2025 Off-Season Trade Ideas Thread

[HadAnEffectHere]

Yeah, Lauri has nowhere close to this value.

He had a BPM of -0.3 last year and a troubling back injury and is now on a max contract. He needs to have an elite stretch of 20+ games to restore value. He played like an MLE player last year and is getting paid more than 3x that.

 

[fishonjazz]

Here’s one I’ve been kicking around in my head for the past week or so. Three team trade - Jazz, Spurs, Bucks
View attachment 18746
Spurs get Lauri Markkanen and the draft rights to Gabriele Procida.

Bucks get Collin Sexton, Harrison Barnes, Jordan Clarkson and Julian Champagnie.

Jazz get Damian Lillard, Keldon Johnson and more draft capital. From the Spurs, the Jazz move up from 2 to 5, and get 14 (they keep 21.) They also move up from 53 to 38 and get their 2026 2nd round pick back. From the Bucks, they get pick swaps in 2030 (after Portland) and 2031 (top 1 protected).

Jazz draft Dylan Harper, Carter Bryant, Hansen Yang and a couple draft and stash or 2-way players at 38 & 43. Spurs get Lauri (for the value of two first round picks and two 2nd round picks) and still draft one of TreVJKon. Bucks get 4 rotation players to replace Lillard this year at essentially the same salary and at potentially no cost (depending on how the swaps turn out.)

Pretty good trade. Spurs would be a top 6 team in the west and on their way to contention. Bucks get Giannis more help and a deeper team to make another run. Jazz get good rebuild pieces and likely another top 5 pick next year.

 

[Jaanipoeg]

Here’s one I’ve been kicking around in my head for the past week or so. Three team trade - Jazz, Spurs, Bucks
View attachment 18746
Spurs get Lauri Markkanen and the draft rights to Gabriele Procida.

Bucks get Collin Sexton, Harrison Barnes, Jordan Clarkson and Julian Champagnie.

Jazz get Damian Lillard, Keldon Johnson and more draft capital. From the Spurs, the Jazz move up from 2 to 5, and get 14 (they keep 21.) They also move up from 53 to 38 and get their 2026 2nd round pick back. From the Bucks, they get pick swaps in 2030 (after Portland) and 2031 (top 1 protected).

Jazz draft Dylan Harper, Carter Bryant, Hansen Yang and a couple draft and stash or 2-way players at 38 & 43. Spurs get Lauri (for the value of two first round picks and two 2nd round picks) and still draft one of TreVJKon. Bucks get 4 rotation players to replace Lillard this year at essentially the same salary and at potentially no cost (depending on how the swaps turn out.)

The Bucks are the hardest one up gauge for me, it all comes down to how much it would take to convince Giannis that he can win there. I really think Giannis would prefer to win in Milwaukee, but he wants to win first and foremost.

I personally couldn't be sold that Collin Sexton as his second best player next year, with Barnes and Kuzma and an old Lopez is enough. But if management is able to, and it gets us to #2 and management loves Harper then I'd be down

 

[gomretat]

The idea of Damian coming to Utah makes zero sense to me from both a Jazz perspective or a Dame perspective.

 

[HadAnEffectHere]

The idea of Damian coming to Utah makes zero sense to me from both a Jazz perspective or a Dame perspective.

His career is over and he would just be a salary dump.

 

[gomretat]

His career is over and he would just be a salary dump.

That is not what he is saying. He has been clear that he will not end his career this way and still wants to compete for a title. Not sure that is a reality but his intent is clear.

 

[Coach Ellis]

That is not what he is saying. He has been clear that he will not end his career this way and still wants to compete for a title. Not sure that is a reality but his intent is clear.

I just don’t think he’s going to have much of a say in what happens with him over the next year. He just doesn’t have much leverage with that injury. If I’m the Jazz, I make the trade, let him rehab and heal completely, mentor Harper for a year and then offer to trade him to a contending team of his choice that will actually give the Jazz any positive assets. If there’s no deal to be had, I let him play and either trade him at the deadline (earlier if possible) or I just let him expire and choose his next team in free agency.

 

[Coach Ellis]

The Bucks are the hardest one up gauge for me, it all comes down to how much it would take to convince Giannis that he can win there. I really think Giannis would prefer to win in Milwaukee, but he wants to win first and foremost.

I personally couldn't be sold that Collin Sexton as his second best player next year, with Barnes and Kuzma and an old Lopez is enough. But if management is able to, and it gets us to #2 and management loves Harper then I'd be down

Yeah, I get that. . . but with or without Giannis, the Bucks don’t control their own picks for like 5 years. Dame won’t play next year, and getting some guys who can actually help immediately - for essentially nothing - should be a good deal for them. Also, they can start spinning those guys off for additional assets if they want to. I just think it’s a no lose deal that gives them a lot more flexibility.

 

[HadAnEffectHere]

That is not what he is saying. He has been clear that he will not end his career this way and still wants to compete for a title. Not sure that is a reality but his intent is clear.

He's out for next season and he'll be returning as a 36 year old PG coming off an Achilles.

If he's really healthy two seasons from now, the Jazz will trade him to a contender.

 

[jazznik]

Almost all these trades are just an exercise in "how can we get a top 3 pick for peanuts"?

 

[gomretat]

He's out for next season and he'll be returning as a 36 year old PG coming off an Achilles.

If he's really healthy two seasons from now, the Jazz will trade him to a contender.

That is all obviously true, and it still makes zero sense for the Jazz to trade for him.

