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NBA free agency has dominated the headlines recently with some big names changing teams. The Philadelphia 76ers improved their title chances by bringing in Paul George, while the Thunder strengthened their case in the West by agreeing to terms with Isaiah Hartenstein.
Another way for teams to improve their rosters is via trades. However, that can be difficult for teams who have already reached the first or second aprons of the salary cap.
Let’s discuss three potential trade ideas that make sense for the respective teams and all work within the salary cap rules when put through the ESPN Trade Machine tool.
Chicago Bulls - Sacramento Kings
Bulls trade Zach LaVine to the Kings for Harrison Barnes and Kevin Huerter
It’s no secret that the Bulls want to trade LaVine. They have been trying to do so since last season. Unfortunately for them, LaVine having foot surgery before the trade deadline hurt their chances of moving him. The team is trending towards getting younger for next season, adding Josh Giddey and Jalen Smith to the roster. They also re-signed Patrick Williams.
Wanting to trade LaVine and actually doing so are two different matters. LaVine doesn’t have a history or winning, has dealt with a lot of injuries throughout his career, and has a hefty contract. With that in mind, the Bulls will need to temper their expectations in terms of what they can acquire for him.
The Kings have had a history of being interested in LaVine, even signing him to an offer sheet when he was a restricted free agent in 2018. The Bulls matched that offer, but the Kings could now have a second chance to acquire him.
ZACH LAVINE WITH HIS 10TH THREE 🔥 pic.twitter.com/ZN605hITjw
— Bleacher Report (@BleacherReport) January 7, 2023
In this trade proposal, the Bulls don’t get any draft picks, but they get out from under LaVine’s contract. Neither Huerter nor Barnes are instrumental to the Kings’ success, so the Kings aren’t giving much here. They both have two seasons remaining on their current deals, while LaVine has three seasons left. The Bulls get an opportunity to clear their books faster, while potentially being able to deal Huerter and/or Barnes for other assets down the line.
New Orleans Pelicans - Cleveland Cavaliers
Pelicans trade Brandon Ingram to the Cavaliers for Jarrett Allen and Caris LeVert
The Pelicans already made a significant trade, acquiring Dejounte Murray from the Hawks. They have plenty of scoring with Murray, Ingram, Zion Williamson, and CJ McCollum all in the fold. What they don’t have is much size at the center position. They lost Jonas Valanciunas in free agency after he landed a three-year contract with the Wizards.
The Cavaliers might need to shake up their core of Donovan Mitchell, Darius Garland, Evan Mobley, and Allen. Mobley might be better suited to play center, so moving Allen could end up being their ultimate decision. This trade lands the Pelicans an excellent young starting center and a valuable bench piece in LeVert. They could then replace Ingram in the starting five with Herbert Jones or Trey Murphy III, both of which have played well when Ingram has been injured previously.
Brandon Ingram DROPPED Desmond Bane 😱 pic.twitter.com/G02HybA5SO
— Bleacher Report (@BleacherReport) December 20, 2023
For the Cavaliers, landing Ingram gives them another versatile scoring option to help take some pressure off Mitchell. As good as Allen is in the middle, he’s not much of a scoring outlet. They would likely need to make another move to add some size to replace Allen, but Mitchell, Garland, and Ingram could be a lethal offensive trio.
Brooklyn Nets - Los Angeles Lakers
Nets trade Bojan Bogdanovic and Dorian Finney-Smith to the Lakers for Gabe Vincent, Jarred Vanderbilt, Jalen Hood-Schifino, and Jaxson Hayes
The Nets are rebuilding, so they would likely love to move two veterans in Bogdanovic and Finney-Smith who don’t fit their timeline. They just acquired Bogdanovic from the Knicks in the Mikal Bridges trade and he might not ultimately ever play a game with the team. Finney-Smith is a versatile defender who averaged at least 1.6 three-pointers in each of the last five seasons.
The Lakers have been rumored to be shopping Vincent after he missed most of last season because of injuries. He still has two years left on his contract, while Vanderbilt has four seasons left. The price that the Lakers would have to pay for dumping those two bad contracts for two useful veterans would be Hood-Schifino.
Hood-Schifino was selected with the 17th overall pick in the 2023 Draft and is a promising young guard with size. The Nets don’t have many young guard prospects on their roster, with veterans Dennis Schroder and Ben Simmons currently leading the way. Outside of Cam Thomas, they don’t have much to be excited about at the position. Adding Hood-Schifino into the mix at least presents them with some upside.
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