The NBA has entered the quiet phase of the offseason, with the next big date coming Thursday when the full NBA schedule will be released. Most of the big moves in the league have happened right around the time free agency began on June 30, and it doesn’t look like there are many moves left to make and that’s what teams will look like as training camp opens and the season gets closer. With Lauri Markkanen re-signing with the Jazz, trade talks have calmed down considerably.
That’s not to say there aren’t moves to be made. Some teams might like their rosters as they are, but they could also try to improve them. The Atlanta Hawks, Los Angeles Lakers and Cleveland Cavaliers could all improve their rosters and move a few pieces.
Atlanta traded Dejounte Murray to the New Orleans Pelicans for Dyson Daniels, Larry Nance, EJ Liddell, Cody Zeller and two first-round picks, but the trade rumors didn’t stop even after that. Clint Capela, Larry Nance and De’Andre Hunter were all the subject of trade rumors at some point this offseason and could still be moved if the right deal presents itself.
The Lakers haven’t made any big moves this offseason and could very well keep the same roster as last year, with the only real addition being first-round pick Dalton Knecht. There haven’t been many realistic trades, but there have been rumors that they wanted to acquire Klay Thompson, Murray and Jonas Valanciunas, but they haven’t gotten any of them. The Lakers have tradable contracts, as well as first-round picks, so they could make a very good offer if the opportunity presents itself.
Cleveland is a team that was heavily rumored to be a trader early in the offseason, but ended up re-signing Donovan Mitchell and not moving Darius Garland or Jarrett Allen. The Cavaliers have a new coaching staff and will continue to rotate the same roster, but they could find a way to move a key position.
What exchange between the three teams?
It should be noted that this is simply a fun, speculative exercise to see what kind of moves can be made, not what I think the Hawks should or will do. That’s all.
Here’s the deal.
Atlanta receives: Rui Hachimura and Gabe Vincent
Los Angeles receives: Larry Nance, Caris LeVert, a 2025 2nd-round pick (via Minnesota) and a 2026 2nd-round pick via Memphis (protected 31-42)
Cleveland receives: De’Andre Hunter
Why Atlanta is making this deal: Hunter isn’t a bad player, but if the Hawks could get rid of this contract, save money, and get an arguably better player, they should do so. The Hawks have been trying to get bigger this season and having Hachimura as a starter alongside Dyson Daniels, Jalen Johnson, and either Clint Capela or Onyeka Okongwu would help Trae Young. Hachimura is a better player than Hunter and could be a starter until Zaccharie Risacher is ready. While the Hawks would like Kobe Bufkin to take over as the backup point guard, he hasn’t been able to stay healthy and is still an unknown quantity. Vincent could be the backup point guard on the second unit. The Hawks also save money with this move and stay under the tax.
Why Atlanta is not making this deal: The only reason I think Atlanta wouldn’t do this is because it wouldn’t make them a title contender and they might still believe in Hunter and choose him over Rui. Vincent is a good backup point guard, but do they want him taking minutes away from Bufkin?
Why Los Angeles is making this deal: LeVert could give them a good scoring option as a backup and Nance would be able to provide depth and play at center. Both players also have contracts that expire this season.
Why the Lakers aren’t doing this deal: The Lakers are the team that probably won’t do this deal. Hachimura is the best player in this deal and LeVert is very inconsistent. Does Nance make a big enough difference? I’d say no.
Why the Cavs are making this deal: While LeVert could be a good scoring option, he doesn’t address the Cavs’ biggest need and Hunter would be a huge help. Over the last couple of years, one of Cleveland’s biggest weaknesses has been the power forward position. While Max Strus and LeVert have helped on offense, Hunter is a much better defender and could better defend the opposing team’s top power forwards than either of those players. If Cleveland wants to be able to beat Boston or New York, they need to be able to do that. They’ve shown interest in Hunter in the past
Why the Cavs aren’t making this deal: Would they take back Hunter’s contract? That’s the only reason I think Cleveland wouldn’t trade LeVert for Hunter.
This trade is unlikely, but it makes sense for both parties. The Lakers take a step forward and free up money for the future, the Cavs improve their biggest weakness, and the Hawks get bigger on the wing and get a backup point guard.
