Depth Chart:

PG: Tyrese Haliburton (90) - TJ McConnell (80) - Patrick Beverley (77)

SG: Andrew Nembhard (81) - Aaron Nesmith (78) - Ben Sheppard (74)

SF: Kevin Malone (90) - Bennedict Mathurin (80) - Lamar Stevens (75)

PF: Pascal Siakam (88) - Obi Toppin (80) - Jarace Walker (75)

C: Myles Turner (84) - Isaiah Jackson (77) - James Wiseman (77)

G-League: Johnny Furphy (70), Tristen Newton (68)

Picks:

2025: Own FRP; Own, MIA (Protected 38-59), CHA (Protected 31-55) SRP

2026: none

2027: Own FRP; UTA SRP

2028: Own FRP; Own, DAL, PHX (Swap Rights) SRP

2029: Own FRP; Own, POR, WAS (Swap Rights) SRP

2030: Own FRP; Own, SAC SRP

2031: Own FRP; Own SRP…

Ajay Mitchell, Nikola Topic, Adam Flagler, and Dillon Jones are also roster filler. Jones could make a move into late rotation though….

Depth Chart:

PG: Nembhard - Caruso - Hardy

SG: Brown - Nesmith - Thybulle - Bembry

SF: Ingram - Mathurin - Ryan - Phillips

PF: McDaniels - Kenrich - Jeff - Peterson

C: Zubac - Z. Collins - Theis - Powell

UT: Brown

VHTG: Nembhard, Caruso, Ingram, McDaniels

HTG: Nesmith, Mathurin, Zubac

TB: Everyone else

Draft Picks:

FRP: BOS 2024-2030; LAL 2026, 2028, 2029; IND 2027, 2028 More Favorable, 2029; NOP 2030; SAC 2027, 2030

SRP: BOS 2024-2030; LAL 2025…

Untouchable: Brunson

Very Hard to Get: Quickley, Vassell, OG

Hard to Get: Cam, KCP, Isaac, WCJ, NAW

Willing to Trade: AB, Richards, Holiday, Osman, Wesley, H. Ingram

Depth Chart:

PG: Brunson (94) - NAW (77) - Wesley (73)

SG: Quickley (83) - AB (75) - Justin Holiday (74)

SF: Vassell (82) - KCP (78) - Osman (74)

PF: OG (82) - Cam (81) - Ingram (N/A)

C: WCJ (82) - Isaac (79) - Richards (76)

Draft Picks: 10 FRPs and 9 SRPs

2025: 2 FRPs (ATL, CHI Protected 1-10), 1 SRP (own)

2026: 2 FRPs (ATL has Swap Rights, NYK), 2 SRPs (NOP/POR, IND/MIA)

2027: 1 FRP (own), 1 SRP (OKC/HOU/MIA/IND)

2028: 1 FRP (own), 2 SRPs (own, DEN Protected 31-33)

2029: 1 FRP (own), 1 SRPs (LAC)

2030: 2 FRP (own, NYK), 1 SRP (own)

2031: 1 FRP (own), 1 SRP (own)…

NOTE: This would have to take place in a couple of months unless if the Lakers are able to change Christie's deal into a sign-and-trade.

The Cavs are likely to move on from Allen to allow Mobley to become their center, and this would be a great outcome from trading him and mixing up their depth chart. They also get some contracts off their books by giving up picks.

Cavs Rotation:

PG: Garland - Anthony

SG: Don - Merrill

SF: Okoro - Strus

PF: DFS - Hachimura

C: Mobley - WCJ

The Lakers have the assets to get a third star. It is just a matter of finding someone who will facilitate it for them. The Cavs, in need of some depth, are a perfect team for that. This allows the Lakers to get a more solidified third scoring option, as well as some future draft capital.

Lakers Rotation:

PG: DLo - Vincent

SG: Hawkins - Knecht

SF: Ingram - Reddish

PF: Bron - Vando

C: AD - Hayes

The Pels are in need of a solid center next to Zion, and this trade gets them just that while also gettin…

The Bucks have considered moving on from Portis and I wouldn't be surprised if he is tired of coming off the bench. This would be a solid trade package for him as they get two bench players that can defend and shoot in return, along with draft compensation.

