Ever since the Mavericks shipped superstar Luka Doncic off to the Lakers, it’s become clear that no player is exempt from the NBA trade market. We haven’t even reached the midway point of the season, and there are already several interesting trade rumours going around the league.
Teams hit the trade market for any number of reasons — it can be a top contender adding the final piece to their roster or perhaps a struggling squad looking to liquidate their top assets. Whatever the reason, nothing gets the fans talking like the possibility of a blockbuster trade.
The NBA trade deadline isn’t until February 5, but we could end up seeing some significant deals struck well before that date. As the rumour mill continues to swirl, we’ve put together a few hypothetical NBA trades the fans would love to see this season.
Bucks Trade Giannis Antetokounmpo to the Knicks
- New York Knicks receive: Giannis Antetokounmpo, Thanasis Antetokounmpo
- Milwaukee Bucks receive: Karl-Anthony Towns, Miles McBride, two first-round picks
Moving on from your franchise player is never an easy decision, but it could be the right move for the Bucks right now. Milwaukee has had a disappointing start to the season and currently sits 10th in the Eastern Conference. Losing Giannis would be heartbreaking for Bucks fans, but this trade would make it palatable. Milwaukee lands an elite shooting big in KAT, while McBride and the draft picks help the organization to bridge the gap and fast-track the rebuild.
This trade offer makes a lot of sense for New York, as well. The Knicks acquire a game-changing superstar that can impact play on both ends, and they do it without having to gut their lineup. Just imagine pairing Giannis with Jalen Brunson on offence — they would be nearly unstoppable. With Antetokounmpo in New York, the Knicks would be the clear betting favourite to come out of the East.
Pelicans Trade Trey Murphy to the Warriors
- Golden State Warriors receive: Trey Murphy, Kevon Looney
- New Orleans Pelicans receive: Jonathan Kuminga, Moses Moody, a second-round pick
It’s no secret that the Warriors have had their eyes on Pelicans forward Trey Murphy for some time now. There’s also been a ton of speculation surrounding Jonathan Kuminga and his future in Golden State. Put it all together and you’ve got the makings of a blockbuster trade.
While Kuminga can’t be dealt until January 15, it’s already been reported that the Warriors are “increasingly expected” to move him once he’s trade-eligible. His presence would allow the Pelicans to build around a gifted offensive player who’s still just 23 years old, while Moody brings much-needed shooting depth, and the second-round pick only sweetens the deal for New Orleans.
This trade could end up being far more significant for the Warriors. Trey Murphy is an elite 3-and-D wing, whose ability to move without the ball makes him a perfect fit for Golden State’s motion offence. The Warriors are looking to make one final run at an NBA title with their current core, and Murphy may be the missing piece to help them do just that.
Grizzlies Trade Ja Morant to the Kings
- Sacramento Kings receive: Ja Morant
- Memphis Grizzlies receive: DeMar DeRozan, Dennis Schroder
Few players in the NBA would benefit from a fresh start more than the Grizzlies’ Ja Morant. Despite a brilliant start to his career that saw him win Rookie of the Year and Most Improved Player, he’s had a number of missteps along the way. From flashing guns on Instagram Live to being suspended 25 games for conduct detrimental to the league, Morant’s decision-making has been questionable, at best.
It’s not hard to see why Memphis would be open to trading the former second-overall draft pick, given his volatile history. The Grizzlies would also benefit from adding a proven scorer like DeRozan, while Schroder is an experienced guard who brings veteran leadership to one of the league’s younger teams.
It may sound like a risky acquisition for the Kings, but trading for Morant would instantly provide Sacramento with one of the most exciting players in franchise history. For a franchise that’s struggling with attendance, a player like Morant is a great way to generate some buzz around an otherwise-terrible team.
Hornets Trade LaMelo Ball to the Rockets
- Houston Rockets receive: LaMelo Ball
- Charlotte Hornets receive: Fred VanVleet, Jabari Smith Jr.
With reports surfacing that LaMelo Ball is open to a trade out of Charlotte, there’s been no shortage of rumours surrounding his future. At just 24 years old, Ball is one of the league’s best young playmakers and would have no trouble drawing interest from a number of teams around the NBA.
Charlotte has been hesitant to trade their star player, but the Rockets make a ton of sense as a trade partner. Landing a veteran like VanVleet and a talented young player like Smith Jr. could provide the Hornets with some much-needed direction. While this deal would require VanVleet to waive his no-trade clause, it could be his path to more playing time when he returns next season from a torn ACL.
Houston took a huge step forward by adding Durant in the offseason, and the addition of Ball could be enough to compete for an NBA championship. If the Rockets add Ball to its already-formidable lineup, we could see them give the Thunder a run for their money as the NBA’s best team.