Many teams are looking to trade away their stars and shed some salary. Other teams are looking to add star players to build a championship-caliber team. Therefore, we’ve put together the five trades that could happen before the NBA Trade deadline. Which one do you think will happen?
These five trades would immediately make each team better and would create serious conversation at the NBA betting sites come playoff time.
5. Gordon Hayward To The Heat
The Miami Heat were just in the NBA Finals. They lost Gabe Vincent and Max Strus and could use a veteran scorer who can score at an effective rate.
With Jimmy Butler also hurt, Hayward would be an interesting addition to this Miami culture.
The Hornets won’t be making the playoffs this year.
They’ve played without LaMelo Ball and won’t even have Hayward for a couple more weeks due to a calf strain. But when he returns, the Hornets can get some assets in return for an aging star.
INJURY UPDATE: @hornets forward Gordon Hayward suffered a left calf strain at LAC on 12/26. He is listed as out and will be reevaluated in two weeks.
— Charlotte Hornets PR (@HornetsPR) December 29, 2023
Why wouldn’t the Hornets get rid of Hayward?
In December, he scored nearly 16 points per game and had multiple games with 20 points. He’s still got something left in the tank and will be helpful in a playoff run.
4. Kyle Kuzma To The Thunder
I’m not entirely sure that the Thunder will strike a deal for Kyle Kuzma. After all, his contract is substantial at four years and $102 million.
But adding Kuzma could help the Thunder in the playoffs. Kuzma sometimes gets a bad rep for always being a ball hog and taking too many shots. But he’s better than what he gets credit for.
The Wizards want draft picks, and the Thunder have plenty. Kuzma would be a clear upgrade and give Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and the Thunder some added consistent offense.
3. Dejounte Murray To The Knicks
The Knicks just added OG Anunoby from the Raptors and essentially need a star guard for their roster.
New York let go of Immanuel Quickly and RJ Barrett and is weak in the guard spot now.
This was a warning that the Knicks are effectively looking for a star guard to pair with Jalen Brunson and Julius Randle.
It’s unclear if Murray moves the needle in terms of reaching the NBA Finals. However, a lineup between Jalen Brunson, Dejounte Murray, OG Anunoby, Julius Randle, and Isaiah Hartenstein is pretty lethal as long as the Knicks find some quality depth for the bench.
Murray has scored 20.6 points per game and has 4.6 rebounds with 5.2 assists. He’s also shooting 46% from the field.
2. Pascal Siakam To The Pacers
There will be many suitors for Pascal Siakam by the NBA Trade Deadline. The Toronto forward will likely be a target for the Mavericks, Hawks, and Pacers.
However, it sounds like the Pacers will be the most aggressive of those three teams.
Toronto has already been active in the trade market after letting go of OG Anunoby to acquire Immanuel Quickley and RJ Barrett.
Now they’re looking to get rid of Siakam, who has averaged over 22 points per game with 6.6 rebounds and 4.9 assists. Siakam has shot over 52% from the field this season and would be a massive fit for the Pacers.
“I believe the Pacers will continue to be a team that probes on Toronto’s Pascal Siakam.”
– @wojespn pic.twitter.com/Jz7VNbg1RV
— NBACentral (@TheDunkCentral) January 3, 2024
Indiana is currently starting Jalen Smith as the power forward. There are games where he doesn’t even play 20 minutes. Adding a guy like Siakam to pair with Myles Turner and Tyrese Haliburton would be ideal for the Pacers to make another jump in the standings.
1. Zach LaVine To The Lakers
The Los Angeles Lakers are busy starting Cam Reddish in most games this season. While he’s had some respectable games, Zach LaVine would be a much better replacement in the starting lineup for the Lakers.
Los Angeles needs offense, and they’re looking for offense before the trade deadline.
LaVine has averaged about 21 points per game with nearly five rebounds and more than three assists. He’s also shooting over 44% from the field.
The current Chicago Bulls player hasn’t played in many games this season due to foot inflammation. But he’s only in the second year of a five-year contract that’s worth over $215 million.
A team will bite on LaVine, knowing he’s under the team’s control for another three years after this season.
The Lakers will be in the middle of trade talks with the Bulls for LaVine as the deadline approaches.
