The Knicks are in a tough spot right now with their frontcourt. Mitchell Robinson is out until at least January due to ankle surgery, and they already lost Isaiah Hartenstein in free agency. They really need a reliable center, especially if they want to stay competitive. Jericho Sims and Precious Achiuwa are good, but let’s be real—they’re not exactly long-term starting material for a team trying to make a serious playoff push.
Meanwhile, the Wizards are at a crossroads. They’ve got guys like Kyle Kuzma still on the roster, but everyone’s talking about how they should just go full rebuild mode. The smart play would be to trade their veterans now and get future assets while they can. This opens up the perfect scenario for a multi-team trade that could give all the involved teams what they need.
Mock Trade
Hawks receive: Malcolm Brogdon, Jericho Sims, 2028 Second-Round Pick (via IND or PHX)
Pelicans receive: Kyle Kuzma, Mitchell Robinson, 2028 Second-Round Pick (via POR)
Knicks receive: Jonas Valanciunas, Jeremiah Robinson-Earl, 2027 Second-Round Pick (via CHI)
Wizards receive: CJ McCollum, Clint Capela, 2025 First-Round Pick (via WAS)
In this four-team trade, the Hawks bring in Malcolm Brogdon for veteran leadership and Jericho Sims for added depth. The Pelicans beef up their frontcourt by grabbing Kyle Kuzma, a versatile forward, and Mitchell Robinson for defense and rim protection. The Knicks finally solve their center issues by landing Jonas Valanciunas and the Wizards focus on rebuilding by getting CJ McCollum and Clint Capela as future trade pieces, picking up a valuable First-Round Pick to set them up for the future.
The Hawks’ Situation And Why It Makes Sense
The Hawks are in a tricky spot heading into the 2024-25 season. After an underwhelming 2023-24 campaign, where they finished with a 36-46 record and missed the playoffs, they’re trying to balance building around their superstar Trae Young while also finding the right pieces to elevate them back into contention. The team made some offseason moves but still finds itself in a state of flux, particularly in the backcourt.
Dejounte Murray, who was expected to help the Hawks’ defense and playmaking when paired with Young, was traded to the Pelicans this offseason. This has left a gap in Atlanta’s rotation, particularly in their guard play, which is where Malcolm Brogdon fits in perfectly. Brogdon, known for his efficiency and leadership, can handle the ball and take pressure off Young, who thrives as the primary scorer. Brogdon’s presence allows the Hawks to stabilize their backcourt with a seasoned veteran.
Brogdon’s stats last season were solid, as he averaged 15.7 points, 5.5 assists, and shot 44.0% from the field. His ability to contribute on both ends of the floor would bring balance to a Hawks team that has struggled with consistency. Additionally, Brogdon is a reliable perimeter shooter, hitting 41.2% from three-point range, which complements Young’s playmaking abilities.
The Hawks also find themselves in a complicated salary cap situation, operating well above the cap but below the luxury tax line. Brogdon’s contract, while substantial at $22.5 million, is a short-term commitment as it’s expiring after this season, which means the Hawks would maintain future financial flexibility. This deal allows them to remain competitive without locking themselves into a long-term financial bind.
Overall, adding Brogdon to the roster would give the Hawks a much-needed veteran presence, allowing Trae Young to focus more on his scoring while improving the team’s overall depth and experience. In the competitive Eastern Conference, this move might be what Atlanta needs to break out of its current middle-tier status and push for a deeper playoff run, or a total blowout with their younger pieces later.
The Pelicans’ Next Big Move Could Be The Answer
The Pelicans are at a major crossroads going into the 2024-25 season. With the addition of Dejounte Murray, it’s clear they’re trying to become serious contenders in the West. But one big question remains: what’s going to happen with Brandon Ingram? His contract is up after this season, and there are no signs of an extension so far. Ingram’s been saying he’s just focused on playing, but this situation has definitely fueled trade rumors all summer. Whether he stays or goes, the Pelicans need to figure out how to build a roster that can compete at the highest level.
The loss of Jonas Valanciunas was another big blow for the Pelicans. He was a key figure in the paint, and with him gone, they’re looking a bit thin at the center spot. They brought in Daniel Theis and a couple of young guys, but it’s still up in the air whether these players can step up consistently. Coach Willie Green even hinted that they might roll with Zion Williamson as the biggest guy on the court in certain lineups. This is where adding Kyle Kuzma and Mitchell Robinson becomes a smart move.
