NBA Trade Deadline 2018: 5 trades to help teams tank

3. Jazz free Rubio

Ricky Rubio deserves playoff basketball and the Jazz deserve cap space.

LeBron James has wanted a backup playmaker for years. The Cavaliers went out and got him Jose Calderson, Dwyane Wade, Isaiah Thomas, and Derrick Rose. Only Wade serves as a real playmaker. Now, LeBron just wants any kind of help. Help comes in the form of (Joe) Jesus with this trade.

Imagine how happy Rubio would be on a playoff team and playing next to LeBron. As a bonus, he plays defense. A team with Rubio has never given up 148 points in a game. Did I mention that the Cavaliers are getting Jesus?

For Utah, they get a bunch of expiring contracts. Iman Shumpert has a player option after this year, but he’s not excising that option to stay in Utah. Not that the Jazz aren’t a desirable team, especially with Donovan Mitchell. But, come on. Shumpert isn’t living in Utah for a full season, even if it pays him $11 million. He’s married to a model and starred in a Kanye West video. He’ll take the minimum to play for the Lakers over $11 million to stay in Utah. So, the Jazz get four expiring contracts and Ante Zizic on a rookie deal.

If the Jazz really want to embrace the process this season, they actually give minutes to Rose, Calderon, Shumpert, and Channing Frye. Like, real minutes. In fact, play them all at the same time alongside Mitchell. And if Mitchell can win a game alongside these four, he’s already better than LeBron.