Not all teams are going to go far this year. It’s just the nature of the pecking order. These same teams have players that could help other teams go a long way. May it be a bad fit, or a stay that has lasted too long, some stars need to find a new home.
We have seen this before. Kyle Lowry needed a change after a long stay with the Raptors. James Harden saw the writing on the wall in Houston. Blake Griffin with the Clippers, Derrick Rose with the Bulls, and Andre Drummond with the Pistons. Every NBA marriage finds an end unless you have special scenarios like Dirk Nowitzki or Kobe Bryant.
From title contenders to teams looking to get back value on their investment, these players could be moved via trade or buyout before the year 2021 concludes. Some could wait all the way to February before the trade deadline. Either way, these new destinations would be a better fit for the following 10 players.
Goran Dragic – Dallas Mavericks
Trade Package: None (Buyout)
Based on how Dragic is being used in Toronto, it’s fair to say that his time will be over soon. Dragic was part of the sign-and-trade deal that sent starting center Precious Achuiwa to the Miami Heat for Kyle Lowry. Dragic was not expected to be on the team’s roster; however, he found a way to stay.
Dragic has been used sparingly this year. His 15.5 minutes per game through six contests are his lowest playing minutes since his rookie season. While Dragic is older, he provides value as a backup. The Raptors are trying to use a younger lineup featuring veterans that recently played the last few offseasons, so Dragic does have a bad fit in this team.
If Dragic was signed by the Mavericks, he would be a great mentor to Luka Doncic. Dragic is a pure leader and respected by many in the league. Not to mention, he can provide valuable minutes when Doncic needs to rest. Dragic also has playoff experience, which the Mavericks have lacked. Doncic has been bounced in the first round the last two years. Having a veteran of this caliber would help the team now and later
Kevin Love – Denver Nuggets
Trade Package: None (Buyout)
Love has overstayed his welcome in Cleveland. When LeBron James left the Cavaliers, the team gave Love a max contract to stay. Between not having enough talent and Love’s injuries, the team would love to move on from him. Love is not a starting power forward anymore, which is fine because he is still a valuable backup. His 9.9 points this year are projected to be a career-worst, but what if he joined a team that needed him to play 15 minutes per night?
Love can still rebound, which is something that the Nuggets could use in the second unit. By bringing in love, would allow the team to move their pieces to their natural position. For starters, Facundo Campazzo is not a good backup option. The team has a better option in Austin Rivers, but he has to play shooting guard. P.J. Dozier is listed as the team’s backup small forward but is more of a combo guard.
With Love on the roster, Jeff Green could move back to small forward. When Jamal Murray comes back from injury, that would allow Monte Morris to return to his natural backup position. At that point, the Nuggets would have too much depth, but Murray isn’t expected back for a while. The Nuggets want to contend for a playoff spot and are hopeful for a deep run once he comes back. Regardless, you have to make the playoffs first.
John Wall – Washington Wizards
Trade Package None (Buyout)
This would be the reunion of the century and the comeback story that Wall fans would compare to that of Derrick Rose. Wall, like Rose, has faced career-altering injuries that have affected his place in the history of the NBA lore. Wall has not played for the Rockets this year after the team tried to find a trade partner. Not to spoil the end of this movie, but no team is crazy enough to take on the $40 million salary of Wall.
Last year, Wall showed he can still play at a high level when healthy. He averaged 20.6 points and 6.9 assists. The Wizards have a solid point guard in Spencer Dinwiddie, but Raul Neto is a subpar backup. What if Wall could come in and provide the spark that Rose gives to the Knicks? Wall would have free range to play the way he did in Houston with this second unit. This would be a huge pickup for the Wizards.
It would also reunite Wall and Bradley Beal, who were one of the best backcourt duos before Wall sustained his injuries. The difference is that Beal is better and this is his team, whereas it was Wall’s team before. If Wall can put ego aside and turn into a sixth man, the 5-1 Wizards could be even better than we ever thought possible.
Myles Turner – Boston Celtics
Trade Package: Robert Williams and Marcus Smart for Myles Turner
The Indiana Pacers look terrible right now. It appears that the team is content with building around Domantas Sabonis, which means that some pieces are going to start leaving. Out of all the players the Pacers have, Turner could get the most back.