Kuzma, who put up 22.2 points, 6.6 rebounds, and 4.2 assists last season, would be a huge scoring boost for the Pelicans. His ability to shoot, handle the ball, and play multiple positions would blend perfectly with the skillsets of Zion and Murray. Plus, having Kuzma in the mix would take some pressure off Ingram if he stays, or even make up for the scoring if Ingram ends up getting moved.
On the defensive side, Mitchell Robinson would solve a lot of problems for the Pelicans. Last season, he averaged 8.5 rebounds, 5.6 points, and 1.1 blocks. Robinson’s ability to block shots and dominate the boards would bring back the kind of defensive presence they lost when Valanciunas left. He’d pair really well with Zion in the frontcourt, giving the Pelicans the balance they need to be a threat on both ends of the floor.
In the end, this deal gives the Pelicans the scoring, depth, and defensive presence they need to compete with the best teams in the West. Whether Ingram stays or gets traded, adding Kuzma and Robinson could push the Pelicans closer to being a true contender.
Knicks Add Much-Needed Frontcourt Depth
The Knicks have been busy this offseason, and their latest moves have completely reshaped their frontcourt. After losing Isaiah Hartenstein to free agency, they’ve been scrambling to fill the gap. The acquisition of Karl-Anthony Towns in exchange for Julius Randle and Donte DiVincenzo was a huge step, bringing in a star big man who can stretch the floor and complement Jalen Brunson’s offensive game. But there are still questions about depth at the center spot, especially with Mitchell Robinson’s health always a concern.
This mock trade brings in Jonas Valanciunas to address those concerns. Valanciunas, who averaged 12.2 points, 8.8 rebounds, and 2.1 assists in 82 games last season, would bring much-needed veteran presence and size to the Knicks’ frontcourt. His ability to score inside and rebound would allow the Knicks to play a more traditional center when Towns shifts to power forward or when the team needs to balance its lineup. Valanciunas’ toughness and ability to operate in the paint will give New York a more balanced attack on both ends of the court.
The addition of Jeremiah Robinson-Earl also provides valuable depth. Although he’s still young, Robinson-Earl is a versatile defender who can play multiple positions, giving the Knicks flexibility in their rotations. While he’s not a flashy player, his solid fundamentals and potential make him a good piece to develop behind Valanciunas and Towns.
This trade, combined with the Knicks’ earlier move for Mikal Bridges, solidifies their position as one of the most well-rounded teams in the East. With Brunson leading the backcourt, and a frontcourt featuring Towns, Valanciunas, and Bridges, the Knicks look set to challenge the top teams in the conference.
Wizards Get McCollum And Capela As Mentors Or Trade Chips
The Washington Wizards are embracing a full rebuild, and the addition of veterans like CJ McCollum and Clint Capela through this mock trade gives them valuable options. McCollum, a proven scorer and leader, can play a crucial role in mentoring young guards like Jordan Poole and Bub Carrington. His playoff experience and ability to control the pace of the game make him an ideal guide for these developing players. With Poole taking on a major role after coming over from the Warriors, McCollum’s presence can help him refine his decision-making and shot selection, while also helping Carrington adjust to the NBA after being drafted this summer.
On the other end, Clint Capela fills a major need for a defensive anchor. Capela, known for his rebounding and rim protection, averaged 11.0 rebounds and 1.2 blocks per game last season. His experience playing with talented guards like Trae Young makes him a valuable mentor for the Wizards’ rising frontcourt talent like Alex Sarr. Capela’s ability to dominate the glass and protect the rim can fast-track Sarr’s development as a future defensive cornerstone.
Much like what the Spurs did with Chris Paul, Washington could also use McCollum and Capela as mentors or trade chips down the line. With both players being attractive pieces for contending teams, the Wizards could flip them for additional draft picks or young prospects as they continue to accumulate assets and build for the future. It’s a win-win situation for Washington—they either get leadership for their young core or future value through trades.
This strategy gives the Wizards flexibility as they rebuild. They’re not tied down to any one approach and can adapt based on the progression of their young players or the offers they receive for their veterans. As their young core, including players like Bilal Coulibaly and Johnny Davis, continues to develop, the combination of McCollum and Capela’s veteran presence with future trade potential could set Washington up for long-term success.
