Trade Candidate Starting Five v4

Daniel Waddleton

Jan 6, 2025

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THE NBA TRADE deadline is exactly a month away, and the market is heating up as contenders look to solidify their rosters for the stretch run and postseason.

Some big trade names have already been moved, with Dennis Schroder heading to Golden State to share the backcourt with Stephen Curry, and Dorian Finney-Smith joining Los Angeles to bolster their wing defense and shooting.

Meanwhile, a few intriguing players who would have made my starting five, De’Aaron Fox and Walker Kessler, seem unlikely to be dealt—at least not until the offseason. Other notable names, including Brandon Ingram, Zion Williamson, and Jerami Grant, are circulating in trade rumors but didn’t quite make my starting five.

It remains to be seen what the Pelicans decide to do. They are clearly heading for the lottery while having a plethora of talent on expensive contracts. I'm going to be writing a larger piece on the situation in New Orleans next week, so I have decide to exclude all of their players from my starting five.

For Jerami Grant, he’ll be a name worth monitoring for the next month. But while I appreciate his impact, I believe the two forwards included in my starting five bring more potential to reshape their new teams. So to put it bluntly, he didn't make the cut.

Now let’s introduce the starting five trade of candidates for this year’s deadline.

. . .

G. Zach Lavine, Chicago Bulls

Season Stats: 22.7 PPG | 4.4 RPG | 4.4 APG | 1.2 Stocks | 64% TS | +7.4 On/Off

About: Zach LaVine has seemed to acquire a reputation as a “shot chucker” in recent years on these struggling Bulls teams, but in the right situation, I still think he could quickly shift that narrative to “elite three-level scorer.” While it’s true that LaVine can occasionally put on the blinders, his impact on the Bulls offense this season is undeniable. The team is 7.5 points better per 100 possessions when he’s on the court, placing him in the 91st percentile among wings.

LaVine offers valuable off-ball gravity for other stars while also having the ability to carry stretches of offense with his isolation scoring. As a marksman from beyond the arc, he’s effective both as a spot-up shooter and pull up jump shooter. He's also a great cutter, thanks to his athleticism and elite finishing at the rim.

His ideal role is as a combo guard playing alongside an elite playmaking point guard -- much like the backcourt he shared with Lonzo Ball when the Bulls held the No. 1 seed in the East before Ball's injury in 2022. Alternatively, I can see him also thriving next to a playmaking big man like Nikola Jokic, where his 40% catch-and-shoot three-point shooting, familiarity in dribble handoffs, cutting ability, and lob threat make him a natural fit.

Defensively LaVine will never be elite, but at 6'5 with great athleticism, there’s some juice to at least be average. His isolation defense numbers are solid for a wing, and the hope is on a contending team he will show more effort on things like fighting around screens and off ball activity.

How We Got Here: LaVine has been in Chicago since 2017, but with the Bulls struggling to stay relevant in the playoff hunt and LaVine carrying a hefty contract, it appears time for the team to move on. Trading him now would allow the Bulls to maximize what’s left of his value before he approaches the wrong side of 30.

Potential Fits: Nuggets, Pistons, Magic

My Trade:

DET: Zach LaVine

CHI: Simone Fontecchio, Tim Hardaway, 2027 Second, 2028 Second (NYK), 2028 Second, (MIA)

. . .

G. Bruce Brown Jr, Toronto Raptors

*Season Stats: 10.8 PPG | 4.2 RPG | 2.9 APG | 1.2 Stocks | 56.3% TS | -7.1 On/Off

About: Bruce Brown’s on-court presence has been minimal since being traded to Toronto as part of the Pascal Siakam-to-Indiana deal. Despite this, there’s strong proof of concept that Brown can be a key contributor to a championship-caliber team. He played 27 minutes per game as the sixth man during Denver’s 2023 title run, earning himself a nice off-season contract.

Brown’s NBA journey, that has stemmed from point guard all the way to a small-ball 4-5 thriving in short roll during his time with the super team Nets, highlights his remarkable versatility. His early days as a point guard provided him with an excellent feel for the game, regardless of where he’s deployed on the court. During Denver’s Finals run, Brown showcased his adaptability by playing on the wing in Jamal Murray lineups, and functioning as the backup point guard when Murray sat. Also despite standing at just 6’4, Brown consistently sizes up to guard bigger players one on one while also excelling as a screen navigator and off-ball defender.

The challenge with a contender taking on Brown lies in his $23 million salary this season. While it’s an expiring deal, that’s a significant number for a contender to take on for a role player, even one that has proved as valuable as Brown.

How We Got Here: Brown was having a solid season as the Pacers starting 2-guard last year, but his big contract became expendable when the opportunity to acquire Pascal Siakam arose. This season, Brown has only appeared in the most recent three games, and the Raptors have no intention of contending this year. Showcasing Brown in the weeks leading up to the trade deadline could help Toronto flip him for draft capital.

Potential Fits: Kings, Lakers, Rockets, Mavericks

My Trade:

LAL: Bruce Brown Jr, Jakob Poeltl

TOR: Rui Hachimura, Max Christie, Gabe Vincent, Jalen-Hood Schifino, Christian Wood, Cameron Reddish, 2029 Top 10 Protected First

. . .

