25 Dec

Bulls predicted to finally cut ties with $215.2 million star via Clippers trade

However, according to a new report from Fadeaway World’s Eddie Bitar, the Clippers might bite on a LaVine trade this winter. Bitar proposed a package for LaVine comprised of Norman Powell, P.J. Tucker, Terance Mann, and Amir Coffey.

“Zach LaVine is undoubtedly a high-impact player, but the financial and logistical challenges surrounding a potential trade make him an unrealistic target for the Clippers,” Bitar said.

“LaVine is averaging 21.7 points, 4.4 rebounds, and 4.2 assists per game this season, showcasing his ability to score at all three levels.”

“The problem, however, lies in the financial implications of acquiring LaVine. With LaVine on a maximum contract and the Clippers already deep into the luxury tax, fitting his salary onto the roster would require significant sacrifices. The proposed trade package lacks the star power or draft capital to entice the Bulls, especially since Chicago is likely to demand a younger cornerstone or multiple first-round picks in return.”

“Moreover, Powell’s strong play this season, where he’s averaging 23.2 points on over 47% three-point shooting, makes it difficult to justify moving him unless the Clippers are getting a surefire superstar. While LaVine is an attractive target, the combination of financial hurdles and Chicago’s high asking price makes this scenario highly improbable.”

LaVine is in year three of a five-year, $215.2 million contract.

25 Dec

Lakers surprisingly predicted to land $146.4 million Heat superstar

“The Los Angeles Lakers are seemingly on their last legs as contenders, at least until the next great star manifests their way into Purple and Gold,” Ciavolella said.

“Still, amidst incredibly odd rumors that LeBron might force his way to Golden State, the Lakers have the opportunity to put one last title push together, and the acquisition of Jimmy Butler would go a long way to that end.”

“The Lakers have little in terms of draft capital, and their young talent is likely to be held onto dearly, but they have serviceable role players who, in combination with their limited draft assets, could be enough to entice Miami.”

“The offer: D’Angelo Russell, Rui Hachimura, Austin Reaves, an unprotected 2029 first-round pick.”

“Miami comes out of this deal looking fine. … The Heat need a lead guard, and while unending conversations could be had about the inefficiencies of Russell, he would be an upgrade over Terry Rozier.”

“Similarly, Rui Hachimura would provide an upgrade over Haywood Highsmith. Miami wouldn’t receive a player close to Butler in the deal, but they could perhaps recreate him in the aggregate, all while maintaining three tradeable contracts moving forward.”

“The issue for Los Angeles is that they would lose three starters, who are also their third, fourth, and fifth scorers. If LA could incorporate Gabe Vincent into the deal over, say, Austin Reaves, that would instantly change the grade.”

“As helpful as Butler would be in elevating the team’s ceiling, their floor would fall out from underneath them. It would be difficult to imagine a team based on three players with spotty attendance would make for a true contender after sacrificing any and all depth.”

Should the Lakers go all-in on a Butler trade, or would doing so deplete their roster to a harmful degree?

25 Dec

Mavs predicted to trade ‘army of role players’ to Heat for superstar wing

“Dallas is set to pay both Luka Doncic and Kyrie Irving within the next two seasons,” Ciavolella said.

“While those two decisions will be virtual no-brainers, the decision to tie another large excess of funds into Butler is not so easy.”

Ciavolella then proceeded to lay out a trade proposal while acknowledging that its specific parameters are not possible due to the Mavs being hard-capped at the first apron.

“This doesn’t mean a trade is impossible, just that the proposed trade is,” Ciavolella said.

“But, we’ll forgive that, and focus on the value changing hands instead. The offer: Klay Thompson, Maxi Kleber, Quentin Grimes, one of Daniel Gafford or P.J. Washington, a future pick swap.”

“Looking at the offer, the Heat … receive an army of role players for a star.”

“In Miami’s case, Klay Thompson is fine for the team’s timeline but doesn’t extend it by any means. Meanwhile, the inclusion of either Daniel Gafford or P.J. Washington holds tremendous weight for both sides.”

“Gafford is a fantastic player, thriving since arriving in Dallas.”

“The issues for Dallas continue to manifest in that they would be moving three players while only replacing one. That loss of depth is not easily replaced this late in the season, aside from the buyout market, which is more often than not romanticized.”

