Houston Rockets
Targets: Cam Reddish (Hawks), Talen Horton-Tucker (Lakers), Bol Bol (Nuggets)
The Rockets have the worst record in the Western Conference, but they have some of the best odds to land the No. 1 overall pick in the 2022 NBA Draft. Winning is cool I guess, but this front-office is more than happy with losing as well, that is if they can gain valuable experience for their young talents.
Kevin Porter Jr., Jae’Sean Tate, Christian Wood, Jalen Green and Alperen Sengun look like a really strong young core in Houston, but the Rockets are not done adding young, versatile talents to their roster.
Finding more talent on the wing next to Tate could be something that proves useful to this team’s rebuild, hence why Cam Reddish and Talen Horton-Tucker could both fit in, but Wood and Sengun are the only real frontcourt threats for the Rockets.
LATEST NBA NEWS & TRADE RUMORS: Best Landing Spot For Top Names In NBA Trade Rumors
Bol Bol is in the final year of his contract and is an extremely lengthy big man who has shown potential in the preseason and in summer league over the last year or two, so why not take a chance on him?
Pretty much if you are under 24-years-old and have shown any glimpse of potential moving forward, the Rockets will be interested. This organization is rebuilding and looks ahead of schedule with the young talents they have, so trading away guys like Eric Gordon, D.J. Augustin, John Wall and other veterans for draft picks is the likely avenue for Houston.
Indiana Pacers
Targets: CJ McCollum (Trail Blazers), Gordon Hayward (Hornets), Harrison Barnes (Kings)
Since trading Paul George, the Pacers as a franchise have fallen off quite a bit and they have shown no signs of improvements over the years. Malcolm Brogdon and Domantas Sabonis are both All-Star-like talents, but the Pacers’ front-office really has not made any big moves to set them up for success on the floor.
That needs to change this season and while there have been reports stating that the Pacers are heading “towards a rebuild,” they could give one last ditch effort in trying to win by going after big names like CJ McCollum, Gordon Hayward or Harrison Barnes.
The Pacers have shown interest in both McCollum and Hayward through the years and were close to signing Gordon Hayward on two different occasions before he decided to sign with Boston and Charlotte in two different free agency periods.
LATEST NBA NEWS & TRADE RUMORS: Best Landing Spot For Top Names In NBA Trade Rumors
Caris LeVert and Myles Turner are the two key trade assets to keep an eye on in Indiana and either one or both could be moved for any of these three players. The Pacers just need more talent and scorers on their roster, which is why Harrison Barnes is also someone they could pursue.
The 29-year-old forward is averaging 17.5 points per game this season and shooting 39.2% from three-point range, making him a suitable third option for this team next to Brogdon and Sabonis.
Los Angeles Clippers
Targets: Eric Gordon (Rockets), Caris LeVert (Pacers), Kemba Walker (Knicks)
The Clippers need another guy who can create for himself and be a primary scorer next to Paul George. Reggie Jackson, Marcus Morris Sr. and others have stepped up this season in the absence of Kawhi Leonard, but if this team is going to have a shot of making it back to the Western Conference Finals, they are going to need another playmaker.
Given their cap situation, the Clippers may not be able to make a big move, but moving Eric Bledsoe is something that could open the door for them to bring in a guy like Eric Gordon, Caris LeVert or Kemba Walker.
Gordon’s contract is one that would not be favorable to the Clippers, but he has proven to be a reliable veteran over the years and has been a very consistent scorer in Houston this season. Both LeVert and Walker are two guys who can create opportunities for themselves and are two guys who could fit in quite well next to Paul George and Reggie Jackson.
LATEST NBA NEWS & TRADE RUMORS: Best Landing Spot For Top Names In NBA Trade Rumors
No matter what trade Los Angeles looks to make, they will need to shake up their roster one way or another given their cap situation, so going after a third star is something that could also be of interest to them should an All-Star hit the trade block this season.
Los Angeles Lakers
Targets: Jerami Grant (Pistons), Ben Simmons (76ers), John Wall (Rockets)
I am just shaking my head trying to think about the Los Angeles Lakers right now because they are an absolute mess that is heading for major disappointment. The “Russell Westbrook Experiment” has clearly not worked out and now with Anthony Davis out, this team is in major trouble of sinking down in the Western Conference standings, just like last season.
A major roster change is on the horizon for this team and if they cannot land Jerami Grant, their number one trade target this season, then they need to turn their attention to trying to flip Westbrook for either Ben Simmons or John Wall.
These are the only two contracts in the league that would align with Russell Westbrook’s and the only two players that teams would be willing to talk about in a potential Westbrook trade. Simmons wants to go to a California team and Rich Paul would probably be more than happy to pair him with LeBron James in Los Angeles.
LATEST NBA NEWS & TRADE RUMORS: Best Landing Spot For Top Names In NBA Trade Rumors
As for John Wall, he has proven that he can still play at a somewhat high-level and next to LeBron and Davis, Wall could provide some stability as a facilitator and transition scorer. With no cap space, Talen Horton-Tucker and Kendrick Nunn could both be on the move sooner than later because the Lakers need change to happen quickly.
Memphis Grizzlies
Targets: Cam Reddish (Hawks), Malik Beasley (Timberwolves), F Brandon Ingram (Pelicans)
Grizzlies GM Zach Kleiman has done an excellent job of building this young Grizzlies roster and while they are exceeding expectations during the first-half of this season, they are still in need of another star they can lean on next to Ja Morant.
Jaren Jackson Jr. has the potential to still grow into this No. 2 player, but he has looked more likely a secondary talent along with Dillon Brooks.
Bringing in other young, versatile players like Cam Reddish and X bolsters their bench in an effort to make a playoff push this season, but someone like Brandon Ingram could really change the dynamic of this franchise for many seasons to come.
LATEST NBA NEWS & TRADE RUMORS: Best Landing Spot For Top Names In NBA Trade Rumors
He is already a proven All-Star and being an elite-level scorer, the Grizzlies would finally have an All-Star-like duo, possibly trio if Jackson Jr. can continue to develop into a high-level forward. Memphis needs win-now addition and any of these three players can increase their chances for late-season success this year.
