Disclaimer:
I know the trades are unrealistic, please just rate them by value and not on how likely they could happen
A prerequisite is that OG Anunoby and Siakam resign, otherwise neither Dallas nor Memphis would agree on a deal
First trade
NYK: KAT MIN: Randle, Quickley
Why Knicks do it:
KAT > Randle, but significantly higher contract
They don’t seem willing to pay Q, might as well trade him for an upgrade
They retain most of their assets and picks to go after another all-star caliber player (here JJJ)
Why Wolves do it:
KATs contract balloons next season and they replace him Randle who produces 80% of KAT on 90% of his salary (for now)
Randle might be a better/more natural fit at PF than KAT
They get a PG for the future (averaged 22/6/5 on like 47/40/85 as a starter last season) —> Q’s skillset is perfect next to ANT: Good defender, solid playmaker and can produce without the ball in his hands, if they can get him on a deal lower/similar to JMACs they’ll be set going forward
Second trade
MEM: Mitchell Robinson, Siakam NYK: JJJ TOR: Fournier, Kennard, Holmes, La Ravia, Prosper, Hardy, 6 FRP, one swap DAL: Anunoby
Why Mavs do it:
Their team looks good so far and they take their chance to upgrade their roster
they acquire OG and keep their main rotation together
OG is a perfect 3rd guy on a Doncic led team: all-defense caliber, solid 3PT shooting, doesn’t need the ball to be effective
They have no control over their picks until 2028 but their core will be together until at least 2027 so they’ll be fine —> they at least retain their 2024 FRP, making the trade more a “one FRP, one swap” + filler, amazing value from their perspective
Why Grizzlies do it:
They have next to no scoring production outside of Ja and Bane and get a third, more experienced all-star caliber player to accompany them
JJJ is a DPOY candidate but has his limitations that also limit the team (not the biggest offensive treat and can’t rebound, both crucial if you want to compete with Denver, LA or Boston) —> They get a top rebounder and (IMO) early DPOY candidate Robinson to help rebound and defend the paint, Siakam isn’t a bad Rebounder and defender himself, both would —> Siakam averaged around 24 PPG on respectable efficiency while also being a good secondary playmaker
they keep their 2024 FRP and might as well tank for a top prospect to compete next season, their new core would have a higher ceiling than with JJJ and Kennard IMO
Why Raptors do it: OG package
Holmes, Hardy, Prosper, two FRP via Dallas (25’27’), pick swap in 26’ for OG
they were rumored to want at least three FRP for him but as closer we are getting to the Deadline, the likelier they get to lower their demands in fear of loosing OG for nothing
Hardy and Prosper are both interesting prospects but aren’t ready to crack the main rotation of a team with championship aspirations yet, Toronto on the other hand would have enough play time to offer after trading both Siakam and Anunoby
Siakam package
Fournier, Kennard, LaRavia, Four FRP (24’ via WAS/PHX, 25’ via MIL (top 4 prot.), 26’ via MEM, 27’ via NYK)
Toronto go the OKC route and blow up their team for loads of picks, then proceed to trade incoming contracts for more picks
Siakam is in his prime years and won’t waste his best years on a mediocre team, him being an UFA next summer puts Toronto under presser
Given his contract situation I don’t think teams will offer a big package to acquire an all-NbA caliber player, a couple of unprotected FRP, salary filler (Fournier has a TO and would clean up a lot of money) and tradable contracts are fair value IMO —> Schröder could attract some teams, same goes for GTJ (PO) and Kennard (there will always be a marked for shooters and there are worse players than him on worse contracts) —> they have their Shai in Barnes and look for their Chet in the upcoming draft classes
after the trade they control 10 FRP in the next four drafts (full control of their own), other trades would add to that number
Why the Knicks do it:
Fournier, Mitchell and 3 FRP (24’ Dallas, 25’ Bucks, 27’ own) might seem like a lot for JJJ but the trade is all about fit and to maximize your roster (also two of the traded picks are not even from the Knicks/ Bucks and Mavs are expected to be top 10 teams anyways) —> they stay flexible as they retain RJ and all of their own future FRP except 2027
JJJs defense and spacing maximizes KATs offensive game and covers many defensive flaws (he seemed to have improved so far tho)
He also maximizes RJ, since he opens the floor for him without taking shooting opportunities off of him —> with KAT and JJJs spacing RJ and JB have a lot of space to operate their ISOs
JJJ Is a DPOY caliber and his declining contract is favorable for the roster
JB-Grimes-RJ-JJJ-KAT are one of the best starting fives in the league and a couple of minor moves away to be a top contender
Thoughts?