Though the NBA is heading into the playoffs, which are the most exciting time of the year, there are possibly already some teams that are seeking to make changes this offseason. A number of teams underperformed relative to expectations this season, and they could end up making trades to improve their rosters when the offseason rolls around.
In this article, we will discuss three trade scenarios that we would like to see this off-season. These trades feature the Knicks, the Clippers, and the Warriors, who are all teams that will likely try to go all-in on their cores this offseason.
New York Knicks Become An Eastern Conference Contender With Brandon Ingram
New York Knicks Receive: Brandon Ingram
New Orleans Pelicans Receive: RJ Barrett, Obi Toppin, Isaiah Hartenstein, 2024 First-Round Pick (NYK), 2024 Second-Round Pick (MIA), 2025 Second-Round Pick (MIL)
The New York Knicks are currently the No. 5 seed in the Eastern Conference, and there’s no doubt that they have become a solid playoff-caliber team that plays hard-nosed defense and is able to compete against anyone. Julius Randle and Jalen Brunson are both clearly All-Star level players, but it is obvious that the team needs another piece to truly compete with the heavyweights in the conference, such as the Milwaukee Bucks and the Boston Celtics.
Acquiring Brandon Ingram could potentially make the New York Knicks one of the premier teams in the Eastern Conference. He is a forward that is capable of scoring well on all three levels and is particularly known for his midrange shot creation and closing out games. Though he is in a losing situation on the New Orleans Pelicans right now, Ingram has shown that he can bring a subpar team to the playoffs last season. It is obvious that Ingram would be an upgrade over RJ Barrett at the SG position from a talent standpoint. As of right now, Brandon Ingram is putting up 22.9 PPG, 5.0 RPG, and 4.8 APG while shooting 47.2% from the field and 38.6% from the 3PT range.
Since Brandon Ingram is only on a two-year deal, the New York Knicks likely wouldn’t have to give up as many assets to get him as they would if he was locked in long-term. Our package is centered around RJ Barrett, with Isaiah Hartenstein and Obi Toppin being the other players going out in this deal. There are also some draft picks attached as a sweetener as well. The New Orleans Pelicans need a player that is durable and can contribute consistently, as Zion Williamson is currently an injury-prone superstar. RJ Barrett fits the bill there, and Obi Toppin is also a durable bench piece. Isaiah Hartenstein would provide a rim protector and size for the team, which is obviously another area the team is lacking in.
For the New York Knicks, this is a consolidation trade to try and really make some noise in the Eastern Conference. For the New Orleans Pelicans, this is about building a more durable roster and improving their team in multiple areas. This is a win-win trade for both teams, and it’ll be interesting to see if either considered this trade scenario in the summer.
Los Angeles Clippers Improve Their Defense Even Further With Draymond Green
Los Angeles Clippers Receive: Draymond Green (Sign-And-Trade)
Golden State Warriors Receive: Marcus Morris, Amir Coffey, 2025 Second-Round Pick (CHO), 2026 Second-Round Pick (ATL)
The Los Angeles Clippers are viewed as contenders for the championship this season, and they will always be among the best teams in the league as long as they have a healthy Kawhi Leonard on the roster. Though they are already a championship-level team, they could always try to get better if they fall below expectations this season. The Clippers are clearly trying to win this season or next season, and adding talent is the best way to heighten their chances.
Acquiring Draymond Green through a sign-and-trade makes a whole lot of sense for the Los Angeles Clippers. They have an abundance of 3PT shooting, which makes Draymond Green’s skillset extremely valuable. Green is highly regarded in the league due to his yearly DPOY-level defense. On offense, Green provides good game sense, screening ability to get 3PT shooters open, and someone who prioritizes making the right play and finding the open man. Though he isn’t necessarily a scorer, he hasn’t needed to be one with the Warriors to have an All-Star impact. As of right now, Draymond Green is putting up 8.3 PPG, 7.3 RPG, and 6.8 APG for the Warriors while shooting 52.3% from the field.
The Golden State Warriors would likely be willing to facilitate this sign-and-trade due to Draymond Green’s history with the franchise, and they would likely prefer to get something in return for him rather than lose him for nothing in free agency. In this scenario, they would get a solid veteran in Marcus Morris, who can immediately start at the PF position or could come off the bench if the Warriors decide to give that starting position to young prospect Jonathan Kuminga. Amir Coffey would be included in this deal for salary-matching purposes, and the draft picks would be the sweetener to get this deal done.
Overall, this is a deal that seemingly works for both the Warriors and the Clippers. The Clippers would get a legitimate difference-maker on their team, while the Warriors would be able to slightly mitigate the loss of Draymond Green.
Golden State Warriors Go All-In On Stephen Curry By Acquiring Karl-Anthony Towns
Golden State Warriors Receive: Karl-Anthony Towns
Minnesota Timberwolves Receive: Jordan Poole, Moses Moody, Patrick Baldwin Jr., 2026 First-Round Pick, 2028 First-Round Pick (GSW)
The Golden State Warriors will likely try to make a move this off-season if they do not win a championship this year. Stephen Curry has been playing at an MVP level when healthy, and it makes sense for them to try and maximize him this offseason. The team could end up needing a frontcourt replacement if Draymond Green leaves this offseason, and Karl-Anthony Towns is a perfect choice.
On paper, Karl-Anthony Towns would be the perfect fit with the Golden State Warriors based on his offensive skill set. He is the best stretch 5 in the league, and there’s no doubt that his perimeter shooting ability surpasses what other centers can do in that regard. Though he has had a poor season from the 3PT range this year, his track record suggests that this is just an outlier shooting season for him. He is still an All-NBA level player at his best, and his talent is worth the risk for the franchise. Prior to his injury, Karl-Anthony Towns put up 20.8 PPG, 8.2 RPG, and 5.3 APG for the Minnesota Timberwolves.
This offer from the Golden State Warriors would be centered on Jordan Poole, who would likely be the young player the Timberwolves would ask for in a deal. Pairing him with Anthony Edwards would give them a dynamic backcourt that could be the foundation for a contender long term. Though Jordan Poole has been having a down season from an efficiency standpoint, he is still averaging 20.5 PPG, 2.8 RPG, and 4.6 APG for the Golden State Warriors this season. Moses Moody and Patrick Baldwin Jr. are both young talents who have shooting ability and can develop into solid players down the line.
For the Minnesota Timberwolves, it is about resetting their timeline a little bit and also getting a number of solid young players in return. For the Warriors, it is about making a move that gives them more size, rebounding, and scoring. Positionally, it makes sense for the Warriors to swap out one of their guards for a center as well, and this could end up being a win-win trade for both teams.
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