Magic
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, and he has started doing so in pre-season. 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.
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
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 think Claxton and Allen are overall better fits, but of course they are way more valuable.
Getting WCJ, the Pelicans acquire 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.
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 / 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
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 #5 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.