Suns can't move Beal's contract, so they are forced to part with Booker in order to create more flexibility moving forward. They can either keep Isaac or flip him for another asset, plus they can build long-term with Black and three first round picks.

Orlando capitalizes on Phoenix's quagmire, getting a star for their backcourt. They have the cap space and picks to justify making this move, and Booker fits their timeline with Banchero and Wagner….

Leading scorers for each team in the Southeast Division….

Leading scorers on the five teams in the Southwest Division….

The Blazers would do this if…they admit that they only signed Grant to a long-term deal because they thought Damian Lillard was part of the team's future. Now, as a rebuilding team, they don't need an oldert player on a high-dollar deal. The salary cap relief in this deal is significant. Hayes and Morris come off the books this year, and Holmes gives them a mid-size expiring contract that they can use in a deal next year. Four second round picks doesn't sound as good as getting first round picks in the deal, but it's appropriate due to the nature of Grant's contract.

The Mavericks would do it if…they're okay committing a sizeable piece of the salary cap to Grant, given that they might want to make another big move over the summer when they have access to more of their first round picks. Assuming they make another deal for a high-level starter, can they really pay big money to each of their top four players?

The Pistons would do it if…they like O-Max and see him as a potent…

The Raptors are entering into rebuild mode, so they will probably be looking to shed the salary of some guys who aren't in the rotation. Jalen McDaniels had some interest around the league last summer as a free agent with defensive upside, but he's been struggling to find a role in Toronto. He also happens to be represented by the same agent as Luka Doncic and Grant Williams, who might want to see his client play for a winner.

The Mavs need length and athleticism, and they definitely don't see Markieff Morris as a big part of their future. This deal adds a little salary but still keeps the Mavs under the luxury tax threshold. McDaniels might also provide some insurance if DJJ leaves during free agency this summer, as they play similar roles….

Utah has a stockpile of picks but desperately needs to improve in the backcourt. Trae Young gives them a star PG on a long-term contract. DeRozan adds another grown up to the mix, making Utah a serious candidate to make the playoffs this season. Worst-case scenario, they can recoup a pick or two over the summer by orchestrating a sign and trade to send him to his preferred destination (unless he enjoys the Utah vibes).

Atlanta shocks the NBA by choosing to move forward with Murray instead of Young as it's PG. Murray brings more size and defense, and Lavine pairs with him to make an explosive backcourt. The Hawks load up on picks to either draft young players or make another big trade.

The Bulls break Lavine's contract into two more tradable contracts (Sexton and Collins), much like Dallas's trade of Porzingas two years ago. They move DeRozan for expiring contracts that other teams might covet. They pick up two picks in the process….

Golden State trades an underperforming Wiggins and an unhappy Kuminga for Ingram, who can provide substantial scoring at the forward position.

Atlanta moves Murray for two young prospects - Kuminga and Daniels. The three expiring contracts were necessary to balance the trade financially, but all three players would likely be waived.

New Orleans substantially improves at the PG position with Murray. Wiggins replaces Ingram in the starting lineup….

Mavericks bring back their guy without sacrificing any key rotation players.

Nets get a star shooting guard and offload Simmons's contract.

Chicago picks up a young shooting guard that might be able to light it up, plus two first round picks….

San Antonio - Herro can be a building block and provide offense and shooting. Wembanyama will help to protect him on defense. Spurs give up a first and two seconds, plus some cap flexibility. They have an abundance of picks, though, and they decide to turn the picks into a legitimate NBA scorer.

Phoenix - The Suns move Ayton's contract for Lowry's expiring deal and Jovic. Lowry can replicate a lot of what Chris Paul brought to the table, while Jovic gives them a young prospect at the forward position. The Suns will need to follow up this trade with another move to acquire Ayton's replacement. Lowry's expiring contract could be used to solve this problem.

Blazers - They finally ship out Lillard, but they get a haul that includes the building blocks of Ayton and Martin, plus two firsts and two seconds.

Heat - Miami gets the best player in the trade, Damian Lillard. They have to sacrifice three rotational pieces, plus a first round pick, but they maintain some future roster flex…

What if the Blazers and Pelicans rekindle trade talks, this time centered around Damian Lillard rather than the #3 overall pick?

Portland gets eight first round picks - two in each of the next four drafts - in order to rebuild with youth. This paves the way for Scoot to take over as the new alpha.

New Orleans gets Lillard in order to compete for a championship. It reunites Lillard and McCollum. The Pelicans move on from Zion in this scenario. They hold onto their own first round picks so they can make another star trade. They only move picks owed to them by other teams.

Oklahoma City moves five first round picks for Zion. They needed to consolidate the picks somehow because they have too many, and this allows them to get a young star in the post….

There is one major rule for this mock draft: no players can be traded, just picks. I don't want to speculate about which guys might be leaving their teams. Enjoy!…

Version with trades is coming up soon…

First two round mock of the year. Only traded picks, not players….

Mavs get a franchise center for a future first round pick. They move on from their current center rotation. Losing Powell is tough because he's been a stable presence in Dallas, but his role would be minimized with Ayston, and his expiring deal is attractive to rebuilding teams looking to clear cap space.

Suns move Ayton's deal for VanVleet and Wood, plus the return of backup center Javale McGee. They have the flexibility of resigning VanVleet and Wood or clearing cap space this summer. Both additions should help keep them relevant in the Western Conference standings.

Raptors move VanVleet for future cap space and picks. They bring in a couple of vets on reasonable expiring deals who might be good fits if they want to re-sign in the summer. Powell, specifically, is a Canadian and might enjoy the stop in Toronto….

Mavs get the best player in the trade.

Bulls clear cap room and get three picks.

Heat get a worse player with a better contract.

Lakers give up future firsts to upgrade the talent and shooting around LeBron and AD….

Brooklyn trades it's disgruntled stars and gets quality players in return, plus a little draft sweetener. Trae Young is a legit star. Everyone who they acquire can surround Ben Simmons with shooting.

Atlanta gambles by trading it's star for one of the greatest players of all time. The arrival of Dejounte Murray makes this possible.

Dallas makes a calculated gamble for Kyrie. The players they traded are all key rotation pieces, but Dallas has no choice but to attempt to trade for a star spangled nice they have no free agency or draft capital, and they believe they can find replacement bigs on minimum contracts or elsewhere on the trade market.

Indiana trades two players who might not be in the long-term plans for comparable players and picks. Hardaway has a history with Carlisle, which helps…