Kings, Blazers, Pelicans Seen As Teams Likely To Consider Trading Picks

[RealGM Wiretap]

The Sacramento Kings were one of the big winners at the NBA Draft Lottery, as they jumped up to the fourth overall pick. The Portland Trail Blazers slid back a selection, while the New Orleans Pelicans held pat with the pick they got from the Los Angeles Lakers.

What those three have in common is that all are seen as teams likely to consider trading their picks for win-now veteran help.

The Kings desperately want to snap their 16-year playoff drought. If they can move the fourth overall pick to bring in a veteran to aid in a playoff push, it's something Sacramento is expected to strongly consider.

Portland is resetting their roster after not trading Damian Lillard and is known to be looking for veteran help. New Orleans is hoping to make a push up the standings with a healthy roster next season. Both teams would like to add players to help in a playoff push, as opposed to selecting a developmental prospect in the middle of the lottery.

Via Jake Fischer/Bleacher Report

[WestbrookGOATed]

Would be cool if OKC sent someone like Dort and a boatload of picks to Sacramento for #4. Take Ivey and put him at the 2 or 3. Or move Giddey to the 3. Not sure that would get it done though. People forget what an elite defender Dort is.

[HotelVitale]

Would be cool if OKC sent someone like Dort and a boatload of picks to Sacramento for #4. Take Ivey and put him at the 2 or 3. Or move Giddey to the 3. Not sure that would get it done though. People forget what an elite defender Dort is.

No reason for the Kings to do that though. Dort's fine and picks are always great but only reason Kings are trading this is to win now. Would have to be a 3rd team involved with someone very good and with the same mid-20s timeline as the rest fo the core.

[MartinToVaught]

The Kings desperately want to snap their 16-year playoff drought. If they can move the fourth overall pick to bring in a veteran to aid in a playoff push, it's something Sacramento is expected to strongly consider.

Marcus Morris for #4. Do it, Vivek!

[Scalabrine]

Knicks trade:
Julius Randle/Kemba Walker/11th pick
Knicks get:
Bledsoe/PJ Washington/7th pick

Knicks waive Bledsoe and open up 30ish million in capspace, plus upgrade 7th pick where they pick one of Griffin/Sharpe/Ivey

Blazers trade:
Eric Bledsoe/Nas Little/Josh Hart/7th pick
Blazers get:
Julius Randle/Gordon Hayward/13th pick

Blazers make one more run with Lillard by adding two All-Star level players that fill a need for essentially moving down 6 spots.

Hornets trade:
Gordon Hayward/PJ Washington/13th pick
Hornets get:
Josh Hart/Kemba Walker/Nas Little/11th pick.

Hornets clear cap space to sign Bridges, while staying away from the luxury tax, upgrade their pick, reunite with Kemba, and get some depth on movable deals

Knicks:
Robinson/Noel/Sims
Toppin/Washington/Reddish
Barrett/Reddish/Burks
Grimes/Fournier/Burks
Quickley/Rose/Burks
+ 30 million in capspace and 7th pick

Blazers:
Nurkic/
Randle/Winslow
Hayward/Watford
Simons/Johnson
Lillard/Williams
+10 million in cap space, pick 13

Hornets:
Plumlee/Harrell/Jones
Bridges/McDaniels
Hart/Oubre/Martin
Rozier/Bouknight
Ball/Kemba
+ pick 11 and 15

[Pickled Prunes]

Knicks trade:
Julius Randle/Kemba Walker/11th pick
Knicks get:
Bledsoe/PJ Washington/7th pick

Knicks waive Bledsoe and open up 30ish million in capspace, plus upgrade 7th pick where they pick one of Griffin/Sharpe/Ivey

Blazers trade:
Eric Bledsoe/Nas Little/Josh Hart/7th pick
Blazers get:
Julius Randle/Gordon Hayward/13th pick

Blazers make one more run with Lillard by adding two All-Star level players that fill a need for essentially moving down 6 spots.

Hornets trade:
Gordon Hayward/PJ Washington/13th pick
Hornets get:
Josh Hart/Kemba Walker/Nas Little/11th pick.

