Hornets C+
G Collin Sexton
2030 2nd round pick
Jazz C
C Jusuf Nurkic
Sexton gives the Hornets another scorer as a combo guard who can score at all levels confidently, but injuries pending there may not be enough shots to go around. He could be the team’s starting SG or a 6th man off the bench. Nurkic was the backup Center, but the Hornets are going in a different direction after trading Williams too. Sexton and Nurkic are both on expiring contracts.
The Jazz don’t have a need for another big man, so I think another player on the Jazz could be on the move or he could be moved again later. Nurkic can still provide solid production when healthy but is better off the bench at this point. The Jazz drafted another Guard creating a logjam at the position making Sexton expendable.
Nuggets B+
F Cam Johnson
Nets C+
F Michael Porter Jr.
2032 1st round pick
I really like this trade for the Nuggets as Johnson is a solid high volume 3pt shooter like Porter who can play both forward spots and has more of a defensive presence, but less rebounding. The move also saves the team about 36mil over the next 2 seasons. Johnson does have his own injury concerns as well, but solid fit.
Porter Jr. is a talented scorer with good size who likes to shoot 3’s at volume, but he comes with back injury concerns since his college days. He’s a little younger than Johnson and still gives them the same 2 years of contractual control. He should have some big scoring nights, but on a team with nothing to play for how “healthy” will he be? The 1st round pick could be the prize being so far down the line.
Nuggets C
C Jonas Valanciunas
Kings C-
F Dario Saric
The Nuggets acquire a big man in Valanciunas who has proven he can still be a double-double machine but plays best off the bench at this point. He is expected to provide good depth behind Nikola Jokic, but it is believed he wants to play overseas this season instead. This move either gives them a backup or trade exception.
The Kings wanted to save some cap and Valanciunas was not in the long-term plans. Saric is on an expiring deal and makes about 5mil less this season, while Valanciunas has another year left. Saric has shown he still has something left in the tank, but he appears to be a trade asset.
Pistons C+
F/G Duncan Robinson
Heat C
SF Simone Fontecchio
The Pistons had a big need for shooting with limited options after the gambling scandal with Malik Beasley and losing Tim Hardaway Jr. via free agency leading to a sign and trade for Robinson. Robinson can still knock down 3’s at a high rate and was in the starting lineup often last season due to injuries so he is good starting or off the bench. However, at age 31 they did give him a nice 3yr deal.
Fontecchio was once acquired from the Jazz to be part of the Pistons main rotation, but injuries led to him being just a role player with the new additions. He is a solid 3pt shooter, as well, who can provide high energy and defense. He should provide depth off the bench for the Heat.
Wizards B–
SF Cam Whitmore
Rockets C
Two 2nd round picks
The Wizards acquire a developing 3 and D SF in Whitmore who at 21 years old is already going into season 3. He’s a player I like with a smooth scoring touch who is also a Maryland native. He should provide depth, but the team is loaded at the wing (for now).
The Rockets had to save some money with the contracts added in the offseason, so moving off Whitmore’s 2yr/ about 9mil was the move to make with the added wing depth. However, I thought he had the scoring touch to help replace the loss of Jalen Green.
