Draft night in the NBA is a time when trades could potentially happen, with a lot of draft nights featuring some player movement between a variety of teams. There has been a lot of trade chatter ahead of this year’s deadline, and it is quite possible that we see multiple trades during the draft.
- Hornets Acquire A Defensive-Minded Center
- Pelicans Get A Creative Offensive Guard
- Trail Blazers Move The No. 7 Pick For A Two-Way Forward
- Rockets Get A Veteran Point Guard To Help Their Core
- Kings Get An Athletic And Versatile Big Man
- Wizards Get Bradley Beal A Backcourt Partner
- Heat Finally Make A Move For Donovan Mitchell
In this article, we present 7 potential trades that could happen during 2022 NBA Draft night. A lot of teams will likely attempt to improve their rosters ahead of next season, and here are some trade scenarios that would help those teams do so.
Hornets Acquire A Defensive-Minded Center
Charlotte Hornets Receive: Myles Turner
Indiana Pacers Receive: Kelly Oubre, James Bouknight, No. 15 Pick
The Charlotte Hornets have been linked to Myles Turner in a recent report, and there is no doubt that he would be a good fit for the franchise. A defensive center like Turner would give them a rim protector and rebounder, something that they were missing this year.
In this trade scenario, the Hornets would receive Myles Turner in exchange for Kelly Oubre’s expiring contract, a prospect in James Bouknight, and the No. 15 pick in the draft. This trade would give the Pacers the assets they would need for their rebuild, and Kelly Oubre’s expiring contract would mean they would clear some cap space for 2023 free agency as well. James Bouknight could potentially be a backcourt partner for Tyrese Haliburton in the future, and on the Pacers, he would get the playing time he needs to develop. The No. 15 pick would mean they could also draft another prospect in the 2022 NBA Draft.
Myles Turner would obviously be a defensive anchor for the Hornets, but his offense would also make him a perfect next to star point guard LaMelo Ball. Generally, Ball creates a lot of assists for teammates at the rim and at the 3PT line, and Myles Turner’s offensive game means he would get a lot of good looks on that end of the floor. The Hornets would also keep the No. 13 pick in the draft in this scenario, which will allow them to draft a promising player who can grow next to their current core.
Overall, this move seems beneficial for both teams. The Hornets would be one step closer to being a consistent playoff team, while the Pacers would gain some great assets for their rebuild.
Pelicans Get A Creative Offensive Guard
New Orleans Pelicans Receive: D’Angelo Russell
Minnesota Timberwolves Receive: Devonte’ Graham, Larry Nance Jr., Kira Lewis Jr.
The New Orleans Pelicans made a playoff run this year after starting 1-12, and there’s no doubt that they could be one of the breakout squads of next season. This trade would give them a great offensive guard in D’Angelo Russell: one of their notable weaknesses this season was the lack of consistent guard play next to CJ McCollum, even though Jose Alvarado filled in admirably on that end towards the end of the season.
D’Angelo Russell would give the New Orleans Pelicans another elite offensive player on the roster. He is capable of ballhandling and spacing the floor, and could fit a variety of roles on the roster. He could potentially start at the shooting guard position, but D’Angelo Russell could also fit well as a high-minutes sixth man off the bench for the team. It would be up to coach Willie Green to decide whether D’Angelo Russell or Herb Jones start in this scenario, and that would likely depend on whether he wants to have a defensive or offensive focus for his starting lineup.
The Pelicans would give up a package that sends out some veterans in Devonte’ Graham and Larry Nance Jr., while also giving the Minnesota Timberwolves a young prospect in Kira Lewis Jr. This is a fair return for D’Angelo Russell’s expiring contract. Larry Nance Jr. would be another veteran presence to help the young team. Devonte’ Graham has had a tough year, but he is a solid shooter that could be a bench scorer for them.
Overall, this deal would feature the Minnesota Timberwolves getting a return for a player that was underwhelming in the playoffs and is on an expiring contract. For the New Orleans Pelicans, this is a chance to get another piece that could help them have a great regular season and perhaps finish as a top-4 seed.
Trail Blazers Move The No. 7 Pick For A Two-Way Forward
Portland Trail Blazers Receive: Jerami Grant
Detroit Pistons Receive: Eric Bledsoe, No. 7 Pick
The Portland Trail Blazers are a team that has been linked with Jerami Grant for quite some time, and it is easy to see why they would want to acquire him. He is the type of lengthy two-way forward that they have been missing during their last few seasons, and he would likely be a great No. 2 option behind Damian Lillard. It was previously reported that the Trail Blazers could potentially move their No. 7 pick in a win-now move.
Our trade package has the Trail Blazers moving an expiring contract in Eric Bledsoe and the No. 7 pick to acquire Jerami Grant. Obviously, the main appeal for the Detroit Pistons would be the No. 7 pick. If they were to execute this trade, the Detroit Pistons would have the No. 5 and No. 7 pick in this year’s draft, which means they could acquire two promising prospects that could potentially become franchise cornerstones next to Cade Cunningham in the future.
The Trail Blazers have shown a commitment to building around Damian Lillard, and acquiring Jerami Grant would help them on both ends of the floor. Two-way forwards are players that are crucial when it comes to pursuing a championship. If they were to make this trade, they would have Josh Hart and Jerami Grant at their forward positions next year, which would make them good defensively.
This seems as if it is a win-win trade for both teams. The Pistons would get another asset for their rebuild, while the Trail Blazers would get a good No. 2 option for Damian Lillard.
