TRADE 1:

Warriors Get: Cam Johnson

Nets Get: Gary Payton II, Buddy Hield, Moses Moody, 2026 1st, 2028 1st, 2027 2nd, 2029 2nd

Why the Warriors Do It: It's pretty simple. Cam is a 3-and-D forward averaging 20 on great efficiency. His archetype fits seamlessly on any team in the league and the Warriors are desperate enough to give up the Nets asking price for him, especially if they can keep Jonathan Kuminga.

Why the Nets Do It: The Nets asking price is two firsts, while rival GMs reportedly believe it could be done for a young player and a first. Just in case, this deal gives them both, outbidding the Kings and Pacers, who are the other two major suitors. Neither the Grizzlies nor the Thunder, who could easily outbid Golden State, seem likely to splurge and deliver this asking price, and so Brooklyn will gladly take an expiring contract, a reasonable flier in Moses Moody, two firsts and two seconds. It's probably a little lopsided so maybe the Warriors get to protect a first a lit…

Trade 1: Heat Get: P.J. Washington, Daniel Gafford, Maxi Kleber, Quentin Grimes, Dwight Powell, 2025 1st, 2031 1st Swap (Keep best)

Mavericks Get: Jimmy Butler, Alec Burks, Pelle Larsson, 2031 1st Swap (Keep worst)

Why the Heat Do It: As everyone knows by now, Jimmy Butler has requested a trade. There's a bunch of teams rumored but not too many of them make sense both ways, Dallas is one of the few that does. Miami pivots towards a rebuild… sorta… by acquiring a solid young player in Quentin Grimes. Washington and Gafford are still young and major rotation players, and Kleber/Powell are declining rotation players who Erik Spoelstra might pull a career revival out of. They acquire a 2025 1st to replace the one they owe to OKC and the 2031 pick swap banks on the Mavs not having a great team in 6 years with Kyrie and Jimmy retired. Burks and Larsson are hardly huge losses and help with roster and salary rules.

Why the Mavericks Do It: As everyone knows, Jimmy Butler just requested…

Why the Hawks Do It: The Hawks have been surprisingly good this year. The defensive grit of Dyson Daniels, DeAndre Hunter, Jalen Johnson, Onyeka Okongwu and the rest of this Hawks roster has showcased that they can maybe be a little more than mid, as wins over the Cavs and Celtics suggest. With the core they have all they really need is a second superstar, and Anthony Davis can provide that. They give up a lot, but retain the core that has developed an identity for Atlanta and instantly become a top 4 team in the East.

Why the Lakers Do It: LeBron is getting closer and closer to retiring, and when he does, or demands to be traded, there won't be a lot left for the Lakers to build with around AD. Chances are, he gets traded as well. Getting an All-Defense caliber player in Okongwu, last year's first pick in Risacher, a flier in Kobe Bufkin, and three firsts, including their own from their subpar year so far, should be as good of a return as they can get. There are few teams that want A…

It pisses me off to unbelievable levels that Zach is available for nothing but salary filler and the Warriors haven't done anything about it yet.

Why the Warriors Do It: LeBron James isn't on the market, so including Jimmy Butler, Zach LaVine is the best possible second option available, averaging 22/4/4 a game on close to 50/40/80 while having zero help apart from Vucevic. He's a capable playmaker and very good offensive creator, so putting the ball in his hands isn't an issue since Steph is happy to play off-ball. Zach is also a great off-ball player due to his shooting so it wouldn't be a huge issue for him to fit in offensively.

With Steph's gravity around LaVine can easily average 26 on even better efficiency. He's essentially Buddy Hield on steroids with a 50 inch vertical, so losing Buddy doesn't really hurt, nor does WIggins' offensive production since Zach is a far better scorer. Losing his defense hurts but the Warriors have been a great defense all season long, so that's n…

TRADE 1 Magic get: Zach LaVine, Torrey Craig Bulls get: Cole Anthony, Jonathan Isaac, Gary Harris

Why the Magic do it:

Orlando is waiting on their two star forwards to come back, and assuming they will be back around Christmas or at the latest in January, this trade would be perfectly timed for them to all gain some chemistry. The only thing Orlando is missing is some shot creation and perimeter buckets and Zach Lavine fits perfectly as an All-Star, efficient bucket-getter without sacrificing any key young players or picks because of his lack of market. He's developed into a more than passable defender, so he wouldn't sacrifice Orlando's defensive identity either. Even without the other trade going through, there are few that a Suggs-LaVine-Wagner-Banchero-Carter Jr. lineup can't guard. Giving up Jonathan Isaac hurts but he has hardly played, and is the only salary component they'd be willing to include. Harris and Anthony have struggled this year and do not fill positions of need fo…

OVERVIEW:

Trade 1: Warriors Get: Cameron Johnson Nets Get: De'Anthony Melton, Kyle Anderson, 2026 FRP, 2 SRPs

Why the Warriors Do It: The Warriors are currently missing a true second option for Steph. Although Cam isn't exactly that, when combined with Hield, Wiggins and Kuminga, the Warriors have four players capable of giving a supplemental 20. With four players all averaging around an extra 15 points, Steph gets a plethora of third options instead of a true second and gets one more dynamic shooter and defender. His fit with Draymond Green, who is now a capable shooter but not exactly a floor stretcher, is immaculate and if played with Steph and Hield makes it impossible for defenses to pick a player to guard on the perimeter. It makes for an easy pick and roll with Green or Wiggins, who can slash to the paint and pass it out to one of three 38%+ three-point shooters.

Why the Nets Do It: The Nets are too good right now for them to be where they want to be for the future. Cam's 18…

What's up y'all- this is a bit of an attempt to make every team a superteam, or a future one, just to see how top-heavy the league can get. To start off is the Cavs.

Trade 1: Cavs Get: Kawhi Leonard, Kevin Porter Jr. Clippers Get: Jarrett Allen, Caris LeVert, Jaylen Tyson, Georges Niang, Craig Porter Jr., and SRPs

Why the Cavs do it: This is the "super" part of the superteam. Kawhi adds all the star power this team currently lacks. Most would question if he changes anything considering the lack of success he had with the Clippers, but things are different here. For one, his offensive support would now be Donovan Mitchell, far more explosive and reliable than either current James Harden or Paul George. And his defensive running mate would be Evan Mobley, a young and durable DPOY-caliber player. Kawhi could settle in as a second option on both ends, and with all the support he needs he could stay healthy and provide an ultimate clutch combo with Spida come playoff time. KPJ becomes a f…