In the NBA, blockbuster trades have the power to reshape the league’s landscape, ignite fan excitement, and dramatically alter the fortunes of multiple teams. One hypothetical scenario that has captured the imagination of basketball enthusiasts involves a mega 4-team blockbuster trade between the Los Angeles Lakers, Golden State Warriors, Indiana Pacers, and Orlando Magic. This ambitious trade idea has the potential to create seismic shifts in team dynamics, player alignments, and overall competitiveness in the league.
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The Lakers, Warriors, Pacers, and Magic all bring unique assets and motivations to the table, making this potential trade scenario a tantalizing proposition. While purely speculative, this mega 4-team blockbuster trade scenario serves as a captivating exploration of what could be a game-changing moment in the NBA. It ignites the imagination, fuels discussions among fans and experts, and offers a glimpse into a hypothetical future where the NBA landscape undergoes a dramatic transformation.
Without further ado, here is a massive 4-team deal that will give the Los Angeles Lakers far more depth and scoring, the Warriors more offense, the Pacers with young assets, and the Magic with players who can help the team win now.
Trade Details
Los Angeles Lakers Receive: Draymond Green, Jalen Suggs, Myles Turner
Golden State Warriors Receive: Rui Hachinura, Mo Bamba, 2026 First-Round Pick (1-15 protected from Orlando Magic)
Indiana Pacers Receive: D’Angelo Russell, Austin Reaves, 2029 First-Round Pick
Orlando Magic Receive: Buddy Hield, Gary Payton II
Clearly, a deal of this magnitude influences both the Western and Eastern Conferences, and it is time to go through each team’s deal to see how they will fare in the 2023-24 NBA season. The way for these deals to happen is if Draymond Green, Austin Reaves, and D’Angelo Russell sign deals with their respective teams before agreeing to sign-and-trades.
Lakers Add Size, Defense, And Scoring
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Acquiring Draymond Green would instantly upgrade the Lakers’ defense. Green is a three-time NBA champion known for his exceptional defensive s𝓀𝒾𝓁𝓁s, basketball IQ, and versatility to guard multiple positions. His presence would provide the Lakers with a defensive anchor who can complement the scoring prowess of LeBron James and Anthony Davis.
Jalen Suggs, a highly touted young prospect, brings a combination of scoring ability and playmaking s𝓀𝒾𝓁𝓁s to the table. Suggs has showcased his talent as a floor general and has the potential to develop into a dynamic point guard. His inclusion in the trade would inject youthful energy and a promising future into the Lakers’ backcourt as he posted 9.9 PPG and 3.0 RPG with the Magic this year.
Of course, Myles Turner, known for his shot-blocking prowess, would provide valuable rim protection for the Lakers. Turner’s ability to alter shots and his presence in the paint would solidify the team’s interior defense. Additionally, Turner’s shooting range extends beyond the arc, making him a potential floor-spacing threat and opening up opportunities for James and Davis. Turner had a solid season posting 18.0 PPG, 7.5 RPG, and 2.3 BPG on 37.3% shooting from three with the Pacers.
The addition of Green, Suggs, and Turner would enhance the Lakers’ overall roster balance. Green’s defensive presence and playmaking ability would alleviate some of the playmaking responsibilities from James and Davis. Suggs would contribute as a scoring guard and playmaker, while Turner’s rim protection and shooting would provide versatility and depth to the frontcourt.
Warriors Get Younger And More Athletic
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Acquiring Rui Hachimura and Mo Bamba would provide the Warriors with valuable frontcourt depth and potential. Hachimura, a s𝓀𝒾𝓁𝓁ed forward, has shown promise as a versatile scorer and solid defender. His offensive capabilities, combined with his athleticism, could contribute to the Warriors’ offensive system. Hachimura was one of the key acquisitions by the Lakers this season, as he averaged 9.6 PPG and 4.7 RPG with the team. The Japanese forward clearly made his impact felt, as he has scoring ability, size, and potential.
