3 REALISTIC TRADES TO SHAKE UP THE LEAGUE

UPSYDE SPORTS PRESENTS:

3 TRADE TO SHAKE UP THE LEAGUE:

1. JOHN COLLINS IS ON THE MOVE

ATLANTA RECEIVES: CJ MCCOLLUM, TONY SNELL

PORTLAND RECEIVES: BOGDAN BOGDONAVIC, JOHN COLLINS

ANALYSIS: This drastically benefits both teams. For Atlanta, they get another guy that consistently score. They've seen excellent development from Okongwu, and added yet another 4 in Kevin Knox to give them (3) PFs in addition to John Collins. For Portland, they finally get a reliable power forward. They've had a rotation of Nance and Covington and it just hasn't worked out for either guy. Collins is locked in long-term, so it gives them a strong complimentary guy if they extend Dame. For both teams, it keeps them in the playoff conversation, but also cleans up both rosters. There might be a third team or additional picks depending on how either GM values their players, but this would be a blockbuster trade.

2. SABONIS GOES TO A SURPRISE DESTINATION

INDIANA RECEIVES: KELLY OUBRE JR, PJ WASHINGTON, JAMES BOUKNIGHT

CHARLOTTE RECEIVES: MYLES TURNER

ANALYSIS: The Hornets could very well go all-in and try to get Domantas Sabonis, but I think the asking price on Turner will be more palatable and I think they very well could make a move for a big by the deadline. For Indiana they get a guy in Kelly Oubre, they does a lot of things similar to their expiring wing, TJ Warren, a solid stretch 4 in PJ Washington that would allow Sabonis to play his natural position as a center, and James Bouknight, a potential 2-guard of the future with them shopping around Caris LeVert. The goal for the Pacers was to sell their players but not go into a full rebuild and they would be assisting in this process with a trade like this. There might be additional draft picks and players involved, but this would be the main guys included.

3. CLEVELAND IS GOING FOR PLAYOFFS

DETROIT RECEIVES: CEDI OSMAN, COLLIN SEXTON, DYLAN WINDLER, 2022 1ST ROUND PICK [LOTTERY PROTECTED]

CLEVELAND RECEIVES: JERAMI GRANT

ANALYSIS: This trade is a no-brainer for both parties involved. For Detroit, they get a guy in Collin Sexton that will be entering restricted free agency, where they can match any offer. They would immediately get a starting-caliber 2-guard to pair with Cade Cunningham next year, leaving them able to draft a replacement for Grant this summer. Jabari Smith, Paolo Banchero, or Chet Holgrem would all be excellent fits. Cleveland gets a win-now guy. They've tried to use Lauri Markkanen at the 3 for a large portion of the year, but it's translated to career-worst outside shooting, tied for career-worst scoring, and has not really improved in any other statistical category. This moves relegates Lauri to a bench role and gives them a legitimate wing that can play with Mobley and Allen in the front court. The Cavs went really high in the draft to get Isaac Okoro, so it's time they start relying on him as the starting 2-guard. Cedi Osman and Dylan Windler have been solid role players, but haven't been the reason for the team's success and their draft pick would be toward the bottom of the first round.

- Adam Safianow - NBA Analyst - Upsyde Sports [Copyright 2022]