Why New Orleans Does This:
The Pelicans have a lack of a true starting center, I don't trust Missi to be a starting center for a playoff team, and Theis is definitely more suited to a backup role.
Jakob Poeltl is a very solid starting center, he can defend, be efficient, and playmake. A guy I think would really suit the Pelicans
They also get an unprotected pick and a guy in Vanderbilt who could be a really solid 8-9th man.
Why Golden State Does This:
They need to make some kind of move. They don't have a chance to make it deep in the playofs with their current core.
They didn't get Lauri because Utah was asking for guys such as Podz, Kuminga, and Moody. In this trade they give up no young players.
Overall this just helps the warriors gain a fighting chance in the west next season, and also make curry happy
Why Toronto Does This:
Toronto are in this awkward retool, rebuild phase. They're too good to bottom out, but they're not good enough to compete in the playoffs.
In this trade they can offload some of their older assets that don't seem to be apart of their future.
They reunite another Canadian with Toronto in Wiggins, who they could possibly raise his value again, in a useful, 3 and D forward role. They also get a lottery protected warriors pick next year.
Waive Gabe Vincent
Why LA Does This:
They get a guy who can do all the little things. He can defend a bit, he can shoot a bit, he can playmake a bit, he is just overall, a very solid piece.
He would start in LA, and give them a nice bit of needed rapport in the starting lineup.
They essentially only lose vanderbilt and 2 seconds in this trade as well
They also sign Jordan Nwora on a 1 year minimum for some added depth
Pelicans Rotation:
Dejounte Murray - CJ McCollum - Herb Jones - Zion Williamson - Jakob Poeltl
Bench:
Jose Alvarado - Jordan Hawkins - Trey Murphy - Jarred Vanderbilt - Daniel Theis
Reserves:
Gary Payton - Antonio Reeves - Matt Ryan - Jeremiah Robinson-Earl - Yves Missi
Warriors Rotation:
Steph Curry - Brandin Podziemski - Brandon Ingram - Jonathan Kuminga - Draymond Green
Bench:
De'Anthony Melton - Buddy Hield - Moses Moody - Kyle Anderson - Trayce Jackson-Davis
Reserves:
Reece Beekman - Lindy Waters - Gui Santos - Quinton Post - Kevon Looney
Raptors Rotation:
Immanuel Quickley - Scottie Barnes - RJ Barrett - Andrew Wiggins - Kelly Olynyk
Bench:
Davion Mitchell - Ochai Agbaji - Gradey Dick - Chis Boucher - Bruno Fernando*
Reserves:
Jamal Shead - Jakobe Walter - Garrett Temple - Jonathan Mogbo - Ulrich Chomche
Lakers Rotation:
Austin Reaves - Bruce Brown - Lebron James - Rui Hachimura - Anthony Davis
Bench:
D'Angelo Russell - Max Christie - Dalton Knecht - Jordan Nwora* - Jaxson Hayes
Reserves:
Bronny James - Jalen Hood-Schifino - Cam Reddish - Maxwell Lewis - Christian Koloko
Odd man out in 9 man rotation
Please comment your thoughts & feedback!