Lakers
Lakers bring back a familiar face to recreate their a championship roster
both KCP and Reath would start alongside AD, Bron and Reaves to balance out the starting 5
Vando is better than Vincent but Lakers need a POA defender/PG off the bench rather than another wing because they already have Knecht and Rui —> maybe Spurs are willing to trade CP3 for a couple of SRP at the deadline to have a more consistent playmaker off the bench
two FRPs (one top 10 protected) look like a hefty price for the return but both LeBron and AD are not getting younger and the west is wide open rn, this might be their best and simultaneously last chance to win something for a couple of years
Starters LeBron - Reaves - KCP - AD - Reath Bench Vincent - Reddish - Knecht - Rui - Hayes
Nuggets
MPJ and Russ have both performed well so far but they are still streaky and/or expensive contracts for them
after extending Gordon and Murray, they have to shed money eventually and moving MPJ makes the most sense rn
Mikal (although struggling rn) is a better fit alongside a Jokic-led team than MPJ and Mitch (when healthy) finally brings them an elite defender that can successfully fill in for Jokic
Kolek is an interesting PG prospect, capable of providing playmaking off the bench
Starters Murray - Mikal - Braun - Gordon - Jokic Bench Kolek - Strawther - Watson - Mitch
Knicks
I don’t like Mikals fit/role at all in NY and the trade has looked horrible so far
him starting at SF pushes OG to PF and leaves the Knicks with height disadvantages and KAT as the sole rim protector which both isn’t really ideal and moving Hart to the bench wouldn’t be justifiable
Isaac (if healthy) brings the perfect skillset to maximize OG defensively and to solve the poor rim protection without losing the advantage on offense
his contract also keeps them under the 2nd apron for the next couple of years —> getting two FRP back also allows for flexibility on the trade market
Russ and Da Silva, alongside Precious returning also solve most of the bench issues —> Russ covers the lack of creation off the bench and Da Silva would be important for wing depth
Starters JB - Hart - OG - Isaac - KAT Bench Russ - Deuce - Da Silva - Sims 3rd string Pacome - Precious - Ariel
Magic
Even with Wagners leap, they still struggle to consistently create effective offense
A combo guard like Simons would complete their starting lineup and is a perfect fit in a backcourt with Suggs
DLo would be a solid PG guard for this season and ideally very important salary relief for the coming seasons —> after Suggs and Wagners contracts kick in and with Paolo and Simons being eligible for extensions next offseason, their roster would immediately become hard caped for four years, making any moves next to impossible
Starters Suggs - Simons - Wagner - Banchero - WCJ Bench (Dlo) Black - Thybule/Jett - Mo Wagner - Goga