The trade deadline is here, and playoff contenders will be looking for assets to add in order to push them over the top. Here are three players that could make huge impacts on their new teams if they were moved.
Mike Conley
Colby’s Scenario
Bucks Receive: Mike Conley, Omri Casspi
Memphis Receives: Eric Bledsoe, Tony Snell, Thon Maker, 2020 Unprotected 1st Round Pick
Milwaukee is at the top of the league, and they’ve shown no signs of slowing down. As unstoppable as they may seem, there are still holes in their roster that need to be addressed if they hope to make a run at a championship. One of those holes is their starting PG position. By no means is Eric Bledsoe a bad PG, in fact, he’s a borderline All-Star in the East. But, the Bucks need another consistent scorer next to Giannis and Khris Middleton if they want to be competitive against the Warriors. Mike Conley may just be that missing piece.
Conley’s ability to sit backseat to other All-Stars while still making an immense impact will be crucial for the Bucks team. He’s one of the best off-ball guards in the league, so his presence wouldn’t affect the personal-best seasons of the “Greek Freak” and Khris Middleton.
Mike is having close to a personal-best season as well. He’s averaging over 20 PPG and 6.3 APG (.2 off his career-high). Throw him on a roster like the Bucks, and Conley would surely average over 10 APG. His production points, in terms of points, may take a dip, but having another player that can lead the team when Giannis is off the court would help Milwaukee significantly.
Adding Conley would push the Bucks over the edge from Finals contenders to Championship contenders. They’d need to give up sharpshooter Tony Snell, but the addition of Omri Casspi (who averages 37% for his career from beyond the arc) would be compensation. Thon Maker has expressed his discontent with his current situation on the Bucks, and he’d be much more involved in Memphis, especially if Gasol ends up getting moved.
Aiden’s Scenario
Utah Receives: Mike Conley, Omri Casspi
Grizzlies Receive: Dante Exum, Derrick Favors, 2019 unprotected first round pick, 2021 top 10 protected first round pick
With the recent injuries to starting PG Ricky Rubio, the Utah Jazz should look at acquiring a solid, defensive-minded PG as we progress towards the trade deadline. Enter Mike Conley – a fringe All-Star PG who has the ability to guard both PG and SG. He can play very well off the ball, which is perfect for Utah, considering young SG Donovan Mitchell has been on an absolute tear as of late. Mitchell’s run is due to him having the ball in his hands frequently and adding in Conley’s off-ball movement would only compliment Mitchell.
Adding Conley helps diversify the offensive attack for the Jazz. Conley is a serviceable and consistent threat on the offensive end. He’s shooting 36% from 3PT this season and 38% for his career, which is something the Jazz have lacked from the PG position. Conley is also an above-average finisher, shooting 53% in the restricted area. Along with his other talents and desirable assets, he’s an exceptional playmaker, averaging 6.3 APG and 9.6 assists per 100 possessions this season.
Defensively, Conley is extremely versatile. He has long arms and big hands which help clog up passing lanes. Even when defending on-ball, Conley’s length easily disrupts a shooter’s rhythm.
Casspi is more of a rotational piece in this trade and will likely have the same role that Jonas Jerebko had last season with the Jazz. Even though his primary position is SF, expect to see Casspi running the four on occasion.
It’s also important to note that Utah keeping Rubio in this trade greatly affects the roster. Exum has been relatively underwhelming, and having Rubio running the second unit is flat out scary.
The Jazz’s bench would now consist of Rubio, Kyle Korver/Grayson Allen, Royce O’Neale, Omri Casspi, and Tony Bradley. Surrounding Rubio with shooters and allowing him to be the primary playmaker will greatly benefit the Jazz’s lackluster bench efficiency.
Nikola Vucecic
Colby’s Scenario
Hornets Receive: Nikola Vucevic
Magic Receive: Jeremy Lamb, Dwayne Bacon, Devonte Graham, 2022 2nd Round Pick
The Hornets are in desperate need of another All-Star. The team is barely in the playoff picture and could be falling out of a playoff seed for the rest of the season. Kemba Walker has been sensational. He’s even been named an All-Star starter. However, Kemba can’t do it all by himself. That’s where Nikola Vucevic comes in.
This year, Vucevic has consistently shown us that he’s a top center in the league. He’s averaged career-highs in almost every category, and he’s even making his first All-Star appearance. Vuc would bring consistent scoring and rebounding to the Hornets team, something that they currently lack (besides Kemba Walker). At 12 RPG, Nikola is averaging double the rebounds that team leader Cody Zeller is grabbing. He’s also a major threat outside, which would open up the lane for Kemba to drive.
Nikola is extremely versatile for a big man, and he’d fit right into the Hornets’ system comprising mostly of role-players. His ability to guard wing positions as a 7-footer is a huge advantage to have, especially for Charlotte who holds one of the worst defensive ratings in the league. Adding Vucevic would take some offensive pressure off Kemba, and they’d both be able to perform at much more
This trade would certainly be a gamble for the Hornets. The Magic would be asking for a package of young guards, and Charlotte would need to give up some promising young talent. Vucevic is also a free agent this offseason, and there’s no guarantee that he re-signs. All of this being said, landing Vucevic would secure the Hornets a playoff spot in the East, and they’d be able to contend for a spot in the Eastern Conference Finals.
