The NBA trade deadline is rapidly approaching. There seems to be a clear demarcation between contenders and pretenders, which means there are clear sellers and buyers. This also means the NBA trade rumors are heating up. One team that has surprisingly entered the contender race is the Miami Heat, who are looking to make a splash.
NBA Trade Rumors
Karl-Anthony Towns to the Miami Heat
Miami Heat receive: Karl-Anthony Towns and Gorgui Dieng
Minnesota Timberwolves receive: Goran Dragic, Kendrick Nunn, James Johnson, Meyers Leonard, KZ Okpala, 2020 1st rounder
The Miami Heat would love to add another superstar next to Jimmy Butler, which is one of the biggest NBA trade rumors. Karl-Anthony Towns was rumored to be unhappy in Minnesota due to their inability to win games. The Heat would love to pair Towns with Bam Adebayo which would create a lethal combination of bigs that can handle the ball, score, and rebound. The two should complement each other perfectly.
Gorgui Dieng would be a great third big for the Heat. Losing Goran Dragic and Kendrick Nunn is difficult, but Miami is confident in Justise Winslow and Butler’s ability to initiate the offense. Minnesota could potentially listen to Tyler Herro being added instead of Nunn. James Johnson is added in to match salaries and Meyers Leonard is on expiring contracts and KZ Okpala is a young wing with some decent upside.
The Minnesota Timberwolves will be looking to rebuild. They would prefer to hold onto Towns and move Andrew Wiggins, but Towns may not let that happen. The Wolves receive Nunn who has been outstanding in his rookie campaign, as well as several expiring contracts. Add to that a 2020 first-round pick and the Wolves can begin the rebuild with Wiggins, Nunn, and two new rookies.
Bogdan Bogdanovic to the Philadelphia 76ers
Philadelphia 76ers receive: Bogdan Bogdanovic, 2020 2nd round pick
Sacramento Kings receive: Zhaire Smith, Jonah Bolden, Raul Neto, 2020 2nd round pick
The Philadelphia 76ers desperately need a shooter. Since losing J.J. Redick in free agency, the offense has not looked the same. A popular shooter on the market is Bogdan Bogdanovic. He would fit nicely in the 76er rotation and bring a great scoring punch. He is also young with tons of upside. Although Philadelphia will not want to part ways with Zhaire Smith yet, they are in win-now mode with stars in their prime.
Bogdanovic will be a free agent next year. The Sacramento Kings seem to like their young core of Buddy Hield, Marvin Bagley, and De’Aaron Fox. With Harrison Barnes on the books long-term, and Fox and Bagley ready for new contracts soon, there may not be space for Bogdanovic. It would be wise to acquire a promising young guard in Zhaire Smith who will finally have room to grow. Jonah Bolden has shown flashes as a rotational big and Raul Neto is on an expiring contract.
NBA Trade Rumors: Los Angeles Lakers Add a Play-maker
Los Angeles Lakers receive: Denzel Valentine
Chicago Bulls receive: Quinn Cook and 2022 2nd round pick
The Los Angeles Lakers have been searching for another play-maker off the bench. They are restricted in the moves they can make, but this is a great opportunity to buy low on Denzel Valentine. Valentine can be another ball-handler and play-maker off the bench to help take some of that load off of Rajon Rondo. While it is not a flashy move, it may help put the Lakers over the top. It is a no-risk, high reward type play.
The Chicago Bulls seem ready to move on from Valentine. They have made it clear that he is not part of their future with all of the Did Not Play- Coach’s Decisions he has been racking up. Receiving anything in return is a bonus. Here they get Quinn Cook who has shown an ability to score off the bench but is also on a short, small contract so he does not affect any future plans.
Myles Turner Blockbuster
Atlanta Hawks receive: Myles Turner, Rodions Kurucz, and Dzanan Musa
Indiana Pacers receive: DeAndre Bembry, Evan Turner, Damian Jones, Joe Harris, and Atlanta 2020 1st rounder
Brooklyn Nets receive: Jabari Parker, Doug McDermott, Atlanta 2020 1st rounder via Brooklyn
The Atlanta Hawks finally get their center. Myles Turner fits perfectly next to John Collins and brings a rim protector that Atlanta desperately needs. At this point, they may build him a statue before he plays a game. They do part ways with both first-round picks in this deal, but that is not the worst idea. The team is already very young and they have plenty of money for free agency to sure up the rotation with some veterans. The important thing is Myles Turner is exactly what the doctor ordered. Additionally, they gain two nice rotational pieces in Rodions Kurucs and Dzanan Musa.
The Indiana Pacers fully commit to Domantas Sabonis as the center. They receive DeAndre’ Bembry and Evan Turner who can make plays off the bench in that Tyreke Evans role from last season. They also have sharpshooter Joe Harris to help space the floor when Victor Oladipo is healthy. Every player they receive in this deal is on an expiring contract. Finally, the crown jewel is the Hawks 2020 first-round pick. Adding a likely top-five pick to Oladipo, Brogdon, and Sabonis is excellent.
The Brooklyn Nets receive Jabari Parker and Doug McDermott. Parker will be a free agent next year and Brooklyn needs scoring this year while Kevin Durant is sidelined. According to LWOS sources, Parker is dissatisfied with his role after the return of John Collins and is looking for a new home. Additionally, McDermott is under contract next season, unlike Harris, to help space the floor for Durant and Kyrie Irving. Lastly, they receive their first-round pick back from Atlanta.
All three teams would be making this move with eyes on the future.
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