Starting with the Bucks, it has been a rough start to the season. Lopez has looked very slow in transition and lost on the defensive end. The perimeter defense with Dame is almost non-existent. Although having a floor-spacing big paired with Giannis is extremely helpful, I don't believe it is necessary for this team to thrive. This trade sees them exchange Lopez for Williams who can create a scary defensive pairing with Giannis, and move off of MarJon who is rumoured to be on the chopping block for Thybulle who can help greatly fill the gaps in the backcourt. I feel like there should be some picks involved on this aspect of the trade but I can't quite decide what and in what direction so I'm open to ideas! It also opens up 2.2M in cap space allowing them to either sign some great rotation depth like Markelle Fultz or Lonnie Walker, or if they so please bring back Thanasis. Overall, I think this is an interesting direction for them to go and gives them a chance to redefine their team identity. I would also look at what other options are available on the coaching market.

For the Blazers, they send out Reath who is not getting any minutes, Williams who could potentially turn into a third-string dependent on how they view Clingan, and Thybulle who clogs up the pathway for Sharpe to develop. They get back MarJon who was a former first-rounder and shows flashes of potential, Sims who can provide minutes if needed but otherwise is an expiring contract, a protected first from the Wizards that will most likely convey as two very valuable second-rounders, and finally the main draw is Brook Lopez. They don't have much need for him, but he is regarded as a great locker-room presence and can help lead this young team into the future. Both Ayton and Clingan could learn a great deal from him on spacing the floor. Either they flip him for more assets or hold on to him and let him mentor this team and then expire and open up a great deal of cap space this offseason. I think they will probably want more draft capital coming back in this deal, and would be happy to take suggestions on that!

Finally, the Knicks move Sims and the Washington protected first (two quality seconds) for Reath who could provide great minutes early in the season while Robinson and Achiuwa are out, and help space the floor on the bench when they return. To me, this is a no-brainer and would make us that much stronger both now and when we hopefully return fully healthy. Also, on the contract signings, it seems like they aren't popping up but ignore the Shamet amount if it does as I wasn't able to utilize a two-way contract. The plan would be to convert Hukporti to a rookie min, sign Ryan to a min of 1.5M, and sign Shamet to the two-way while he recovers from his injury. This would keep them perfectly under the second apron I believe (I'm not Brock Aller) and give them one of the deepest 15-man rosters in the league when healthy: Starters: Brunson-Bridges-Anunoby-KAT-Robinson Bench: Payne-McBride-Hart-Achiuwa-Reath EOB: Kolek-Shamet-Ryan-Dadiet-Hukporti Obviously may struggle early on in the season as the team is shorthanded and out of sync, but all that really matters is getting in enough practice together to develop some cohesion and trust before the playoffs. This squad IMO would be near championship favourites when fully healthy.

I want to know what you think. What would you change? Who wins here? Who says no? Let me know in the comments below and please keep it respectful and civil! I just make these trades for fun, and to gain a deeper insight into other teams' fanbases/understand the current sentiment on player values in the league!