Exploring potential NBA trades ahead of the deadline

Sometimes in life you have to pivot, and that's the position we found ourselves in after a wild weekend in the NBA.

This article was originally going to be a series of increasingly extravagant potential NBA trades that could take place before the trade deadline Thursday at 3 p.m. ET. But, as ever, truth remains stranger than fiction.

Many expected De’Aaron Fox to become a Spur and for the Chicago Bulls to at long last move on from Zach LaVine. Not many thought that would be in the same transaction. Oh, by the way, the Los Angeles Lakers acquired Luka Doncic in a stunning development.

How does a humble sportswriter even try to follow that?

The short answer: You can’t, so don't.

Instead, we'll look at some realistic trade possibilities, even taking into account a world where (waves hands at the recent trades) all this can occur. We’re not going to go forensic on each of these trades (you would be here all day and there’s surely more Luka reactions to check out). Instead, we’ll briefly outline why each team would contemplate each swap.

All trades are legal per the Fanspo trade machine.

Orlando receives: Jordan Clarkson | Utah receives: Anthony Black

The Magic need shot creation from the guard position in the worst way. While they would prefer Collin Sexton, Danny Ainge would want a lot more for Sexton than he would for his 32-year-old bench gunner.

For Utah, this is a free look at another young guard. Surely one of Anthony Black, Isaiah Collier or Keyonte George will stick? Right?

Indiana receives: Cameron Johnson, Maxwell Lewis

Brooklyn receives: Obi Toppin, Bennedict Mathurin, James Johnson, Thomas Bryant, 2nd round picks (2027, 2028).

The Pacers receive a ready-made sharp shooting small forward – all that Mathurin could be – and take a flyer on Lewis.

Brooklyn gets a pair of exciting youngsters to keep fans coming to Barclays as the team deliberately loses games. Bryant and especially Johnson are salary-matching fodder.

Memphis receives: Cameron Johnson

Brooklyn receives: GG Jackson, Marcus Smart, 2nd round pick (2026 via Clippers), 1st round pick (2027)

Memphis is ready to win now and has no idea how long Ja Morant’s body can manage against the rigors of the NBAl. GG Jackson is a nice young piece though he is nowhere near Johnson’s level. Sadly, 2025 Marcus Smart is not much more than salary fodder, such has been his decline.

Golden State receives: Nikola Vucevic, Chris Duarte

Chicago receives: Kyle Anderson, Gary Payton II, Kevon Looney, 1st round pick (2029), 2nd round pick (2031)

The recent success of the very limited Quinten Post shows what Steph Curry can do next to a sharpshooting big man. Even in his dotage, Vucevic is a tremendous upgrade on the rookie Post. Duarte gives the Warriors another shooter off the bench.

Chicago’s pass-heavy style should suit Anderson and Payton, while Looney – still only 28 – is an minutes eater at the pivot. The key for the Bulls, though, is that 2029 first, when the post-Curry Warriors could be very, very bad.

Oklahoma City receives: Norman Powell, Bones Hyland

Los Angeles Clippers receive: Isaiah Joe, 1st round picks (2025 via Clippers, 2027 via Denver, 2028)

What to get the team that has everything? How about a more shot creation at guard, taking some pressure away from Shai Gilgeous-Alexander? Three firsts for Powell is clearly an overpay, but if any team can afford to throw picks around it’s the Thunder.

This trade would require the Clippers fully understanding who they are and trading high on a veteran’s career year. The picks, and the sharpshooting Joe, would make giving up their cult hero worthwhile.

Cleveland receives: Jerami Grant, Duop Reath

Portland receive: Isaac Okoro, Georges Niang, Max Strus, 2nd round picks (2025, 2027 via Nuggets, 2029)

For all its success, Cleveland still has a gaping hole at small forward, one that is suspiciously Jerami Grant shaped. The veteran won’t come cheap at almost $30 million for the next four seasons, but the Cavs time is now. Grant has struggled this season, thus being able to get him without sacrificing a first-rounder, though the bet is he grows a leg with meaningful games to play for the first time in years. Reath adds center depth and a stretch option.

This trade is rife for a third team to enter the fray and offer the Blazers even more assets for Strus and Okoro. But, as it stands, Portland gains additional second-round capital that can be used in trades down the line while getting off Grant’s onerous contract.

Los Angeles Lakers receive: Jonas Valanciunas

Washington receives: Jarred Vanderbilt, 1st round pick (2031).

The Lakers are over a barrel. They need a center in the worst way. So, it’s fortunate they kept an extra first-rounder in the Doncic deal. Realistically, Washington could demand the moon, and the Lakers wouldn’t have much of a choice. That said, if the Wizards don’t want Vanderbilt, then Gabe Vincent or an on-trade of Maxi Kleber also works here.

As a bonus, here’s one of the original off-the-wall trades that this piece was originally centered on:

Philadelphia receives: Jimmy Butler, Alec Burks

Miami receives: Paul George

No picks. No gimmicks. Just a straight up distressed asset swap. Your problem for my problem. (Burks is there for salary matching purposes).

Despite his messy exit from Philly, Butler and Joel Embiid remain close. With Ben Simmons (and Tobias Harris) no longer in town, Butler would get to be the alpha.

As for George, with Bam Adebayo and Kel’el Ware in town, he’d never have to play center again.