TL;DR

• Hawks build younger, longer, defensive minded core around Trae

• Nuggets get more shooting, flexibility, and depth

• Pistons get elite shooting around Cade

• Trailblazers get draft assets for Matisse Thybulle

The Hawks Perspective

This trade moves off two older players and brings in guys that fit a younger Hawks core that they can continue to build around. Stewart is a solid shooting big who can split minutes or share the court with Okongwu and Thybulle is a great defensive guard who has displayed a recent, though small, sample size of good shooting, both of which are perfect fits around Trae. And with Jalen Johnson and Risacher, they’d have good shooting and a switchable defense. This does leave the Hawks with two undersized bigs in Stewart and Okongwu, while Capela probably wouldn’t remain on the roster for long, but it’s a better overall fit and they can rely on Capela for now and fill in that hole later on. Plus they have 5 other players (Jalen Johnson, Zaccharie Risacher, Dyson Daniels, De’Andre Hunter, and Vit Krejci) who are all at least 6’8” and defensive minded.

The Nuggets Perspective

MPJ is a great player and fits what the Nuggets need very well, however his contract makes it almost impossible for them to fill holes in their roster which has become more and more of a problem. Sending out his big contract for three smaller ones (one expiring) provides more depth and flexibility for constructing their roster, now and in the future. In addition, Bogdanovic and Fontecchio do a reasonable job replacing the shooting lost by MPJ and KCP. Nance would be a really solid backup center and can play alongside Šarić and I think you’ll get the most out of Bogdanovic playing him next to Jokić as we saw in the Olympics this year.

The Pistons Perspective

The Pistons put great shooting around Cade with MPJ and Tobias Harris, opening up the lane for him to work. MPJ fits the Pistons’ timeline well for trying to win games now as well as more long-term building around Cade. The Pistons get a pick swap to pick up Zeke Nnaji, though he could end up fitting into what they need long-term if he rediscovers his shot. Nnaji is a reasonable rim protector but a terrible defensive rebounder. Paired next to Duren, they could potentially cover each other’s weaknesses. In addition, he’s a solid switchable defender, so Nnaji isn’t just dead salary going forward.

I could also see the Pistons getting the Nuggets 2031 pick outright potentially with protections instead of the swap.

The Trailblazers Perspective

Fairly obvious- they get draft capital and an expiring for Matisse Thybulle, who doesn’t fit their timeline and won’t get playing time.

Lmk what y’all think

Inspired by a post from u/T_S