NBA trade season is upon us. As we approach the halfway mark of the 2023-24 season, rumors have begun flying around and deals are starting to get made (OG Anunoby was an amazing pickup for New York). Some notable names are circulating in trade talks, and with so many teams looking to compete, everyone is looking for the move that will take them to the next level. Today, let’s take a look at the ideal destinations for some of the big fish on the market.
Pascal Siakam→ Golden State Warriors
Potential Deal: Chris Paul, Jonathan Kuminga, lottery protected FRP to TOR, Pascal Siakam to GSW
All signs point to a Pascal Siakam trade being imminent. The Raptors are hovering around the middle of the pack standings-wise with no clear route to ascension, and the recent OG Anunoby trade suggests they are gearing towards a youth movement. Scottie Barnes’ All-Star leap this year has solidified him as their franchise guy. Siakam, who is almost thirty and plays the same position as Barnes, just doesn’t really fit the equation anymore. Major outlets are chugging out reports surrounding his name, and there was even a short while on Friday night where it seemed like Siakam was going to Sacramento. The former All-NBA forward is still in his prime and could provide a big boost to the right team.
Enter the Golden State Warriors. The sun has set on their dynasty, and they’re now trying to make the most of the last years of Stephen Curry’s prime. They are struggling to do so this year and are in desperate need of a talent upgrade if they want to make any real noise in the loaded Western Conference. Siakam could be the answer for them. He’s very versatile on both ends, has solid passing feel, and has experience playing center, all traits that make him well-suited for Golden State’s movement based, small-ball offensive scheme.
No one move can make this version of the Warriors a championship team, but they’re clearly an organization trying to compete, and doing so would be a lot easier with Siakam on their side.
Lauri Markkanen→ Oklahoma City Thunder
Potential Deal: Josh Giddey, Ousmane Dieng, an obscene amount of FRPs to UTA, Lauri Markkanen to OKC
After a three-year rebuild, the Thunder are back, and that’s an understatement. They’ve blazed onto the scene as one of the best teams in the league, period. Their championship window is cracked, and adding the right player to their nuclear nucleus of talent could open it all the way. Lauri Markkanen is that guy. The Finnish forward is the hottest commodity on the block right now. He’s an all-league talent who could make any team better. The Thunder, though, jump out as the best potential landing spot for him, because he would be the perfect Robin to Shai Gilgeous-Alexander’s Batman. Markkanen is one of the best off-ball players in the sport, and Shai is one of the best advantage creators. The idea of Markkanen spotting up or cutting to the hoop while Shai drives is enough to make a hoops nerd drool. It’s a match made in heaven. Additionally, outside of Chet Holmgren, OKC is severely lacking in size and Markkanen would help in that department.
The Jazz have quietly been trending upward lately, and Markkanen is still just 26, so it would take a lot to pry him away, but if the Thunder could use their treasure chest of draft picks to their advantage and acquire the 2023 MIP, they would become a whole lot scarier.
Zach LaVine→ Philadelphia 76ers
Potential Deal: Tobias Harris, lightly protected FRP to CHI, Zach LaVine to PHI
Coby White’s breakout and Andre Drummond’s return to prime form during Nikola Vucevic’s absence have given fans something to get excited about, but that doesn’t change the fact that the Bulls are the most hopeless team in the NBA right now. Yes, more than the Pistons, because at least they have some kind of direction. Until Chicago decides to move on from their “big three” of DeMar DeRozan, Zach LaVine, and Vucevic, they will be stuck in mediocrity.
Thankfully, though, LaVine and the Bulls seem to be in agreement that he will be moved in the near future, which is good news for teams looking to bolster their squads at the deadline. LaVine is a certified All-Star and an elite bucket-getter, and his value is at an all-time low, meaning a contender could get him for the low. The 76ers should be one of the teams calling about the star shooting guard. They lack reliable scoring/creation outside of Joel Embiid and Tyrese Maxey, which could become a problem in the playoffs. LaVine could patch that hole and help Philly finally reach the Conference Finals (and beyond).
Alex Caruso→ Sacramento Kings
Potential Deal: Davion Mitchell, Chris Duarte, lightly protected FRP to CHI, Alex Caruso to SAC
Sacramento’s electric 2022-23 campaign was no fluke— they’re once again competing for a top seed in the West. As good as they’ve been in the regular season, though, they aren’t quite championship level. A move that could help them get there is trading for Alex Caruso. Caruso isn’t just one of the best defenders at his position, he’s one of the best defenders in basketball. He could single handedly boost Sactown’s defense to competency, healing their main weakness. On a smaller scale, he would take pressure off De’Aaron Fox, who has been asked to do a lot on that end due to lacking defensive personnel around him. Further, the Bald Mamba is enjoying a career year from behind the arc and would fit right in with the Kings three-point heavy attack. The price to get him is not cheap, but it would absolutely be worth it for the Kings as they look to make their first deep playoff run in a long time.
Malcolm Brogdon→ New York Knicks
Potential Deal: Evan Fournier, Quentin Grimes, SRPs to POR, Malcolm Brogdon to NYK
OG Anunoby was a great get for the Knicks, but they now have an Immanuel Quickley-sized hole in the backcourt. Luckily for them, there is another 2023 6MOY candidate (winner, actually) available to fill it: Malcolm Brogdon. Brogdon is a heady, all-business veteran and an endlessly steady presence on both ends who coach Thibodeau would probably fall in love with and play for 40 minutes a night. As the Knicks continue to get better and better, adding Brogdon would be the next step in bringing a Larry O’Brien to the Big Apple.
Buddy Hield→ Orlando Magic
Potential Deal: Gary Harris, Chuma Okeke, heavily protected FRP to IND, Buddy Hield to ORL
The Magic have been one of the biggest surprises of this season so far. They’re playing like a real playoff team fueled by their top-five defense and All-Star level play from Paolo Banchero. That said, though, they would have a tough time doing any real damage in the postseason because they can’t shoot. They’re near the bottom of the league in both three-point makes per game and three-point percentage. If they want to have a fighting chance in the big dance, that needs to change. Buddy Hield is one of the better pure shooters in NBA history and would open up more space for Orlando’s stars to operate while helping solidify their spot in the standings.
Moses Moody→ Memphis Grizzlies
Potential Deal: John Konchar, SRPs to GSW, Moses Moody to MEM
Jonathan Kuminga has been the talk of the town lately, but he’s not the only youngster on Golden State who’s buried in the depth chart and unhappy about it. Former lottery pick Moses Moody has been in and out of the lineup and it’s clear that he isn’t going to get the opportunity he needs to develop with the Warriors. Memphis is a young and hungry team with a weak wing room who could give Moody the chance to spread his wings while still being part of a competitive culture.
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