3 BLOCKBUSTER TRADES

UPSYDE SPORTS PRESENTS:

3 BLOCKBUSTER TRADES:

With the impending off-seasons, many of us are already thinking about next year. While some teams like Boston and Dallas are emerging as surprising contenders, other teams like Philly and Phoenix are stunned at their eliminations.

This article will outline 3 blockbuster trades that make sense for all parties involved. They all involve super star players and they all seek to remedy issues and weaknesses of all teams.

1. BANANA BOAT BROTHERS:

PHOENIX SUNS RECEIVE: Alec Burks, Evan Fournier, Talen Horton-Tucker, 2027 1st Round (via Lakers)

LOS ANGELES LAKERS RECEIVE: Chris Paul, Derrick Rose, Torrey Craig

NEW YORK KNICKS RECEIVE: Russell Westbrook

In this scenario, Phoenix moves on from Chris Paul. After imploding in several playoff series', Chris Paul becomes a major two-way upgrade over Russell Westbrook in LA. The narrative of CP3 to LA after the veto earlier in his career will be a headline grabber for sure. Phoenix receives several easier to move contracts should they want to and obtain a first round pick that will execute in the summer that an already oft-injured Anthony Davis will be 34.

For the Lakers, they reunite LeBron with his Banana Boat Brother, with Melo already on the team. Torrey Craig is an upgrade defensively of Talen Horton-Tucker, who has not really emerged as the elite prospect that many hoped for this past year. Derrick Rose gives them additional veteran depth and allows them an additional ball handler outside of LeBron and Paul.

Finally, the Knicks get off of Fournier's contract and move on from a defensive abyss. They commit slightly more to the youth movement, as this move would open up minutes for Quickley and Grimes. Assuming Westbrook can recapture some of his value at the end of his career in Washington, he would be an interesting player to pair with Randle. With this being a weak point guard draft pool, they can address other needs like center and wing shooter with their lottery pick.

2. JAZZ SOFT REBUILD:

UTAH JAZZ RECEIVE: GORDON HAYWARD, JAMES BOUKNIGHT, 2022 1st Round (via Charlotte), 2022 1st Round (via New Orleans)

CHARLOTTE HORNETS RECEIVE: RUDY GOBERT

With the recent implosion of the Jazz, many in Utah are looking at the pairing of Mitchell and Gobert and realize this might not work. With the Western Conference playing a lot of small ball line-ups this playoffs, Utah might be looking to go in a different direction and build the team around Mitchell. This scenario would bring in an amazing young prospect in James Bouknight, two solid picks in an okay draft, and the headline grabber would be Gordon Hayward's return to Utah.

For Charlotte, they need to take advantage of getting an elite player to play with LaMelo and Bridges before they have to pay them. LaMelo has a couple of years left on his contract, but Bridges becomes a restricted free agent and will likely get a nice bump. This move would likely have them moving Bridges to the wing and Washington to the 4, opening up more minutes for their already deep bench with guys like Oubre, Martin, and McDaniels. Charlotte has not had a respectable big man since Al Jefferson, so maybe this will be the missing piece for a team that has struggled in playoffs.

3. DAME TIME OVER:

WASHINGTON RECEIVES: Damian Lillard

PORTLAND RECEIVES: Bradly Beal, Ish Smith

This is probably the most unlikely scenario, but it creates a hard reset for both franchises. For Washington, they finally get a legit point guard, their first since John Wall. Washington has already drafted a viable 2-guard in Kispert and have Kentavious Caldwell-Pope for defensive reasons. After trading for Kristaps Porzingis last season, Dame would enter with a legit #2 player, and the two veterans are surrounded by young talent.

For Portland, they do end up moving on from Dame and getting a young guard in Bradley Beal. At some point, he was bound to sour on this Washington roster, but with Anfernee Simons likely to get an extensions, the elite Portland backcourt remains. Washington might have to send some future draft picks to balance out the trade, but this framework actually make sense based on what both teams are looking to achieve.

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

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