Rockets Get A Veteran Point Guard To Help Their Core
Los Angeles Lakers Receive: John Wall
Houston Rockets Receive: Russell Westbrook
The Russell Westbrook experiment clearly did not work out for the Los Angeles Lakers this season. He isn’t a bad player, but Westbrook definitely wasn’t a good fit with the Los Angeles Lakers. This trade would let the Los Angeles Lakers move him to the Houston Rockets while getting a decent enough point guard in return.
John Wall is a player that would fit well on the Los Angeles Lakers as a third option next to Anthony Davis and LeBron James. He is a good enough perimeter defender, and he can also be a playmaker for others. Moving to the Lakers would let him compete for a championship, and since he was sitting out for the Houston Rockets, would make sense that they would agree to move him.
Russell Westbrook could give the Houston Rockets a veteran leader, and thrive in a role coming off the bench. Westbrook is well-respected by players around the league, and he has a lot of experience, even being the starting point guard on a Finals team during his time on the Oklahoma City Thunder. Adding Westbrook Rockets could be beneficial for the rockets, as Westbrook would be able to mentor their young core.
Overall, this trade would allow the Lakers and the Rockets to exchange two players that haven’t worked out for them. Perhaps this would allow both Russell Westbrook and John Wall to thrive in new environments.
Kings Get An Athletic And Versatile Big Man
Sacramento Kings Receive: John Collins
Atlanta Hawks Receive: Harrison Barnes, Richaun Holmes, 2023 First-Round Pick (SAC)
The Sacramento Kings made a win-now move for Domantas Sabonis at the 2022 trade deadline, and perhaps we will see another win-now move from them on draft night. They have recently been linked with Atlanta Hawks forward John Collins, but it was noted that the trade discussions between the two teams did not involve the No. 4 pick that the Kings possess in the 2022 NBA Draft.
Our hypothetical trade package has the Sacramento Kings sending out a two-way power forward in Harrison Barnes, a solid big man in Richaun Holmes and a future first-round pick for John Collins. Harrison Barnes would give the Hawks an experienced veteran that has won at the highest level, and he would immediately slot into the starting power forward slot for the Atlanta Hawks. Richaun Holmes would likely be backing up Clint Capela, or potentially starting if Capela gets moved in another deal. The 2023 first-round pick could potentially be used to draft another prospect to help them become a competitive team next year.
The Kings would get John Collins, who seems like a natural fit with Domantas Sabonis and De’Aaron Fox offensively. He is athletic and can finish near the rim, while also being able to hit shots from the perimeter. His perimeter skills will be particularly important on the Sacramento Kings, as neither Domantas Sabonis nor De’Aaron Fox is known for being sharpshooters from the 3PT range.
This trade would give the Atlanta Hawks a solid amount from a value standpoint for John Collins while letting the Sacramento Kings get a win-now piece so they can try and compete for the playoffs next season. This seems like a beneficial proposition for both teams.
Wizards Get Bradley Beal A Backcourt Partner
Washington Wizards Receive: Shai Gilgeous-Alexander
Oklahoma City Thunder Receive: Kentavious Caldwell-Pope, Rui Hachimura, Deni Avdija, No. 10 Pick
The Washington Wizards were reportedly looking for a point guard to pair with Bradley Beal, with one of the targets being Shai Gilgeous-Alexander of the Oklahoma City Thunder. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander is a dynamic shot creator and playmaker, and he would be able to take some of the offensive load off of Bradley Beal’s shoulders.
To get an elite guard like Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, the Washington Wizards would have to give up their No. 10 pick in the NBA draft, as well as two young prospects in Rui Hachimura and Deni Avdija. This would ensure that the Oklahoma City Thunder have 3 lottery picks in this year’s draft, No. 2, No. 10, and No. 12, while also getting some solid prospects that they could develop. Rui Hachimura in particular has the potential to become a solid two-way wing due to his tools and stalwart defense.
For the Washington Wizards, this is about getting another offensive player to put next to Bradley Beal. The Wizards will have a core of Bradley Beal (assuming he stays), Kristaps Porzingis, Kyle Kuzma, and Shai Gilgeous-Alexander going forward, and there’s no doubt that could be a competitive squad in the Eastern Conference.
Overall, this trade would give the Oklahoma City Thunder some assets for the future to help their rebuild, while letting Shai Gilgeous-Alexander play for a competitive team with playoff aspirations.
Heat Finally Make A Move For Donovan Mitchell
Miami Heat Receive: Donovan Mitchell
Utah Jazz Receive: Tyler Herro, Duncan Robinson, Max Strus, 2023 First-Round Pick (MIA), 2028 First-Round Pick (MIA)
Donovan Mitchell and the Miami Heat have long been linked with one another, and it was noted that the Miami Heat could be a “smart” landing spot for him. Perhaps a Miami Heat trade for Donovan Mitchell could happen on draft night.
The Miami Heat would be sending out a Tyler Herro-centered package, along with two shooters in Duncan Robinson and Max Strus, as well as two first-round picks. There’s no doubt that this would be a solid package for a star of Donovan Mitchell’s caliber. Tyler Herro won the Sixth Man of the Year award this season, and could potentially be a future franchise cornerstone for them. Duncan Robinson and Max Strus would give them solid shooters who could play big roles in the rotation, and the two first-round picks could be used by the Jazz in another trade or to draft prospects.
Donovan Mitchell next to Jimmy Butler and Bam Adebayo would make the Miami Heat a championship-caliber team. He would take a lot of the offensive load from Jimmy Butler, as he is a proven volume scorer that has brought a team to the playoffs as the offensive focal point before. Perhaps he can help the Miami Heat get over the hump and win the championship next season.
This trade would let the Miami Heat get a difference-making star while giving the Utah Jazz a nice trade package for their star. If the Jazz do decide to trade Donovan Mitchell, this could be one of the best trade packages they get.