Turner is due for a contract extension in 2023, so he is a 1.5-year rental. The Pacers would get a starting center in Williams, who recently signed a four-year extension. Williams is a young piece that could have a better overall physical presence inside compared to Turner. The addition of Smart would provide some toughness to a Pacers team that wanted to still compete for a back-end playoff spot.
Adding Turner to the Celtics could be the final piece. Williams is not as great of a defender compared to Turner. Had Turner not got hurt last year, he would have led the league in blocks. The Pacers somewhat rely on Turner’s offense, where he would not need to be that player in Boston with Jaylen Brown and Jayson Tatum. This would be a difference-making move for the Celtics to move from seven-seed territory to the top-4.
Christian Wood – Charlotte Hornets
Trade Package: PJ Washington, Vernon Carey Jr., 2023 First Round Pick for Christian Wood
The rise of Miles Bridges makes Washington expendable. Washington can be a free agent after the 2023 season where he could ask for a rookie max contract. The Rockets are looking to the future as they build around 19-year old Jalen Green. Washington, 23, could be one of those building blocks.
Right now, Washington was moved to the second unit because of how well Washington is playing, while Charlotte filled the center position with Mason Plumlee via trade. Last year, Washington averaged 12.9 points, 6.5 rebounds, and 1.2 blocks in his second season. Washington is not a max contract player, but he is three years younger than Wood and could make less money.
As for Wood, this would give the Charlotte Hornets a true starting rotation. LaMelo Ball, Terry Rozier, Gordon Hayward, Bridges, and Wood are not a bad starting lineup. This has a real team feeling to it. Plumlee is not a true starting center in this league. If he is a backup, your team is pretty solid. Wood is averaging 19.2 points and 11.5 rebounds this year. This would be a massive upgrade.
Ben Simmons – Portland Trail Blazers
Trade Package: Ben Simmons, Tyrese Maxey, Matisse Thybulle, Shake Milton, 2022 First-Round Pick, 2024 First-Round Pick for Damian Lillard
Ben Simmons does not want to be in Philadelphia. That is apparent. The problem is that the 76ers are a really good team. Say what you want about Simmons, but he is a three-time All-Star that can produce nearly a triple-double and was the runner-up in Defensive Player of the Year. Yes, his offense is not the best, but he does so many other things that we forget that he is still a top player in this league despite not making a three-point shot.
The 76ers were a No. 1 seed last year and don’t think for a second that was all because of Joel Embiid. The TrailBlazers have this feeling, despite it not being confirmed, that it’s time to move on from Lillard. The Trail Blazers have stumbled out to a 3-4 record and look like a back-end playoff team again. If the Trail Blazers want to tear down and rebuild on the fly, a trade for Simmons would allow that.
Tyrese Maxey has starting potential in this league, while Matisse Thybulle is an underrated defender. Used correctly, Shake Milton could get Sixth Man of the Year votes one day. The 76ers can’t be worried about the future. They have a chance to win an NBA championship right now. It’s time to go all-in and bring Dame Time to town.
Collin Sexton – Los Angeles Clippers
Trade Package: Eric Bledsoe, 2022 Second-Round Pick, 2023 Second Round Pick for Collin Sexton
The Clippers need to accept that this year is a wash. The Cavaliers need to accept that it’s time to get something in return for Sexton. When LeBron left the Cavaliers, the team used their lottery pick on Sexton, who was unveiled as the next superstar to replace him. Instead, the team has floundered around the bottom of the conference.
The Cavaliers aren’t going to pay Sexton the money he wants, so why not try and get something in return. A couple of second-round picks are all the Clippers have to offer these days due to their trade for Paul George, but at least it’s better than nothing. Bledsoe gives the team a guard for this year, while they can figure out the rest next year.
As for the Clippers, Sexton, George, and Kawhi Leonard could be dangerous next year when everyone is healthy. It might even be enough to convince Sexton to take less money to chase down a title. Sexton would allow Reggie Jackson to return to his role off the bench. You could even make a good argument that Sexton could be like a Lou Williams and provide a role as he did in the glory days where he won Sixth Man of the Year. All it would take is ego pushed aside and if Sexton wants to make a run at a title.
