With the season winding down and the NBA Draft right around the corner the hype surrounding the offseason is starting to pick up with a lot of talk about what is to come. Kevin Durant’s pending free agency will remain the biggest topic until he commits to his future and one of the most intriguing storylines of late is the potential for him to be involved in a sign-and-trade. Durant isn’t the only big name that could be on the move this offseason either. Here is a look at four potential trades that could change the NBA landscape.
Kevin Durant Traded By The Oklahoma City Thunder
Durant’s potential exit from the Oklahoma City Thunder would provide a major shake up regardless of whether he moves via free agency or a trade. The former MVP has talked about Oklahoma City being home but the Thunder are coming off another disappointing playoff exit and there will be no shortage of suitors lining up for the opportunity to acquire Durant. Any team that Durant joins will become an instant contender and it would be absolutely insane if the Golden State Warriors were somehow able to get their hands on him. Durant could do whatever he wants this summer and it will drastically change the NBA landscape if he goes anywhere but back to Oklahoma City.
Jimmy Butler Traded To Boston Celtics
The Boston Celtics have tried desperately to acquire a superstar player over the past three years and have missed out with every single attempt they have made. Boston will undoubtedly be in the mix for Durant this summer but if they miss out on K.D. they will still have a couple of other opportunities. One other option is making a substantial trade to acquire Jimmy Butler from the Chicago Bulls on the heels of a season in which there were plenty of rumors about him being unhappy in the Windy city. The Celtics could offer Chicago a package of picks and some veteran role players as they have a decent roster as well as both the No. 3 and No. 16 picks in this year’s NBA Draft. After years of trying to get a star and missing out, basketball fans in Boston will be thrilled about landing Butler from the Bulls.
Paul George Traded To Cleveland Cavaliers
The Big Three experiment in Cleveland appears to be on track for another NBA Finals disappointment and it could be time to pull the plug on the trio of LeBron James, Kevin Love and Kyrie Irving. The Cavaliers will need LeBron to remain in Cleveland but they could opt to go a different route with how they build the team around him. The most obvious change would be to move Love, who simply hasn’t been a smooth fit in Cleveland. And the Cavaliers already have a power forward under a max contract with Tristan Thompson.
George would be a perfect fit as a veteran wing that can play multiple positions including the four with no major weaknesses. George’s length and defensive ability would be a major addition and he has experience playing with LeBron from their time together with the USMNT. There are a number of teams that will push hard for George via the trade route this offseason and the Cavaliers might be smart to move a player like Love along with some picks in order to try to acquire the veteran forward and solidify their status as a contender.
Derrick Favors, Gordon Hayward To Los Angeles Lakers
The Los Angeles Lakers will be in on the George sweepstakes as well this offseason but the more likely trade scenario has them acquiring a package of players from the Utah Jazz. Lakers G.M. Mitch Kupchak has talked openly about his desire to add some veterans and they could find a quality trade partner in Utah. The Jazz would be willing to part with a couple of quality veterans if the price is right and Los Angeles could be willing to move one of its young players like Julius Randle or D’Angelo Russell in order to facilitate a deal. The Lakers will reportedly push hard to expedite their rebuild this offseason so look for them to pursue a substantial trade in order to shake things up.
Favors and Hayward to the Lakers has been all over the internet for about a week and it it absolutely ridiculous! The Jazz GM has openly stated that they are done rebuilding, and are more interested in veterans to strengthen their bench. Trading away two potential all-stars for unproven rookies like DeAngelo Russell and Julius Randle is just stupid, and the Jazz wouldn’t even consider it. Geoff Harvey, you have lost all credibility.