NBA free agency has begun and teams are not afraid to spend big money. Teams like the Suns and Hawks have spent big money to retain their star point guards while the Lakers made the most stunning move, acquiring triple-double machine Russell Westbrook. Seeing former rivals LeBron James and Westbrook team up shows that anybody can be traded anywhere. In a league where “anything is possible”, here are some trades I would love to see, but probably won’t happen.
Dame Time in Boston
Does he want to be traded or not? As of now, Damian Lillard is publicly saying he is staying in Portland. However, maybe if he could be traded to play with another superstar like Jayson Tatum he might feel differently. Lillard and Tatum are currently teammates in Tokyo playing for Team USA.
We all know Lillard wants a title more than anything, but the Blazers aren’t making the moves necessary to compete with the super teams of the league. That has to be frustrating for someone as devoted and talented as Lillard. The Celtics can take advantage of that frustration and make a deal to bring him to the East Coast. The price for Lillard would be incredibly steep likely meaning Boston has to part ways with Jaylen Brown.
Ben Simmons Teaming up with Ja
It’s time to admit that Philly is not the place for Ben Simmons. The Sixers have tried this Ben Simmons-Joel Embiid combination enough times to understand that it’s not leading to a championship. The Sixers are showing interest in moving Simmons before the season starts. There was a rumored deal with the Warriors, but the price was allegedly too high. Rumors are reporting that Philadelphia is asking for at least four first-round picks and an all-star caliber player.
This upcoming season has to be about building up his confidence. What better way to do that than to play with an athlete who wants the ball in his hands at all times. Ja Morant would be a perfect complement to Simmons. Morant is a flashy guy who wants to take the final shot in a game. We’ve seen Simmons shy away from those big game moments, but playing with Morant, that confidence could rub off on him. Simmons can focus on driving to the basket even if that means heading back to the free-throw line.
The Grizzlies are a very young team who is stuck in the middle of the league on both sides of the ball. Memphis was the eighth seed in the Western Conference playoffs after some late game heroics from Morant, but they were eliminated in the first round. Simmons instantly brings that playoff experience necessary to take the Grizzlies on a deeper playoff run. He is a strong defender who would improve any team immediately as well.
Bam to the Champs
With elite teams getting better, the reigning champs are going to need to add a piece to defend their title. While the Bucks were able to slide into the NBA Finals this season, next year if Brooklyn is fully healthy, it might not be so easy. There is a weakness at the center position that, if addressed, could put the Bucks ahead of Brooklyn.
This trade would require Miami likely conceding that this is not their season to win which seems unlikely. On the first day of free agency, the Heat re-signed Duncan Robinson and added point guard Kyle Lowry. For them to trade their young, talented center Bam Adebayo the deal has to blow Pat Riley away especially to help their biggest competition.
As a side note, Adebayo and Giannis Antetokounmpo have the same agent so it’s not that far-fetched.
