WHY OKC

They have a slew of picks and can afford to give up a few 2025s due to roster construction and fluidity to still make other moves. They are one of the few teams that can afford Zion Williamson not working out. In this scenario they become absolutely SCARY WHEN HEALTHY.

Seriously think about that starting lineup.

SGA, Williams, Williamson, Holmgren, Heartstein

They have so much fluidity to build the supporting cast however they see fit. This is a true championship contender and an OKC vs BOS finals would be one of the most high powered we have ever seen in the 2000s.

WHY PELICANS

Most teams would love to have Zion but fear acquiring him. You found one that wouldn’t mind and they are giving you two picks and a swap. This is a good start to a rebuild. A good amount of teams that are currently flourishing rebuilt or restructured by acquiring picks and players who have value. Stew and Dort are players who can start or come off of the bench and are humble enough to do so. In the meantime you have two or even three other players you can trade immediately to continue to reconstruct the team and rack up picks. I’m not sure the Pelicans can get a better deal than this from anyone besides MAYBE the Spurs.

WHY DETROIT

Isaiah “Beef” Stewart is considered the heart and soul of the team, but the team has needs. Needs that will require picks and trades. As a temporary move the Pistons obtain a pick that is practically guaranteed to them via Utah. Even if not, they can do something like a Caruso/Utah pick swap for Divencinzo and their draft rights returned. From there the Pistons would have the right to trade any pick that they have in future years without having to wait until the offseason. The follow up trade could be major. There are quite a few guys so feel they could pursue that would elevate the team, Lauri Markanen being one of them. This move is in order to seek flexibility. The Pistons are going to have to sacrifice some guys they love and truth is, with a name like “Beef Stew”, New Orleans is actually one of the absolute best places they could ever send Isaiah.