By Cleveland Central
5. Kyle Lowry Sign and Trade to the Philadelphia 76ers
The 76ers tried to pursue 35-year old point guard Kyle Lowry before this year’s NBA Trade Deadline in March. The two teams could not reach a deal, but I believe that Philadelphia will aggressively pursue Lowry this off-season. Lowry is a Free Agent coming off an exceptional 2020-21 season, as he averaged 17.1 PPG 7.3 AST 39.6 3P% 59.3 TS%. Lowry proved to be one of the league’s most efficient scorers and playmakers, despite his old age. He would fill the 76ers’ biggest need as an elite shot creator and playmaker in their backcourt. Lowry also had a solid defensive year, putting up a defensive rating of 115 (career high) and averaging 1 steal per game, but he had a -0.7 DBPM (career-low) which is Defensive Box Plus-Minus. Overall, this move would work out for both teams, as the 76ers vastly improve their backcourt with Lowry’s offensive ability and the Raptors end up with great value in return.
76ers Receive: PG Kyle Lowry
Raptors Receive: PG George Hill, SF Danny Green, 2022 Lottery Protected FRP
4. Paul George is Traded to the Golden State Warriors
The Warriors are potentially one star away from being a title contender, as the team fell short of making the playoffs this season with their losses in the play-in tournament to the Lakers and Grizzlies. The team underwent this season without star SG Klay Thompson, who tore his Achilles in a pickup game. In my opinion, a Paul George trade might not be as unrealistic as many people think. If the Clippers fall short of the finals and Kawhi Leonard decides to decline his player option and go elsewhere, Los Angeles could seek a trade for George and begin a rebuild. With Klay Thompson not seeing the court in 2 years, the Warriors need to acquire another superstar if he stays injury-prone or cannot perform at a high level again. The Warriors must do everything they can to keep Steph Curry happy and that means that they need to return into title contention soon as Curry turns 34 years old next season. Paul George would provide elite defense and scoring ability alongside a great backcourt duo in Curry and Thompson. George is finishing off one of his most efficient years, averaging 23.3 PPG 6.6 REB 41.1 3P% 59.8 TS% and a defensive rating of 110. He can space the floor, which the Warriors struggled to do this past season, and give Curry opportunities to create with off-ball scoring. This move would instantly improve the Warriors and hopefully, with a healthy Klay back, the team can revive their former success. The Clippers would also win out on this deal by getting multiple picks and a great amount of youth to start their rebuild.
Warriors Receive: SF Paul George
Clippers Receive: SF Andrew Wiggins, SG Jordan Poole, PF Eric Paschall, 2021 FRP, 2021 FRP (VIA MIN)
3. Karl-Anthony Towns is Traded to the Portland Trailblazers
It is clear that the Trailblazers do not want to undergo a deep rebuild of their roster, instead, they prefer to build around their all-star point guard Damian Lillard. The backcourt duo of Damian Lillard and CJ McCollum seems to be coming to an end as they lack consistent defensive production and have not experienced a deep playoff run yet. Portland needs to make a splash this offseason to transform into title contenders. A star center like Karl-Anthony Towns could land them in that arena. With the Trailblazers planning on re-signing SG Norman Powell (player-option), their new backcourt duo could consist of Lillard and Powell which would replace CJ McCollum. The team already has a very solid center in Jusuf Nurkic, but if there is an opportunity to replace him with a player like Karl-Anthony Towns, they must jump on it. Towns brings elite scoring ability to their frontcourt, and can stretch the floor which was a big need for the Trailblazers this past season. Towns averaged 24.8 PPG 10.6 REB 38.7 3P% 61.2 TS% and a Defensive Rating of 113 (career-high) last year. Towns’ time in Minnesota has not been successful so far, so the Timberwolves could potentially agree to part ways and focus building around last years #1 overall draft pick, Anthony Edwards. This move would make the Trailblazers a serious threat out of the West and they could potentially make a deep playoff run next year. Overall, the deal gets the Blazers an All-Star Caliber center and the Timberwolves can receive great value in return to continue building around Anthony Edwards.
Trailblazers Receive: C Karl-Anthony Towns, SG Malik Beasley
Timberwolves Receive: SG CJ McCollum, C Jusuf Nurkic, SF Nassir Little, SG Anfrenee Simmons, 2021 FRP
2. Bradley Beal is Traded to the Denver Nuggets
The Nuggets are already title contenders, even without their star point guard Jamal Murray in the 2021 playoffs. Denver was reportedly close to completing a deal with the Wizards to land shooting guard Bradley Beal before the trade deadline. However, the Nuggets did not want to give up 22-year-old SF Michael Porter Jr. After being swept in this year’s playoffs, Denver should give him up and do whatever they can to land Bradley Beal. Beal brings elite scoring and solid defense and has a very nice all-around game that would no doubt put this team over the top. Beal averaged 31.3 PPG 4.7 REB 22.9 PER (Player Efficiency Rating) 59.3 TS% and Defensive Rating of 115. He was one of the best SG’s in the league last year and could potentially request a trade out of Washington after suffering a Round 1 Series Loss, but it would certainly take a lot to land him. Overall, a trade for these teams would work out well for both of them as Denver lands an All-Star SG and becomes a top 3 title favorite while Washington starts a rebuild with a young talented player and multiple picks.
Nuggets Receive: SG Bradley Beal
Wizards Receive: SF Michael Porter Jr, SF Will Barton, SG PJ Dozier, 2022 FRP, 2023 FRP, Jerami Grant Trade Exception ($9.5 million)
- Kawhi Leonard Sign and Trade to the Los Angeles Lakers
If the Clippers fail to make the Finals, there is a good chance Kawhi Leonard declines his player-option and tests the open market. For most teams, they would need to complete a sign and trade to land Kawhi Leonard because of their cap space. In my opinion, Kawhi Leonard would fit perfectly with the Los Angeles Lakers. In this case, Kawhi decides to return to Los Angeles, but with a different team. He woud not have to travel far to pair with two superstars in LeBron James and Anthony Davis. Kawhi would be able to gain a great amount of money in a sign and trade and will be able to contend for a title with the 2020 NBA Champions. The Clippers organization would not like this move but they would be able to get at least some decent value back for Leonard. Kawhi is a Top 5 Player in the NBA coming off an MVP caliber year, averaging 24.8 PPG, 6.5 REB, 26.0 PER (Player Efficiency Rating), 62.2 TS% (career-high), and a Defensive Rating of 110. Kawhi brings elite offensive and defensive ability, and he is one of the most efficient scorers in League History. Kawhi would make the Lakers the best team in the NBA and the Clippers would enter a deep rebuild. This sign and trade works out well for both teams as the Lakers are the NBA Title Favorites and the Clippers get at least some value back for Kawhi instead of him signing somewhere else and not getting anything for him.
Lakers Receive: SF Kawhi Leonard
Clippers Receive: SF Talen Horton-Tucker, PF Kyle Kuzma, SG Kentavious Cadwell-Pope, PG Dennis Schroder (sign and trade) 2023 FRP (Swap Worst with Pelicans)
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