NBA Draft trades have been the name of the game in the modern history of the event. Some have had wide-ranging ramifications, including the Los Angeles Lakers pulling off a draft-night deal for Kobe Bryant’s rights with the Charlotte Hornets back in 1996.
Others have been complete duds. Remember when the Milwaukee Bucks selected Dirk Nowitzki No. 9 overall in the 1998 NBA Draft? The rights to Dirk were traded immediately to the Dallas Mavericks for fellow prospect Robert Traylor. Ouch, Milwaukee.
Heading into the 2023 NBA Draft Thursday night, there’s been a ton of speculation about trades taking place. Heck, the defending NBA champion Denver Nuggets have already pulled off two NBA Draft trades. Let’s look at four others that make sense with things set to get going from Barclays Center in New York City.
Related: 2023 NBA Draft rumors
Brooklyn Nets package first rounders for move into lottery
It seems as if the Nets are going to build around star forward Mikal Bridges after acquiring him in the Kevin Durant blockbuster this past February. Brooklyn also picked up the Suns’ first-round pick (21st overall) as part of the package for KD. This gives general manager Sean Marks consecutive picks (22nd overall) in the first round and a second-round selection to move up for a target player.
Rumors have pointed in the direction of Brooklyn talking to several teams about a potential move into the lottery. The interesting thing here is that the prospects Brooklyn has worked out ahead of the 2023 NBA Draft could be available with those selections. It makes them a true wildcard. We like the Oklahoma City Thunder as a trade partner. Front office head Sam Presti is always looking to acquire draft capital.
- Thunder get: 21st and 22nd picks, future 2nd-round pick
- Nets get: 12th pick
In this scenario, the Thunder could move one of the picks they acquire for future assets. Meanwhile, Brooklyn targets Connecticut guard Jordan Hawkins. He’s seen as pro-ready with an elite perimeter game. It’s something that has been missing from the Nets over the past few seasons.
Related: 2023 NBA trade tracker with grades
Detroit Pistons move back from 5th pick in blockbuster trade
Pistons general manager Troy Weaver has indicated several times since their bad luck in the NBA Draft Lottery that the team is willing to listen to offers for the fifth selection. He did not shy away from that in his pre-draft press conference, either.
“We’re still open to improving the team,” Weaver told reporters ahead of the NBA Draft. “Do we like the players that we’ve been vetting out at five? Absolutely, but we’re still open to different opportunities as well. Definitely still looking at all of our options to improve the team.”
Detroit is in an awkward position in that the team just made Monty Williams the highest-paid head coach in NBA history. It has a young, but unproven core. Flipping this pick for a package centered around a proven player makes sense.
- Pistons get: Pascal Siakam, 13th pick
- Raptors get: 5th pick, Bojan Bogdanovic, Isaiah Stewart
Toronto is stuck between rebuilding and being a bottom-end playoff contender. At this point, the team has not given an idea as to what its plans are. It has made the Raptors a difficult partner in trade discussions. What we do know is that the status quo is not working. The Raptors have also been in discussions about moving into the top five with twins Amen Thompson and Ausar Thompson being targets. In this scenario, Toronto picks up one of them and a young center in Isaiah Stewart as well as an asset in that of Bogdanovic.
In turn, Detroit creates a more well-rounded roster to go with the core two of guards Cade Cunningham and Jaden Ivey. An All-Star of Siakam’s ilk teaming up with Marvin Bagley, James Wiseman and Jalen Duren in the frontcourt would look really nice.
Related: Top storylines for the 2023 NBA Draft
Dallas Mavericks move 10th pick for proven veteran
Dallas didn’t upset stars Luka Doncic and Kyrie Irving by tanking toward the end of the 2022-23 season, only to pick up a rookie Thursday night. Said tanking enabled the Mavericks to keep this pick (top-10 protected) rather than send it to the New York Knicks. General manager Nico Harrison is going to move it during the 2023 NBA Draft.
The only question is who Dallas might target and what type of deal could come together. Looking at the roster, there’s going to be a need in the low post with Dwight Powell and Christian Wood entering free agency. Enter into the equation an Indiana Pacers team that has already made one of the few NBA Draft trades thus far this summer.
- Mavericks get: Myles Turner, 32nd pick
- Pacers get: 10th pick, Josh Green, Tim Hardaway Jr.
This deal enables Indiana to finally move off Turner while adding a two-guard in Green to team up with All-Star Tyrese Haliburton. It will also end up having two of the top-10 picks in what is seen as a loaded 2023 class.
From Dallas’ perspective, it picks up a defensive-minded center in Turner who has averaged 2.6 blocks over the past five seasons. Turner also improved offensively last season, averaging 18.0 points on 55% shooting while continuing to show an outside stroke. Meanwhile, the pick and roll game between Turner, Doncic and Kyrie Irving (should he re-sign) would be electric.
Related: Top 100 NBA Draft prospects of 2023
Portland Trail Blazers finally get Damian Lillard some help
We can put to rest a Damian Lillard trade this summer. Portland has made it clear that he’s not available. The seven-time All-Star is also willing ride or die with his original team. Whether this is a mistake for the two sides remains to be seen. What we do know is that Blazers general manager Joe Cronin needs to pull off a blockbuster trade for a star player after the disaster class of a 2022-23 season in the Pacific Northwest.
Portland has been listening to offers for the third pick. However, the team won’t be able to make a deal until its on the clock. Teams are looking to trade up for stud young guard Scoot Henderson. Should forward Brandon Miller go to the Hornets at two (a likelihood), Portland will get a ton for the third pick.
- Blazers get: Zach LaVine
- Bulls get: 3rd pick, Anfernee Simons, Nassir Little, Keon Johnson, 2024 1st-round pick
Imagine teaming Lillard up with LaVine in the backcourt. That’s two players fully capable of averaging over 25 points per game while shooting lights out from distance and being able to create their own shots. Obviously, this would be a high price to pay. But acquiring someone like LaVine will never come cheap.
Chicago is listening to offers for its All-Star wing. It is also said to be asking for a star young player and multiple first-round picks. This meets said asking price. Simons, 24, averaged north of 21 points on 38% shooting from distance. Getting Scoot Henderson as the future face of the franchise would also be a boon for a Chicago team that just has not been able to compete with the big dogs back east with its current group.