The 2024 trade deadline has passed, although the lack of activity is already making us think about deals that could be made this summer.
Zach LaVine was essentially ruled out of trade talks after undergoing foot surgery. Bruce Brown and Andrew Wiggins appeared in rumors but stayed put. The Atlanta Hawks have mysteriously decided to keep their core together, although that plan could change if they miss the playoffs entirely.
Here are five deals that would make a lot of sense this offseason.
The Memphis Grizzlies receive: C Clint Capela
The Atlanta Hawks receive: F Ziaire Williams, F/C Brandon Clarke, 2025 first-round pick (top 10 protected)
The Grizzlies should be back in the playoffs next season with a core of Ja Morant, Desmond Bane, Jaren Jackson Jr. and Marcus Smart, although they will need a new starting center after dealing the big man injured Steven Adams to the Houston Rockets.
Capela, 29, is a great fit as a rebounder and defender, someone who can feed off pick-and-rolls with Morant and Bane. Memphis is tied for 27th overall in rebounding percentage this year (48.0 percent) while Capela pulls down 10.9 rebounds per game, his seventh straight season averaging a double-double.
Atlanta could be financially motivated to move Capela as Onyeka Okongwu’s backup center Extension of $62 million over four years will come into effect next season. Keeping both would mean spending $36.3 million on the central position alone.
The Hawks open up a bigger role for Okongwu and add two rotation players in Williams, the 10th overall pick in the 2021 draft, and Clarke, who is expected to return before the end of this season from Achilles surgery.
Atlanta also gets a protected first rounder from the Grizzlies in 2025, which is important since their his own choice is due to the San Antonio Spurs of Commerce Dejounte Murray.
The Golden State Warriors receive: G/F Bruce Brown, C Jakob Poeltl
The Toronto Raptors receive: F Andrew Wiggins, C Kevon Looney, G Gary Payton II, 2028 first-round pick (lottery protected)
The Warriors opted not to upgrade their roster at the trade deadline because this group is in real danger of missing the playoffs entirely and now sits as the ninth seed in a loaded Western Conference.
This summer, real improvements will have to be made.
Although he has been better of late, Wiggins has been in and out of the starting lineup this season and he is credited $84.7 million over the next three years. With Jonathan Kuminga eligible for extension this summer, moving Wiggins now frees up future cap space and gives Kuminga even more room to develop.
Brown can play any role the Warriors ask of him, either as a starting power forward or as a sixth man who can handle the ball, be used in the pick-and-roll, extend the ground and play good defense. Getting Poeltl to play center full time should help preserve and extend Draymond Green’s career, and the 28-year-old is an underrated rebounder, defender and passer.
The Raptors seem determined to bring together as many Canadians as possible after the RJ Barrett and Kelly Olynyk trades and are now bringing back another Toronto native with Wiggins. Looney is a solid option as both a starting center and reserve and Payton brings some backcourt defense as the Raptors add another future first-round pick to their collection.
The San Antonio Spurs receive: SG Jalen Green
The Houston Rockets receive: SG Blake Wesley, 2024 first-round pick (top-six protected via Toronto Raptors)
Green’s career is not going as planned in Houston, as his raw numbers and efficiency have plummeted in his third year on a new Rockets team that has a lot of mouths to feed.
Getting a fresh start at an organization like San Antonio and teaming up with Victor Wembanyama may be just what he needs.
The Spurs should be willing to take a chance on Green, 22, the No. 2 pick in the 2021 draft. San Antonio’s the offense ranks just 27th overall this season (109.0 rating) and could use a scoring talent like Green who is still just scratching the surface of what he can become.
For Houston, moving Green means more shots for Alperen Şengün, Jabari Smith Jr., Cam Whitmore, Amen Thompson and others. It also gives them a better chance to win now, considering the Rockets have been 8.2 points worse per 100 possessions with Green on the court this season (16th percentile, via Clean the glass).
Wesley was the 25th overall pick in the 2022 draft, giving Houston additional insurance as a shooter. Getting the Raptors’ first-round pick this season (currently projected at n°8 overall) is the main return here, allowing the Rockets to add another talented prospect, even though they won’t have to grant a contract extension until the prospect’s third season at the earliest. Green is eligible for a rookie extension this summer.
The Brooklyn Nets receive: SG Zach LaVine
The Chicago Bulls receive: L/F Ben Simmons, 2029 first-round pick (unprotected via Dallas Mavericks), 2026 and 2028 second-round picks
Brooklyn is the perfect destination for LaVine, a franchise that needs some oomph and has no incentive to tank with its next four draft picks controlled by the Houston Rockets.
Assuming LaVine fully recovers from his foot surgery and returns to his All-Star level of play, the 28-year-old could serve as the primary scorer and playmaker for a Nets team that already has plenty of defensive talent. If there are concerns about LaVine’s ability to shut down opponents, placing him in a starting lineup that includes Mikal Bridges and Nic Claxton would help alleviate those concerns.
The Bulls would save a lot of future money with this deal while also getting back some draft picks in the process.
Simmons will benefit from a $40.3 million contract expiring next year while LaVine will be we still owe him $138.9 million over the next three seasons. That means an additional $46 million in cap space in the summer of 2025, when players like Donovan Mitchell, Jimmy Butler, Brandon Ingram, Jalen Brunson, Derrick White and others can become unrestricted free agents.
Chicago also gets a potentially valuable 2029 unprotected first-rounder from the Mavs and a pair of second-round picks to seal the deal.
The Los Angeles Lakers receive: PG Trae Young
The Atlanta Hawks receive: G Austin Reaves, F Rui Hachimura, PG Gabe Vincent, SG Jalen Hood-Schifino, 2025, 2029 and 2031 first round picks (unprotected)
The Lakers choosing to keep their 2029 first-round pick at the deadline now gives them the opportunity to go star hunting this summer.
Young could become available given the direction of the Hawks and with free agency just two years away. This also wouldn’t be the first time Rich Paul and Klutch pushed a client toward the Lakers.
Los Angeles can’t rely on LeBron James scoring forever, as the Lakers say. only rank 18th this season in offensive rating (114.5). Putting Young in the starting lineup with James, a top defender in Anthony Davis and some shooters would make it one of the best opening fives in the NBA. If the New Orleans Pelicans choose to take the Lakers first round pick in this draft (currently projected ranked 13th overall)then Los Angeles could part with its selections in 2025, 2029 and 2031.
Getting three unprotected first-round picks for Young is a good start for the Hawks, the same number the Utah Jazz received from the Cleveland Cavaliers for Donovan Mitchell. Reaves (15.7 points, 3.9 rebounds, 5.4 assists) would be an immediate starter alongside Dejounte Murray, and Hachimura (12.0 points, 41.4 percent from three) would also be competing for a starting job. holder.
Vincent is a solid role player and the 20-year-old Hood-Schifino rounds out a good overall return for Young.