The Pels need to move away from Ingram. This deal lands them Huerter and Barnes, who will contribute significant minutes off the bench, along with draft compensation. I could see the Pels taking a different deal for a center, but this is a solid option. They could even use some of these pieces along with Hawkins and picks to grab a solid center. I think the rotation would look like:

DJ-Herb-Murphy-Zion-C (maybe WCJ?) with Alvarado-GTJ-Huerter-Barnes-Missi off the bench

The Raptors are kind of in rebuild mode but getting a veteran like CJ could help their young studs a lot. GTJ is likely to sign elsewhere, so why not get something for him?

The Nets are in a weird spot where they have contention level pieces but not the stars aro…

I think the Hawks got solid value out of the DJ trade. I am excited to see how Daniels will do with more minutes. Nance Jr. can play backup C if they are able to trade Capela and keep Okongwu, or play backup PF without trading Capela. Liddell probably won't get any minutes, but the two FRPs are nice.

The Nets obviously need to continue their rebuild, and trading DFS should be part of that. In return they get Niang and Levert, both of whom can be flipped for draft compensation. They also get a future FRP and some SRPs.

The Magic decide to get a primary ball handler who would fit well next to Suggs. This establishes a young "Big 4", if you will. The future of Garland, Suggs, Franz, and Banchero is very bright. They obviously would extend Franz and Suggs following this, among other extensions and resignings (which I could see them not doing in favor of different free agents). The cap space issues wouldn't actually happen till next season.

Magic Rotation:

PG: Garland - Black

SG: Sug…

The Bulls should continue the rebuild, and getting the #1 pick would be a big part of that. Convincing Beal to agree to this would be tough, but there is a possibility that Chicago could flip him somewhere that he wants to be.

The Grizzlies seem to need a big man to play next to JJJ, so they go get one of the cheaper ones in terms of what they have to give up for him. Capela is a solid rebounder and rim-protector and would fit nicely in the Grizzlies starting lineup.

The Kings decide to move on from Barnes, allowing Huerter to start. They replace Barnes with Allen, an elite 3-and-D player who will fit nicely next to Fox. This will give their rotation another reliable defensive piece who can knock down the three very efficiently, which will hopefully help elevate their offense to what it was two seasons ago.

The Hawks decide to get their superstar, who will hopefully help them contend alongside Trae. They go get KCP, Drummond, and DSJ in free agency, and then extend JJ to establish a…

Since there are quite a few moving pieces and issues with the second apron, I will list out the order of trades so that none of the teams break the rules and the value is clear for each trade:

Already happened, but OKC sends Giddey to the Bulls for Caruso

New Orleans trades Ingram, a FRP, and a SRP to the Rockets for Eason, Brooks, and the #3 pick

New Orleans trades McCollum to the Bulls for Lavine and the #21 pick

Phoenix trades Nurkic to the Pels for Marshall, Liddell, and the #21 pick

Chicago trades McCollum to the Suns for Beal, a future SRP, and the #21 pick

Houston trades Adams to the Thunder for Waters and two SRPs

The Thunder acquire Adams to back up Chet and provide a big body. Hopefully, Adams is able to recover and then resign long-term with the Thunder as their veteran big man. I am not sure if two SRPs is enough for him considering he was injured all year.

The Bulls decide to go full tank-mode and take on Beal's contract instead of Lavine's, as Lavine is more va…

The Thunder just solidified themselves as one of the best young teams in the league, and then went and made themselves favorites as the best defensive team in the league. They then decide to go get a bruiser to play next to or back up Chet, and a backup forward who fits the team's scheme. I could see them passing on either of these moves and running it back with Caruso, or doing even more. There are a lot of interesting possibilities for Presti, and a lot of rotation options for Daigneault.

