It has been just a few weeks since the Association allowed teams to finalize trades. And we’ve already seen NBA trades shake up the foundation of the league. Meanwhile, the NBA is coming off finally holding its annual NBA Draft.
From Chris Paul heading to the desert to the Milwaukee Bucks acquiring Jrue Holiday, a lot of these NBA trades have involved point guards. However, there’s other positions to check in on. Some more trades will also take place on the eve of the 2020-21 NBA season starting in the matter of about a week. That was evident just recently by the John Wall-Russell Westbrook deal.
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It’s in this that we look at what blockbuster NBA trades could be coming next.
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One of the biggest blockbuster NBA trades in history: James Harden to the Brooklyn Nets
We have heard countless rumors suggesting that Harden wants the Houston Rockets trade him to either these Nets or the Philadelphia 76ers. Short of Philly offering up Joel Embiid or Ben Simmons, Brooklyn seems to have the best potential package to land the former NBA MVP.
James Harden trade scenario
- Rockets get: Spencer Dinwiddie, Caris LeVert, Jarrett Allen, Taurean Prince and two first-round picks
- Nets get: James Harden
This one makes too much sense on the surface. If Nets general manager Sean Marks is hellbent on adding Harden to the mix with Kyrie Irving and Kevin Durant, this is the best he can offer.
As for the Rockets, they pick up three potential franchise cornerstones and two future first-round picks. Add in a healthy John Wall, and a core group of Wall, Dinwiddie, LeVert and Allen could be a playoff contender out west.
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More blockbuster NBA trades: Eric Bledsoe to the Clippers
By now, it’s well known that the Los Angeles Clippers are looking for an upgrade at point guard. They don’t have many assets to make it work. Hence, why both Patrick Beverley and Lou Williams are on the trade block. As for the New Orleans Pelicans, their acquisition of Eric Bledsoe was a means to an end. He doesn’t figure to have a long-term future in Nola.
- Clippers get: Eric Bledsoe
- Pelicans get: Patrick Beverley, Patrick Patterson, three second-round picks
Following the trade for Paul George ahead of the 2019-20 season and other subsequent moves, the Clippers don’t have a first-round pick to offer up in this deal. Rather, they hand New Orleans three second rounders as a way for Pelicans front office head David Griffin to continue stockpiling picks. Meanwhile, Beverley could likely be flipped for more assets.
As for the Clippers, they get that traditional point guard to team up with the likes of George, Kawhi Leonard and Serge Ibaka. Bledsoe, 31, has averaged five-plus assists every season since the 2013-14 campaign. He also shot a solid 48% from the field for the Bucks last season. This would be a nice reunion for the two after Bledsoe played his first three NBA seasons with the Clippers.
Blockbuster NBA trades: DeMar DeRozan to the Pacers
With just over two weeks remaining until the start of the 2020-21 NBA season, San Antonio appears to be in a holding pattern. Most figured the Spurs would start anew with a rebuild after missing the playoffs for the first time in a quarter century. That could soon happen. And this would be a start.
- Pacers get: DeMar DeRozan, Rudy Gay
- Spurs get: Victor Oladipo, Myles Turner, 2021 first-round pick
We already know that Indiana looked to deal Turner to the Boston Celtics in a Gordon Hayward sign-and-trade. He doesn’t fit into the team’s long-term future. The same can be said about Oladipo, who is entering his contract years. Rumors continue to persist that he could be dealt.
Related: Victor Oladipo trade scenarios
Acquiring a 20-plus point scorer to team up with T.J. Warren, Malcolm Brogdon and Domantas Sabonis would make Indiana an instant contender. This blockbuster NBA trades would also net the Spurs a young big in Myles Turner, a first-round pick and a potential trade chip in that of Oladipo’s expiring contract.
Blake Griffin to the Charlotte Hornets
This wouldn’t seem like one of the biggest blockbuster NBA trades in recent history due to Griffin’s injury concerns. However, it’s rather clear that the Detroit Pistons are looking to move the six-time All-Star. As for the Hornets, they are going all in after acquiring fellow injury-plagued forward Gordon Hayward.
- Hornets get: Blake Griffin, Sekou Doumbouya
- Pistons get: Terry Rozier, Cody Zeller, P.J. Washington, protected future first-round pick
This would make a whole lot of sense for Charlotte. Teaming Griffin up with Hayward in the front court could be a boon if both were to stay healthy. The backcourt tandem of Devonte’ Graham and rookie No. 3 pick LaMelo Ball would benefit from this, too.
As for the Pistons, their frontcourt gets a bit less crowded. Rozier is still young and has 20-point per game potential. He’d team up, at least, initially with former NBA MVP Derrick Rose. Meanwhile, Washington is a solid young forward. It just makes too much sense.