Whether the NBA season will continue or not is up in the air, but with that being said the offseason is still coming up. This means the draft, free agency, and of course, trades. Win-win NBA trades seem to be rare, however. The league finally has more parity than recent years, which means plenty of teams have a playoff shot. One of the quickest ways to improve a team is through trades, and it goes without saying that every team involved wants to come out on top.
Three Win-Win NBA Trades
Trade One
The trade: Sacramento Kings send Buddy Hield to the Oklahoma City Thunder for Steven Adams.
The Kings need frontcourt help. Richaun Holmes has performed well, but they could do for an upgrade at center. In addition, Marvin Bagley could benefit from a borderline top center alongside him.
Insert Adams. He’s one of the better rebounders in the league and one of the toughest defenders. He’ll also enter next season at 27-years-old, right in the middle of his prime. A pick-and-roll duo with him alongside De’Aaron Fox can be lethal.
Furthermore, it seems as if Bogdan Bogdanovic is the Kings’ preferred starting shooting guard. He’s entering free agency as a restricted free agent, meaning the Kings have the first rights to retain him and would have to unload Hield to allow Bogdanovic to take the reins.
The Thunder have been a major surprise this season. They’re sneaky good, but the team isn’t built to win a championship. Chris Paul has done an outstanding job in leading the team, which has opened up his trade value again. The Thunder will likely explore their options to get rid of his contract and begin their rebuild. Furthermore, sharpshooter Danilo Gallinari will be a free agent.
Hield can step in as the team’s best shooter, and form a strong backcourt alongside rising star Shai Gilgeous-Alexander. This is one of the more simple win-win NBA trades.
Trade Two
The trade: The Orlando Magic send Aaron Gordon and Terrence Ross to the Portland Trail Blazers for C.J. McCollum and Nassir Little.
This season made it evident that the Trail Blazers are in desperate need of a power forward. Carmelo Anthony is approaching his time to retire, and Zach Collins has struggled with injury. Gordon is still getting better and can do a little bit of everything. Although known best for his dunks, he’s averaging roughly 14 points, eight rebounds, and four assists per game. He would be ideal alongside Damian Lillard.
Ross is also a very capable scorer and can play both shooting guard and small forward. He’s definitely an upgrade over the aging Trevor Ariza.
It’s also time for Portland to explore trading McCollum. He definitely forms a great duo with Lillard, but unfortunately, it hasn’t reached the success they’ve hoped. The Magic need better guards, and this gives them the opportunity to acquire a borderline superstar. McCollum is a lights-out shooter and averages nearly 23 points per game alongside Lillard, so he can become the Magic’s primary scorer and a star in the East. The Magic would gladly take on his contract.
Little would be thrown in as a sweetener as Portland would be acquiring two starters. The 20-year-old hasn’t broken out in his rookie season, but the raw talent is there. He can develop as a solid role player.
Trade Three
The Trade: The Detroit Pistons send Derrick Rose and Sviatoslav Mykhailiuk to the Los Angeles Lakers for Kyle Kuzma, Avery Bradley, and Quinn Cook.
This deal is contingent on Bradley accepting his player option, which he might for the money he is due.
The Lakers would acquire a veteran and former MVP in Rose. Although a shadow of his former self, Rose proved this season that he’s still a very capable scorer. He’s averaging roughly 18 points and six assists per game. Rose would be a great bench option for the Lakers as the primary ball-handler while LeBron James is on the bench. In addition, the Lakers would see Mykhailiuk return – someone who is a decent shooting option.
The main reason for the Pistons to go ahead with this trade is to get Kuzma. He’s still young with potential, some of which has been slowed down due to James and Anthony Davis being the primary scorers in Los Angeles. A rebuilding team like Detroit would allow Kuzma to flourish and continue to grow. Bradley and Cook would be throw-ins, as the Pistons aren’t going anywhere anytime soon.
This, like the first trade, is again one of the more simple win-win NBA trades. The Lakers get a veteran to help in their championship window, and the Pistons get a young baller to rely upon as they rebuild.
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