Potential Zach Trade Partners? 24/25 Edition

[jnrjr79]

OK another guy who finds three players every team should or could try to add. No big surprise he limits the Bulls players anybody would want to Zach to DET or SAS and then Torrey Craig to BOS. OK how many picks would the Bulls need to give up Craig? Yeah

https://bleacherreport.com/articles/10146914-imagining-every-nba-teams-top-3-trade-targets-right-now

The three guys he wants for the Bulls would be Ayton, Okongwu or Stewart I guess after Vucevic finds new home not mentioned as desired by anybody in the article

But Zach is is supposedly the guy nobody wants so here's the what if

Ayton to the Bulls
Zach To DET
Auser Thompson, Malik Beasley and THJ to PORT and maybe their pick back

Bulls obviously get a younger more mobile center and move Zach
DET is within a game of the Bulls gets a scorer and they have scoring issues
PORT 10 games under .500 and lottery bound again gets a young guard and 2 expiring contracts, move off one high cost veteran, they do have to release two players and maybe they're pick back

I would not particularly be interested in Zach for Ayton straight up, let alone sending the pick back to POR. But I'm pretty down on Ayton as a general matter.

[sco]

OK another guy who finds three players every team should or could try to add. No big surprise he limits the Bulls players anybody would want to Zach to DET or SAS and then Torrey Craig to BOS. OK how many picks would the Bulls need to give up Craig? Yeah

https://bleacherreport.com/articles/10146914-imagining-every-nba-teams-top-3-trade-targets-right-now

The three guys he wants for the Bulls would be Ayton, Okongwu or Stewart I guess after Vucevic finds new home not mentioned as desired by anybody in the article

But Zach is is supposedly the guy nobody wants so here's the what if

Ayton to the Bulls
Zach To DET
Auser Thompson, Malik Beasley and THJ to PORT and maybe their pick back

Bulls obviously get a younger more mobile center and move Zach
DET is within a game of the Bulls gets a scorer and they have scoring issues
PORT 10 games under .500 and lottery bound again gets a young guard and 2 expiring contracts, move off one high cost veteran, they do have to release two players and maybe they're pick back

I would not particularly be interested in Zach for Ayton straight up, let alone sending the pick back to POR. But I'm pretty down on Ayton as a general matter.

I think Ayton, bafflingly, still has the mystique from his draft position, but IMO he is a younger, higher paid Vuc without a 3 ball. I'd much rather just keep Zach. Only way I'd trade Zach for Ayton is if we get more back (like loosening of their pick protections).

[Red8911]

Denver Nuggets are apparently interested in trading for Zach. What would a deal with them look like ? Michael Porter Jr ?

[jnrjr79]

Denver Nuggets are apparently interested in trading for Zach. What would a deal with them look like ? Michael Porter Jr ?

Something like Porter and Saric would work, but what would be the point? Porter is younger, but with similar injury risk, and is worse than Zach. They are under contract for the same period of time. Porter is $8M/year cheaper. You'd throw in Saric or something like that to make the money work.

Seems like a lateral move absent some draft comp.

[Red8911]

Denver Nuggets are apparently interested in trading for Zach. What would a deal with them look like ? Michael Porter Jr ?

Something like Porter and Saric would work, but what would be the point? Porter is younger, but with similar injury risk, and is worse than Zach. They are under contract for the same period of time. Porter is $8M/year cheaper. You'd throw in Saric or something like that to make the money work.

Seems like a lateral move absent some draft comp.

True doesn’t do much basketball wise but maybe Bulls like the 8 million less and they would also like a potential pick.

Let’s see what happens, as we all know AK has connections with Denver so a deal with them is always possible.

[jnrjr79]

Denver Nuggets are apparently interested in trading for Zach. What would a deal with them look like ? Michael Porter Jr ?

Something like Porter and Saric would work, but what would be the point? Porter is younger, but with similar injury risk, and is worse than Zach. They are under contract for the same period of time. Porter is $8M/year cheaper. You'd throw in Saric or something like that to make the money work.

Seems like a lateral move absent some draft comp.