F. Jimmy Butler, Miami Heat

Season Stats: 17.6 PPG | 5.5 RPG | 4.7 APG | 1.6 Stocks | 64.8% TS | +8.8 On/Off

About: You know who Jimmy Butler is. He’s been the ultimate playoff riser, having led his teams to two Finals appearances in the last five seasons despite entering the playoffs as a fifth and eighth seed, respectively. Even at 35 years old, there’s reason to believe Butler can elevate his game once again and help carry a team back to the finals.

Unfortunately, things have soured in Miami, a trend that seems to follow Butler. Any team trading for him would need to be ready to contend immediately, but if they are, Butler offers real value. His ability to create individual offense can breathe life into stagnant lineups, and he’s proven time and again that his scoring and defensive intensity reach another level in the playoffs. With his reputation as a wing stopper and his relentless competitiveness, Butler has embarrassed some of the league’s best players en route to deep postseason runs.

The challenge with Butler is his fit. He’s not a great three-point shooter, so surrounding him with perimeter threats is essential to maximize his offensive impact, as Miami has done in past playoff runs. Additionally, his off-ball movement and screening aren’t strong points, making his fit with teams like Golden State while intriguing, also questionable. Still, Butler’s all-in mentality -- when committed -- makes him one of the most formidable competitors in the league, with a world of talent to back it up.

How We Got Here: The cracks in the Heat's relationship with Butler became apparent when he made comments about how the Celtics were “lucky” he wasn’t playing in the 2024 playoffs, prompting owner Pat Riley to publicly tell him to stop talking because he wasn’t on the court. Things then escalated when Butler asked for an extension, and Riley suggested he prove he could play a full season first. Butler’s dissatisfaction eventually boiled over into a trade request, and while Riley initially resisted, Butler’s lackluster on-court effort and escalating off-court noise have made a trade seem inevitable.

Potential Fits: Rockets, Warriors, Suns

My Trade:

Finding a workable trade for Butler under the new CBA is challenging, especially if Houston -- arguably the cleanest fit -- opts not to pursue him. Not sure I love this one, but it's fun!

GSW: Jimmy Butler, Alec Burks

MIA: Andrew Wiggins, Jonathan Kuminga, Kyle Anderson, Kevon Looney, 2029 Top-8 Protected First

. . .

F. Cameron Johnson, Brooklyn Nets

Season Stats: 19.5 PPG | 4.3 RPG | 3.0 APG | 1.3 Stocks | 67% TS | +3.8 On/Off

About: When it comes to sharpshooters, few are having a more effective season than Cameron Johnson. At 6’8, Johnson’s size makes it feel like defenders aren’t even there as he shoots a scorching 43.6% from beyond the arc on 7.6 attempts per game. He’s the perfect low-usage, high-efficiency player that any contender could use, combining elite movement shooting with improved off-the-bounce creation -- a skill set that’s becoming increasingly valuable in a league where just pure spot-up shooters often struggle to stay effective in the playoffs.

Johnson’s versatility doesn’t stop on offense. He’s a good defender capable of guarding multiple positions, making him a true 3&D+ player. Considering his blend of skills, age (28), and reasonable salary, Johnson might be the best trade target left on the market. The only drawback? His price tag will likely be steep, as he still could fit within the Nets timeline and a player they won’t let go of easily.

How We Got Here: Johnson arrived in Brooklyn as part of the Kevin Durant trade that sent the superstar to Phoenix. Since joining the Nets, he’s taken on a larger role and excelled. Following the Nets trading Mikal Bridges to the Knicks in a three-team deal that helped them recover their own picks from Houston, it’s clear the franchise is entering a rebuilding phase. Following the recent trades of Dennis Schroder and Dorian Finney-Smith, dealing Johnson seems like it could be the next logical step in their reset, and hopes to get into the Cooper Flagg business.

Potential Fits: Thunder, Pacers, Kings

My Trade:

IND: Cameron Johnson

BKN: Jarace Walker, Obi Toppin, 2025 First, 2027 Top 5 Protected First

. . .

C. Robert Williams III, Portland Trail Blazers

Season Stats: 6.8 PPG | 4.9 RPG | 1.1 APG | 2.2 Stocks | 77% TS | +2.0 On/Off

About: “Timelord” may no longer be the defensive anchor who once helped Celtic lineups hold opponents to an elite 104.4 points per 100 possessions, but he continues to show flashes of his value. This season, he’s averaging 3.6 blocks per 36 minutes, still shows an ability to play multiple pick and roll coverages, and remains a fierce offensive rebounder. Offensively, he’s still a lob threat despite his lower body injury history and has always excelled as a connective piece, facilitating in the short roll or from the top of the key.

Obviously the caveat with Williams III will be his injury risk. Even when he’s available, playing him more than 20–25 minutes per game carries a significant risk of injury. It’s a sad reality for a player who, just a few years ago, seemed destined to be one of the top ten centers in the league for years to come.

How We Got Here: Williams III was part of the Celtics trade for Jrue Holiday, which followed the Damian Lillard-to-Milwaukee deal. With Al Horford already on the roster and the acquisition of Kristaps Porzingis that summer, Williams III became expendable for Boston, especially given his injury history. Now with the Trail Blazers, the 27-year-old big man still holds upside but finds himself on a rebuilding team likely exploring what value they can recoup for the talented but injury prone big man in a trade.

Potential Fits: Bucks, Clippers, Lakers

My Trade:

MIL: Robert Williams III

POR: Bobby Portis, 2026 First (NOP Rights to Swap)