Thunder Rotation:

PG: SGA - Wallace

SG: Caruso - Joe/Wiggins

SF: Dort - Avdija

PF: JDub - Stewart

C: Chet - JWill

OR

PG: SGA - Wallace

SG: Dort - Caruso

SF: JDub - Joe/Wiggins

PF: Stew - Avdija

C: Chet - JWill

The Pistons are in a position to be able to sign a lot of free agents, and maybe get back in the playoffs especially if Cade plays well and stays healthy. In this, I have them overpaying for some of the signings, as it allows them to not be under budget but also completely fil…

Since there is a lot going on, I will go ahead and break this down step-by-step:

Cavs trade Levert, Niang, and SRP to the Pistons for Stewart; Cavs sign Okoro Cavs trade Allen and Merrill to the Griz for Vince, Clarke, Konchar, and two FRPs TWolves trade NAW to the Griz for Aldama and a FRP Griz trade Merrill, Ziaire, Kennard, and a FRP to the Nets for Cam Johnson Cavs trade Don to the TWolves for KAT, Aldama, Garza, and a FRP Cavs sign Okoro and Holiday; Griz sign Harris; TWolves sign Burks, Anderson, Stevens, and Tillman

The Cavs decide to move on from Mitchell due to stalled extension talks. They go get a haul for him from a TWolves team that might look for changes. They also move on from Allen, and get a really solid team to develop around Garland, Mobley, and KAT. I was unable to add another team to offload some of the guys they got for more experienced depth.

Cavs Rotation:

PG: Garland - Holiday

SG: Strus - Konchar

SF: Okoro - Vince

PF: Mobley - Clarke - Aldama

C: KAT …

The Bulls have some very valuable pieces that they either need to trade or finally build around. Choosing the former, Caruso is arguably one of their most valuable pieces, especially if the team that trades for him can extend him. They start the rebuild by trading him for a young player, #21 in this draft, and a valuable future FRP.

The Magic are going to being going after a star in FA, but if they miss, they could be looking at a trade. In this scenario, the Magic get themselves an elite SG who will fit well next to Suggs and provide some spacing. They also snag Anderson in FA. I wouldn't be surprised if there were some other deals or signings, but I wanted to leave space for the extensions of Suggs, Banchero, and Franz.

Magic Depth Chart:

PG: Suggs - Anthony

SG: McCollum - Black - Houstan

SF: Franz - Anderson - Howard

PF: Banchero - Isaac - Okeke

C: WCJ - Mo - #47

The Bucks need an elite defender next to Lillard, and they find that in Caruso without giving up too much. They…

This is an outlandish trade, so please don't be super critical. I would still love feedback though.

The Bulls are in an odd phase of having to decide between a rebuild and contention. Ideally, they can sign one of the main FAs if they do decide to contend. It would be tricky to convince PG13 to come play for them, but this roster would be loaded for a playoff run with him, especially with a healthy Lonzo.

Bulls Rotation:

PG: White - Lonzo

SG: Monk - Ellis

SF: PG13 - Caruso

PF: Harris - PWill

C: Gobert - Bitadze

The Grizzlies are already a really solid team when they're healthy, but getting a better backup PG and a floor-spacing center would be huge for them, especially while keeping all of their core pieces and not losing GG or Vince. I think they could get a better backup C in FA, but just went with a realistic, cheap option.

Grizzlies Rotation:

PG: Ja - Jevon

SG: Smart - Vince

SF: Bane - GG

PF: JJJ - Aldama

C: Vucevic - Zeller

The 76ers need a third star next to Ma…

This took me a while to piece together, and I had to modify some deals so that money would work. I am not super familiar with how the aprons work, so hopefully I did each deal correctly. I think that I ended up with a very even trade, although it is unlikely to happen since there are so many moving pieces.

The Cavs clearly need to shake things up, but I think they should do so while keeping Don and Mobley. In this, they get a floor spacing big man to pair with Mobley and some solid depth that they were lacking this past season.

Cavs Rotation:

PG: Don - Levert

SG: Strus - Vince - Merrill

SF: Okoro - #9

PF: Mobley - Wade - Niang

C: KAT - Clarke

The T-Wolves decide to blow up the Twin-Towers method for some insanely good depth. This is very unlikely, as I mentioned earlier, but I think this could provide them with a better future. They might need some more compensation for Gobert but it was difficult for me to gauge his value.

