Harden joins the Lakers, Zion leaves for Toronto, and the American media posts five potential trades for the summer of 2024

A Xiongkan basketball

2024-06-22 17:20Published in Guangdong

The NBA offseason has already begun, and the Thunder fired the first shot of the 2024 offseason trade by sending Josh Giddey to Caruso, who once played for them.

This summer, there will be a number of blockbuster deals that could change the league's landscape. The American media "Fadeaway World" posted five potential blockbuster transactions in the summer of 2024, which may change the pattern of the east and west of the league.

1. Los Angeles derby reciprocal trade, James Harden joins the Lakers

Clippers send: James Harden, Amir Coffey

Lakers sent: D'Angelo Russell, Reaves

James Harden averaged 16.6 points, 5.1 rebounds and 8.5 assists per game in the 2023-24 season. Considering that he is 34 years old, this makes him a very popular player among free agents, unlike in the past. As Paul George said, because of past grievances with the 76ers, James Harden's value in the free agent market is much less than before.

The Clippers may offer him a three-year, $60 million contract, and if he is not willing to accept it, he will have to negotiate a deal and send him away. The Lakers traded Reaves and D'Angelo Russell for James Harden, which looked a bit of a loss. After all, D'Angelo Russell averaged 18 points per game and Reeves averaged 15 points per game.

2. The Hawks 2-for-1 to take Lillard

Bucks send: Lillard

Hawks sent: Trae Young, 2025 first-round pick (Kings)

Lillard averaged 24.3 points, 4.4 rebounds and 7.0 assists per game during the 2023-24 season with the Bucks. Unfortunately, he was injured and he was unable to lead the Bucks far in the playoffs this season. His cooperation with Brother Alphabet was not as good as he imagined.

The Bucks traded 1 for 2 and took Trae Young and a high draft pick, which can be said to be a sure win. After all, Trae Young is one of the youngest and best defenders on the active roster. In the 2023-24 season, Trae Young averaged 25.7 points, 2.8 rebounds and 10.8 assists per game. For the Bucks, the most important thing is to get rid of Lillard's big contract and reduce expenses, because the contract of Antetokounmpo and Lillard does not look like it will help the team get better in the future.

3. The Raptors 4 for 1 to win Zion

Pelican Send: Zion

Knicks sent: Quickley, RJ Barrett, 19th pick in 2024, 2026 first-round pick

The management of the New Orleans Pelicans is still very dissatisfied with Zion. Because of potential injuries, there is also the threat of a big contract from management. The 2023-24 season, which averaged 22.9 points, 5.8 rebounds and 5.0 assists per game, and failed to help the Pelicans go far, are all important reasons why the team may refuse to give Zion a bigger contract in the future and trade him away.

The Pelicans traded him for young players like Quickley and RJ Barrett, as well as some draft picks, and they definitely won't lose money. Quickley averaged 17.0 points, 3.8 rebounds and 4.9 assists per game in the 2023-24 season. R.J. Barrett is averaging 20.2 points, 5.4 rebounds and 3.3 assists per game.

The Pelicans have that kind of leverage and can rebuild quickly in a single season. Moreover, they could also trade Ingram away, after all, he is next eligible for a big contract with a maximum salary of at least $50 million a year. Selling Zion and Ingram is what they are doing offseason.

4. The Philadelphia 76ers exchanged 2 for 1 and won Donovan Mitchell

Cavaliers sent: Donovan Mitchell

76ers sent: Hield, 16th overall pick in 2024

The 76ers' wishful thinking is really loud, and Donovan Mitchell's current ability to lead the team can be replaced by Embiid. Just a role player shooter like Hield, plus a 16th draft pick this year, want to send the Cavaliers? Don't forget, the Cavaliers paid Markkanen and some great players and draft picks in order to get Donovan Mitchell.

For the 76ers to acquire Donovan Mitchell, they need to send at least 4-5 first-round picks. In the 2023-24 season, Donovan Mitchell averaged 26.6 points, 5.1 rebounds and 6.1 assists per game. Coupled with today's ability to lead the team, it is definitely not something that the 76ers can dismiss.

5. Thunder 6 for 1, take the Timberwolves' Towns

Timberwolves sent: Towns

Thunder sent: Jalen Williams, Dort, Kenrich Williams, 12th pick in 2024, 2025 first-round pick (Rockets), 2025 first-round pick (Jazz)

In the 2023-24 season, Towns averaged 21 points, eight rebounds and three assists per game. The annual salary next season is not low, you must know that the Thunder's first trade in the offseason to send away Josh Giddey was because the other party asked for a big contract.

With Downs' ability, it can indeed relieve the pressure on their interior offense and defense, and Downs and Holmgren are both all-round centers. However, Holmgren's interior confrontation ability is too poor, and if they win Downs, their interior offensive and defensive threats will directly improve a notch.

Of course, the Timberwolves made it to the Western Conference Finals last season, and they don't seem to want to give up their current roster easily. They need to avoid more luxury taxes, potentially giving up some high-paid role players and letting the three cores, led by Towns, Edwards and Gobert, stay with the team.

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