One Trade Deadline Deal to Help Each Team in the Northwest Division Move Forward
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The trade deadline approaches and teams have decisions to make. What should your team do in order to find sucess?
DENVER NUGGETS
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Need: A 3-and-D archetype to bring off the bench
The Denver Nuggets have hit their stride as of late, with Nikola Jokić and Jamal Murray playing at All-Star levels, but even though they’ve been winning games, they are missing the punch off the bench they had last year. They have tried to replace what they lost in Bruce Brown with rookies Julian Strawther and Jalen Pickett, as well as second year wing Peyton Watson, but none of them have brought the same energy as Brown did last year, particularly in the playoffs. The Nuggets are not a team who consistently makes moves at the trade deadline, but the last major move they did make at this time in the year(trading for Aaron Gordon in 2021) worked out well in their favor, so they could decide to make a similarly conservative move as they chase back-to-back championships.
Proposed Trade:
Nuggets Receive: Brooklyn Nets F Royce O’Neale
Nets Receive: Nuggets G Julian Strawther, 2024 2nd Round Draft Pick
Prediction:
The Nuggets make a small trade for a wing, but don’t compromise any major pieces to make it happen.
Minnesota Timberwolves
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Need: A point guard off the bench to relieve Mike Conley and Anthony Edwards
The Timberwolves have been one of the best defensive teams in the NBA all season but are balanced offensively thanks to exceptional play by Mike Conley. He provides a veteran presence and runs the offense calmly, developing an effective two-man game with Rudy Gobert. When he goes to the bench however, the offense run by Anthony Edwards can hit hiccups and inconsistency. The Wolves are one of those “one piece away” teams and could very likely find that piece at the deadline in a point guard to run things and put the team’s stars in positions to continue doing what they do well.
Proposed Trade:
Timberwolves Receive: Washington Wizards G Delon Wright
Wizards Receive: Timberwolves G Shake Milton, F Troy Brown Jr., 2025 2nd Round Draft Pick
Prediction:
The Timberwolves hunt for a backup point guard and acquire one before the deadline, without giving up too much of their bench production in the process.
Oklahoma City Thunder
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The Thunder are, and will continue to be, at a crossroads with their roster. They have been the biggest surprise of the NBA so far, spearheaded by an MVP-caliber season from Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and a spectacular rookie season by Chet Holmgren. The Thunder are in position to be contenders for the next decade, but many are pushing the Thunder to consolidate some of their draft picks to get someone who can help their team now. The Thunder are not known for making big deals at the deadline, but general manager Sam Presti is notorious for his unpredictability, both in the draft and in the trade market.
Proposed Trade:
Thunder Receive: Brooklyn Nets F Dorian Finney-Smith
Nets Receive: Thunder F Kenrich Williams, F Aleksej Pokusevski, F Ousmane Dieng and 2025 2nd round Draft Pick
Prediction:
The Thunder don’t make any moves at the deadline and continue to let their young core develop.
Portland Trail Blazers
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Portland’s season has been what a lot of fans were expecting after trading franchise great Damian Lillard to the Milwaukee Bucks in the offseason, but there have been bright spots, highlighted by promising development from rookie guard Scoot Henderson. It is clear that the Blazers have moved in the direction of a rebuild, but contracts like Jerami Grant’s make it difficult for the team to fully commit to starting over. That being said, the Blazers should be shopping almost the entire roster to see if they can compile future assets down the road.
Proposed Trade:
Portland Trail Blazers Receive: New Orleans Pelicans F Larry Nance Jr., F Jonas Valanciunas, 2026 1st Round Draft Pick
New Orleans Pelicans Receive: Trail Blazers G Malcolm Brogdon
Prediction:
The Blazers send out veterans Malcolm Brogdon and Matisse Thybulle to contending teams, but don’t receive as many future assets as they hope for.
Utah Jazz
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After a surprising season last year, the Jazz have fallen back down to earth this year and have struggled with turnovers and sporadic play, especially from their guards. Danny Ainge always wants to win and be competitive, but in a contested Western Conference, some consideration for the future is needed and might serve the team well as they move forward. The team is still led by F Lauri Markannen, but they have players on different timelines, and it might be worth exploring restructuring things to be better suited for the future.
Proposed Trade:
Utah Jazz Receive: Miami Heat G Duncan Robinson, F Kevin Love, G Josh Richardson, 2026 1st Round Draft Pick
Prediction:
The Jazz move Jordan Clarkson to a contender and Danny Ainge does what he does best; reaping draft picks and stockpiling them for the future while staying competitive in the here and now.
