When I first started doing NBA content, I did it on an Instagram page called FTNBA, short for fake trades NBA. Making fake trades has always been one of my favorite things to do so I decided to write a blog doing just that but first reaction to Terry Rozier to Miami and the Bucks firing Adrian Griffin.
Heat acquire Terry Rozier
I like this move for both sides. First for Miami, they desperately needed a guard who could put the ball in the basket and Rozier can provide that for them. Scary Terry was having his best NBA season with the Hornets, averaging career highs in points per game (23.2), assists per game (6.6), and field goal percentage (46%) before the trade. He should fit well with Miami and is under contract through 2026 so he can be there long term as the Heat try and get back to the NBA Finals. His toughness will also be a great fit with Heat Culture. The Hornets may have undervalued Rozier but I don’t think they did. Getting a first round pick and expiring salary for Rozier is a good job at making sure they have cap space to add to their team likely via trade either now or in free agency. I do not expect Kyle Lowry to play for Charlotte.
Bucks fire Adrian Griffin and hire Doc Rivers as Head Coach
Woah. This sort of came out of left field just 43 games into Adrian Griffin tenure as Bucks head coach. Yet, it is not all that surprising considering the side eye Giannis gave him a few times. The Bucks did not think Griffin could guide them to a championship so they pulled the plug quickly, good for them. They are now hiring Doc Rivers to be the next coach but I do not want to do the Doc Rivers thing again so I’m not going too. I am just going to say we all know Doc Rivers’ recent track record. Now for the fake trades…
The Bulls trade Zach LaVine to the Hornets for Gordon Hayward, Cody Martin, and a 2027 second round pick.
Why the Hornets do it: The Hornets can’t sign a star in free agency and cap space really is not that valuable unless you are pursuing a star so why not go get a 2-time All-Star to play with LaMelo Ball and Brandon Miller. LaVine is having a down season and has missed a lot of games but I just think this is the kind of deal that a team like Charlotte has to make, should it become available.
Why the Bulls do it: The Bulls are desperate to move LaVine and they also are desperate to make the playoffs. In November, I wrote about how Chicago could get multiple picks, that isn’t going to happen and honestly one first round pick would surprise me. I may be undervaluing LaVine but this trade gets them off of his money and it helps their bench by adding 2 useful players in Gordon Hayward and Cody Martin. A big part of this deal for the Bulls should be making sure they do not take any bad long term money back and this allows for that.
The Nets trade Dorian Finney-Smith and Royce O’Neale to the Mavericks for Grant Williams, Richaun Holmes, a 2026 (top 5 protected) first round pick, and a 2025 2nd round pick via the Raptors.
Why the Mavericks do it: The Grant Williams experiment has not worked in Dallas and it is time for them to move on, 8.0 points and 3.5 rebounds on shooting splits of .41/.36/.71 is not good for a guy who signed a $53 million dollar deal. Enter former-Maverick Dorian Finney-Smith and Royce O’Neale to help out a team that badly needs 3 and D players to surround Luka and Kyrie with. This would be a perfect fit in Dallas and make them a lot more formidable.
Why the Nets do it: The idea that the Nets are going to get 2 first round picks for Dorian Finney-Smith is nuts to me. In this deal they get a real pick, a second round pick that has a chance to be good, another center to add to the mix, and a player that I still have hope for even if the last season and a half have been a stepback for Williams from his 2021-22 campaign. I have long advocated for Brooklyn to trade Finney-Smith because they are too wing heavy and this deal accomplishes them rebalancing their roster.
The Trail Blazers trade Malcolm Brogdon to the Knicks for Quentin Grimes and Evan Fouriner.
Why the Knicks do it: Grimes has fallen out of favor in New York and the Knicks have shown a willingness to deal him and after trading Immanuel Quickley to the Raptors they need a ball handler off of the bench, enter Malcolm Brogdon. Brogdon is a perfect fit in New York with his steadiness with the ball and his ability to make open 3’s, he can play with Jalen Brunson or fill in for him while he is on the bench. While Brogdon’s defense is overrated, he’s okay at best on that end, he would be a great pick up for the Knicks.
