FTN NBA Fantasy Breakdown: Potential NBA Trades

Arguably the most exciting time of the NBA season is the trade deadline. The NBA isn’t just a league, it’s also a soap opera. Rumors often circulate, and that isn’t going to change leading up to Thursday’s trade deadline, even after the massive Kyrie Irving trade.

With multiple trades set to take place, here are some that I would like to see by Thursday afternoon.

The Clippers add to both their backcourt and frontcourt

LAC gets: D’Angelo Russell, Naz Reid
MIN gets: Luke Kennard, Reggie Jackson, 2028 1st, 2023 2nd

Los Angeles has been linked to multiple point guards over the last few weeks, including D’Angelo Russell, Fred VanVleet, Mike Conley and Kyle Lowry. However, there have also been reports that the Clippers are desperately looking to add depth to their frontcourt, as they honestly lack a backup center. This trade would help them address both positions, while Minnesota would get some draft picks back that they lost in the Rudy Gobert deal. 

Russell got off to a slow start this season but has been fantastic as of late. During the month of January, Russell averaged 19.1 points, 5.8 assists and 3.3 triples per game, shooting 46.3% from three on just over seven three-point attempts per game. He flirted with 50/40/90 during the month while operating as an outstanding spot-up shooter. Over the last 15 games, Russell ranks seventh in the league in points per game off catch-and-shoot situations (7.2) while shooting an impressive 43% from the field off catch-and-shoot field goals, as well as 43% from three off the play type. 

The Clippers have been playing Terance Mann at point guard, which has been fine, but has also led to both Kawhi Leonard and Paul George playing on-ball a lot more. Adding a player like Russell, though not an elite playmaker, would give the Clippers a more natural ball-handling point guard who will allow Leonard and George to come off screens, pin downs, etc. Meanwhile, the addition of Naz Reid would be unbelievable for this team. We saw just the other day how badly this team needs a second center alongside Ivica Zubac, as he picked up three early fouls against Milwaukee and Giannis Antetokounmpo got to the basket at will. 

Reid is enjoying a career season, averaging 10.4 points, 4.9 rebounds and 2.9 three-point attempts per game while shooting a career-best 53% from the field. He also gives the Clippers a different dimension at center, as he has the ability to shoot the three-ball, shooting nearly 34% from beyond the arc throughout his career. Admittedly, Reid isn’t an elite rim protector. In fact, he isn’t anywhere close to elite, as opponents are shooting 79% from within four feet of the basket when he’s the closest defender. But the Clippers will be better off with him backing up Zubac at center than Robert Covington.

Oklahoma City adds more three-point shooting

OKC gets: Saddiq Bey
DET gets: Darius Bazley, 2023 1st (via LAC)

Entering the season, many expected the Thunder to once again be in contention for a top-three draft pick, especially after losing Chet Holmgren. However, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander has emerged into a star, Josh Giddey is one of the best young players in the league and rookie Jalen Williams has been a home-run selection, propelling Oklahoma City to a 25-27 record and right in the thick of it in the wild Western Conference. And with all of the draft picks they still have, the Thunder are in a position to push for the playoffs, while still having so many assets to continue to add more young talent. 

Saddiq Bey would be a good fit in this offense, as he is a very capable three-point shooter, shooting 38% off catch-and-shoot triples this season. This Oklahoma City offense is predicated on driving to the basket, as the Thunder lead the league in drives per game (64.9). Gilgeous-Alexander is the reason why, as the first-time all star is averaging 24.1 drives per game himself, the most in basketball, while Giddey is averaging around 12 drives per game. Having more shooting around those two playmakers is pivotal for this Oklahoma City team, and if the Pistons aren’t interested in moving Bojan Bogdanovic, the Thunder should take a hard look at Bey.

So do the Lakers…

LAL gets: Gary Trent
TOR gets: Patrick Beverley, Austin Reaves, 2026 1st

I’m sure the Lakers were hoping to trade for Kyrie Irving, but reports have surfaced that they have shifted their attention toward Toronto and Utah. If their eyes are set on the Raptors, they have to be looking at Gary Trent, who is one of the top three-point shooters in basketball. Having as much shooting as possible around LeBron James is always crucial, but Trent would also give this Lakers team something they haven’t had this season – someone who can score off screens. Trent is averaging about 2.0 points per game off screens this year and shooting almost 42% off the play type. Los Angeles, meanwhile, ranks 27th in possessions (2.4) and 29th in points (1.9) per game off screens on the year while sporting the league’s fourth-lowest frequency rate off the play type (2.1%). 

OG Anunoby moves to the Western Conference

MEM gets: OG Anunoby
TOR gets: Danny Green, Ziaire Williams, 2023 1st, 2024 1st, 2025 1st

Perhaps the most polarizing player ahead of the trade deadline, OG Anunoby, has been linked to multiple teams, with the Grizzlies being one of them. We know that Toronto is asking for as many as three first-round picks for Anunoby, and while it seems like a lot, we have to remember that Utah just received four first-rounders and multiple role players in the Rudy Gobert trade this offseason, inflating the trade market. The Grizzlies have been fine sticking with their core and continuing to draft extremely well, but they have the opportunity to not only add one of the top 3-and-D players in the league, but also keep him from joining the Suns or Pelicans in the Western Conference. Anunoby would be an upgrade over Dillon Brooks, who is an outstanding perimeter defender but struggles with offensive efficiency. 

But Memphis would have the ability to roll out a pretty frightening small ball lineup of Ja Morant, Desmond Bane, Brooks, Anunoby and Jaren Jackson. That lineup would be able to switch everything on the defensive end. And, of course, you’d still have Steven Adams starting games and playing the same crucial role. With the Grizzlies dropping eight of their last nine games, it might be a turning point for Memphis to make a move. 

The Cavaliers improve their wing depth

CLE gets: Harrison Barnes
SAC gets: Caris LeVert, 2023 2nd

There have been rumors surrounding the Cavaliers and wings around the league including Tim Hardaway, Josh Hart and Malik Beasley. If Cleveland does make a move by the deadline, Caris LeVert is more than likely going to be moved for a wing who can shoot the three and defend. Harrison Barnes is a very interesting player Cleveland could add, as it would give this young core a veteran who has played in a handful of huge playoff games over the course of his career. 

While Isaac Okoro has emerged as of late, the Cavaliers can still use more depth on the wing, and LeVert is on the last year of his deal and suddenly doesn’t fit this team that has a backcourt consisting of Darius Garland, Donovan Mitchell and Ricky Rubio. Barnes can also play some power forward for this team, which is notable considering Kevin Love has fallen out of the rotation as of late. Barnes is shooting over 41% off spot-ups this season, averaging 5.4 points per game off the play type (15th). His presence would be great for a Cavaliers team that ranks 28th in spot-up points per game on the year (23.3).