The Perfect Christmas Gift For Every NBA Team

 

Written By: Dylan Grodner, of Swish Tribune

This year will go down as one of the crazies trade deadlines in recent history. With 88% of the players being available to trade this year, we're looking at one of the busiest deadlines in history. Enough with the chit-chat however, let's take a look at 1 potential trade each team needs to make to improve their team this season. 

1. The OKC Thunder Trade For Lauri Markkanen

The Thunder are looking like one of the best teams in the league this season with a very real chance at being a contender in the Western Conference. They are still a very young team with a slew of picks. They have one of the best constructed rosters in the league from top to bottom. With a top ten player in Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, the leading candidate for rookie of the year in Chet Holmgren, and arguably the rookie of the year for last season in Jalen Williams, this team looks extremely scary - for years to come. The Thunder could potentially package Josh Giddey with a combination of picks to get their hands on the reigning Most Improved Player of the year in Lauri Markkanen. This would instantly put the Thunder, in my opinion, as the top team in the Western Conference. With Markkanen only being 26 years old, he fits right into the core of this team. Markkanen also has one of the most favorable contracts in the league, making $67 million for 4 years. This would be a move that would put OKC over the top, becoming the scariest team in the league. 

2. The Dallas Mavericks Trade For Draymond Green

It is finally looking like the Warriors dynasty is coming to an end. With everything that is happening with Draymond over the last few months, it finally seems like it is time for him to part ways and end his career somewhere else. One team to keep in mind if this does happen is the Dallas Mavericks. It seems like Luka and Draymond were a match made for heaven. Draymond fits exactly what a team like the Mavs are looking for and could definitely be a helpful addition to this team. In return, the Warriors could also refigure their lineup by adding pieces like Tim Hardaway Jr and Richaun Holmes. 

3. The Sacramento Kings Trade For Pascal Siakam

The Kings are another young team that is looking like it could make some noise in the West. That being said, it still feels like they are missing a few pieces in order to become a contender. Rumors have already been floating around that the Toronto Raptors are interested in Keegan Murray who just had a career night scoring 47 points. Although Murray looks like a future all star, the Kings have a chance to make a blockbuster trade that would put them in position for a title run this year by trading for Pascal Siakam. 

4. The Golden State Warriors Trade For Zach Lavine  

The Warriors have been looking terrible to start the season. Steph Curry seems to be the only player that can make something happen on the offensive side of the ball, whereas the rest of the team is nowhere to be found. In years past, the Warriors have relied on Klay Thompson, Andrew Wiggins, and Draymond Green to be a second option, however age seems to be catching up to all three of them. It seems like the core of Steph, Klay, and Dray may be coming to an end and it's time for the Warriors to switch things up. By trading for Zach Lavine, the Warriors would have an instant second option. In my opinion, this trade would put them back in playoff contention and would be a huge addition to this team.

5. The Los Angeles Clippers Trade For Alex Caruso

It seems like the Clippers have all their spots filled, however Alex Caruso is a strong candidate that the Clippers should go after. He would provide an instant effort on the defensive end of the ball and would be a nice upgrade from Terrance Mann. This would make the Clippers have the strongest starting 5 in the NBA and Caruso could be that X-factor that the Clippers need. 

6. The San Antonio Spurs Trade For Bol Bol

It seems like the Spurs chances of making any type of playoff run are very much over. That being said, they have the ability to test something truly special out. They have the chance to trade for one of the most unique players in the NBA, pairing him with another extremely unique NBA player. Bol Bol and Victor Wembenyama could form one of the most interesting duos in the league and this would be an extremely interesting experiment if the Spurs make a push for it. 

7. The Timberwolves Trade For Buddy Hield

The Timberwolves are looking like the best team in the NBA right now. One guy that is on the trade market is Buddy Hield, who would greatly help this team out. Hield would become an instant spark plug for this team and would provide the shooting that this team is looking for. He'd be a great addition to their playoff push and would make a big difference for them come playoff time. 

8. The Denver Nuggets Trade For Malcom Brogdon

Once again, the Nuggets are the favorite to win the championship, and are looking like one too. They really don't need much, however Malcom Brogdon would be the perfect 6 man for this team. He would give the starters a break and would fill in as the perfect bench player for this team.