Hornets clear cap space to sign Bridges, while staying away from the luxury tax, upgrade their pick, reunite with Kemba, and get some depth on movable deals

Knicks:
Robinson/Noel/Sims
Toppin/Washington/Reddish
Barrett/Reddish/Burks
Grimes/Fournier/Burks
Quickley/Rose/Burks
+ 30 million in capspace and 7th pick

Blazers:
Nurkic/
Randle/Winslow
Hayward/Watford
Simons/Johnson
Lillard/Williams
+10 million in cap space, pick 13

Hornets:
Plumlee/Harrell/Jones
Bridges/McDaniels
Hart/Oubre/Martin
Rozier/Bouknight
Ball/Kemba
+ pick 11 and 15

I can see it happening, but POR needs to say no. The Simons/Lillard pairing is a rehash of the Lillard/CJ pairing. It won't work so they need to trade one of those two. Hart and either of those two is a solid pairing, so he's a keeper. I don't think Randle solves any of their issues and I seriously question your description of Randle or Hayward as "All-Star level" players. They both made All-Star teams once, but that was an outlier year for Randle and six seasons an several serious injuries ago for Hayward. What you have there is a bottom five defense. And with Billups at the helm they will be in the bottom half in offense as well.

[Pickled Prunes]

Would be cool if OKC sent someone like Dort and a boatload of picks to Sacramento for #4. Take Ivey and put him at the 2 or 3. Or move Giddey to the 3. Not sure that would get it done though. People forget what an elite defender Dort is.

No reason for the Kings to do that though. Dort's fine and picks are always great but only reason Kings are trading this is to win now. Would have to be a 3rd team involved with someone very good and with the same mid-20s timeline as the rest fo the core.

Fox and #4 for SGA.

[Scalabrine]

Knicks trade:
Julius Randle/Kemba Walker/11th pick
Knicks get:
Bledsoe/PJ Washington/7th pick

Knicks waive Bledsoe and open up 30ish million in capspace, plus upgrade 7th pick where they pick one of Griffin/Sharpe/Ivey

Blazers trade:
Eric Bledsoe/Nas Little/Josh Hart/7th pick
Blazers get:
Julius Randle/Gordon Hayward/13th pick

Blazers make one more run with Lillard by adding two All-Star level players that fill a need for essentially moving down 6 spots.

Hornets trade:
Gordon Hayward/PJ Washington/13th pick
Hornets get:
Josh Hart/Kemba Walker/Nas Little/11th pick.

Hornets clear cap space to sign Bridges, while staying away from the luxury tax, upgrade their pick, reunite with Kemba, and get some depth on movable deals

Knicks:
Robinson/Noel/Sims
Toppin/Washington/Reddish
Barrett/Reddish/Burks
Grimes/Fournier/Burks
Quickley/Rose/Burks
+ 30 million in capspace and 7th pick

Blazers:
Nurkic/
Randle/Winslow
Hayward/Watford
Simons/Johnson
Lillard/Williams
+10 million in cap space, pick 13

Hornets:
Plumlee/Harrell/Jones
Bridges/McDaniels
Hart/Oubre/Martin
Rozier/Bouknight
Ball/Kemba
+ pick 11 and 15

I can see it happening, but POR needs to say no. The Simons/Lillard pairing is a rehash of the Lillard/CJ pairing. It won't work so they need to trade one of those two. Hart and either of those two is a solid pairing, so he's a keeper. I don't think Randle solves any of their issues and I seriously question your description of Randle or Hayward as "All-Star level" players. They both made All-Star teams once, but that was an outlier year for Randle and six seasons an several serious injuries ago for Hayward. What you have there is a bottom five defense. And with Billups at the helm they will be in the bottom half in offense as well.

The Dame and CJ pairing never had players like Randle and Hayward to pair with. Nurkic would be the 5th best player in that lineup. IF the plan is to give it one more crack with Dame, this is the type of trade that gives him the best chance without really giving up anything in terms of future assets.

Randle averaged 20-10-5 this year, is 1 year removed from being 2nd team All-NBA on a 4 seed. I don't think he's good enough to be the best player on an elite team, but with Lillard there, he'd clearly know he's not that guy. He's paid like a 3rd option on a really good team. Hayward, sure, he's definitely past his prime, but still a really effective player that can do more than shoot. Again, they are essentially getting both players for very very little.

[HotelVitale]

Would be cool if OKC sent someone like Dort and a boatload of picks to Sacramento for #4. Take Ivey and put him at the 2 or 3. Or move Giddey to the 3. Not sure that would get it done though. People forget what an elite defender Dort is.

No reason for the Kings to do that though. Dort's fine and picks are always great but only reason Kings are trading this is to win now. Would have to be a 3rd team involved with someone very good and with the same mid-20s timeline as the rest fo the core.

Fox and #4 for SGA.

It's intriguing but who really wants that? The Thunder give up the better and younger player (though neither of those by too much), leaving them with zero surefire young star building blocks when that's the whole point of their rebuild; even more so the Kings give up the guy they've already made major moves to build around, plus their best chance at making a big leap out of their treadmill-y spot (that pick hitting or being used in a trade).

Feels like the value's interesting but the motive wouldn't be there, primarily for the Kings. Seems simpler for them to trade that #4 pick for someone really good and allow them to add that to Fox, rather than making a slight improvement to him that doesn't get them far.