Meanwhile, Bamba, known for his shot-blocking ability, would bring rim protection and rebounding to the team. He has not blossomed yet, but playing alongside elite shooters could bring out the big man’s shooting potential (38.7% 3-PT FG in 2023) and also encourage him to be more dominant on defense. Both Hachimura and Bama are young with room to develop, aligning with the Warriors’ focus on long-term success.
The inclusion of a 2026 first-round pick adds to the trade’s value for the Warriors. Acquiring additional draft assets allows the team to maintain flexibility for future roster building, whether through draft selections or potential trade opportunities down the line. It provides the Warriors with options to replenish their roster with promising young talent or potentially use the pick as a trade chip in the future.
Hachimura and Bamba’s contract situations would need to be assessed to ensure they align with the team’s salary cap and future flexibility. Hachimura could bring on a multi-year deal and so would Bamab, but losing Draymond ensures the team can keep both players. Managing the financial aspect is important to maintain the balance of the roster and potential future transactions, but since the Warriors are going in a different direction by bringing on board Chris Paul, that is something the franchise might be willing to entertain.
Pacers Keep Rebuilding Thanks To Austin Reaves
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This is a deal that definitely boosts the Indiana Pacers’ rebuild plans. Acquiring D’Angelo Russell would provide the Pacers with an additional scoring threat and playmaker in the backcourt. Russell is a s𝓀𝒾𝓁𝓁ed guard known for his scoring ability, particularly as a three-point shooter and shot-creator. His offensive prowess would complement the Pacers’ existing core, bringing another dynamic scoring option alongside players like Tyrese Haliburton and Bennedict Mathurin. Russell averaged 17.8 PPG and 6.2 APG this year which are impressive numbers.
Austin Reaves, a young and promising guard, would bring youthful energy and potential to the Pacers’ roster. Reaves has shown versatility as a scorer and playmaker during his college career and has the potential to develop into a valuable contributor at the NBA level. His inclusion in the trade would add depth to the Pacers’ backcourt and provide an opportunity for long-term growth and development. He fits seamlessly into the team alongside Haliburton and Mathurin as the new starting shooting guard.
The acquisition of Russell and Reaves would enhance the Pacers’ backcourt depth and provide additional flexibility in their lineup rotations. Russell’s ability to play both guard positions allows for versatility in the team’s offensive schemes, while Reaves’ potential development could offer options for lineup adjustments and rotations. The lineup would likely feature Haliburton, Reaves, and Mathurin as the primary core, with Russell coming off the bench in a 6th man role.
Magic Finally Start Winning Some Games
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Trading for Buddy Hield would provide the Magic with a prolific scorer and elite three-point shooter. Hield is known for his ability to stretch the floor (career 40.2% from deep) and knock down shots from beyond the arc. His scoring prowess would add a much-needed offensive spark to the Magic’s lineup, helping to improve their scoring efficiency and spacing on the floor.
Gary Payton II brings valuable defensive versatility and tenacity to the table. Payton is a relentless defender who can guard multiple positions effectively. His defensive s𝓀𝒾𝓁𝓁s and intensity would provide the Magic with a boost in their overall defensive performance, helping to disrupt opponents’ offensive flow and create turnovers. The player’s numbers weren’t tremendous, 4.6 PPG and 3.1 RPG, but his impact comes off the stat sheet.
Hield’s scoring ability and Payton II’s defensive prowess would complement the Magic’s young core, which includes players like reigning Rookie of the Year Paolo Banchero, Jonathan Isaac, Wendell Carter Jr., and Cole Anthony. Their s𝓀𝒾𝓁𝓁s would fill gaps in the roster and provide support to the emerging talents on the team. The Magic want to make the playoffs again, and by bringing in two veterans who bring it on both ends, the franchise could be looking for better times along the way with only losing Jalen Suggs and a protected first-round pick.