Aiden’s Scenario
Portland Receives: Nikola Vucivcc, Terrance Ross
Orlando Receives: Maurice Harkless, Anfernee Simmons, Myers Leonard, 2019 unprotected first round pick, 2021 lottery protected first round pick, 2019 second round pick.
Despite Portland already having a quality starting C in Jusuf Nurkic, bringing in an All-Star level talent like Vucevic is something the Trail Blazers simply can’t pass up. Portland’s consistent issue in the playoffs is lack of talent and depth. Adding Vucevic gives them just that. This allows them a lot of freedom when it comes to their rotation. They could run a line-up of Lillard, McCollum, Aminu, Vucevic, and Nurkic or even possibly Lillard, McCollum, Ross, Aminu, Vucevic/Nurkic. Either way, the Blazers will now have options at all positions.
Vuc is a consistent double-double when on the court. This season, he’s averaging a career high in PPG and RPG on terrific shooting splits. Despite being 7′, Vuc has cemented himself as one of the NBA’s more elite 3PT-shooting big men. This season he’s shooting 38% from behind the arc, which puts him in the top-five for centers (minimum 50 attempts).
Vucevic is also very dominant in the low-post and has an excellent post-hook. His 3PT-shooting ability, his slight ability to guard defenders on the wing, and his height for mismatches in the post will ease his move to PF
Terrance Ross may even be more impactful than Vucevic for the Blazers. Losing Harkless in this deal greatly affects the Blazers depth on the wing, however adding Ross to the equation completely negates that. Ross does everything that Harkless does and more.
This deal indicates that the Blazers are all in this season. With both Vuc and Ross on expiring deals, the Blazers have no way of knowing if either will re-sign. But, adding them will finally add help to the Blazers core of CJ McCollum and Damian Lillard. If this team doesn’t win a playoff series with that roster, it may be time to blow it up in Portland.
Jrue Holiday
Colby’s Scenario
Pelicans Receive: Jonas Valanciunas, Delon Wright, OG Anunoby, 2020 2nd Round Pick
Raptors Receive: Jrue Holiday, Cheick Diallo
The Raptors have been struggling, as of late, and it’s clear that their roster may not cut it when it comes to the playoffs. After his hot start, Kyle Lowry has cooled off, and his impact on the floor has also dipped. Kawhi Leonard has shown that he can’t carry the team night after night, and Pascal Siakam doesn’t have enough experience to be that second go-to guy. Toronto needs a second reliable scorer, and I think Jrue Holiday fits that role perfectly.
Holiday has been a fringe All-Star for the past few years now. He’s an automatic scorer, a great shooter, and one of the best defensive guards in the league. He’s scoring at a career-high pace this year at 21 PPG, even while playing with Anthony Davis. Holiday knows how to produce alongside superstars, which is why he’s the answer to the Raptors recent problems.
The Raptors would lose a lot of young talent in this trade, but as the Pelicans are in full tank mode, all they’d ask for is young pieces. In losing this depth, Toronto would need to ask for a cheap forward in the deal to come off their bench, and it’d most likely be Diallo.
A starting lineup of Lowry, Holiday, Leonard, Siakam, and Ibaka would be among the best in the league, and it’d certainly make the path to the Eastern Conference throne a whole lot easier.
Aiden’s Scenario
Pelicans Receive: Harrison Barnes, Dwight Powell, 2020 lottery protected first round pick, 2019 Second round pick
Mavericks Receive: Jrue Holiday, E’Twaun Moore
Even though the Mavericks just acquired Kristaps Porzingis from the Knicks, they’re still not considered one of the best eight teams in the West. With teams such as the Kings, Clippers, and Trail Blazers being buyers at the deadline, the Mavericks will have to make another big move to stay in playoff contention. Jrue Holiday is a perfect player to help aid the Mavericks’ playoff run.
With the injury of J.J. Barea and the departure of Dennis Smith Jr., the Mavericks are left with two below-average PGs on the roster. Holiday fixes this issue. He’s an elite defender, being a First-Team All-Defense candidate this season. He ranks in the top-10 for defensive rating among guards.
With Luka being the primary ball-handler in Dallas, this will force Jrue to play more off-ball than usual. Considering Jrue is a PG, he has one of the lowest usage rates among starting PG in the NBA. Evidently, though, he’s not amazing off the ball, he’s been playing that way pretty much all season.
Holiday can also stretch the floor, shooting roughly around 33% from three. On one dribble or less from 3PT, Holiday shoots 38%.
E’Twaun Moore can also provide shooting off the bench for the Mavericks.
Jrue Holiday can be the PG of the near future for the Dallas Mavericks. He would form a “Big 3” with Luka Doncic and Kristaps Porzingis and cement Dallas as one of the best teams in the NBA.
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