Three NBA Trades We're Ready To See: Lakers, Warriors, Bucks All Get Active

Nick Galle|published: Sat 7th December, 09:40 2024

Dec 7, 2022; Chicago, Illinois, USA; Chicago Bulls guard Zach LaVine (8) reacts after scoring against the Washington Wizards during the first half at United Center. Mandatory Credit: Kamil Krzaczynski-USA TODAY Sports

Although the NBA season isn’t even two months old, a handful of teams are already starting to realize that changes are going to need to be made if they want to be playing basketball deep into April and beyond.

Sure, the trade deadline is two months away, but it’s never too early to take a look at who could be on the move over the next eight weeks.

Here are three trades that we are eager to see this season:

Chicago Bulls trade G Zach LaVine to Los Angeles Lakers

LeBron James and Anthony Davis are in dire need of help in Los Angeles.

James recorded a triple-double (39 points, 10 rebounds, 11 assists) and Davis nearly did (38 points, 10 boards, eight assists) on Friday night, but the Lakers fell 134-132 to the Atlanta Hawks in overtime for their seventh loss in nine games.

Inconsistent guard play has been holding Los Angeles back, with D’Angelo Russell among those who have the highest of highs but also the lowest of lows. Gabe Vincent was supposed to give the Lakers’ backcourt a boost when he signed with Los Angeles ahead of the 2023-24 season, but now netting five points in a game is considered a good night for the 28-year-old.

LaVine is an explosive offensive piece that would most certainly be looked at as an upgrade from Russell. The former is doing no one any good rotting away in Chicago, where he has averaged 21.8 points on 50.8 percent shooting from the field and 43.2 percent shooting from beyond the arc.

Washington Wizards trade Jonas Valanciunas to Golden State Warriors

Oct 28, 2024; Atlanta, Georgia, USA; Washington Wizards center Jonas Valanciunas (17) is defended by Atlanta Hawks center Clint Capela (15) during the first half at State Farm Arena. Mandatory Credit: Dale Zanine-Imagn Images

If the Lakers are going to try and better themselves, you better believe that Golden State also will.

Valanciunas is going to be one of the names you hear the most on the trading block. His efficiency has been through the roof with Washington, as he has put up 11.9 points and 7.6 rebounds per game despite getting under 20 minutes a night.

The 2-18 Wizards need to focus all of their attention on building a contender for the future rather than simply trying to stay afloat in the present. Dishing Valanciunas to Golden State could not only yield draft compensation, but it could also give Washington some more minutes to play around with as it tries to develop big man Alexandre Sarr, the No. 2 overall pick in this year’s draft.

Meanwhile, the Warriors win, too, drastically improving their presence down low to take some pressure off Stephen Curry, Andrew Wiggins and 22-year-old Jonathan Kuminga, who has had to shoulder quite the load over the first fourth of the regular season.

Milwaukee Bucks move on from Bobby Portis

Jan 11, 2024; Milwaukee, Wisconsin, USA; Milwaukee Bucks forward Bobby Portis (9) brings the ball down court against Boston Celtics center Kristaps Porzingis (8) in the second quarterat Fiserv Forum. credits: Benny Sieu-USA TODAY Sports

Death, taxes and Bobby Portis sticking with Milwaukee through yet another trade deadline.

Every year feels like the year that the Bucks are finally going to include Portis in a deal that gives them a sharpshooting role player that they can put around star Giannis Antetokounmpo, but then the organization gets cold feet and hangs on to the former first-round pick.

It’s not that Portis is a bad piece; it’s just that he’s not the right one for Milwaukee. And there are definitely teams out there that would give up talent that better suits the Bucks’ needs if that meant they were acquiring Portis.

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