**Trade 1:
LA receives: Daniel Gafford / 43rd pick via. UTAH
DAL receives: Colin Sexton / Svi
UTA receives: Kleber / Knecht / Hardy / 2031 FRP via. LA
Why this makes sense:
For LA, you acquire your perfect starting-level guy in Gafford without breaking the bank. Has chemistry with Luka and is a proven lob threat and shot blocker.
For Dallas, you acquire a lead guard who can take up the ball handling and scoring responsibility in Kyrie's absence. Sexton has experience being the lead guard from his days back in Cleveland and would be very proficient in acting as the team's primary ball handler. When Irving returns, I could see him fitting in nicely into a 6th man role off the bench on a team that is desperate for shot creation. Svi is a decent shooter, which is nice to have on a team that is so focused on its frontcourt and playing off its bigs.
For Utah, this is a haul for a player who was probably leaving in FA regardless. DK immediately becomes one of your better younger prospects, a 2031 first doesn't hurt, and even though Hardy has been up and down so far, he's still 21-22 which means there's still a lot of room for growth.
Trade 2:
LA receives: Saddiq Bey
WAS receives: Shake Milton / Goodwin / 43rd pick / 55th pick
Essentially, the Rui trade all over again. LA buys low on a cheap wing with some upside in Bey, who showed some promise before the ACL tear. Washington gets 2 seconds for the exchange allowing them to pick fresher and younger prospects who match the team's trajectory better.
Trade 3:
LA receives: Andrew Wiggins
MIA receives: Rui / Vando / 2030 swap
Let's be clear...there isn't much of a gap between Rui and Wiggins when we factor overall value. Rui at 18M is a more valuable asset than Wiggs is at 28 M. But Wiggins fts this team better. The same way Hachimura fits Miami better. Wiggs is a better defender and more athletic than Rui, which would be more useful on a team built around Luka. Hachimura is the better shooter of the two and is 4 years younger, making him more in line with Miami's core. He's also a little bigger than Wiggins is. Rui is set to be a FA after this season but will probably resign on a value far less than 28M making him a much more team friendly asset. To make up for the mismatch in value, LA would also look to offload Vando's contract, sending out a swap as well to MIA for compensation. Vando has his strengths, but his own set of glaring weaknesses. But his defense is undeniable and he plays better on a team that fits his skillset better, like Miami, especially under a coach like Erik Spoelstra who knows how to bring the best out of his players.
The signings:
Clint Capela ( TPE )
Melton ( Vet Min )
Prince ( Vet Min )
Final rotation:
STARTERS: Luka / AR / Wiggins / Bron / Gafford
BENCH: Melton / Prince / Bey / DFS / Capela
LA would still have AR and Vincent's expirings plus 2 pick swaps should they look to make future moves. They also have an open roster spot in case of a buyout.
IN: Gafford / Wiggins / Bey / Melton / Prince / Capela
OUT: Kleber / Knecht / Shake / Goodwin
Picks used: 2031 FRP, 2030 SWAP, 2025 SRP