WE SWINGING FOR FENCES WITH THESE TRADES
Who doesn’t love fake trades? I spend too much time in my life on the ESPN Trade Machine. I figured it was time to use that hobby of mine and put it to good use.
Before the trade deadline on March 25th, I will use this space to discuss some trades that might not be likely, but trades that I think would benefit all teams involved.
The first trade features the Boston Celtics and New Orleans Pelicans. At first, I honestly think both fan bases will HATE this trade (looking at you, Dunny and Wake). BUT HEAR ME OUT. I truly believe this trade sets up both teams for immediate and future success.
BOS RECEIVES: Lonzo Ball, Steven Adams
NOLA RECEIVES: Kemba Walker, Daniel Theis
LAVAR BALL AND BOSTON: WHAT COULD GO WRONG?
Boston fans are not going to be happy about this one. But trust me, it makes all the sense in the world for the team to make this deal. It might lock them into this roster for the time being, but I think the additions of Adams and Ball would solidify their starting lineup and create one of the most versatile defensive lineups in the NBA.
Could you imagine an end of the game lineup featuring Lonzo-Smart-Brown-Tatum-Adams? Good luck trying to score on them. This new-look Celtics team would be EXACTLY what Brad Stevens dreams about. A defensive bully who is going to create havoc and force opposing teams into mistakes and turnovers.
Do you know what else would be fun? Lonzo in transition with Jaylen Brown and Jayson Tatum screaming down the wings. He fits the timeline with these guys better than Kemba as well. Lonzo is 23, Jaylen is 24, and Tatum is still 19 miraculously. (He’s 22).
Tatum and Lonzo were selected back to back in the draft. These three could be the foundation of a championship-level team in Boston for years to come.
Lonzo has been really good this year. He’s never going to be a superstar level talent like he was thought to be when drafted by the Lakers. But this year, he is starting to come into his own and develop his confidence in his role.
He’s averaging his highest PPG total in his career and continued to show competence from the 3 point line. His assist numbers have dipped, but he doesn’t handle the ball as much as last year due to more competition at his position.
For the Celtics? They might not address the wing depth with this trade, but Lonzo is a versatile defender and such an improvement at the guard position defensively, that he almost will be able to fill that role simultaneously.
He can take some assignments from Marcus Smart or Brown and allows Stevens to have a lot more versatility with his schemes. Adams will clean up any mess for the Celtics. He provides them with a presence they haven’t had at the Center position in a looooong time.
Boston also retains their full trade exception from losing Gordon Hayward this offseason. So they can still make a move to improve their wing depth if they feel it’s necessary.
NEW ORLEANS TAKES A CALCULATED RISK
So why would the Pelicans want Kemba Walker? Walker has just returned from a knee injury in the last month, and right now the returns haven’t been great.
He’s scoring at the lowest rate of his career, shooting the worst he ever has from the field. So why would the Pelicans want to make this deal happen?
It’s possible that Kemba needs a change of scenery. He came to Boston looking to be the go-to guy and the closer at the end of games. He was able to fulfill that role while he was healthy. But now this isn’t his team to lead in scoring anymore.
Tatum and Brown are able to handle that role and they should be in that position. That leaves Kemba as an overqualified scoring guard who turns into the 3rd option depending on most nights.
In New Orleans? He could be the pick and roll guard that could unlock even more of Zion Williamson’s offensive talents. Lonzo isn’t nearly as dynamic as a pick and roll handler, and Eric Bledsoe is not someone the Pelicans should be trying to maximize with the ball in their hands.
Kemba might look slow to start, but I truly believe that has as much to do with his health as it has to do as him trying to make sure he doesn’t disrupt the chemistry and rhythm that the two young wings have been able to achieve at the beginning of this year.
Zion has yet to play with a dynamic, playmaking point guard. Bledsoe isn’t that guy. Jrue Holiday was good, but he’s not that kind of on-ball creator. Walker brings a different dynamic and a veteran presence to help bring along Kira Lewis and Nickell Alexander-Walker for the next few years.
It’s a risky move for the Pelicans because Walker has started to break down the last 12 months and it’s unknown if we will be healthy for a full season. But if an increased workload and increased ball-handling responsibilities unlock the version of Kemba from the beginning of the 2019-2020 season?
The Pelicans could have one of the most dynamic pick and roll games in the NBA. That’s not even considering the fact they have a budding superstar wing in Brandon Ingram. Losing Adams would hurt their team defense, but Theis and Williamson fit well next to each other with Theis’ ability to hit a 3 point shot.
The Pelicans could also look to the buyout market or another trade featuring Bledsoe or JJ Redick to address their depth in the frontcourt. But trading Ball seems like a no-brainer. He’s going to get a new contract in the offseason. Do the Pelicans really want to commit to him for big money?
I’m not sure the Celtics want to either, but I would think they would be more open to it, given the timeline their stars are currently on.
Adams would be hard for the Pelicans to part ways with. But it’s time to see what they have in Hayes at the Center position. Besides, that’s not necessarily where I would want to spend my money if I was the Pelicans going forward.
This is the first of my dream trades for the deadline. Next up? A three-team trade moving 4 young, potential elite talents to new destinations where they can fulfill their full potential.
Jake Majka is a web contributor for Trainwreck Sports and the co-host of Happy Hour Hoops.