*Note: The Pistons may ask for a first-round pick swaps from the Lakers in 2026 or 2028 instead of two second-round picks and, if so, the Lakers may have to begrudgingly be willing to oblige with a light protection.

Why the Nets do it? They still have Kevin Durant on their team and a lot of draft pick obligations owed to the Rockets over the next few years, so tanking is out of the question. They exchange Irving for a one-year-removed all-star (albeit an impending free agent) and quality rotation pieces under team control throughout at least next season.

Why the Lakers do it? Isn’t it obvious? They get themselves an all-star starter and an excellent complementary piece to LeBron James and Anthony Davis in the frontcourt. Mills coming off the bench as a decent playmaker and three-point sniper wouldn’t hurt them either.

Why the Raptors do it? They get themselves a lightly-protect first-round pick well into the future from the Lakers, who could be in turmoil by then, while also snagging themselves a couple of second-round picks. Furthermore, they rid themselves of a ton of salary from next year’s books, leaving them a lot of cap space to reset their roster around Siakam, Anunoby, Barnes, and whoever they draft with presumably a high draft pick.

Why the Pistons do it? They meet their asking price for a Bogdanovic trade by receiving an unprotected first-round pick and a nice, young player in Trent Jr. who they could hopefully re-sign this off-season to complement their young backcourt of Cade Cunningham and Jaden Ivey. If Birch or Porter Jr. can return to form at some point over this season or next, they can either use them as rotation pieces or low-cost trade chips next season.