[Pickled Prunes]

No reason for the Kings to do that though. Dort's fine and picks are always great but only reason Kings are trading this is to win now. Would have to be a 3rd team involved with someone very good and with the same mid-20s timeline as the rest fo the core.

Fox and #4 for SGA.

It's intriguing but who really wants that? The Thunder give up the better and younger player (though neither of those by too much), leaving them with zero surefire young star building blocks when that's the whole point of their rebuild; even more so the Kings give up the guy they've already made major moves to build around, plus their best chance at making a big leap out of their treadmill-y spot (that pick hitting or being used in a trade).

Feels like the value's interesting but the motive wouldn't be there, primarily for the Kings. Seems simpler for them to trade that #4 pick for someone really good and allow them to add that to Fox, rather than making a slight improvement to him that doesn't get them far.

If the Kings want to win now they need to get off of Fox. He's not good enough to be a #1, 2 or maybe even 3 on a contender. SGA makes them better today. On the other side OKC isn't anywhere close to needing someone to build around. SGA is better than Fox, but he isn't that #1 cornerstone piece. Fox + #4 gives OKC a player of similar value, another bite at the apple and allows them to kick it down the road a bit.

[Pickled Prunes]

Knicks trade:
Julius Randle/Kemba Walker/11th pick
Knicks get:
Bledsoe/PJ Washington/7th pick

Knicks waive Bledsoe and open up 30ish million in capspace, plus upgrade 7th pick where they pick one of Griffin/Sharpe/Ivey

Blazers trade:
Eric Bledsoe/Nas Little/Josh Hart/7th pick
Blazers get:
Julius Randle/Gordon Hayward/13th pick

Blazers make one more run with Lillard by adding two All-Star level players that fill a need for essentially moving down 6 spots.

Hornets trade:
Gordon Hayward/PJ Washington/13th pick
Hornets get:
Josh Hart/Kemba Walker/Nas Little/11th pick.

Hornets clear cap space to sign Bridges, while staying away from the luxury tax, upgrade their pick, reunite with Kemba, and get some depth on movable deals

Knicks:
Robinson/Noel/Sims
Toppin/Washington/Reddish
Barrett/Reddish/Burks
Grimes/Fournier/Burks
Quickley/Rose/Burks
+ 30 million in capspace and 7th pick

Blazers:
Nurkic/
Randle/Winslow
Hayward/Watford
Simons/Johnson
Lillard/Williams
+10 million in cap space, pick 13

Hornets:
Plumlee/Harrell/Jones
Bridges/McDaniels
Hart/Oubre/Martin
Rozier/Bouknight
Ball/Kemba
+ pick 11 and 15

I can see it happening, but POR needs to say no. The Simons/Lillard pairing is a rehash of the Lillard/CJ pairing. It won't work so they need to trade one of those two. Hart and either of those two is a solid pairing, so he's a keeper. I don't think Randle solves any of their issues and I seriously question your description of Randle or Hayward as "All-Star level" players. They both made All-Star teams once, but that was an outlier year for Randle and six seasons an several serious injuries ago for Hayward. What you have there is a bottom five defense. And with Billups at the helm they will be in the bottom half in offense as well.

The Dame and CJ pairing never had players like Randle and Hayward to pair with. Nurkic would be the 5th best player in that lineup. IF the plan is to give it one more crack with Dame, this is the type of trade that gives him the best chance without really giving up anything in terms of future assets.

Randle averaged 20-10-5 this year, is 1 year removed from being 2nd team All-NBA on a 4 seed. I don't think he's good enough to be the best player on an elite team, but with Lillard there, he'd clearly know he's not that guy. He's paid like a 3rd option on a really good team. Hayward, sure, he's definitely past his prime, but still a really effective player that can do more than shoot. Again, they are essentially getting both players for very very little.

That's a play-in team. Hayward might play 50+ games, but I wouldn't count on it. Randle is fine, but there is a reason NYK fans want to drive him to the airport, beyond the fact that he shot 41% this season. And he won't have 10 REB starting next to Nurk or 5 AST with Lillard and Simons pounding the air out of the ball all game.

But what you seem to be missing is that CJ (at 6-3) took the tougher perimeter assignment since the day he was starting next to Lillard. CJ is a better defender than Simons (6-3) and the CJ/Lillard pairing was a defensive travesty! Lord help them if they traded away CJ to run back a different, too-small lineup. Randle and Hayward will compound the defenseive issue. Nurk is good defensively but he's a free agent. I wouldn't want to stand behind those four all season... or be a part of the rebuild when it ultimately fails.

The bottom line... they need to trade Simons or Lillard. To build around that pairing would be to repeat their previous folly.

[HotelVitale]

Fox and #4 for SGA.

