As the trade deadline approaches, teams need to decide where they stand and what they want out of this season. The southeast division features an ascending young team, a constant contender with a big decision to make, a team seemingly stuck in purgatory, and two rebuilding teams.
All deals created were made on Fanspo.
Magic Receive: Jordan Clarkson
Jazz Receive: Cole Anthony/ 2027 2nd Round Pick/ 2029 2nd Round Pick
This deal is pretty explanatory for both sides. The Magic need shooting and scoring, and Jordan Clarkson excels in those areas. He has averaged at least 12 points per game for his entire career and no less than 15 points per game in a full season since 2017-2018. The guy knows how to score, and the Magic need a pure scorer more than anything.
They are great on defense and have two great young wings, Paolo Banchero and Franz Wagner, who have emerged as stars but lack a pure bucket-getter. Clarkson would instantly become the team’s 6th man and a much-needed source of offense. He is 32 years old, playing on a tanking Utah team, and is under contract through 2025-2026, so he won’t be too expensive to acquire.
For the Jazz, this deal makes sense because they are trying to develop players for the future and lose games, and Clarkson takes away minutes for young players and helps win games. Cole is solid, just 24 years old, and fits the Utah timeline perfectly.
He is an athletic combo guard who competes on defense and uses his athleticism to get to the basket. He has been somewhat inconsistent this season, averaging career lows across the board, and has gone in and out of the rotation all year. Too many Magic players have similar skill sets, so a break-up is best for both parties.
Anthony is under contract through 2026-2027, but the last year is a team option, so Utah can part ways after next season if they choose. The Jazz must continue adding assets and young pieces, so Anthony is a perfect match. Two second-rounders are also a plus, as Utah can use those in future deals.
Heat Receive: Marcus Smart/ Brandon Clarke/ John Konchar/ Luke Kennard/ G.G. Jackson/ 2025 Unprotected 1st Rounder/ 2031 Top 10 Protected First Round Pick/ 2027 2nd Round Pick Via Atlanta
Grizzlies Receive: Jimmy Butler, Josh Richardson
Jimmy Butler has made it clear he no longer wants to be a member of the Miami Heat. He has not directly come out and said he wants a trade, but his body language and post-game interviews have made it pretty clear he wants a change of scenery. It appears that Butler has his eyes set on the Suns as his next team, but Phoenix can’t make the best offer, and Miami is inclined to take the best deal for their organization, and Memphis can make it.
Marcus Smart is a Heat culture type of player as he is a tough-minded player who competes at a high level on defense. Brandon Clarke is a good backup big who can play next to Bam but also without him. Luke Kennard is an elite shooter on an expiring contract.
John Konchar is a solid rotational piece on a team-friendly contract who can provide minutes in a pinch. G.G. Jackson is a young, intriguing player who has showcased upside as a scorer. The picks help replenish the Heats draft picks, as they currently don’t have many tradable picks.
This deal gives the Heat depth, controllable contracts, expiring contracts, and much-needed draft capital. It is an excellent deal for a player who no longer wants to be in Miami as the Heat can remain competitive but also set their sights on the next star that asks out of their current situation.
Butler would give the Grizzlies the piece to put them over the top as contenders. He is a proven playoff riser as he has led the Heat to two finals appearances in five seasons, as well as three conference finals. He has gone head-to-head with the league’s best, and more often than not, he has come out on top.
He would give a young Grizzlies team a much-needed proven playoff performer, providing Butler a great shot at a title. A core four of Ja Morant, Desmond Bane, Jaren Jackson Jr., and Jimmy Butler would become arguably the best in the league.
Memphis would become one of the title favorites with that big four, and given the state of the Western Conference right now and in the future, they may not get a better shot to win it all than right now. Given the Grizzlies’ depth, they can afford to move some rotation pieces to upgrade their starting lineup.
Hawks Receive: Gave Vincent/ Jarred Vanderbilt/ 2025 2nd Round Pick/ 2027 2nd Round Pick/ 2030 2nd Round Pick/ 2031 2nd Round Pick
Lakers Receive: Clint Capela
The Lakers have been looking to add another big man to play next to Anthony Davis, and while Clint Capela isn’t a perfect fit, he fits the mold of what they want. He is an elite rebounder, an elite rim-running big, especially on the offensive end. He offers nothing as a floor spacer or shot creator but is a terrific lob threat and roller off screens.
Capela is on an expiring contract, so he will unlikely net a first-round pick in return. However, four second-rounders are a decent price for the Lakers. They are trying to build around LeBron James and Davis, but until a star comes around for cheap, the Lakers’ best bet to build is through role players on expiring deals.