True doesn’t do much basketball wise but maybe Bulls like the 8 million less and they would also like a potential pick.

Let’s see what happens, as we all know AK has connections with Denver so a deal with them is always possible.

Denver's picks are pretty encumbered, but TBH they project to be good for a while, so a 1st way out in the future might actually be preferable (if perhaps less tempting for AKME if they are trying to keep their jobs).

[jnrjr79]

The Athletic is paywalled, but Sam Amick there is reporting that Denver’s interest in LaVine is “significant.” He is reporting the deal would need to include Porter and might need to include at least a “pick swap,” but doesn’t mention just trading a pick (probably because their picks are not available until 2031 or something like that). He reports Nnaji is also potentially available int he deal.

[Jcool0]

As a result, the Nuggets have either expressed interest in, or have had preliminary trade discussions on the following players: Chicago’s Zach Lavine, Washington’s Jordan Poole, Utah’s Jordan Clarkson, Atlanta’s De’Andre Hunter, Brooklyn’s Cam Johnson and Washington’s Jonas Valančiūnas.

League sources say the focus on LaVine in recent discussions is significant, with the Nuggets interested in the 29-year-old who is averaging 21.7 points, 4.4 rebounds and 4.2 assists this season. LaVine, a two-time All-Star, is owed $43 million this season, $45.9 million next season and has a player option worth $48.9 million for the 2026-27 campaign.

This isn’t the first time the Nuggets have shown a desire to upgrade with a wing scorer. As The Athletic reported in late June, Denver discussed the prospect of adding Paul George in a trade that would have likely included Michael Porter Jr. and Zeke Nnaji going to the LA Clippers (and George coming to the Nuggets via an extend-and-trade deal). That deal didn’t go down, but it was as strong a sign as any that Denver had identified this need some time ago.

Any big trade would likely involve Porter, according to league sources. Porter has long been one of the best shooters in the league. This season, he has rounded into becoming an all-around scorer, capable of impacting offense from all three levels. He has also gotten stronger and become more impactful defensively than he has been in the past.

Nnaji is also available, league sources say. Any significant deal the Nuggets would do, may also have to involve a pick swap as a sweetener.

According to league sources, the Nuggets value Porter and what he does for the spacing of Denver’s offense significantly. Porter, who makes $35.8 million this season and is signed through the 2026-27 campaign (partially guaranteed in that season), is having a career year (18.5 points, 7.1 rebounds and 2.8 assists per game).

League sources say the Nuggets even had extension talks with Porter earlier in the season, a strong indication they still feel confident about his long-term future. Porter, 26, is rounding into the prime of his career while still improving as an overall player. He has a history of injury issues but has remained relatively healthy over the past few seasons, playing in 81 games last season.

[PistolP]

So MPJ and a pick swap for Zach? That’d be mediocre but fine. Doesn’t really do much for us and have to deal with MPJ’s injury risk. But at least makes us younger and I’m not sure there’s a better Zach trade out there.

Don’t want Nnaji. Guy seems unplayable based on advanced stats and they overpaid him.

[Muzbar]

So MPJ and a pick swap for Zach? That’d be mediocre but fine. Doesn’t really do much for us and have to deal with MPJ’s injury risk. But at least makes us younger and I’m not sure there’s a better Zach trade out there.

Don’t want Nnaji. Guy seems unplayable based on advanced stats and they overpaid him.

They kind of need to include Nnaji to match salaries, otherwise they've got to add Saric and another player.

[Repeat 3-peat]

Could not imagine how awful it would be watching MPJ play without Jokic permanently. I'm good.

[jnrjr79]

So MPJ and a pick swap for Zach? That’d be mediocre but fine. Doesn’t really do much for us and have to deal with MPJ’s injury risk. But at least makes us younger and I’m not sure there’s a better Zach trade out there.

Don’t want Nnaji. Guy seems unplayable based on advanced stats and they overpaid him.

I saw someone suggest that the Nets get involved by throwing the Bulls the Simmons expiring and Den would trade its 2031 1st to Chicago instead of a swap. That seems a lot more appealing, but I have no idea of NJ would have any interest whatsoever in Porter.

