoming: Kuminga, McCain, PG13, #3 pick
Bucks: Outgoing: Giannis, Kuzma Incoming: Zion, McCollum, Podziemski, Moody ‘26 Warriors first, ‘27 best pick out of Warriors, Pels and Bucks, ‘28 Warriors first, ‘30 warriors first 1-20, ‘31 Warriors right to swap
Warriors: Outgoing: Podz, Kuminga, Moody, Butler, 3 unprotected firsts, 2 swaps Incoming: Giannis & Kuzma
First I’ll start with this is not the best offer the Bucks can get. There are atleast 5 teams which can give more or better assets. This trade is a long longshot and relies heavily on Giannis forcing himself to the Warriors.
Why do the Sixers do this? The biggest thing here is them getting of Paul George’s money without having to give up major assets. Allowing them to compete for the next few years while not giving up major assets. McCain was great for them in his limited time last season but long term him and Maxey cannot be your backcourt and expect to be a contending level.
They get Jimmy who is a proven commodity on their team, a really good back up center for an oft injured Embiid and they move down 4 spots in the draft passing on Ace Bailey.
I think this is a middle ground option for the Sixers, you don’t go full rebuild or give up all your assets for a win now. You get a better team next season in a super weak East while still having Maxey, the 7th pick and your future assets.
Again YOU GET OFF PAUL GEORGE CONTRACT
Pelicans: This is a Pels re-set trade. The Pels might be looking around the West and saying even if everything hits this next 2-3 years what’s our ceiling? A 5-6 seed and the 2nd round?
This trade is basically saying we are not trusting Zion to be our guy, let’s get younger and start to get young intriguing assets.
McCollum is on an expiring and doesn’t fit their timeline, solid player but at his contract size in this CBA you’re not getting much.
They are moving up to the 3rd pick to get Bailey and you have a runway to let him grow for the next 3 years.
You’re getting McCain & Kuminga and letting them take 30 shots a game next year to try to grow into better players.
You still have a lot of intriguing assets on the roster and guys like Herb and Murray who contenders will be interested in. You have a few years to feel out this team and will have a massive expiring in 2 years with a ton of assets for a win-now move.
Bucks: This is not the best package out there for them. This trade is contingent on Giannis really forcing his way to GSW. Basically telling other teams I’m not signing an extension if you trade for me.
That said Milwaukee doesn’t want to totally “bottom out” as they don’t have their own pick h til 2031. So ideally they’d want a guy that could be the guy (Zion). And other players that could grow and be good supporting cast members.
They get essentially every Warriors pick they have to offer while having a player they can sell to their fans in Zion and a chance and competing this next year with trade flexibility. Let’s say they are 30-20 at the trade deadline. They have a McCollum contract and a bunch of picks to wheel and deal.
Warriors: You get Giannis. I could just leave it there but I will say this is the Warriors Nuclear offer. They’re giving up all their depth, their #2 guy and all their tradeable future picks.
It’s a risk with their lack of depth but you basically bet on Steph and Giannis being so good offensively that it won’t matter they would be weaker 3-8 than basically all other contenders.
You give Steph probably the best opportunity to win one more ring.