Six NBA trade proposals: Landing spots for Morant,...

playStephen A: The Lakers still need LeBron (2:07)Stephen A. Smith discusses to what extent the Lakers need LeBron James. (2:07) Where could Ja Morant land this summer? Will the Detroit Pistons make a move to boost their offense? Will the Oklahoma City Thunder's pending financial crunch necessitate trading a star? How will the Los Angeles Lakers build around Luka Doncic? These questions could all be answered this offseason, but we're getting an early jump. ESPN NBA insiders Ben Golliver, Zach Kram and Andre Snellings propose six moves that would shake up the league, while NBA front office insider Bobby Marks examines each deal's impact from a financial and team-building perspective. Jarred Vanderbilt Dalton Knecht 2026 first-round pick (No. 25) After the Mavericks overhauled their front office and parted ways with coach Jason Kidd, it seems that the franchise is ready to fully move on from its previous era into one revolving around Cooper Flagg. So, I have two deals in mind that would trade a pair of veterans who contributed to Dallas' 2024 NBA Finals team, in exchange for more youth and draft picks. The first sends Gafford to the L.A., where he can rejoin Luka Doncic and thrive once more as a pick-and-roll partner and rim-running threat. This deal should be a no-brainer for the Lakers, as they'd address their glaring hole at the center position -- which would still exist even if Deandre Ayton exercised his option for next season -- with a player who's a proven fit next to Doncic. Gafford would certainly help the Lakers more next season than any rookie they could draft with the No. 25 pick. On the other side, Dallas lost a 2028 pick swap when it acquired Gafford at the 2024 trade deadline, but it could recoup some of that value and add another young player here. The Mavericks also would clear future cap space, with Gafford signed for more money and years (through the 2028-29 season) than Vanderbilt. -- Zach Kram Marks' analysis: To part ways with Gafford, the Mavericks need to have assurance that Dereck Lively II is healthy. Lively played just seven games this season and underwent right foot surgery in December. Vanderbilt could give some backup minutes at center if there is a setback with Lively or the Mavericks could draft a big with one of their three first-round picks. The Lakers enter the offseason trying to duplicate the roster blueprint from when Doncic was with the Mavericks. Adding Gafford gives them a needed lob threat and a rim protector. The Lakers do not lose any cap flexibility, as the outgoing salaries are almost identical to Gafford's $17.2 million salary for next season. Michael Porter Jr. 2027 first-round pick (least favorable of their own and Houston's) 2029 first-round pick 2031 first-round pick The last thing Oklahoma City wants to think about during its ongoing title push is blowing up its phenomenal young core, but the 2025 champs will be facing some difficult financial choices come July. This season, Williams, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and Chet Holmgren combined to make $58.6 million. Next season, that number will explode to $123.8 million due to lucrative rookie extensions for Holmgren and Williams. Unless they cut significant salary, the small-market Thunder will be at risk of entering the NBA's dreaded second apron. Given its backcourt depth and the emergence of Ajay Mitchell as a secondary playmaker, Oklahoma City could rebalance its books by sending Williams to the Nets, who desperately need a franchise player and fell to No. 6 in the draft lottery earlier this month. Brooklyn would need to hope Williams can move past his nagging hamstring injuries, but the 25-year-old wing is a dream target for a rebuilding team. Oklahoma City's goals with this trade would be to retain as much of its championship roster as possible, stockpile future draft picks and flip Porter to a team in need of frontcourt scoring. Consider this a sequel to Thunder general manager Sam Presti's 2012 James Harden trade. -- Ben Golliver Marks' analysis: It should be noted that despite Oklahoma City's record-breaking payroll and its spot above the second apron next season, there is not a high priority to cut payroll. The Thunder have not paid the luxury tax since 2019-20, and they have first-round picks to strengthen the roster, including two in the top 17 this June. However, as the Thunder showed in the playoffs, the strength of the roster is not one singular player but their depth of guards, including Cason Wallace, Alex Caruso, Jared McCain and Isaiah Joe. Wallace will be rookie-extension eligible this summer. As for Brooklyn, there is a priority to improve its roster, considering the Houston Rockets have the right to swap first-round picks in 2027. In trading Porter for Williams, Brooklyn would still have cap space to add via free agency or another trade. Instead of their own picks, the Nets should consider including the New York Knicks' unprotected first-rounders (2027, 2029, 2031) along with an u

Six NBA trade proposals: Landing spots for Morant,...

Key takeaways

More in sports