Three NBA deals to celebrate the fake trade season
The NBA trade non-deadline of December 15th is one of my favorite days of the year. It’s basically the day when players who signed contracts in the off-season can finally be moved into trades. People pretend every year as if this opens the floodgates to player movement in some sort of second off-season moment. In fact, trades are almost never taken on December 15th, and we’re almost certainly still in a pattern of waiting until the actual February trade deadline. Will this prevent me from conjuring up some fake deals? of course not! Onwards!
Lakers acquired: Kyle Kuzma, Dillon Wright
Wizards get: Patrick Beverly, Kendrick Nunn, 2029 1st round pick (Top 3 protected), future 2nd
Let’s start with Los Angeles, who was rumored to be interested in a reunion with Kyle Kuzma. Kuz could be a free agent this summer thanks to the opt-out, making him a prime candidate to be traded from the Wizards in free fall. (Washington has lost 11 of its last 12 games, and Bradley Bell was injured.)
The Lakers are making the move because bench Russell Westbrook has gone really well, and now they can split their first-round tradeable picks into separate moves to try and add as many high-quality turnover pieces as possible. Does this trade make the Lakers a title contender? No, they will need to do more. But! Kuzma has experience playing alongside LeBron James and Anthony Davis, and now the AD actually plays center, which helps Kuzma stay on the ground longer. Wright is kind of stealing here and maybe wishful thinking on my part. Despite being injured for most of this season, Wright has provided a steady hand for the Hawks last year. He can play on and off the ball in bench formations, and he’ll be a massive offensive upgrade for Beverley.
Is protection first enough for Washington? The Lakers’ selection is attractive because of the team’s boom-or-bust nature and LeBron’s age. Wiz may not have a more attractive option on offer if teams think Kuzma is leaving anyway. Meanwhile, Wright has barely been a part of this season and by the time he returns he could already be missing out. I don’t think he will come first. Bev and Nunn are likely to become purchase candidates, though it’s not out of the question that one or both of them could be moved up for second-round selection if the contender is desperate.
Get the Warriors: Alex Caruso, Derek Jones Jr.
Bulls Gate: James Wiseman, Ryan Rollins
Look, I have no idea how to measure the value of James Wiseman’s trade. Do you see the difference that he is a talented senior who is in the worst possible situation? Or do teams see him as a flailing prospect who can’t make it work alongside Stephen Curry? If the bulls believe the former, this fake trade may have some legs.
Caruso will be incredibly fun in the Golden State. It’s a gummies agent that does it all. He can shoot well enough to stay on the ground, is nimble enough to work within a movement offense, and will bring back some of the defensive stability the team lost with Gary Payton’s second departure in the offseason. He is brainless fit. And don’t sleep on DJJ! Jones Jr. is essentially a big edge tucked into the body of a small forward. He won’t overhaul a struggling forward reserve, and can be difficult to fit into formations at times, but his athleticism begs to be opened up by the right team.
Wiseman is clearly the Chicago trophy here. With Nikola Vucevic on an expired deal and a trade candidate in his own right, Wiseman could finally get a chance to grow in a steady starting role. Perhaps playing out of the spotlight and without the pressure of chasing a championship is just what Wiseman needs to fulfill his potential. With Vucevic, DeMar DeRozan, and maybe even Zach LaVine on the trading block, Chicago has a chance to start rebuilding with both options and lottery talent in Wiseman. If the Bulls are willing to take a wrecking ball to their underperforming roster, they could do worse than a somewhat long-term money move in Caruso for the former No. 2 pick.
Getting Suns: Sir Osman, Dylan Windler
Cavaliers get: Jay Crowder
Let’s end the Jae Crowder saga once and for all. I’ll be honest, could Phoenix do better? Absolutely. The point I want to make here is that I want to see Cleveland get Crowder or Crowder. The Cavs are very good, and if they get things right, they could find themselves in the Conference Finals. They are still looking for the right fifth piece to put around their young core. Crowder may not be a perfect fit or a long-term option. However, his playoff experience and seasoned intelligence could give Cleveland the lead it so desperately needs.
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