With the final stretch of the NBA season right around the corner, the trade deadline is quickly approaching with plenty of speculation about the moves that will and will not happen this year. We came up with five scenarios that are entirely plausible but aren’t exactly likely to happen before the deadline. Here is a look at five crazy NBA trades that we came up with that need to happen.
New Orleans Trades: Anthony Davis
Boston Trades: Avery Bradley, Amir Johnson, Jaylen Brown, 1st Round Pick
The fact that the Pelicans can’t even make the playoffs on a consistent basis with one of the most dominant big men in the NBA is an absolute farce. New Orleans has done a terrible job surrounding Davis with capable talent and the window for him to maximize his potential continues to close with every passing year. The best option for the Pelicans might be to trade him for a quality package of players that allows him to thrive for a playoff contender while filling the gaps for New Orleans while speeding up their decision to rebuild. The Pelicans can get a significant return for Davis right now while the Celtics get the superstar big man they need to contend in the Eastern Conference.
Sacramento Trades: DeMarcus Cousins
Washington Trades: Bradley Beal, Marcin Gortat, 1st Round Pick
Cousins is another player whose potential has been completely wasted to this point. The Kings are going nowhere, he’s unlikely to re-sign there (since management is a complete mess) and the Kings have plenty of depth in the frontcourt. He’s been rumored to be traded for years, so maybe now is the time that they finally pull the trigger.
A move to Washington would mean teaming up with John Wall and potentially bringing out the best from both players. The Wizards have a good back court but it’s also not leading to wins. Maybe they break that up and try to pair Wall with Cousins. The former Kentucky Wildcats would form a formidable one-two punch in the Eastern Conference. Cousins should feast in the East where there are far fewer quality big men to worry about.
The Kings aren’t good enough to make the playoffs right now so maybe they bring in Beal, Gortat and a first round pick for Cousins now before eventually losing him for nothing if he decides to walk as a free agent.
Los Angeles Trades: Blake Griffin
Oklahoma City Trades: Enes Kanter & Domantas Sabonis
As fun as it is to watch Westbrook dominate on his own in Oklahoma City it would be an absolute spectacle to see him and Griffin team up as a 1-2 punch for the Thunder. Griffin remains an odd fit based on what the Clippers want to do so they could acquire Kanter and Sabonis to move a step closer to what they are trying to accomplish in Los Angeles. Griffin would be the perfect fit with Westbrook based on their athleticism and penchant for highlight reel players and the move could really work out for both teams when it comes to the bigger picture.
Miami Trades: Hassan Whiteside
Toronto Trades: Jonas Valanciunas
The Raptors need a more dominant presence in the paint so it’s no surprise we have drawn up a couple of crazy trades that could help them take that next step in the Eastern Conference. Valanciunas is a talented scorer that is still coming in to his own so the Heat would be happy to bring him in. Meanwhile, Toronto would get the dominant big man they need to control the interior at both ends of the floor.
Philadelphia Trades: Jahlil Okafor, Nik Stauskas
Toronto Trades: Pascal Siakim, Terrence Ross, 1st Round Pick
If Miami isn’t willing to part with Whiteside, maybe the Raptors try the 76ers to acquire a big man in Okafor. Toronto has the depth pieces and draft picks to make this type of move including Ross and a talented rookie in Siakim. Meanwhile, the Raptors would also request the hometown kid Stauskas make his return north of the border to complete another crazy trade that we can only hope will happen this season.
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