With a free agency just three days away, HoopsHype’s salary cap expert Yossi Gozlan came up with several trades that he would like to share.
Dejounte Murray to the pelicans
Dejounte Murray may not be actively available, but may be available at the right price. Per Jake Fischer“a Jrue Vacation-ish deal, three first-round picks’-type pack may be enough to get the Spurs interested.
TRADE IDEA
Murray to New Orleans Pelicans for the Pelicans (or Lakers through right-of-swap) 2023 first-round pick, Lakers unprotected 2024 first-round pick (may be delayed until 2025), Buck’s unprotected 2027 first-round pick, Devonte Graham† Garrett Temple† Jaxson Hayesand Kira Lewis†
Many teams can offer so many first-round picks, but very few teams have multiple first-round picks from other teams. Enter the Pelicans, who still have multiple first-round picks from the trade Anthony Davis and vacation. They could cash in the rest of their chips for a player like Murray to round out their defense.
In reality, the Spurs would probably also attract talented young players under team control such as Herb Jones† Trey Murphy IIIand Jose Alvarado† But the pelicans are about to compete with Zion Williamson return this season. They have to do everything they can to keep their core players and make a heavy offer.
The Pelicans are likely to become taxpayers in the near future, but this particular framework allows them to fill out the rest of the roster and avoid it this season. This includes using the $10.3 million mid-level exemption for non-taxpayers on veteran assistance. They would also generate two trade exceptions worth $11.6 million and $4 million in this deal.
In addition to the first-round picks, the Spurs will face previous first-round picks in Hayes and Lewis Jr. The Spurs are also taking out some unwanted money in Graham and Temple and using much of their cap space to make this deal work. They would have a major roster crisis to deal with afterward, but they would also have about $18 million in cap space left over.
Nerlens Noel to the nets
(AP Photo/Seth Wenig)
The Knicks are said to be all in on the pursuit Jalen Brunson in free office. They are currently expected to generate $16 million in cap space after offloading Kemba Walker and Ousmane Dieng† They will have to create a little more cap space to offer Brunson a $20-25 million-per-year contract.
TRADE IDEA
Nerlens Noël and the Pistons 2023 first-round pick (heavily protected through 2027) to the Brooklyn Nets for cap space.
By discharging Noel, the Knicks could generate $24.5 million while retaining Mitchell Robinson’keep s cap. This would allow them to offer Brunson up to a $105 million four-year contract, while after that they could go over the limit to re-sign Robinson. New York would have two additional first-round picks left from the Dieng trade, despite giving up the Pistons pick.
Noel would be a solid backup center option for the Nets and good insurance in case they don’t return Nicolas Claxton or Andre Drummond† This could also allow the Nets to prioritize using their $6.4 million mid-level taxpayer exemption for wingers.
Noel’s $9.2 Million Salary Fits Brooklyn’s $11.3 Million James Harden trade exception so they don’t have to send players back. Acquiring Noel in that scenario, however, would increase their luxury tax payment by nearly $30 million. The tax implications are what an asset like a first round would require from the Knicks for the Nets to help them.
Malcolm Brogdon to the Mavericks
Erik Williams-USA TODAY Sports
The Mavericks will likely look for another guard if they lose Brunson, whose return will pay their luxury tax with a whopping $130 million† While the loss of Brunson would hurt, they could remain just as competitive and cost-effective if they could trade one of their existing contracts for a new guard.
TRADE IDEA
Malcolm Brogdon and Goga Bitadze to the Mavericks for Tim Hardaway Jr.† Dwight Powelland a lottery-protected 2025 first-round pick (first available draft).
Hardaway Jr. changing to Brogdon rather than re-signing Brunson would significantly curb Dallas’ tax payment and potentially allow them to avoid it entirely. This means they are taking advantage of the $6.4 million taxpayer MLE, part of which could go to the second round Jaden Hardy to give him a contract of at least three years. They would also generate a $11.1 million trade exception in this deal.
Brogdon’s name has been one of the hottest in trade rumours, with Adrian Wojnarowski going so far as to say that it will probably be moved† With the Knicks possibly targeting Brunson and the Wizards looking at options like Tyus Jones, the interest in Brogdon may not be as strong as it seemed. If taking some unwanted money gets them a first round pick for him, it might be worth it.
Kyrie Irving to the Lakers
Kim Klement-US TODAY Sports
It seems Kyrie Irving might insist on a trade to the Lakersmaybe because they might be the only team that might be willing to pay him a maximum contract. If the Lakers trade whatever assets they have left before him, he may have enough leverage to demand maximum dollars and years on his next deal.
TRADE IDEA
Lakers receive Irving, Derrick favors† JaMychal Green† Ty Jeromeand Vit Krecjic
Receive thunder Russell Westbrook and the Lakers unprotected 2029 first-round pick
nets received Austin Reavesthe Lakers unprotected first round in 2027, generating a $35.3 million trade exception.
This framework is inspired by: The frame of Eric Pincus about a deal between these teams that would send Irving to the Lakers. This deal is due to close by June 30, while the Thunder still have access to their $23.4 million in cap space.
Oklahoma City would have to send another $20.8 million to fit Westbrook into their cap space. Sending favors and greenery makes sure they are there most of the time. The remaining $2.8 million comes in the form of Jerome and Krecji, who fit well into the trade exceptions the Lakers own. They also get a distant unprotected first round pick for their effort, and would presumably buy out Westbrook.
By trading Westbrook and Reaves, the Lakers can take back Irving, Favors and Green, while taking into account Irving’s 15 percent trading bonus, which would increase his salaries by $2.7 million each in 2021-22 and 2022-23. The Lakers’ luxury tax payment could reach $80 million after completing the rest of the roster if they also use the $6.4 million MLE.
It’s hard to value a disgruntled All-Star who has voluntarily sacrificed money in the past by not playing. That said, given the circumstances, getting a first round pick and huge trade exception could be enough to speed up a rebuild. What do they get for? Kevin Durant after that could give them enough assets to get ahead.
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