Unique, No Picks - ORL/BKN/NOP

[YayBasketball]

Here's a fun, unique one that I haven't seen tried yet. Rest assured, I've checked directly with each of the respective GMs of the teams involved in this fake trade idea, and they confirmed that they would do this for sure. They may have even hinted that deep negotiations about this very framework have taken place.

ORL sends: WCJ + C. Anthony + G. Harris
ORL gets: Cam J. + Schroder + Theis

BKN sends: Cam J. + Schroder + Zaire W.
BKN gets: Ingram + Alvarado

NOP sends: Ingram + Alvarado + Theis
NOP gets: WCJ + C. Anthony + G. Harris + Zaire W.

*Keeps/gets all teams under the luxury tax.

Why ORL does it: They get Cam Johnson who boosts their 3 pt. shooting/spacing and his size fits great in their wing/forward sized switchable-defense system. Great closing lineup options with Paulo, Franz, KCP and two of Isaac, Suggs, and Cam Johnson.
WCJ's contract value loss is offset somewhat by clearing Cole Anothy's salary for the expiring Schroder. They decide to lean into more Isaac, Mo, Goga minutes at Center and more Paulo in closing lineups with his size and rebounding to hold his own there. They also get the Germany band back together adding Schroder and Theis's depth and chemistry to the Wagner bros.

Why ORL doesn't do it: Continuity. And WCJ is a very valuable contract despite his injury history. He shares the agency with Paulo and seems be a well valued part of their team and culture. So why make any trades with an up and coming team with continuity? Because making fake trades is fun. Would Cam J. block development for Jett and Da Silva?
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Why BKN does it: Value and optionality. They acquire a former all-star BI on an expiring deal for only a good role player and no extra picks, while still preserving their tank position. They work with Ingram and his agent on a plan to feature him as a primary creator-scorer while also load managing him (and DFS, Claxton) strategically throughout the season, similar to the Jazz with Lauri.
They have options to re-trade him at the deadline (if trade completed soon) or negotiate an extension or re-signing to a realistic new deal next offseason, from a position of strength as one of the few teams with big cap space. They also have the option to work sign and trades with other teams next offseason for more assets, or at worst, this trade clears another 20+mil. from their cap sheet next season if Ingram walks. As a bonus to push the trade through, they get Brooklyn born and raised Jose Alvarado, partly as a PR move, who will immediately become a fan favorite to help fandom through the losing tank fest. They can have fun playing him 25 mpg and even start him. He's also Ingram's BFF, which helps with keeping BI chill and happy in the unique situation.

Why BKN doesn't do it: This gamble could affect their tank plans, and it could get tricky with Ingram's contract status through the tank and developing young players. Some deep discussions and mutual understandings would be needed before the trade. Would some eventual CamJ trade net a better return than the gamble on Ingram? How much easier would it be to tank with CamJ and Schroder instead?
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Why NOP does it: They clear up the Ingram situation while getting a starting Center WCJ on a great contract.

Why NOP doesnt do it: It's possible GM Griffin really does expect some eventual compromise to happen with BI taking a lower contract, which could be traded for better value later on. Taking on Cole Anonthy's contract while losing Alvarado is a loss, and trading fan favorite Jose would especially be a tough sell to the fans. They probably try to keep Jose if possible. But objectively, his size limits his playoff viability and will need a new contract soon.
Also, WCJ has injury history, and his bargain contract is only this season and next, and he will be looking for a big extension or new contract soon. But the fit as their Center and cap flexibility his deal provides makes it worth it.

[YayBasketball]

Post- fake Trade depth charts (the fun part!)

ORL

Goga/ MoWag/ Theis
Paulo/ Isaac
Franz/ CamJ/ TDS
KCP/ Black/ Jett/ Houstan
Suggs/ Schroder/ Joseph
----

BKN

Claxton/ Sharpe
DFS/ Clowney/ Watford
Ingram/ Bojan/ JalenW
CamT/ Dariq/ Keon
Simmons/ Alvarado/ Milton
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NOP

WCJ/ Missi/ Matkovic
Zion/ JRE/ ZaireW.
Murphy/ G.Harris/ JevonteG.
Herb/ McCullom/ Hawkins/ Reeves
Murray/ ColeA.

[Magic_Johnny12]

Post- fake Trade depth charts (the fun part!)

ORL

Isaac/ MoWag/ Goga/ Theis
Paulo/ CamJ
Franz/ TDS
KCP/ Jett/ Houstan
Suggs/ Schroder/ Joseph

So Anthony Black is completely out of the rotation or?

[tester551]

ORL sends: WCJ + C. Anthony + G. Harris
ORL gets: Cam J. + Schroder + Theis

BKN sends: Cam J. + Schroder + Zaire W.
BKN gets: Ingram + Alvarado

NOP sends: Ingram + Alvarado + Theis
NOP gets: WCJ + C. Anthony + G. Harris + Zaire W.

Magic get robbed here. The fit is really clunky with the roster. I really hate it for them.

Nets get good value for Cam... but I'd rather keep Cam (and his contract) over Ingram and the need to re-sign him to an over-inflated deal.

Pels get a steal of a deal.

[Skybox]

ORL certainly not giving up WCJ for a backup forward - to put right in front of the backup forward they just drafted. Schroeder is interesting but not at this price. Theis has no appeal to ORL - other than collecting all of the Germans in the NBA.

WCJ to NOLA makes a ton of sense, fit-wise. He's just the kind of versatile 2-way guy that could really work with Zion. But we'd have to talk about CJ McCollum, imo.

BRK shouldn't go all in for a clown who wants a max or he'll walk. Ingram is good, but not a foundational piece for a rebuild.

[Residual-Heat]

Yeah this doesnt make sense for the Magic. WCJ is their starting center, and Cam Johnson is a terrible fit with Paolo and Franz.

[brackdan70]

I think Orlando is losing in this one. Need to add value going to them to make it work.

[docholliday99]

WCJ's best season - and the season with most games played - was in 2021-22 when he played PF. He's too soft and gets hurt far too often when playing the 5 full time.

I think with Banchero showing off an elite level 3pt shot with volume in the playoffs, I would go after Allen instead, with a package around WCJ/Black (though I think that's been posted a few times); WCJ can play PF on the Cavs.

I agree with tester551 that that trade creates a clunky fit in Orlando and really weakens the 5 spot.

[PaKwAn]

I don't get that for New Orleans, WCJ is a nice C but injury prone. Despite the contract situation, BI is a much better player than they receive. I would also prefer Alvarado than Cole since we already have a bunch of scorer type mentality on the team, we need Jose's defense and energy

[YayBasketball]

Cool replies, fellas. It started with Claxton to ORL, WCJ to NOP, Ingram or CJ+assets to BKN, so maybe that's closer. (But then NOP cuts out ORL and takes Clax). The real answer is Pels will probably keep Ingram until at least the deadline, but that's a long time from now! Any fake trades with Ingram before then will probably not be well received.