With big names being on the move this past offseason and thru the regular season like James Harden, Ben Simmons, and CJ McCollum joining new teams this year, I look at who could be next and where they’ll go.
Zion Williamson, New Orleans Pelicans
As the season goes on, it is becoming more apparent that Zion doesn’t want to be in New Orleans. While dealing with injury issues and missing over 118 out of the possible 203 games since he was drafted in 2019. And while he has been criticized for his injuries being compared to another center who missed a great amount of time, Greg Oden, when healthy he has the potential to be one of the best rising stars in the league along with stars like Luka Doncic, Ja Morant, and Devin Booker but one team in mind I could see taking a chance and trading for him and that is the Los Angeles Lakers. With Russell Westbrook struggling and AD and LeBron having health issues this year, Zion would help their frontcourt with his explosiveness and ability to wow the crowd with dunk contest like dunks when he’s on the court. But time will tell if he’ll be able to get back on the court hopefully soon and can produce with either the Pelicans or whichever team trades for him.
My trade prediction:
Lakers trade Dwight Howard, Avery Bradley, and a 2022 2nd
Pelicans trade Zion Williamson
Donavan Mitchell, Utah Jazz
Mitchell has been one of the most consistent players in the last few years for Utah, being able to score from anywhere while still being able to include everyone in the play to help secure the win. With 25.9 points per game, 5.2 assists, and 4.2 rebounds, he is among some of the top shooting guards in the league with the way he has been playing. And while I don’t think Utah will trade him, the most ideal place for him to go is the Milwaukee Bucks. While they have a nearly complete team, Giannis needs another star to help create opportunities to make more ideal shots and help with the quickly rising teams in the Eastern Conference.
My trade prediction:
Milwaukee Bucks trade Grayson Allen, Serge Ibaka 2023 1st round pick, 2022 2nd round pick
Utah Jazz trade Donavan Mitchell and 2024 2nd round pick
Russell Westbrook, Los Angeles Lakers
As the season progresses, it’s becoming clear that Westbrook is not the answer the Lakers were looking for. And while it could be due to injuries to LeBron and AD or the fact that Westbrook is having to get used to not being the 1st option like he has before in his career, the Lakers could still get draft capital for him. Averaging 18.3 points, 7.3 assists, 7.7 rebounds is close to what he did in OKC, but he is still not doing as good as expectations were for him. He needs to go to a place where he is the number one option but still has key players to build around him. And I believe that the most ideal place is Minnesota Timberwolves, the young core could learn from Westbrook and Westbrook can go back to being the triple-double machine that he is known for.
My trade prediction:
Los Angeles Lakers trade Russell Westbrook, 2023 1st round pick, 2024 1st round pick
Minnesota Timberwolves trade Karl Anthony-Towns