 

[Handlogten's Heros]

That is all true, and it still makes zero sense for the Jazz to trade for him.

It makes a ton of sense. He takes a gap year to recover. We get assets to take him. We aren't trying to win next year so he helps with that. If he's healthy you can move him the following year. If he's not healthy he is recovering and maybe closing out his career in a place he likes. No contender can have that albatross contract in this CBA. It really does not matter what Dame says about not going out like that... His body will determine how he goes out. If he is dead salary we can use his expiring for a bigger trade if we want. In the meantime he can recover and help mentor our young players.

 

[Elizah Huge]

I just sent Locke a message. Dude needs to brush up his knowledge around the edges. He keeps saying Lauri isn’t trade eligible until August. He was trade eligible as of February 7th.

 

[Handlogten's Heros]

I just sent Locke a message. Dude needs to brush up his knowledge around the edges. He keeps saying Lauri isn’t trade eligible until August. He was trade eligible as of February 7th.

He is one of the worst when it comes to trades and the CBA rules... like it makes me cringe sometimes.

 

[Saint Cy of JFC]

On the surface the Mavs are ideal trade partners with the Jazz for Collin Sexton

Mavs can't waste any of AD's time. Kyrie will be out for the full season probably. They have no PG on the roster.

Would they do PJ+ filler (OMax and Powell makes the money work) for Sexton.

They can't afford to keep PJ past this season (he is expiring) and he has suddenly become redundant with the addition of Flagg.

Jazz get a rental on PJ to see if they like him as well as getting a look at OMax. Max's stats haven't been great, but he has solid advanced numbers and is a defensive prospect.

Wish the Mavs had better salary matching and some draft assets to trade for. Since Sexton is an expiring, can't really ask for a first back when you are getting a quality player in return.

 

[KqWIN]

On the surface the Mavs are ideal trade partners with the Jazz for Collin Sexton

Mavs can't waste any of AD's time. Kyrie will be out for the full season probably. They have no PG on the roster.

Would they do PJ+ filler (OMax and Powell makes the money work) for Sexton.

They can't afford to keep PJ past this season (he is expiring) and he has suddenly become redundant with the addition of Flagg.

Jazz get a rental on PJ to see if they like him as well as getting a look at OMax. Max's stats haven't been great, but he has solid advanced numbers and is a defensive prospect.

I actually think the guy to target there is Gafford. McMahon has already reported that he wants to get paid. Nico cut bait quickly with Grimes because he was afraid to pay him, so he might do the same with Gafford. I know AD does not want to play C at all, but it's a heavy investment to have two C's when they should really be thinking about running some AD+Flagg at the 5 and 4 lineups in the playoffs. I like the option of going to Lively at the 5 or going smaller with AD+Flagg+PJ in the front court.

The trade I mentioned before is:

Gafford -> LAL
Sexton -> DAL
Vando+Picks from LAL -> UTA

Ironically, these would be the same teams involved in the Luka deal.

 

[gomretat]

It makes a ton of sense. He takes a gap year to recover. We get assets to take him. We aren't trying to win next year so he helps with that. If he's healthy you can move him the following year. If he's not healthy he is recovering and maybe closing out his career in a place he likes. No contender can have that albatross contract in this CBA. It really does not matter what Dame says about not going out like that... His body will determine how he goes out. If he is dead salary we can use his expiring for a bigger trade if we want. In the meantime he can recover and help mentor our young players.

You are assuming that moving him when and IF he gets healthy is easy. I think that is a huge leap and hand cuffs you on all kind of other options because of his salary. We cant even move Clarkson or Collins and you think moving a questionable Dame is easy? Huge risk with the only payback is more "assets" in form of questionable draft picks.

 

[Handlogten's Heros]

On the surface the Mavs are ideal trade partners with the Jazz for Collin Sexton

Mavs can't waste any of AD's time. Kyrie will be out for the full season probably. They have no PG on the roster.

Would they do PJ+ filler (OMax and Powell makes the money work) for Sexton.

They can't afford to keep PJ past this season (he is expiring) and he has suddenly become redundant with the addition of Flagg.

Jazz get a rental on PJ to see if they like him as well as getting a look at OMax. Max's stats haven't been great, but he has solid advanced numbers and is a defensive prospect.

Wish the Mavs had better salary matching and some draft assets to trade for. Since Sexton is an expiring, can't really ask for a first back when you are getting a quality player in return.

PJ and Gafford are both trade candidates imo. I tried to loop them into a phoenix deal with KD going to Miami... and Sexton going to Dallas... PJ/Gafford go to phoenix with other stuff... we end up with some asset from the Heat or Phx or Dal

 

[Handlogten's Heros]

I actually think the guy to target there is Gafford. McMahon has already reported that he wants to get paid. Nico cut bait quickly with Grimes because he was afraid to pay him, so he might do the same with Gafford. I know AD does not want to play C at all, but it's a heavy investment to have two C's when they should really be thinking about running some AD+Flagg at the 5 and 4 lineups in the playoffs. I like the option of going to Lively at the 5 or going smaller with AD+Flagg+PJ in the front court.

The trade I mentioned before is:

Gafford -> LAL
Sexton -> DAL
Vando+Picks from LAL -> UTA

Ironically, these would be the same teams involved in the Luka deal.

Nico can't do another deal with the Lakers... he just can't.

 

[KqWIN]

Nico can't do another deal with the Lakers... he just can't.

He also couldn't trade Luka lol. I think you're right, but I think this actually does make a lot of sense. Maybe we can send Gafford to another location. I don't think Nico will want to pay him.