Pascal Siakam – Atlanta Hawks
Trade Package: De’Andre Hunter, Cam Reddish, Onyeka Okongwu, Jalen Johnson, Delon Wright, 2022 First-Round Pick, 2023-Second Round Pick via Pelicans for Pascal Siakam
The Raptors feel as if they are in purgatory. The jury is out on if the team is truly a competitive force this year. The team is off to a hot start with a 5-3 record, but that is without Siakam playing a game this year. This could go down two roads. One, the team is waiting on Siakam’s return to see if he makes the team better. The other is if he makes the team worse. Regardless, the contract and money owed to Siakam is a lot and not good for a team that would want to rebuild.
As for the Hawks, they should have a feeling of urgency. The team made the Conference Finals last year and took the defending champion Bucks to six games. The team might have been one Trae Young injury away from making the NBA Finals, but that is completely hypothetical. Atlanta has never won a title if you don’t count the title the St. Louis Hawks won. If you throw in all your eggs in one basket, this could be the move to get the team over the top.
It would cost the future, but it would give the Hawks a three-year window, which is all most NBA teams have to compete. The big three of Young, John Collins, and Siakam would be tough to beat. You would also get to keep Bogdan Bogdanovic and Kevin Huerter, who are just as productive as Hunter and Reddish. The Raptors would have a surplus of young talent and picks for the future, while Atlanta would have a shot to win in the East.
Deandre Ayton – Golden State Warriors
Trade Package: Jordan Poole, James Wiseman, Moses Moody, 2022 First-Round Pick, 2026 First-Round Pick for Deandre Ayton
When the Phoenix Suns and Ayton dropped contract talks, it felt like there was tension in the room. Were any of them there to confirm that? No, but when you see Trae Young, Luka Doncic, and Shai Gilgeous-Alexander get contract extensions and you are the No. 1 pick left without one, there has to be some animosity lingering around.
Ayton has a great situation in Phoenix, as evident by the contract extension of Chris Paul and his development with him on the team. With that said, basketball features a lot of great players with egos attached. Ayton is an emotional player. We saw that during the NBA Finals. There is no way that he doesn’t have some conflicted emotions about his current situation.
If there is a chance that Ayton doesn’t resign, the Suns have to do the right thing and get value in return. Jordan Poole is a 22-year old potential starting shooting guard in this league. Moses Moody has great upside, while James Wiseman is a former No. 2 overall pick. Combined with two first-round picks, this gives the Suns value. As for Golden State, Ayton would flourish in a role where he protects the rim and rebounds. It would feel like the dynasty days with Andrew Bogut in the middle, but Ayton is way more athletic and efficient.
Damian Lillard – Philadelphia 76ers
Trade Package: Ben Simmons, Tyrese Maxey, Matisse Thybulle, Shake Milton, 2022 First-Round Pick, 2024 First-Round Pick for Damian Lillard
For the reasons stated earlier, this potential trade between the 76ers and Trail Blazers would benefit both parties. The 76ers need to win now. The Trail Blazers would have pieces to build with as they enter a new partnership with new head coach Chauncey Billups. The 76ers built a contender with Simmons. Granted, they had Joel Embiid added through the draft, but that is part of the deal. The Trail Blazers would need to use these draft picks and find a way to add that second superstar just like Philadelphia.
Adding Lillard to the 76ers makes the team the favorite to come out of the East. With Kyrie Irving’s situation looking the way it does, the Nets are vulnerable with just Kevin Durant and James Harden. After all, we saw that with the Bucks last year in the playoffs. The duo of Lillard and Embiid would have a modern-day Magic Johnson and Kareem Abdul-Jabbar to it. While nobody can completely replicate the Showtime Lakers, this duo would be pretty close.
You also factor in Tobias Harris and that is a heckuva big three. We saw how great Lillard can play when he was chasing down a title in Portland. Imagine having a true chance at one. We would see the best from Lillard, which is dangerous given what we have already seen. Portland can rebuild. Philly can contend. It’s a win-win for everyone.
