LOR2 Plus

[Laimbeer40]

If anyone wants a hypothetical pre-draft trade written up for their team, then let me know. Willing to write a Trades That Should Happen article.

Trades That Should Happen

Dallas sends: 
SG/SF DeMar DeRozan $18m, $18m (fully paid)

Golden State sends: 
Pick 1.9
PG Ty Jerome 1.2m, 2.2m, RFA

... Dallas likely doesn't have what it takes to compete this season but they do have a ton of cap space. They could add Pick 1.9 to their Pick 1.11 and have a building block for the future. Golden State is making a run so picking up a Top 50-75 guy like DeRozan w/o any cap hit is huge. It gives them a guaranteed starter and leaves them money to dabble in free agency.
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Oklahoma City sends:
SF Gordon Hayward $17m (fully paid)

Washington sends:
2022 LAL 1st

... OKC could get a bounty for trading Pick 1.1 but judging by the fact that they are taking on bad contracts for picks I don't think the Thunder are worried about competing on an accelerated timeline. I think something like this makes a little more sense. Deal Hayward to a cap strapped contender for a pick that has a chance to be a mid-1st next year if the Lakers get hit by any injuries with their lack of depth.
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Sacramento sends:
SF Aaron Gordon $7.2m (SAC pays $3.6m)

Denver sends:
Pick 1.15

... At this point Gordon is what he is and that is a solid contributor who can help Denver make noise in the playoffs. Meanwhile this deal would give SAC picks 15 thru 19 in the draft and who doesn't want to hold the league hostage by being on the clock for 5 straight picks?
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LA Lakers send:
PG Tyrese Maxey $2.7m, RFA in 2025

Boston sends:
SF Keldon Johnson $1.2m, RFA in 2024

... This move makes a lot of sense. Both teams are looking to get out of a positional glut and this solves that. Lakers are ready to win now and Keldon should be assured of contributing next season. Meanwhile Boston gets a guy who has a little higher upside but might not have the immediate path to consistent minutes. 
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Philadelphia sends:
PF Kristaps Porzingis $20.4m (2024)

Toronto sends:
SG Tyler Herro $1.3m, RFA in 2024
Pick 1.14
PF Nassir Little $2.3m, RFA in 2024

... Toronto has a lot of youth and a lot of cap. Philly needs both of those in spades. The Raptors can afford the cap hit on Porzingis (let's face it, he's not THAT overpaid. Maybe $3-5m too much) and they need more in the way of bona fide starters and here they get a Top 40 player. Philly gets a solid piece in Herro and this deal actually still gives them an option whether to compete or rebuild.
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Chicago sends:
PG Goran Dragic $9.6m ($2.3m paid in another deal)

Portland sends:
2022 POR 1st

... Blazers could use another guard and they are not shy about trading away future 1sts. Chicago is in No Man's Land right now and a future 1st gives them a little flexibility to pivot.
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Cleveland sends:
PG Russell Westbrook $19m

Brooklyn sends:
Pick 1.4
PF Marvin Bagley $4.8m, RFA
SF Nicolo Melli $5.4m

... The Cavs have a big decision for next year with Trae Young due to make $23m. There are ways to do it but not if you keep Westbrook. The Nets need another powerhouse to go along with Embiid. This gives CLE a very nice player at 1.4 and if Bagley can ever stay healthy this would be a haul. Melli is in there as a cap dump that won't hurt CLE next year and allows BRK a chance at a UFA to round out the roster and finally get a winning record.
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Utah sends:
C Steven Adams $10.7m (Utah pays $8.7m)

New Orleans sends:
2022 NOR 1st

... Jazz doing a rebuild and even though Adams is only 28 it doesn't seem like he fits that strategy. His recent trade to MEM makes his situation uncertain. I think Utah would do well to get a future 1st here from a team that probably has to go for the playoffs but could still have a pick in the Top 20 next year.
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Indiana sends:
C Nikola Vucevic $14.0m
Pick 2.6
Pick 2.21

Miami sends:
Pick 1.6
PF Kevin Love $14m, $14m (MIA pays $4m per yr)

... Heat get the superior player and wiggle out of Love's contract for the most part. Pacers weren't going to be able to afford Vuc next season so they take an affordable gamble on Love staying healthy and take a swing for the fences at 1.6
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LA Clippers send:
PG Dejounte Murray $5.5m (2024)

New York sends:
PG Jamal Murray $16.8m (2025)
Pick 2.30

... Who doesn't like a good Murray swap. Dejounte is super solid but Jamal is just better. The Clippers could use the star power and their cap is set up to take the extra money. The Knicks can use the cap space to deal with MPJ going into his RFA season.