By: Deren Cicitta
With the finals wrapping up and the off-season approaching quickly teams have already started to gage moves that they could make to shake up their rosters. Here are some possible trade ideas that could happen this summer.
San Antonio brings in new star
San Antonio: Ben Simmons
Philadelphia: Dejounte Murray, Jakob Poeltl and Derrick White
With Ben Simmons future up in the air in Philly it gives San Antonio a chance to swoop in and get another star in. Simmons needs a fresh start in a small market that has success and there is no better place then with the Spurs. Pop will be able to change the team around and have it fit to Simmons strengths as he has done with his teams in the past to fit the style they need to play to win. What this gives Philly is solid depth at the guard position with Murray and White. Murray brings the playmaking and defense they would lose with Simmons. White is more of a scoring option and covers some of the free agents they will have to make decisions on a little easier with the addition of White. Poeltl is an upgrade as a backup from Dwight Howard and brings more to the table as a backup.
Washington cleans house pt. 1
Washington: Kristaps Porzingis, Jalen Brunson and Dorian Finney-Smith
Dallas: Bradley Beal and Thomas Bryant
Washington brings in a new staff with the hiring of Wes Unseld Jr and they decide to give him a fresh start with a new roster he can mold. A disgruntled Porzingis gets to be the top scoring option again becomes to face of the Wizards franchise. Beal gets the opportunity to be on a team that can compete for a championship with him and Doncic forming one of the best backcourts in the league. The Thomas Bryant sweetener benefits both sides, Dallas finally gets the perfect center to fit with Luka and Washington saves some money and don’t have to have the risk of Bryant who has had injury problems since being paid. Part two of cleaning house for Washington leaves an opening at the point guard position giving Brunson the opportunity to see what he can do running the show.
Washington cleans house pt.2
Washington: D’Angelo Russell, Jarret Nowell
Minnesota: Russell Westbrook
Minnesota has stated that they were not interested in moving Russell this summer as they want to see how this team can perform with a full season under Chris Finch. I don’t think they have the time and their star player, Karl Anthony-Towns, is starting to apply the pressure about wanting to win. Westbrook will bring winning to this team and make them an immediate playoff threat just based off his personality. I am not saying the Timberwolves will be a title contender but they can start being and pushing for the playoffs consistently under Westbrook. The Wizards bring in some young talent, with having Brunson from the Beal trade this will allow Russell to play off ball and just be a scorer for this team. They also get former lottery pick Jarrett Culver as he tries to revitalize his career in Washington, as he lost playing time to last years 1st overall pick Anthony Edwards.
Bagley gets a fresh start
Sacramento: Ty Jerome, Isaiah Roby and 16th pick 2021 draft
Thunder: Marvin Bagley III
This is the new beginning Bagley has been looking for, Sacramento is looking to try and get something back for Bagley and OKC has enough picks to take a chance on the potential so many scouts saw out of the former Duke product. Having an offense that will give him more opportunities and help him grow defensively where he has struggled mightily. Sacramento just tried tog eat as much as they can for Bagley and the first round pick is enticing enough for them to pull the trigger.
New York gets sexy
New York: Collin Sexton
Cleveland: Kevin Knox, picks 19 and 21
Cleveland has made it clear that they would like to go the Garland route rather than Sexton running the show. Interest has intrigued several teams but New York is able to put together a nice package for Cleveland. The two first round picks will be too much for Cleveland to pass on and Kevin Knox is the sweetener, not a good one but still get what you can. Knox showed promise in his rookie season but he did get significant more of the offense goi no through him, then saw his play time dramatically drop some maybe more time and we would see some of the promise he showed as a rookie.the first round picks will most likely be moved by Cleveland in order to find some more stable pieces, perhaps a veteran who can bring leadership to this young team. The Knicks get a point guard that will hopefully fill the void that the city of New York has been looking for. Sexton has been criticized for being a ball hog and the numbers back it up, as he only has averaged 4.4 assist last season. But what he brings is something the Knicks need, another player that can put the ball in the basket. When Randle wasn’t going there was a lot of pressure for an aging Derrick Rose to provide the offense. Rose is a free agent and unsure if he will return. Sexton just feels like a Thibs kind of player hard nose and intense.