They already traded for Dorian Finney-Smith, who is on an expiring deal, and that deal cost them a pleasant young prospect in Maxwell Lewis, D’Angelo Russell’s expiring contract, and three second-round picks. With Gabe Vincent and Jared Vanderbilt having guaranteed money on their contracts after this season, the Lakers must send over more picks to incentivize the Hawks.
Capela has been on the trade block for a long time, but the Hawks never moved him. Now, it makes perfect sense to do so as Onyeka Okongwu is finally waiting in the wings to take over the starting center spot, and Capela is set to be a free agent. With his return unlikely after this season, now is the time to cash in for whatever they can get and give their former lottery pick a shot.
Okongwu is a highly athletic center that excels on defense and can do a bit of everything on offense. He has had plenty of flashes throughout his first five seasons, but he has never been given a real shot to emerge as he has been nothing more than a backup.
He fits perfectly with Trae Young on offense as a lob threat, but he offers more upside as a defender than Capela does. He may not be the elite rebounder that Clint is, but he is better at other critical areas. Atlanta has been a middle-of-the-pack team since their conference finals run in 2020-2021, and they have done nothing to change that. They may have to take a step back to improve for the future, and handing the keys to Okongwu is a part of that.
Hornets Receive: Precious Achiuwa/ Jerico Sims/ 2025 2nd Round Pick Via Memphis Or Boston, 2026 2nd Round Pick Via Detroit, Milwaukee, or Orlando/ 2028 2nd Round Pick via Indiana or Phoenix
Knicks Receive: Cody Martin
The Hornets have already made one move by trading Nick Richards to the Suns, and Cody Martin should be up next. He is 29 years old on a very affordable two-year contract, and he is the perfect role player for a playoff team.
The Hornets have multiple young players, such as Tidjane Salaun, Nick Smith Jr., and K.J. Simpson, that they need to develop. Moving Martin will open up 22.4 minutes a night for players such as those three, which is excellent. Charlotte is beginning what seems to be a never-ending rebuild, but they have fully committed to it over the past year.
They have an excellent core of LaMelo Ball, Brandon Miller, and Mark Williams, but there is a lot of unknown as far as who fits and who is a part of the future. The earlier they figure that out, the better, and giving the young guys extended play time will only help them figure out who is a key part of the future.
Precious Achiuwa and Jerico Sims are on expiring contracts, and neither profiles as a part of the Hornet’s future. Maybe they try to retain Precious, as he is just 25 years old and has shown flashes on both ends, but the three second-round picks are the centerpiece of the deal.
After this deal, the Hornets would have 23 picks from now until 2031, including 15 second-round picks. They can use those in future deals when they are ready to compete. The Knicks have a fantastic starting five, but it gets shaky afterward. Miles McBride is a good bench piece, and Mitchell Robinson is good when healthy, but the Knicks have no depth on the wings.
Cody Martin isn’t a perfect player, but he is a good defender who can operate as a secondary ball handler on offense. He is averaging 8 points, 5 rebounds, 2 assists, 1 steal, and 1 block per night. He can do a bit of everything on the court on offense and handle more challenging assignments on defense.
He feels like a perfect fit for the Knicks, and for the price of three second-round picks, they shouldn’t hesitate. The Knicks have the contracts and draft capital to make smaller moves such as this one, and considering how good their starting lineup is, adding some good bench pieces may be all they need.
Wizards Receive: Caris Levert/ Georges Niang/ 2025 2nd Round Pick Via Milwaukee/ 2027 2nd Round Pick/ 2029 2nd Round Pick
Cavaliers Recieve: Malcolm Brogdon/ Patrick Baldwin Jr.
The Wizards are in the early stages of their rebuild, and moving Malcolm Brogdon should be one of the next steps. He is 32 years old, and while he is a good veteran mentor, he takes up priceless minutes for their younger players.
It shouldn’t be expected that Washington will receive a first-round pick as he is a free agent following the season and has dealt with countless injuries, but three second-round picks is a solid return. Caris Levert, included to match salary, could also net Washington a few more second-round picks as he could provide a much-needed scoring punch off the bench for a contender.
This deal is all about the future of the Wizards. For the Cavs, this deal is all about right now. They have the best record in the league when writing this, and they should do everything they can to enhance their playoff chances.
Brogdon isn’t the same pure shot creator as Levert, but he is a more well-rounded player, a better playmaker and defender, and a skilled scorer. He has never averaged less than 10 points in his entire career, and he has averaged as much as 21 points per game back in 2020-2021.
He offers the Cavs a strong secondary playmaker and shot-creator when Darius Garland or Donovan Mitchell takes a break. He can play with and without the ball and is an excellent compliment to a contending team. A few second-round picks are more than manageable for a contender like the Cavs to pay for a key bench piece who can make a true impact in the playoffs.
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