Why the Trail Blazers do it: To be able to acquire a young player like Grimes who better fits their timeline better than Brogdon, should be a no brainer for the Blazers. Grimes is a 3 and D guard who has shown some promise in the NBA and worthy of taking this flier on. Fouriner is simply in the deal to match salaries.
The Raptors trade Bruce Brown to the 76ers for Marcus Morris Sr., Furkan Korkmaz, and a 2026 first round pick (worst of Rockets, Thunder, Clippers, top 18 protected).
Why the 76ers do it: I really believe Bruce Brown has a chance to fetch a first round pick and he is a perfect fit in Philly so I think that that Sixers should take that risk. Also, let’s not act like this pick that the Sixers are giving up a good pick here anyways. Brown would be a perfect fit in the Sixers closing lineups with Tyrese Maxey, Nic Batum, Tobais Harris, and Joel Embiid as he is tough and one of the most versatile players in the league.
Why the Raptors do it: Even if it is heavily protected, to land a first round pick and expiring salaries for Brown would be a win. I would not mind if the Raptors were to keep Brown but that is not the route I think they’ll go and this is a trade that makes a lot of sense for both sides.
The Raptors trade Dennis Schröder to the Lakers for Gabe Vincent and 2nd round picks in 2027 and 2030.
Why the Lakers do it: The Gabe Vincent experiment has not gone well in Los Angeles so why not go back to someone who was so reliable for you last season in Schröder. We know Schröder can be a good complement to the roster the Lakers already have so there would not be a concern of fit and sometimes the only way to go forward is to go back and correct your mistakes.
Why the Raptors do it: I am not totally out on Vincent and think that swapping him out for Schröder is not something Toronto would regret doing. Also landing 2 second rounders that could become valuable one day is not a bad move even if you are taking on another year of an undersized guard, Vincet will have 2 years left after this season and Schröder will be expiring.
The Hawks trade Dejounte Murray, Clint Capela, and Deandre Hunter to the Warriors for Klay Thompson, Jonathan Kuminga, Gary Payton II, 2026 and 2028 unprotected first round picks, and 2026 and 2028 second round picks (via the Hawks).
Golden State would need make their top 4 protected pick owed to the Blazers this season unprotected to make this trade legal
Why the Warriors do it: Let’s end this with a doozy. The Warriors are not going to trade Klay Thompson but that does not mean that they shouldn't. One thing the Warriors have shown is that they are willing to pay top dollar to keep a contender around Steph Curry and the team they have right now simply is not good enough. Enter Murray, Hunter, and Capela, 3 players who would help them a lot. The center position is one that has been a weakness for Golden State this season, Clint Capela helps that. There has been a regression of Andrew Wiggins, Deandre Hunter can be competition for him and hopefully uplift both players. Finally, Dejonute Murray is a 2-way guard who while not going to the things Thompson does, can be a long term play to be the starting 2-guard and defacto backup point guard as he has shown he can play at an All-Star level. Golden State needs to maximize their window around Curry and sometimes pulling the plug on one of the greatest players in franchise history is how you do just that.
Why the Hawks do it: This is as much of a reset for Atlanta as it is anything else. Thompson is on an expiring contract so they could just be rid of him by the end of the season and really reset their cap in a major way. They also add 2 unprotected first rounders to replace the 2 they lost by trading Murray and bring back 2 of the second rounders they sent out for Saddiq Bey. I am also still high on Kuminga, he has a chance to be a good two-way NBA player and getting him would be a good coop for Atlanta. Lastly, Gary Payton II is legit good and could help the Hawks this season and beyond.
With the trade deadline fast approaching, I decided it was time to bring out some fake trades. Also make sure to follow me on Fanspo to see all my other fake trades, https://fanspo.com/u/jacksballblog.
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