Pelicans move back from 10 to 23 +24 and get a future 2nd from the Rockets (5 picks in this class) and get off Bledsoe and Steven Adams who may be the worst fits around Zion? They still have a bunch of draft capital but they open up about $15m which they throw into a max contract for Lonzo. The fit of Gordon on here works too IMO. Yes his contract may be long but he is the type of veteran move that makes sense for this team. He fills a need at the 2 spot, while adding shooting, defense (next to Lonzo they could be really good) and playoff experience. There's also a feel good story about Eric Gordon going back to New Orleans too i guess.
Pelicans in: Eric Gordon, Danuel House, No.23, No.24, 2024 2nd round pick via GS
Pelicans out: Eric Bledsoe, Steven Adams, No.10, No.53
Starting line up: Lonzo/Gordon/Ingram/Zion/Hayes
Bench: Kira/NAW/House/No.23 (JT Thor)/No.24 (Day'ron Sharpe)
Houston do what a rebuilding team should, make the most of their "assets" - in this case Wall and Gordon - take on other teams salary and aim for young players. Many people can see Wall and Gordon as negative assets, but on the right team they would 100% contribute. Wall when healthy looked good and could help a team like the Bulls who need to make a splash next year, Gordon similarly could help a team by being a great role player, shooter and defender. They take on the bad contracts of Bledsoe and Adams who expire when they're set to pay Wood. And they could possibly pull some value out of Bledsoe by the trade deadline.
Rockets in: Eric Bledsoe, Steven Adams, Al-Faroq Aminu, Tomas Satoransky, No.10, No.37
Rockets out: John Wall, Eric Gordon, Danuel House, No.23, No.24, 2nd round pick via GS
Starting line up: KPJ/No.2 (Jalen Green)/Tate/Wood/Adams
Bench: Bledsoe/No.37 (Quentin Grimes)/KJ/No.10 (Jalen Johnson)
Bulls try to remedy what they started last year by trading for Vuce. Wall could be the perfect complimentary peice to a team wanting to make the finals but missing the true ball handler at the 1 spot. They don't give up a lot in terms of talent to get him. Though they may be in the luxury, especially if they want to keep Markkanan.
Bulls in: John Wall
Bulls out: Al-Faroq Aminu, Tomas Satoransky, No. 37
Starting line up: Wall/Lavine/PatWill/Markanan/Vuce
Bench: Arcidiacano?/White/Brown/House/Thad Young