9. The New Orleans Pelicans Trade For Chris Paul

The Chris Paul experiment on the Warriors doesn't seem to be working out and it seems like his days are coming to an end on the Warriors. One team that should be monitoring this situation is the Pelicans. They have a handful of valuable role players that they can package for Chris Paul, which would also benefit the Warriors as well. For the Pelicans, Chris Paul could become that floor general again like he once was for the Pelicans. He could set Zion up for success and run the overall tempo of the game for this Pelicans team. 

10. The Los Angeles Lakers Trade For DeMar DeRozan 

The Lakers are playing well this season, however they are still looking like they need that third star. By acquiring DeRozan, he would become that third star and be able to complement LeBron James and Anthony Davis. This would push them to an instant favorite in the NBA and would be a great move for the Lakers. 

11. The Pheonix Suns Trade For More Depth

The Suns have been riddled by injuries this season and are currently sitting at the 10th seed in the West. Their main priority the rest of this season should be to trade for as much depth as possible in order to stay afloat while their top guys are injured. 

12. The Houston Rockets Trade For Trae Young

This is a big name to just put in a possible trade rumor, however I think it is a possible one for the Rockets. The Rockets hold many valuable young assets that the Hawks could ask for in return. Right now the Hawks are 5 games below .500 and are just not meeting their expectations prior to the season. It may finally be time to move on from Trae Young and if there's one team that could be in the running, that's the Rockets. For the Rockets, this would put them in a win now position and solidify them as a strong playoff team in the West. 

13. The Utah Jazz Fleece A Team For 5 Picks By Trading Lauri Markkanen

The Jazz are clearly out of the playoffs this season as they sit 8 games below .500. There have been rumors floating around about the potential of Lauri Markkanen's trade availability. If this is the case, the Jazz are looking for around 5 picks for him. This would be INSANE if the the Jazz could pull something like this off. Every Jazz fan would be ecstatic and this would be one of the biggest steals of the century. 

14. The Memphis Grizzlies Get A Healthy Ja Morant Back And Trade For Clint Capela

The Grizzlies were one of the best teams in the league last season and have now fallen to the 13th seed. This shows just how important Ja Morant is to this team. Unfortunately, the Grizzlies are also without their starting center in Steven Adams as he is out for the season with an injury. With that being said, it is important that they trade for a center who can play similar to Steven Adams. One player that came to mind is Clint Capela. He plays a very similar style to Steven Adams and could play a very similar role on the Grizzlies as well. 

15. The Portland Trail Blazers Trade Malcom Brogdon For Picks

We all knew that the Blazers were starting their rebuild coming into the season, and they can continue that rebuild by getting a few picks out of Malcom Brogdon. He is meaningless to this team and they can hopefully get a pick or two for him.  

16. The Boston Celtics Trade For Depth

When I was trying to come up with a single player that the Celtics need to trade for, I found it impossible to think of only one. The Celtics have by far the best starting 5 in the NBA, however there have been reports that they are aggressively pursuing depth. If they can get the right bench pieces to surround their starters, it may be time for other teams to call it quits and just give up. 

17. The Milwaukee Bucks Trade For Buddy Hield

It was no question that the Bucks would be one of the best teams in the NBA. With the best duo in the league, surrounded by one of the best third options and defensive players in the league, this team doesn't have many holes to fill. However, one player that would become the X-factor for this team is Buddy Hield. After looking at this team's starting lineup, the biggest hole is at their shooting guard position. Hield would be the perfect person to add to this lineup and would make them even stronger than they currently are.

18. The Philadelphia 76ers Trade For OG Anunoby 

After trading away James Harden at the beginning of the season, I was unsure how the Sixers would play the rest of the season. Since then, Joel Embiid has played like his MVP self, but the biggest surprise is Tyrese Maxey, who has gone on to play like a superstar. By adding OG, they would have a defensive anchor and be able to form one of the best starting 5's in the NBA, consisting of Tyrese Maxey, Kelly Oubre, OG Anunoby, Tobias Harris, and Joel Embiid. 

