Portland Trail Blazers
Toronto Raptors Receive: G/F Josh Hart, F Nassir Little, 2024 First-Round Pick (POR)
Portland Trail Blazers Receive: F OG Anunoby
The Portland Trail Blazers don’t appear to have any interest in moving Lillard this year. Instead, they seem to prefer to bolster the group around him. In particular, they look to be improving their defense.
Anunoby would be a huge acquisition for this club. In fact, the Raptors probably won’t move him unless the rumors surrounding his unhappiness hold weight. If they do, they’re receiving two players who replicate some of his 3-and-D skill set and a first-round pick in this trade.
Sacramento Kings
Charlotte Hornets Receive: C Richaun Holmes
Sacramento Kings Receive: F Kelly Oubre Jr.
Nothing particularly complicated here. The Hornets need a center. Holmes would make a great pick-and-roll partner alongside LaMelo Ball. Meanwhile, the Kings could use some wing depth. This straight-up swap improves both teams’ roster balance ahead of 2022-23.
San Antonio Spurs
Los Angeles Lakers Receive: G/F Josh Richardson
San Antonio Spurs Receive: G/F Talen Horton-Tucker
When the Spurs traded Dejounte Murray to the Atlanta Hawks for a major haul of draft capital, they made their intentions clear. The Spurs, finally, are rebuilding.
That puts them in a perfect position to take a shot at unlocking Horton-Tucker. Meanwhile, the Lakers can’t spare any more patience for THT. With an aging core, this team needs to win now. Richarson is a safer bet than Horton-Tucker to aid that cause in 2022-23.
Toronto Raptors
Philadelphia 76ers Receive: G/F Armoni Brooks
Toronto Raptors Receive: F/C Paul Reed
Sorry if this deal was a bit of a letdown.
You may have been expecting an Anunoby deal. Think again. We wouldn’t have the Raptors move him unless he’s truly dissatisfied with the organization. You may also have been hoping for a Durant blockbuster. That gets complicated for the Raptors. Trading potential star Scottie Barnes for a 33-year-old feels too risky.
Meanwhile, trading Siakam and picks for Durant leaves the Raptors without a co-star for Durant. Here, the Raptors stay the course and make an under-the-radar trade to fill a positional need.
LATEST NBA NEWS AND TRADE RUMORS: Does Donovan Mitchell Want To Leave Utah Jazz?
Utah Jazz
Brooklyn Nets Receive: G Donovan Mitchell, F Mikal Bridges, 2023 First-Round Pick (PHO), 2027 First-Round Pick (PHO)
Phoenix Suns Receive: F Kevin Durant
Utah Jazz Receive: G/F Ben Simmons, F/C Dario Saric, 2025 First-Round Pick (PHO), 2029 First-Round Pick (PHO)
Now this, on the other hand, is a Kevin Durant blockbuster.
If Donovan Mitchell, Mikal Bridges, and two first-round picks aren’t enough for the Nets, nothing will be. Meanwhile, this only works if the Jazz think Simmons has more potential to unearth. If they do, they’ll have come away from this summer flipping Rudy Gobert and Donovan Mitchell for Ben Simmons and a mountain of draft picks. Finally, nobody needs to justify this deal for the Suns. They’re getting Kevin Durant.
LATEST NBA NEWS AND TRADE RUMORS: Kevin Durant Has Gone Radio Silent Amid NBA Trade Rumors
Washington Wizards
Indiana Pacers Receive: F Rui Hachimura
Washington Wizards Receive: C Goga Bitadze, G Chris Duarte
The Washington Wizards just signed Bradley Beal to the most lucrative contract in NBA history. It’s safe to say they won’t be bottoming out ahead of 2022-23.
With that in mind, they may be done waiting for Rui Hachimura’s breakout. He still has potential, but at 24, his window for stardom is closing. This deal has the Wizards cutting ties to improve their depth. Most significantly, Duarte will make up some of the floor-spacing they lost in the Kentavious Caldwell-Pope deal.
