Hornets
The Hornets are still a year at least from being competitive in the east in a best case scenario. In this scenario they invest in a big 3 early of LaMelo, Miller, and BI. The probably solidifies them as a play-in team this year, with the potential to be even more in the long-term depending on health, fit, and player development. They also don't lose much with Bridges being a worse version of BI, and Tre Mann - while good - is worth losing to pick up Ingram. With a stacked 2025 draft class coming this year, they can pick up another piece of the core and plan to contend ASAP.
Lineup
PG: LaMelo Ball / Vasilije Micic
SG: Brandon Miller / Josh Green / Seth Curry
SF: Brandon Ingram / Cody Martin
PF: Grant Willams / Tidjane Salaun
C: Nick Richards / Mark Williams
Nets
Brooklyn does this to pick up Mann, who has a lot of potential, and a UFRP. Miles Bridges is just salary filler and can be flipped at their leisure. While Claxton is great, and still young, the Nets won't be competitive until he is past his prime. It seems to me that they will probably look to capitalize on his value and trade him away sooner rather than later. This is made easier by Day'Ron Sharpe breaking out last year. The Nets hope to get Flagg next year and go from there with a complete reset of guys around him.
PG: Dennis Schroder / Ben Simmons
SG: Cam Thomas / Tre Mann / Jalen Wilson
SF: Miles Bridges / Bojan Bogdanovich
PF: Cameron Johnson / Dorian Finney-Smith
C: Day'Ron Sharpe / Noah Clowney
Pelicans
New Orleans gets the best center possible for their system (apart from like, Chet I guess lol). Claxton is an excellent rim protector and can defend most perimeter players on top of that. He is young, can grow with the core, and is on a not-horrific contract. He won't need to do much on offence apart from dunk, which he will be able to do amazingly.
The departure of BI lets Herb and TM3 become the two wings and still allows for an effective small ball lineup in spurts.
Lineup:
PG: Dejounte Murray / Jose Alvarado / Antonio Reeves
SG: CJ McCollum / Jordan Hawkins
SF: Herb Jones / Javonte Green / Jeremiah Robinson-Earl
PF: Zion Williamson / Trey Murphy III (6M) / Daniel Theis
C: Nic Claxton / Karlo Matkovic / Yves Missi
Background
(Same as post #1)
I don't see the Pelicans doing very well this year with the current roster. To me there are two glaring holes:
With no even average centers on the team, the small ball lineup of Zion/Herb/Whoever at the 5 will be getting a lot of run. I do not have faith in this lineup consistently winning its minutes. Especially in a division with Wemby, Edey, & Sengun, and a conference with Jokic, AD, Sabonis, Chet, etc. This team needs a traditional center to play at least half the game or so.
The Dejounte Murray pickup - as much as I hated the idea of it months ago - is something that I've warmed up to. I can see DJM being a key part of the Herb/TM3/Zion core. Unfortunately, Brandon Ingram just does not fit with those four, and in fact actively is a detriment to their development. He and Murray have overlapping play styles, he limits spacing for Zion, and takes minutes away from Herb & TM3.
Each of the six trades which I'll post until opening night will try and address both of these problems. They will start from worst to best. This is #6 of 6.
To be clear: these are all mid-season trades. If the team is doing well as is in 2-3 months, there is no need to change anything.