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u/silentt_
 
  

Pelicans get a fallback option at Center


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Lakers

Lakers

+1 player ($36.0m),
Cap Impact - $2.7M

-1  Wins

-41.88  MPG

+2.41  Off.

+0.47  Def.

Magic

Magic

+2 players ($18.7m),
Cap Impact + $6.7M

+2  Wins

+23.15  MPG

+0.08  Off.

-1.54  Def.

I don't love the WCJ fit for New Orleans. His injury history and (relative) lack of athleticism scares me somewhat when considering a fit with the current roster. I would much rather Walker Kessler, Jarrett Allen, or even Nic Claxton at the deadline. That being said, I'm conscious that going into the season with Daniel Theis as your starter is not exactly an ideal situation.


Magic

In this trade, the Magic get D'Angelo Russell: a 40% 3-point shooter who can play next to the Magic core in a similar way to the how he did with the Lakers in exchange for WCJ. Russell is an expiring too so he can be off the books by the time Franz's & Suggs' extensions kicks in. I think that Mo Wagner and Goga both demonstrated that they can be long-term center options for Orlando last year and this trade gives them a bit more opportunity while giving Orlando some financial flexibility next year. Of course Isaac will also play a good amount of center, where I think he and Paolo can really complement one another. Maybe a second round pick could go to Orlando here from either of the other teams but that's all secondary.

Lineup:

PG: Jalen Suggs / D'Angelo Russell / Cole Anthony

SG: Kentavious Caldwell-Pope / Anthony Black

SF: Franz Wagner / Jett Howard

PF: Paolo Banchero / Tristan da Silva

C: Jonathan Isaac / Goga Bitadze / Moritz Wagner


Lakers

The Lakers get a reunion with BI who can alleviate some of the scoring load from Bron & AD. This would be done with the mutual agreement that BI will sign an extension ASAP. Ingram said in his exit interview that he knows he has to change his shot diet to shoot more threes. Who better to do that with than the best passer in NBA history (arguably). Clearly still some holes on the roster, particularly in the backcourt, but with BI & LeBron being your main ball handlers and creators, it's not as bad as it looks. Maybe Tyus Jones is a possibility at the MLE but I'll leave that open for interpretation.

Lineup:

PG: Gabe Vincent / Bronny James

SG: Austin Reaves / Max Christie

SF: Brandon Ingram / Dalton Knecht

PF: LeBron James / Jarred Vanderbilt

C: Anthony Davis / Jaxson Hayes


Pelicans

The Pelicans get some MUCH needed frontcourt depth and clear up some minutes for their young wings. WCJ can provide some adequate levels of rim protection, rebounding, inside finishing, and floor spacing. He is not great at any of those, but as just a guy who will need to eat up ~25-30 minutes a night, he can find his role. CJ will start at the beginning of the season, and if need be, TM3 can move into the starting unit later on. Come 2025-26, if Trey isn't starting then there should be riots in the streets. New Orleans can either look to dump CJ's contract somewhere come this time next year, or run him off the bench and eat his $30 Million cap hit. Rui Hachimura is another contributor who comes over in this trade. He can play some small-ball center in that Larry Nance Jr. role if need be, otherwise he can provide some high-level 3-point shooting and positional versatility next to Zion & Murray.

Lineup:

PG: Dejounte Murray / Jose Alvarado / Antonio Reeves

SG: CJ McCollum / Jordan Hawkins / Matt Ryan

SF: Herb Jones / Trey Murphy III (6M) / Jeremiah Robinson-Earl

PF: Zion Williamson / Rui Hachimura / Daniel Theis

C: Wendell Carter Jr. / Karlo Matkovic / Yves Missi


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