19. The Orlando Magic Trade For Collin Sexton

The Magic are an interesting team because it seems like everyone they have is either an experiment or a development. It finally seems like many of those players are coming into form and they have a very solid team in the Eastern Conference. One player that they can add to this core of young players is Collin Sexton, who has been playing very well this season. He can come in and become their starting shooting guard alongside Jalen Suggs, Paolo Banchero, Franz Wagner, and others. 

20. The Miami Heat Trade For Zach Lavine 

After missing out on both Damian Lillard and James Harden, it seems like the next best option at the guard spot for the Heat is Zach Lavine. I wouldn't be surprised if the Heat make a push for Zach Lavine and have him end up being the one that they land out of those three guards. Even with landing Lavine however, I'm not sure if this would be a trade that puts the Heat over the top.

21. The New York Knicks Trade For Donovan Mitchell

It almost feels like Donovan Mitchell is bound to end up on the Knicks at some point in his career. The rumors have been floating around for years and it seems like the Knicks will finally have the opportunity to trade for him. With the Cavs only being 2 games above .500, it feels like this may be the year that the Knicks make a push for Mitchell, and if they are able to get their hands on him, they will be a contender in the Eastern Conference. 

22. The Indiana Pacers Trade For DeMar DeRozan

Tyrese Haliburton has been playing like a top 5 player this year and the Pacers have the opportunity to be a top team in the East with him leading the way. That being said, it feels like the Pacers don't have a number 2 option to rely on and DeRozan could become that guy. The Bulls are currently in a position that they are ready to sell and the Pacers are a team with many valuable assets that they could get in return for DeRozan. 

23. The Brooklyn Nets Trade For Darius Garland

Even though the Cavs have been playing well this season, there is a possibility they will decide to be sellers come the trade deadline. If that is the case, Garland would be an amazing player to pair next to Mikal Bridges. Unfortunately, this trade seems very unlikely, but if Garland becomes available, the Nets need to make a push for him. 

24. The Cleveland Cavaliers Trade For Malcom Brogdon While Darius Garland Is Injured 

The Cavs are currently sitting at the 8th seed in the playoffs and are without Darius Garland. Getting Malcom Brogdon would be huge for this team as they would have a strong replacement while Garland is out. 

25. The Atlanta Hawks Trade For Lauri Markkanen

The Hawks have had a terrible start to the season, however they have two stars in Trae Young and Dejounte Murray. If they can put another star next to Young and Murray, the Hawks may be able to make a strong playoff push. A guy like Lauri Markkanen would fit well alongside these two players and would become that other star that could help the Hawks make a playoff push. 

26. The Toronto Raptors Start Their Rebuild

After a few seasons of keeping their core together, they are without Fred Vanvleet and are relying on Pascal Siakam to be their number 1 option. At this point in Siakam's career, it seems like he is more of a number 2 option on a contending team. Even though he may only be a number 2 option, he has a lot of value and the Raptors can get a lot of picks in return for him as well as OG Anunoby, if they decide to move on from both. 

27. The Chicago Bulls Decide It's Time To Blow It Up

Similar to the Raptors, the Bulls have been riding with this core for a few years now and it just doesn't seem to be working out. It is time they decide to blow it up and move on from their key players while they still hold some value for picks in return.

28. The Hornets Trade For Jordan Poole 

Both the Wizards and the Hornets are at the bottom of the Eastern Conference, however the Hornets could put together a roster of all showtime players by adding Jordan Poole to their team. Alongside LaMelo Ball, Jordan Poole could form a strong one-two punch. Both of these teams really need to focus on the up and coming draft, however Jordan Poole would be a nice addition to this team.

29 & 30. The Wizards and The Pistons Trade Any Value They Have For Draft Picks

Both the Wizards and the Pistons have zero reason to keep trying. With only 6 wins between the two teams, neither of these teams have a real chance at making the playoffs. Both teams have a few pieces that they can trade for picks including Jordan Poole, Kyle Kuzma, and Bojan Bogdanovic who are all valuable players on contending teams. If either of these teams can find a way to add more picks, they should certainly do it.