Most franchises have been busy stockpiling their teams with talent and assets, although the NBA arms race will near a brief end as teams try to already finalize their roster spots for training camp.

jimmy butler, karl-anthony towns

Most franchises have been busy stockpiling their teams with talent and assets, although the NBA arms race will near a brief end as teams try to already finalize their roster spots for training camp.

Despite everyone getting ready for the beginning of the season, executives and the management alike have been thinking beyond their current rosters for sure. For an exciting season ahead, there will definitely be surprises that that will change the NBA landscape.

Without further ado, here are the ten trades likely to happen during the 2018-19 NBA season.

10. Kent Bazemore for Pau Gasol and Bryn Forbes

pau gasol

Bazemore is being paid around $18.5 million a year to babysit a young Hawks club. At 29-years-old and with a lot still left in the tank, he is an ideal piece to a contender. With a decent three-and-D skill set that is highly coveted around the league, Bazemore will get a lot of suitors.

He averaged 12.9 points, 3.8 rebounds, 3.5 assists, and 1.5 steals while shooting 39 percent from the three-point arc. His near All-star price tag might discourage teams to pursue him, but the Spurs may offer a trade that could despite the luxurious cost.

Two-time NBA champion Pau Gasol is one of the best big men to ever play in this generation. Despite being 38-years-old with the obvious physical decline, Gasol has managed to evolve on the court and make his game age gracefully. With playing with some of the best in the league, imagine the wealth of basketball wisdom the Spanish big man could impart.

On the other hand, Bryn Forbes is an intriguing young piece with a lot of upside that has the possibility to turn into a future three-and-D contributor.

The Hawks need young talent to develop as they move into the future. Gasol fits the bill as a mentor to the youngsters, especially to one of their prized prospects, John Collins. Bryn Forbes adds to the pool of young talent to develop, while Bazemore fits the mold that the Spurs clearly lack, a defensive wing who can shoot from the outside.

9. Andre Drummond, Reggie Jackson, and more for Marc Gasol, Mike Conley and more.

It was a tough climb from obscurity to relevance for former Pistons president of basketball operations and head coach Stan Van Gundy. While he did inherit an underwhelming team, even with big splashes like the acquisition of former Clipper star Blake Griffin, it felt like something was amiss. For a weaker Eastern conference that definitely was a problem.

Andre Drummond, Kevin Durant, Warriors, Pistons

It is clear that the Pistons needed an overhaul, without compromising their playoff chances.

Firstly, accepting that Reggie Jackson would never be a franchise-altering piece is a good start. Secondly, acknowledging that the undeniable All-star talent of Andre Drummond is just not the kind of talent that they need to move forward.

For the Grizzlies, however, they needed to be younger and more relevant in the West. A minor reboot to be competitive enough, while assimilating a new identity in Memphis.

The Grizzlies send Marc Gasol, Mike Conley, Dillon Brooks, a second rounder, and a future first rounder, while the Pistons send Andre Drummond, Reggie Jackson, Jon Leuer, Stanley Johnson, and a second rounder.

Marc Gasol, David Fizdale
ClutchPoints

On paper, it looks like the Grizzlies got this one due to the more youthful pieces acquired. It will take some time before those pieces finally come together in a new environment. Pairing Jaren Jackson Jr with Andre Drummond will be a scary twin tower combo in the future. The pick they get won’t matter that much, due to the Pistons to be projected as a playoff team.

Motor City gets a much-needed mature and more experienced Big 3 of Gasol, Griffin, and Conley. Brooks is a nice young piece you can slot from guard position to wing. He showed flashed of brilliance in starting 74 games for the Grizzlies.

The Pistons move on to another era without compromising their playoff chances while amassing some assets at the same time. The Grizzlies finally let go of the Grit and Grind era and embrace the youth movement with established young pieces while they discover their identity.

8.Hassan Whiteside for Tristan Thompson, Kyle Korver, and two future second rounders

It was just two seasons ago that Whiteside had his breakout year. Averaging 17 points, 14.1 rebounds, and 2.1 blocks per game during the 2016-17, it seemed like he was the next big man on the rise. His awesome season was rewarded with a pretty lucrative contract from the Miami Heat in 2016.

Hassan Whiteside
Hassan Whiteside

Today, Whiteside has experienced a significant dip in minutes and production. As more teams embrace the space and pace way of playing modern basketball, big men with skill sets like his slowly become liabilities in match ups. The Heat big man has verbally expressed his displeasure regarding his minutes and how he is used in the court.

Tristan Thompson and Kyle Korver are part of the post-Lebron James Cavalier leftovers. Thompson is a skilled rebounder on a bad contract, while Korver is an aged serviceable marksman. In the right system, these pieces can contribute and flourish.

While Whiteside may not be seeing as many minutes as he used to be, there is no denying the talent that he possesses. Moving him to a team that can play around his skill set may prove to pay some dividends.

The Heat gets two pieces that can contribute to their playoff run while adding possible talents in Miami. The Cavs get a talented big man who can contribute fringe All-star numbers, move on and rebuild for the future.

7. D’Angelo Russell, DeMarre Carroll, and Darell Arthur for Timofey Mozgov, Nikola Vucevic, and a 2020 first round pick

When healthy, Russell can command an opposing team’s defense with his range and scoring ability. Although still young with glaring weaknesses on the defensive end, his talent and ceiling are enticing enough to keep you interested.

D'Angelo Russell, Nets

It is going to be a contract year for Russell, if the Magic convince him to re-sign they will have a young floor general to usher in their future. A gamble the Magic will most likely take, since they are just overloaded with big men. Caroll and Arthur in the mix give them versatile wings on expiring contracts.

