Zach LaVine (finally) on the move? Four NBA Eastern Conference trade candidates

Jonas Valanciunas | Washington Wizards

Valanciunas was acquired by the Wizards to be a veteran mentor and, well, bodyguard to talented by exceedingly raw rookie big man Alex Sarr. While Sarr still has a way to travel on offense, he’s already proved a more than viable defensive big at NBA level. That makes Valanciunas somewhat expendable.

He isn’t the player he was in his younger days but is still effective in the right scenario. Specifically, Valanciunas can grind defensively subpar back-up big men into dust, making him a worthy option as a second-unit offensive hub. Handily enough, that’s the exact on-court role he has assumed with the Wiz.

The Los Angeles Lakers have a long-held interest in the big Lithuanian and his tradable contract means that the Lakers would only need to surrender either of a pair of lesser-used players in Jarred Vanderbilt or Gab Vincent, plus a second-round pick or two.

Obi Toppin | Indiana Pacers

Toppin’s name hasn’t been bandied about in too many trade rumors and his combination of outside shooting/open court explosiveness is tailor made for the Pacers. That said, Indiana needs to see what it has in Jarace Walker. Can Walker be the backup and eventual successor to Pascal Siakam? It’s hard to make a judgement until he lands a regular spot in the rotation. That means moving on from Toppin.

Aside from needing Tyrese Haliburton to find his best on a consistent basis, the Pacers biggest need is on the wing, where the undersized Aaron Nesmith is their only genuine small forward. Luckily for Indiana, Brooklyn has a raft of wings it would be happy to trade.

From an on-court perspective, Cameron Johnson would be an ideal fit with the Pacers. When paired with Isaiah Jackson (expendable, now that Indiana have Thomas Bryant) and one of their minimum salary guys, the trade would work. Toppin for Dorian Finney-Smith also works as a less complicated one-for-one. 

Throw in a pick and the Nets would be all ears. 

Goga Bitadze | Orlando Magic

Given their team success, it would surprise if the Magic were openly shopping anybody. That said, this team is frighteningly deep at the pivot, with Bitadze, Mo Wagner and Wendell Carter Jr. all capable starting starters and Jonathan Isaac able to pinch hit in the pivot. Given Orlando’s desperate need for an outside shooter, moving one of their centers seems the best option.

Carter is not trade eligible and his on-court chemistry with Franz Wager would make him tough to trade in any case. Mo’s literal blood relationship with Franz also makes him unlikely to be moved. That leaves Goga. 

There are certainly going to be some gettable shooters out there: Jordan Clarkson, Kevin Huerter, Anfernee Simons, Cam Johnson and Luke Kennard to name but a few. Each of those would present defensive questions, through the Magic are one of a handful of teams who could accommodate a turnstile into their rotation.

There are some more left field options, too, if the Magic are so inclined. Do they want to take a flier on a talented shooter/scorer? They could perhaps try to pry Cam Whitmore away from Houston. Another outside the box option is D’Angelo Russell who, for all of his deficiencies, can shoot the eyes out of the basketball. The Lakers are after a big man and throwing in Jett Howard (when was the last time the Lakers were not seduced by a famous name?) makes the money work.

Again, the Magic in a great spot, considering they will get their best two players back from injury at some point and still sit in the conference top four. They would be well within their rights to stand pat. Don’t be surprised, though, if they look to acquire some outside firepower.