The 30-team NBA mega-trade that solves nothing and makes everyone mad

Golden State Warriors

Sending out: James Wiseman, Donte DiVincenzo
Bringing in: Robert Covington, Austin Rivers, 2025 1st-round pick (DAL)

This is a pretty big win-now gamble, but I think there is a decent hedge built in. The Warriors get another versatile frontcourt player who can work as a small ball 4, defend in a variety of schemes and at least threaten from the outside. Changing from DiVincenzo to Rivers is something of a wash. And then the Warriors pick up a 2025 first-rounder from the Mavs (maybe Luka is gone by then?) to cover for whatever they’re giving up in Wiseman’s potential. They get better for this season, they get to keep Moody and Kuminga and the get a first-round pick for Wiseman (even if it almost certainly won’t end up as the No. 2).

Los Angeles Clippers

Sending out: Luke Kennard, Robert Covington
Bringing in: Jakob Poeltl, Bojan Bogdanovic

This may look like shuffling deck chairs on the Titanic but I think it’s a pretty big upgrade for the Clippers. Bogdanovic does many of the same things as Kennard and while he’s older, he’s also much more accomplished as a creator, taking pressure of Paul George and Kawhi Leonard. Poeltl may be less valuable than Covington because he removes some flexibility — he’s a traditional big man, whereas Covington is a big wing often playing up a position. But Poeltl is a fantastic defensive presence and has really developed as a playmaker from the elbows which gives the Clippers a very different look from Ivica Zubac.

Los Angeles Lakers

Sending out: Russell Westbrook, Kendrick Nunn, Patrick Beverley, 2027 (MIN) and 2029 (WAS) 1st-round picks
Bringing in: Bradley Beal, DeMar DeRozan, Danny Green

The Lakers have seemed hesitant to trade their two future first-rounders but the pressure is building as the losses mount and rolling this in with all 30 teams gives them an opportunity to land a much bigger return. Beal is the real prize here, even if his contract is an absolute albatross, as a scorer and slasher who can play off LeBron and Davis. The fit with DeRozan isn’t ideal but he can do most of what Westbrook was doing as the lead creator off the bench and probably do it better, even if his preferences lean towards scoring instead of facilitating.

It’s probably not enough to make the Lakers a contender this year. But it puts them in a much better position for next season than anything they could reasonable hope to assemble over the offseason.

Phoenix Suns

Sending out: Dario Saric, Jae Crowder, 2023 1st-round pick (ATL)
Bringing in: Joe Harris

Phoenix’s championship aspirations really rest on the health of Devin Booker. But add another elite movement shooter at the cost of a backup 4, a disgruntled wing who isn’t even playing right now and what’s likely to be a first-round pick in the 20s seems like a win.

Sacramento Kings

Sending out: Richaun Holmes
Bringing in: Mo Bamba, Kenrich Williams

This is a minor move for a team that already looks to be in a pretty good position, both short- and long-term. Basically, they drop a year of Holmes’ contract in exchange for Bamba who they can (maybe) re-sign more cheaply and who offers a bit more rim protection and floor-spacing behind Domantas Sabonis.

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