The big man logjam that the Magic have on their hands is worrying enough to have their young talent not develop. Moving Mozgov and Vucevic alleviates the situation, frees cap space, and allocates possible minutes to Isaac and Bamba.

The real gem for the Nets is acquiring skilled scoring big man Nikola Vucevic and the first rounder that may turn out to be a franchise piece. With no real capability to compete at this point in time, the Nets will ride out Mozgov’s contract till it becomes a handy trade piece next season.

6. Aaron Gordon for Tyson Chandler, Josh Jackson, Dragan Bender, and a 2020 first round pick.

If the Suns finally give up on waiting for Josh Jackson and Dragan Bender, they can go for a developing, but now improved prospect in Aaron Gordon.

Aaron Gordon

The athletic forward had a breakout year last season averaging 17.6 points, 5.8 rebounds, and 1.7 assists. Still lacks a consistent outside stroke to be considered deadly, but his speed and athleticism for his size makes him ease to the rim for some buckets.

Prying Gordon will definitely come at a cost. Two lottery picks, an expiring contract, and a first-round pick might just do the trick to hand him over. A Gordon, Ayton, and Booker trio in Phoenix might just keep things relevant for the Suns once again.

nikola vucevic

5. Nikola Vucevic, Terrence Ross, and Timofey Mozgov for Milos Teodosic, Danilo Gallinari, and Wesley Johnson 

The Clippers masterplan is to have the most money to spend on the 2019 free agency next summer. With big names like Kevin Durant, Kyrie Irving, and Jimmy Butler in the pool, the Clippers can make a big splash on two max contracts for high profile free agents.

This trade actually sets them up for more money while taking an ogle on Vucevic and Ross if they can fit the team’s long-term plans. Enduring the Mozgov contract is still better than the Gallinari contract either way.

On the opposite side of things, the Magic get a needed quality court general in Teodosic, some wing insurance in Johnson, and an overpaid scoring big man in Gallinari. If things go south, only Gallinari is under contract for another year beyond this season.

4. Marc Gasol to the Raptors for Jonas Valanciunas, CJ Miles and a 2020 first round pick.

There was a point in time last season that Gasol was pretty unhappy with the Grizzlies already. May it be the roster, management, or just the lack of competitiveness from the team; he had a foot out the door.

jb bickerstaff, marc gasol

If those feelings manage to surface again from the three-time All-star any time within the season, look to the Grizzlies to flip their franchise center into some assets that could help them in the long run.

Valanciunas taking Gasol’s starting gig, Miles providing some complementary scoring, and flipping that future first rounder for a possible franchise piece, losing Gasol to those doesn’t entirely sound too bad.

cj miles

Gasol to the North would definitely give the Leonard-led Raptors more than enough firepower to rule the East.

3. Kemba Walker for Emmanuel Mudiay, Lance Thomas, 2021 first rounder, and 2021 second rounder

Two-time All-star Kemba Walker is one of the most underrated point guards in the league. He can pass, shoot, attack the basket, lightning quick, and steady handles, it makes you wonder how he doesn’t get included in best point guard discussions.

If there is one thing going for Walker this season, it is his contract year. Either way, the Hornet point guard will be paid handsomely for his services. Whether it is his current team or another, it is something only he could answer, but for a team that doesn’t want to gamble on his decisions, flipping him would be the easy choice.

Kemba Walker, Hornets

Moving him to the Knicks to be paired with Kristaps Porzingis and Kevin Knox sounds like a brilliant idea anyway. Losing Mudiay and Thomas are losses the Knicks can live with, while the first and the second rounders are too far off to evren consider their value right now.

The Hornets will go to rebuilding mode with this deal. Hoping on a breakout year from former lottery pick Emmanuel Mudiay still has some promise since he is just 22-years-old. Thomas is a good contributor, and those picks will be what the Hornets need moving forward.

2.Andrew Wiggins for Will Barton, Michael Porter Jr, Mason Plumlee, and a 2019 second rounder

If the Wolves have plans of retaining Jimmy Butler next summer, who is completely irritated by the work ethic of the younger Wolves, flipping Wiggins might be option number one for coach Tom Thibedeau.

Andrew Wiggins
CP

After signing a max contract with the Wolves, the supposed upward trajectory of Wiggins did not materialize last season with a dip in his performance. Being with more tenured players did not help mask his defensive weakness on the court, but made it rather obvious with his lack of discipline.

If his trajectory goes downward midseason, jumping the gun on this trade would be a good way to reinforce the bench, while having a highly talented prospect in Porter Jr.

Wiggins’ fit in the Nuggets wouldn’t be a problem at all. For a team that highly prioritizes offense over defense, he’ll be right at home.

1. Jimmy Butler for Serge Ibaka, OG Anunoby, and a 2021 first rounder

Jimmy Butler
ClutchPoints

Butler is in his contract year, but if he has no intention to be back with the Wolves despite getting the whole Bulls gang back, it would be best to move him for something than let him leave for nothing.

While Serge Ibaka may pose some roster fit issues on the Wolves with Gibson and Anthony-Towns on board, OG Anunoby is a young interesting piece that can contribute as Jimmy Butler light with the right shooting coach. The pick may prove valuable in the future, but it won’t be in the top ten since the Raptors will be owning most of the East.

On another perspective, losing Ibaka and Anunoby will be well worth the pairing of two of the best two-way players in the league in Kawhi Leonard and Jimmy Butler. There is surely going to be a wing matchup nightmare going against the Raptors in that scenario.