[Red8911]

MPJ is an important piece for Denver, Idk why they would consider trading him for someone like Zach. Sure Zach creates his own shot(which is what they apparently need) but losing MPJ would also be a huge loss for them. They can’t get anyone that good without trading him so this is a big decision and gamble if they do it.

For the Bulls it wouldn’t do much but saving 8 mil is not bad for starters. Then MPJ is 3 years younger and 6”10 as he would help with bulls lack of size. Other than that talent wise they are similar level players.

[Red8911]

So MPJ and a pick swap for Zach? That’d be mediocre but fine. Doesn’t really do much for us and have to deal with MPJ’s injury risk. But at least makes us younger and I’m not sure there’s a better Zach trade out there.

Don’t want Nnaji. Guy seems unplayable based on advanced stats and they overpaid him.

I saw someone suggest that the Nets get involved by throwing the Bulls the Simmons expiring and Den would trade its 2031 1st to Chicago instead of a swap. That seems a lot more appealing, but I have no idea of NJ would have any interest whatsoever in Porter.

You really still call them NJ lol

[jnrjr79]

MPJ is an important piece for Denver, Idk why they would consider trading him for someone like Zach. Sure Zach creates his own shot(which is what they apparently need) but losing MPJ would also be a huge loss for them. They can’t get anyone that good without trading him so this is a big decision and gamble if they do it.

For the Bulls it wouldn’t do much but saving 8 mil is not bad for starters. Then MPJ is 3 years younger and 6”10 as he would help with bulls lack of size. Other than that talent wise they are similar level players.

I mean, the simple answer here is Denver is in win-now mode and LaVine is an upgrade over MPJ and has proved how efficient and productive he can be without dominating usage.

[Chi town]

The best thing that can happen from this is that if draw out a better offer. This is the floor IMO.

1. No way we are getting expirings for Lavine. If he continues to play well you will get more value in the summer as it’s much easier to absorb salary and maneuver. However, it looks lik AK will do everything he can to move him before the deadline.

2. No way you take Naji. 8M per for 3 more seasons. You take Saric and Jordan both expiring. Add Craig to replace MPJ and Saric.

3. You get Strawher or a future 1st. Even though it will be out it’s a good trade chip in the future. Could also ask for Holmes.

4. You ship out MPJ for mediocre to bad salary for a 1st. I think he’s harder to trade than Lavine though due to his perceived back risk. He played 81 last season and he’s been healthy this year. He can’t get his own shot. Mostly just a shooter.

Again, this is the floor. There will be teams that see its wide open to contend this year and go for it.

[Muzbar]

MPJ is an important piece for Denver, Idk why they would consider trading him for someone like Zach. Sure Zach creates his own shot(which is what they apparently need) but losing MPJ would also be a huge loss for them. They can’t get anyone that good without trading him so this is a big decision and gamble if they do it.

For the Bulls it wouldn’t do much but saving 8 mil is not bad for starters. Then MPJ is 3 years younger and 6”10 as he would help with bulls lack of size. Other than that talent wise they are similar level players.

Why is MPJ so important for Denver? Zach does what he does and more.

At least this trade would relieve some of the backcourt glut.

[Hangtime84]

I think Lavine and Joker is deadly combo.

[Chi town]

MPJ is an important piece for Denver, Idk why they would consider trading him for someone like Zach. Sure Zach creates his own shot(which is what they apparently need) but losing MPJ would also be a huge loss for them. They can’t get anyone that good without trading him so this is a big decision and gamble if they do it.

For the Bulls it wouldn’t do much but saving 8 mil is not bad for starters. Then MPJ is 3 years younger and 6”10 as he would help with bulls lack of size. Other than that talent wise they are similar level players.

Why is MPJ so important for Denver? Zach does what he does and more.

At least this trade would relieve some of the backcourt glut.

And create a front court glut with Pat Buz MPJ Giddey and Philipps at the 3/4

[Chi town]

I think Lavine and Joker is deadly combo.

Best thing about a trade with DEN is Zach finally being setup to succeed. Would be happy for him and he’d be fun to watch in the playoffs.