As the Eastern Conference Finals and Western Conference Finals continue to unfold, let’s take a moment to look ahead. The NBA offseason will be upon us in a matter of weeks and with it, the time of year known as “silly season” will assuredly bring about some major transactions — from free-agent signings to draft-day swaps to star trades.
Let's take a look at a handful of wild swings that franchises might take to shake up and upgrade their respective rosters. While these may ultimately be a bit too bold for league executives to pull off, we thought we’d run through the exercise nevertheless.
Suns-Nuggets Trade
Phoenix Suns get: Michael Porter Jr., Kentavious Caldwell-Pope, draft picks
Denver Nuggets get: Kevin Durant
Analysis: This trade would require Caldwell-Pope to opt into his player option for next season, perhaps with a wink and a nod that the Suns would extend him. But assuming Mat Ishbia and James Jones can pull that off, this deal gives the Suns a deeper roster and picks to replenish the cupboard in the future — perhaps Denver’s 2028 and 2030 first-rounders. For Denver, the trade shortens their window but it also makes them scarier over the next few seasons. Durant is flat-out better than Porter, even if he is 10 years older.
Knicks-Hawks-Nets Trade
New York Knicks get: Mikal Bridges
Atlanta Hawks get: Julius Randle, Dorian Finney-Smith, draft picks
Brooklyn Nets get: Trae Young
Analysis: According to the NBA Trade Machine, this is a successful trade, despite the massive salaries changing hands. On top of that, this solves a lot of problems for each of the three franchises. The Knicks complete the Villanova reunion with Bridges joining his old college teammates Jalen Brunson, Donte DiVincenzo and Josh Hart. The Hawks get off of Trae's big contract, solve their backcourt issues (by choosing to keep Dejounte Murray) and bring in some size and wing depth along with a few of draft picks from New York. And the Nets become relevant again with a former All-NBA player and three-time All-Star in Young, who can put up numbers in a market that desperately needs eyeballs.
Thunder-Hornets Trade
Oklahoma City Thunder get: Miles Bridges
Charlotte Hornets get: Josh Giddey, Kenrich Williams
Analysis: This deal would require a sign-and-trade from Bridges, so perhaps for that reason it’s dead in the water right off the bat. But assuming the power forward would be amenable to that, this deal makes a lot of sense for all involved. First, it gets players who have had serious off- court allegations into new spots. Giddey goes to Charlotte, a small market, and can work with LaMelo Ball and Brandon Miller to create a pass-first, fluid offensive system. And Bridges can go to the Midwest to a team that desperately needs size and strength.
Heat-Cavaliers Trade
Miami Heat get: Donovan Mitchell
Cleveland Cavaliers get: Tyler Herro, Jaime Jaquez Jr., Josh Richardson and a draft pick
Analysis: Miami gets its next star to pair with Jimmy Butler and Bam Adebayo, while Cleveland gets a shooting guard to replace Mitchell (which helps them keep Darius Garland in the process), a small forward in Jaquez Jr. (which they desperately need) and a bench player in Richardson to bolster the lineup. The Cavs also gets younger in the process for a guy who likely won’t stick around long-term anyway. Throw in a first-round pick from Miami and you can call it in.
Pelicans-Cavaliers Trade
New Orleans Pelicans get: Donovan Mitchell, Jarrett Allen, Caris LeVert
Cleveland Cavaliers get: CJ McCollum, Brandon Ingram, draft picks.
Analysis: Sticking with Cleveland and Mitchell, this trade lands the Cavs a veteran shooting guard in McCollum to put in the backcourt with Garland as well as a top-tier scoring wing in Ingram to replace Mitchell’s buckets. It also frees up their young big man Evan Mobley to play center full-time with the departure of Allen. For New Orleans, this allows them to make Zion Williamson the full-time ball-handler (which they need to do), while giving him a great No. 2 in Mitchell. It also gives the team a mobile center to replace free-agent Jonas Valančiūnas. This would give the Pelicans a starting-five of Williamson, Mitchell, Allen, Trey Murphy III and Herb Jones. Cleveland would boast Garland, McCollum, Ingram, Max Strus and Mobley. Throw in a first-round pick or two from the Pels and we’ve got a deal.
