The NBA trade market seems to be heating up as more and more reports are coming up about the Knicks and other teams exploring various moves. I've done the OG Anunoby trades and I feel like those trades have been pretty well covered so in the lead up to the deadline I'm mainly going to focus on trades that deal with other players. With that being said, to the team by team breakdown!
Knicks: This is all about the bench with the bonus of a higher first round pick (which I think is the most controversial part of this trade but more on that below). The Knicks get Harris and Hart who are vets that can easily slide into the Knicks lineup and are solid defenders which will make them more attractive to Thibs. Harts value is a bit low right now since he's not hitting 3 pointers like last season so they get him without having to sacrifice a first round pick (and those second round picks may not be necessary either). Harris has had injury issues but has looked fairly healthy and productive the last couple of years. And finally Mo Bamba provides the Knicks with a young rim protecting center (which is pretty much the only type of center that Thibs likes). The Knicks essentially swap 2023 first round picks and send their pick unprotected to the Magic in exchange for the pick they have from the Bulls.
Magic: It may not seem at first glance that the Magic are getting enough out of this trade but I'll try to break down my point of view. The Magic have a young frontcourt with tons of potential and talent and arguably have too many players in those positions. Obi is listed as a PF but with his speed could potentially slide down to the SF position. He's a very dynamic player and would hopefully get the time on the Magic to actually show that talent. They also take a flier on Reddish who's market has nearly evaporated but is still a young wing with all the tools to become a great 3 and D player if given the chance. Rose is actually a strong piece for the Magic as they have such a talented frontcourt but have a backcourt that needs work, especially at PG. They have some talented players like Jalen Suggs, Cole Anthony and Markelle Fultz but all 3 have some serious flaws and have yet to truly put it together. Rose has shown that he is a great mentor for young guards and is ready and willing to do that work. His presence could help take the Magic to the next level (and if the ping pong balls go their way, they could end up with Scoot Henderson). All of those players combined equal at least a first round pick which is why they swap picks with the Knicks and move down in the draft for one of their picks. Their own FRP still projects to be somewhere in the top 5. The Magic also have the enviable problem of having too many young players to develop so this allows them to prioritize the development of the talented players they already have.
Blazers: The Blazers have had a decent bounce back year but still clearly need some work. Grant has worked out incredibly well and all signs point to the Blazers keeping him. However that will mean paying him well above what he currently makes and with Hart having a player option, he's expected to opt out and ask for more than the Blazers can give. This way, the Blazers don't lose him for nothing and get a young big man who provides a different skillset than Nurkic and on a very team friendly contract to boot.
Feel free to comment away!