Now that the 2020 NBA Bubble Season is over, it’s about that time for fans, media, and analysts to start the marathon of trade possibilities and suggestions and scenarios that will dominate NBA headlines, especially with uncertainty concerning the start of the NBA season. Certain things are still very much a prisoner of COVID-19.
These trades, however, are very feasible and involve players who are star pieces that would shift the balance of power in the NBA if they ended up on the right squad.
Victor Oladipo to the Miami Heat
Oladipo would pair well with (Jimmy Butler and Bam Adebayo). When the 2018 NBA Most Improved Player and the Pacers didn’t agree to a contract extension, rumors began to swirl that he was unhappy. Per report, he’s looking for a max-deal but also wants to play for a contender. With fear of losing him for nothing in 2021 free agency the Indiana Pacers may look to move him.
With Pat Riley aka “The Don” pulling the strings in South Beach and highly upset about his team’s Finals loss to the Lakers. Also losing to LeBron whom he doesn’t have the greatest relationship with anymore following how things ended doesn’t sit well and adding #VO would possibly push them to the favorite line instead of just contenders.
READ MORE: An Ode To Pat Riley aka “The DON” All He Does Is Win
Derrick Rose to the Brooklyn Nets
Rose would be a nice fit as a backup to Kyrie Irving in BK. He’s great friends with both KD and Irving and he’d provide new head coach Steve Nash’s team with a legitimate scoring threat off the bench, who could potentially finish games alongside Irving if Nash likes the fit. I only added this one because I believe the Nets have some solid pieces already in place with talented supporting cast members Spencer Dinwiddie and Caris LeVert. But passing on a former MVP like Rose wouldn’t be a shrewd move. Rose averaged 18.1 ppg for the Pistons in 50 games in a reserve role.
Kevin Love to Golden State
That Warriors have the No.2 overall pick and other viable pieces (Andrew Wiggins) to move in order to acquire very good to elite-level talent. A trade for Kevin Love, whom the team was close to acquiring from the TWolves in 2013-14, is a real possibility.
The only reason why the “Splash Brothers” are still intact is because “The Logo” Jerry West (Team Consultant) at that time said he thought it’d be a huge mistake to trade Klay Thompson aka “KookOut Klay” aka”Trey Klay” aka “Splash Brother No. 2” for Love.
But now that makes a ton of sense considering his skillset fits Kerr’s system to a tee. And to acquire Love, the Dubs won’t have to give as much as they would to acquire Giannis Antetokounmpo or Bradley Beal.
Golden State Wants A Big
Another option is Orlando Magic free agent big Sasha Vucevic. A quiet rumor is them looking to trade for one of Atlanta’s bigs in Clint Capela or John Collins.
CP3 To The Lakers…Finally
Chris Paul to the Lakers is my next possible trade possibility.
It’s a decade too late to get Kobe that 6th ring, but Paul is still in search of the NBA championship that will stamp his Hall of Fame career.
OKC Thunder’s decision to bounce head coach Billy Donovan would have one believe that the franchise is rebuilding. Therefore, Paul’s services won’t be needed. Paul led that team to a 5 seed and a last second GAME 7 loss to the team that traded him the previous off-season.
CP3 has long said he’d love to get back to LA. He was a franchise player for the Clippers and a Lob City general from 2011-2018. He’s also a part of LeBron James’ Banana Boat Gang, along with Melo and DWade, so Bron and Paul have reportedly longed to play together. Paul would actually be a perfect fit for the Lakers, especially with Rondo leaving. He’s basically an upgrade at point.
Paul and Anthony Davis would have a well-oiled, unstoppable pick-n-roll hustle going — one rivaled only by Stockton and Malone. This would allow a 36-year-old Bron to play off the ball. If you thought Davis flourished this season just imagine him already being a three-level scorer with the best passer of his generation at the helm.
I think the Bucks need to try and add Paul to appease their superstar in (Giannis) but this move right here basically makes the LakeShow unbeatable heading in 2020-21.
Bradley Beal To Nuggets, Bucks or Warriors
Beal, although adamant about wanting to stay in Washington, is definitely a valuable trade piece for a franchise hamstrung by John Walls supermax deal.
There are three teams that could benefit from adding Beal. First, let’s talk a little about “Mile High City” and the young upstart Nuggets who overcame two 3-1 deficits in the “Orlando Bubble” and fought admirably in losing to the eventual champion Lakers.
Adding him to a team with young stars Nikola Jokic and Jamal Murray would be special and they have Michael Porter Jr, Monte Morris and Jerami Grant as quality moving parts along with a high pick to pull off that deal for the Wizards superstar.
Bucks made a huge mistake in keeping Eric Bledsoe over Malcolm Brogdon and could definitely use Beal’s services. First of all Brogdon is a better overall player than Bledsoe. Secondly, his contract and Beal’s would almost match to pull off a deal with Washington to give “Cream City” a big 3 of Greek Freak, Khris Middleton and Beal. That’s one possibe way to keep the “Greek Freak” in Milwaukee for a long time.
The Warriors could also look to add him for their #2 overall pick, Andrew Wiggins and their protected picks from Minnesota. Highly unlikely, but GM Bob Myers is always thinking ahead and outside the box. And in today’s small ball era he could easily slide the 6’7 two way playing Klay Thompson to the small forward position to make this work. They’d have arguably the best shooting trio ever as they did with KD in tow.
A recent rumor floating around, first reported by Clutchsports and Brandon ‘Scoop B’ Robinson, is a possible Joel Embiid to Houston trade.
Would Joel Embiid put the #houstonrockets over the top? pic.twitter.com/3X4y0T9kEU
— The Shadow League (@ShadowLeague) October 21, 2020
Not sure how that would work, but s, having parted ways with GM Daryl Morey, are not interested in breaking up the band and feel like they can still win with James Harden and Russell Westbrook leading the way. They do, however, need a third superstar and Embiid would add a dimension that very few teams in the NBA possess.