It's intriguing but who really wants that? The Thunder give up the better and younger player (though neither of those by too much), leaving them with zero surefire young star building blocks when that's the whole point of their rebuild; even more so the Kings give up the guy they've already made major moves to build around, plus their best chance at making a big leap out of their treadmill-y spot (that pick hitting or being used in a trade).

Feels like the value's interesting but the motive wouldn't be there, primarily for the Kings. Seems simpler for them to trade that #4 pick for someone really good and allow them to add that to Fox, rather than making a slight improvement to him that doesn't get them far.

If the Kings want to win now they need to get off of Fox. He's not good enough to be a #1, 2 or maybe even 3 on a contender. SGA makes them better today. On the other side OKC isn't anywhere close to needing someone to build around. SGA is better than Fox, but he isn't that #1 cornerstone piece. Fox + #4 gives OKC a player of similar value, another bite at the apple and allows them to kick it down the road a bit.

Hmm, guess if you're that low on Fox it makes sense. You're not buying the 28/7 or whatever that Fox put up post-Haliburton trade?

[Pickled Prunes]

It's intriguing but who really wants that? The Thunder give up the better and younger player (though neither of those by too much), leaving them with zero surefire young star building blocks when that's the whole point of their rebuild; even more so the Kings give up the guy they've already made major moves to build around, plus their best chance at making a big leap out of their treadmill-y spot (that pick hitting or being used in a trade).

Feels like the value's interesting but the motive wouldn't be there, primarily for the Kings. Seems simpler for them to trade that #4 pick for someone really good and allow them to add that to Fox, rather than making a slight improvement to him that doesn't get them far.

If the Kings want to win now they need to get off of Fox. He's not good enough to be a #1, 2 or maybe even 3 on a contender. SGA makes them better today. On the other side OKC isn't anywhere close to needing someone to build around. SGA is better than Fox, but he isn't that #1 cornerstone piece. Fox + #4 gives OKC a player of similar value, another bite at the apple and allows them to kick it down the road a bit.

Hmm, guess if you're that low on Fox it makes sense. You're not buying the 28/7 or whatever that Fox put up post-Haliburton trade?

I don't believe in anyone that turns it on as soon as games stop mattering. But my bigger concern is Fox's 118.5 Drtg vs. SGA's 112.4. Fox is more dynamic and will sell more tickets in OKC but SGA's defensive versatility makes him a better fit on a contender. I'm assuming that's where SAC wants to get to.

[HotelVitale]

If the Kings want to win now they need to get off of Fox. He's not good enough to be a #1, 2 or maybe even 3 on a contender. SGA makes them better today. On the other side OKC isn't anywhere close to needing someone to build around. SGA is better than Fox, but he isn't that #1 cornerstone piece. Fox + #4 gives OKC a player of similar value, another bite at the apple and allows them to kick it down the road a bit.

Hmm, guess if you're that low on Fox it makes sense. You're not buying the 28/7 or whatever that Fox put up post-Haliburton trade?

I don't believe in anyone that turns it on as soon as games stop mattering. But my bigger concern is Fox's 118.5 Drtg vs. SGA's 112.4. Fox is more dynamic and will sell more tickets in OKC but SGA's defensive versatility makes him a better fit on a contender. I'm assuming that's where SAC wants to get to.

Yeah, I see it more now (though obvious counter-argument is that Fox turned it on when he was able to play his position again, and the games mattered more at that time with the Kings fighting for the play-in). Still not clear how SGA, Sabonis, Barnes, no special picks or assets, and no cap space gets you to contending status. But I see why that's a better thing to build from than Fox and the same situation. Just not convinced that SGA over Fox is worth your chances at #4 or what else you could get from it.

[Pickled Prunes]

Hmm, guess if you're that low on Fox it makes sense. You're not buying the 28/7 or whatever that Fox put up post-Haliburton trade?

I don't believe in anyone that turns it on as soon as games stop mattering. But my bigger concern is Fox's 118.5 Drtg vs. SGA's 112.4. Fox is more dynamic and will sell more tickets in OKC but SGA's defensive versatility makes him a better fit on a contender. I'm assuming that's where SAC wants to get to.

Yeah, I see it more now (though obvious counter-argument is that Fox turned it on when he was able to play his position again, and the games mattered more at that time with the Kings fighting for the play-in). Still not clear how SGA, Sabonis, Barnes, no special picks or assets, and no cap space gets you to contending status. But I see why that's a better thing to build from than Fox and the same situation. Just not convinced that SGA over Fox is worth your chances at #4 or what else you could get from it.

I hear ya. It's hard to see SAC getting anywhere with this core. The obvious 1st step would have been to shop Fox and keep Haliburton... but we move on.