T-Wolves Rotation:

PG: Garland - Conley

SG: Edwar…

The Bulls don't really have a direction and this shows that they are gonna start rebuilding. Since this puts the Magic over the second apron, they add more draft capital to make up for the lack of players.

The Wizards need some veteran presence on their team, and I needed someone to take Powell. There isn't much explanation or support for their involvement, but I think it works.

The Clippers need some cheaper contracts, so they swap Powell for Anthony and a SRP in this draft. Anthony will be a solid starting or backup PG, and they can hopefully strike gold at #47.

The Magic are a young, exciting team that is just a few steps away from really contending. In this trade, they go get an All-Defense player and an elite scorer, and sign some important depth, while extending lots of their core guys to long-term contracts. They just need to fill a few spots with minimum contracts. In the end, this roster would easily be one of the best in the league.

Magic Depth Chart:

PG: Caruso - Blac…

The 76ers have the right stars to build around, it's just a matter of signing the right guys to compliment their games. They need floor spacers, solid defenders, and guys with post-season experience. They sign-and-trade Harris for Stewart, as Harris is too expensive for what he provided this past post-season. This helps the Pistons clear up their issue of too many centers. I know they like Beef Stew, but Harris will provide a solid veteran presence. They then go steal Monk from the Kings, giving them a proven third-option on offense. They also sign Prince and Anderson, and bring back Lowry, Oubre, and Payne.

76ers Depth Chart:

PG: Maxey-Payne

SG: Monk-Lowry

SF: Oubre-Prince

PF: Stewart-Anderson

C: Embiid-Reed…

The Bulls are in a weird limbo right now. I know it is very unlikely that they trade White, but getting Murray will give them a direction. I think a guy like Murray will help Lavine play better. If they can resign Derozan or go sign another star-caliber player, they could potentially be contenders depending on how big of a star they get.

This only happens if the Suns think that this roster is too top heavy and won't be able to compete. Trading Durant and flipping McCollum would likely follow this, and it would be a miracle if they could offload Beal. I would not be surprised if a rebuild is in the near future though.

The Hawks are able to get a better star and fit next to Young with Ingram. This also allows Bogi to move into the starting lineup, which has been very successful for the Hawks.

The Pels need a superstar who fits better next to Zion than Ingram did. In this trade, they get just that, along with a more conventional PG and a better fit at C next to Zion. They are also able…

This trade is fully hypothetical, as I am sure the Kings will run it back next year with Huerter and Monk back from their injuries. But, if, for some reason they don't think they can get to what it takes to win a championship, I think that these could be some interesting win-win moves.

The Kings get stocked up with role players that they can flip for more draft capital. They can start a rebuild around Murray, Johnson, Ellis, and whoever they get with their multitude of FRPs in this year's draft.

The Hawks get their third star alongside Trae and Murray. We could see one of those guards traded in the off-season as well, but Sabonis would give them a big man who asserts him dominance in the paint, and can dish the ball to the perimeter. The Hawks are one of the more interesting teams in the off-season based on who they might trade and could trade for.

The Grizzlies get some solid veteran depth in Barnes, without giving up any of their main guys or FRPs. I could see him starting alongsi…

The way I did this one was a random NBA team wheel. After I got a team, I used a random number generator for 1-5 to figure out what position, and then 1-3 for where they are in the current ESPN depth chart. For instance, with 76ers-5-1, I would've had Embiid, but since he is injured, I got Reed instead.

I am pretty pleased with how this team turned out. Their starting five isn't the greatest thing defensively, but would be elite on the offensive end. The bench unit brings some very solid defense, so it would be easy to mix-and-match depending on what is needed in the game. I think this is easily a fifty win team, if not sixty. I'll play it in the middle and guess 58-24….

The Mavs got exactly what they needed at the deadline: big man depth. Their guard play is already elite with Luka and Kai starting, and guys like Hardy, THJ, and Exum off the bench. By acquiring PJ and Gafford, their starting lineup now has the PF spot solidified and a better center off the bench than Powell. I think that with these moves, the Mavs will end the season as one of the best teams in the league and be a dark horse candidate to win the West along with the TWolves, Thunder, Suns, Warriors, and Lakers, behind the Nugs and Clips….