Here's a fun one that will never happen:
Jazz get: 4 unprotected firsts (Knicks 2023, 2025, 2027 & Lakers 2027); 2 protected firsts, (Knicks 2023 via Detroit; Knicks 2023 via Dallas); 1 pick swap (Knicks 2028); Grimes, Westbrook, Rose, Hield
Jazz give up: Mitchell, Bogdanovic, Conley, NAW, Gay
Knicks get: Mitchell, Gay, TJ McConnell
Knicks give up: 3 unprotected firsts (2023, 2025, 2027); 2 protected firsts (2023 via Detroit; 2023 via Dallas); 2 pick swaps (2028, 2029); Grimes, Rose, Randle, Reddish
Lakers get: Miles Turner, Bogdanovic, Reddish, NAW
Lakers give up: Westbrook; 2 unprotected firsts (2027, 2029); 1 pick swap (2026)
Pacers get: 1 unprotected first (Lakers 2029); 2 pick swaps (Lakers 2026, Knicks 2029); Conley, Randle
Pacers give up: Turner, Hield, McConnell
Why for Jazz: 4 unprotected firsts + Grimes (and protecteds and swap) for Donovan and Bogey is probably not the dream scenario, but may be what's realistic. Conley, NAW, and Gay are difficult contracts to move for positive value as is; maybe Hield's contract is more moveable at trade deadline or next year when expiring? Rose and Westbrook could be waived, if desired, and will be $61.5 million off the books next year.
Why for Knicks: Get Donovan and get off Randle. Though draft capital depleted, most of the young guys are retained and available for another big move by the Knicks. Replace Rose with McConnell, and Fournier's shooting is retained to soften loss of Grimes. Gay can back up Toppin and Obi can run free as starter.
Why for Lakers: Duh -- Westbrook's gone and three players they're said to have had particular interest in return. All incoming players are expiring, so they preserve their cap flexibility next year while giving Lebron at least puncher's chance to make something big happen this year.
Why for Pacers: This is the hardest one, as I'm not sure I believe the reports that say they want remain competitive even if they trade away Turner & Hield. They probably didn't get enough. But former all-stars Randle and Conley are unlikely to damage their bottom line much as Pacers are already well under the cap and probably won't have that many big paydays due soon. Plus the unprotected first and two swaps (which are pretty high value if you think the Knicks and the Lakers might be in trouble 7 and 4 years into the future, respectively) are nice. They also even out their roster a bit (they've long been willing to part with Turner; they have a glut of SGs and of centers and centers masquerading as PFs).
Jazz get: 4 unprotected firsts (Knicks 2023, 2025, 2027 & Lakers 2027); 2 protected firsts, (Knicks 2023 via Detroit; Knicks 2023 via Dallas); 1 pick swap (Knicks 2028); Grimes, Westbrook, Rose, Hield
Jazz give up: Mitchell, Bogdanovic, Conley, NAW, Gay
Knicks get: Mitchell, Gay, TJ McConnell
Knicks give up: 3 unprotected firsts (2023, 2025, 2027); 2 protected firsts (2023 via Detroit; 2023 via Dallas); 2 pick swaps (2028, 2029); Grimes, Rose, Randle, Reddish
Lakers get: Miles Turner, Bogdanovic, Reddish, NAW
Lakers give up: Westbrook; 2 unprotected firsts (2027, 2029); 1 pick swap (2026)
Pacers get: 1 unprotected first (Lakers 2029); 2 pick swaps (Lakers 2026, Knicks 2029); Conley, Randle
Pacers give up: Turner, Hield, McConnell
Why for Jazz: 4 unprotected firsts + Grimes (and protecteds and swap) for Donovan and Bogey is probably not the dream scenario, but may be what's realistic. Conley, NAW, and Gay are difficult contracts to move for positive value as is; maybe Hield's contract is more moveable at trade deadline or next year when expiring? Rose and Westbrook could be waived, if desired, and will be $61.5 million off the books next year.
Why for Knicks: Get Donovan and get off Randle. Though draft capital depleted, most of the young guys are retained and available for another big move by the Knicks. Replace Rose with McConnell, and Fournier's shooting is retained to soften loss of Grimes. Gay can back up Toppin and Obi can run free as starter.
Why for Lakers: Duh -- Westbrook's gone and three players they're said to have had particular interest in return. All incoming players are expiring, so they preserve their cap flexibility next year while giving Lebron at least puncher's chance to make something big happen this year.
Why for Pacers: This is the hardest one, as I'm not sure I believe the reports that say they want remain competitive even if they trade away Turner & Hield. They probably didn't get enough. But former all-stars Randle and Conley are unlikely to damage their bottom line much as Pacers are already well under the cap and probably won't have that many big paydays due soon. Plus the unprotected first and two swaps (which are pretty high value if you think the Knicks and the Lakers might be in trouble 7 and 4 years into the future, respectively) are nice. They also even out their roster a bit (they've long been willing to part with Turner; they have a glut of SGs and of centers and centers masquerading as PFs).
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