Pre-Christmas trades to shake up the NBA

NEW ORLEANS, LA - DECEMBER 11: Anthony Davis #23 of the New Orleans Pelicans boxes out against Otto Porter Jr. #22 of the Washington Wizards on December 11, 2015 at the Smoothie King Center in New Orleans, Louisiana. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2015 NBAE (Photo by Jonathan Bachman/NBAE via Getty Images /

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MEXICO CITY, MEXICO – DECEMBER 12: Jabari Parker of the Chicago Bulls speaks to the media during practice and media availability as part of the NBA Mexico Games 2018 on December 12, 2018 at Arena Ciudad de Mexico in Mexico City, Mexico. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2018 NBAE (Photo by David Sherman/NBAE via Getty Images) /

4. Jabari Parker to the Knicks for Tim Hardaway Jr. and Lance Thomas

These two teams discussing any sort of trade brings the Spider-Man pointing at Spider-Man meme immediately to mind. Both teams should be tanking hard for the chance of adding a Zion Williamson.

After the trauma started to wear down from the hiring of Jim Boylen in Chicago, last summer’s prized free agent acquisition, Jabari Parker was demoted and is no longer part of the Bulls regular rotation.

However, the second-year team option on his two-year, $40 million deal makes Parker a valuable trade piece for teams looking to clear cap space to chase after some big name free agents this summer. One such team looking to do just that is the New York Knicks.

While rumors of James Dolan being open to selling the team might be the biggest in Knicks history, there have also been constant murmurs that Kevin Durant could be looking at the Big Apple as his next destination should he chose to leave the Golden State Warriors. There are some moves the Knicks would have to make in order to clear maximum cap space for Durant, but this deal alone gets them below that threshold while giving them some extra money to spend.

Parker can operate as a fill-in for KD in the sense that he could give David Fizdale the chance to use some creative lineups in preparation for the 7-foot scorer’s arrival.

For Chicago, Tim Hardaway Jr. and Lance Thomas don’t do much, but in all honesty the Bulls really aren’t going anywhere anytime soon. Plus, having Hardaway Jr. and LaVine go “your turn, my turn” is quite the tankable offensive philosophy.

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