25 Dec

Warriors predicted to snag ‘perfect fit’ former No. 30 overall pick from Heat

That’s why bringing in Jimmy Butler would make a ton of sense, as alluded to by Hoops Habit’s Zach Ciavolella in a new report on Saturday.

“While Butler’s preferred team appears to be in Texas, according to reporting, or Phoenix, according to Butler’s hair, the Warriors arguably make the most sense of every potential suitor,” Ciavolella said.

“Unable to come to an agreement on a rookie-scale extension for Jonathan Kuminga, the writing on the wall suggests that the young forward may be on the move ahead of the trade deadline.”

“After parting ways with longtime Splash Brother Klay Thompson this summer, the Warriors are in dire need of adding veteran talent alongside Steph Curry in hopes of pursuing a fifth, and potentially final, championship of Curry’s window.”

“To that point, Butler remains a strong postseason performer, one who impacts the game on both sides. Alongside Curry, Draymond Green, and shooters Buddy Hield, Brandin Podziemski, and Moses Moody, Butler could slide right in as the perfect fit.”

“The offer: Andrew Wiggins, De’Anthony Melton, Jonathan Kuminga, Lindy Waters III, a 2028 second-round pick via Atlanta.”

“Losing Kuminga’s and Wiggins’s production would hurt Golden State, but Butler would give Golden State a sorely needed secondary shot creator.”

“Miami meanwhile adds an intriguing young player at a position of need in Kuminga in addition to a reliable wing in Wiggins. The Heat would have no true star, but that fits the “Heat Culture” if nothing else.”

“Kuminga, 22, is still young enough to develop into a star for the Heat and would have more runway to grow in Miami instead of Golden State.”

Butler, 35, was selected with the No. 30 pick in the Chicago Bulls. He’s a six-time All-Star.

25 Dec

Bucks swap Damian Lillard for Lakers’ $101.3 million star in absurd trade proposal

Fadeaway World suggests that the Bucks engage with the Los Angeles Lakers on a deal that would send Damian Lillard to Hollywood for LeBron James.

The four-time MVP and Antetokounmpo are both ball-dominant players and play similar styles.

However, with James seeing some decline in his game on the cusp of his 40th birthday, he might not mind deferring as much, especially during the regular season, to help keep him sharp for the most important games of the season.

Antetokounmpo will continue to drive the ball at a high rate and dominate inside, but adding James would allow the two-time MVP to primarily focus on scoring the ball and not have to worry about setting the table for his other teammates to get involved.

James could focus on maximizing the best of all of his teammates, setting Brook Lopez up for clean looks from three-point range and getting Khris Middleton the ball in his preferred spots at all three levels.

The four-time NBA champion can also run the pick-and-roll to perfection with Antetokounmpo, which would force opposing teams to throw their biggest defenders onto the powerful duo because both of them stand at least 6-foot-9. That would open up driving lanes and the paint for both of them to dominate inside.

This trade could also help the Lakers maximize Anthony Davis’ prime and extend their championship window a few years since Lillard is closer in age to him.

25 Dec

Timberwolves predicted to trade for 23-point-per-game, 6’9 star to play as Anthony Edwards’ running mate

Fadeaway World suggests that LeBron James could be a gamble worth taking for the Timberwolves given his championship pedigree.

Trade Offer For James: Randle, DiVincenzo, Nickeil Alexander-Walker, 2025 Second-Round Pick (UTA), 2026 Second-Round Pick (UTA), 2029 Second-Round Pick (MIN)

Though it’s worth noting Minnesota can’t aggregate salaries in trades since they’re a second-apron team, this trade could make sense for the Timberwolves from a basketball standpoint.

Randle’s iso-heavy style of play isn’t necessarily the best fit next to Edwards, who also likes to operate in isolation. Not to mention, the two-time All-NBA forward doesn’t bring the same type of three-point shooting as Towns, nor the floor spacing that would be helpful on a team with Rudy Gobert patrolling the paint.

James is rapidly approaching his 40th birthday and has seen a considerable decline in his game.

However, moving to a team that has a bonafide shot creator in Edwards and rim-protecting big in Gobert would allow James to settle in, pick his spots to dominate, and primarily focus his energies on orchestrating the offense and bringing the best out of his teammates.

The four-time MVP is months removed from leading Team USA to a gold medal, proving he can still get it done on the world’s biggest stage. At James’ advanced age, though, he just needs a little bit more help getting through the regular season.

But once James reaches the postseason, expect him to go all out to win another championship.