Rui Hachimura ($15.7 million) + 2025, 2027 2nd Round Picks for Dorian Finney-Smith ($13.9 million)
WHY THE LAKERS DO IT: Death, taxes, and the Lakers needing shooters. The team has not been as bad as they were to start the season, but there is still a clear need for floor spacers with that particularly being clear on the wing. Cam Reddish and Taurean Prince have been solid, but the team needs more. Dorian Finney-Smith could give the team what those two have and more, as he has always been renowned as a stopper and is currently having by far the best shooting season of his career.
WHY THE NETS DO IT: Brooklyn is not a bad team, but they are not mistaking anyone for a contender this season. With that in mind, swapping the 30-year-old (31 in May) DFS for the 25-year-old (26 in February) Hachimura could make some sense. Hachimura may not be on Finney-Smith's level in terms of shooting and defending, but he is a more well-rounded scorer with the potential to grow as a defender.
Austin Reaves ($12 million) + Rui Hachimura ($15.7 million) + Jalen Hood-Schifino ($3.7 million) + 2028 (swap), 2030 1st Round Picks + 2025, 2027 2nd Round Picks for Donovan Mitchell ($33.2 million)
WHY THE LAKERS DO IT: Losing Austin Reaves would be heart-wrenching but for Donovan Mitchell? There are not many scenarios in which Laker fans would feel intrigued by the idea of departing with Reaves, but that would have to be one of the few. Donovan Mitchell would not only be the ideal third guy next to LeBron and AD this season but Mitchell and Davis could truly blossom into one of the premier duos the league has seen for years to come.
WHY THE CAVALIERS DO IT: It is not likely that the Cavs look to part with their franchise centerpiece, but the rumors have slowly started churning since he decided not to sign an extension before the start of this season. If Cleveland cannot stay afloat through the team's tough ongoing tussle with injuries, they may have to make some tough business decisions. Mitchell has a player option for the 2025-2026 season, meaning he could decide to leave for nothing following next season. That is obviously a ways away, but it is surely at the forefront of the front office's thinking.
Gabe Vincent ($10.5 million) + Maxwell Lewis ($1.1 million) + 2025 2nd Round Pick for Doug McDermott ($13.7 million)
WHY THE LAKERS DO IT: Upon Gabe Vincent's return from injury, there will be a lot of attention on how well he can shoot the basketball. If he fails to replicate some of the string music he was producing in last season's playoffs, he could find himself on the block. And if he finds himself on the block due to struggles with shooting, they will probably be looking for shooting in return for him.
31-year-old (32 in January) McDermott is miscast with the San Antonio Spurs and seems like one of the likeliest trade/buyout candidates in the league. He has held a minimal role with the Spurs this season despite continuing his career-long trend of silky 3-point shooting, and he has been linked to the Lakers in the past.
WHY THE SPURS DO IT: McDermott's contract expires at the conclusion of this season, and the veteran belongs on a contender. If nothing, they may wind up buying him out so that he can seek greener pastures. However, getting a 2nd rounder plus wing prospect Lewis would be better than nothing. Plus, the team could stand to benefit from a veteran point guard presence like Vincent.
Gabe Vincent ($10.5 million) for Landry Shamet ($10.2 million)
WHY THE LAKERS DO IT: Same scenario. The team is going to be looking for shooting, and Shamet has always been known primarily as a shooter. Being that he is currently playing for one of the league's worst teams in DC, his availability is assumed. He could thrive as a spot-up threat with the Lakers.
WHY THE WIZARDS DO IT: The front office is probably already eyeing next season, but they will need to field a somewhat competitive roster this season nonetheless. Tyus Jones seems like a prime trade candidate that a lot of teams around the league could really use, and his departure could open up a void in Washington's backcourt. Vincent might not be the point guard on every Wizards' fans' Christmas list, but he could be a stabilizing complement to the erratic Jordan Poole.