I still think there might be a chance that this new management in Brooklyn could blow it up and go the long route, especially with their new head coach renowned for his player development. I think this will be especially true if (when) they whiff on free agents this summer. That being said, what would be some good Lopez trades that would get them some young talent in there for the longer rebuild, while also ensuring their spot as a bottom-three team for our pick next year?
Here's a couple that I think make sense:
Trade 1 -
Toronto: Lopez
Brooklyn: Valanciunas, #9 pick
Trade 2A -
Phoenix: Lopez, Young
Brooklyn: Chandler, Len, #4
Trade 2B -
Phoenix: Lopez
Brooklyn: Knight/Bledsoe (whoever they're not wanting to pair with Booker in the backcourt) and #13
I think the Toronto trade is actually a pretty good trade for both sides. Lopez completes their "Big 3" and adds a more reliable inside scoring presence for them inside, while Brooklyn gets a young center prospect locked up long-term and a mid lottery pick to add another young good prospect to their squad.
Phoenix also seems like a good trading partner. If Bender doesn't fall to 4 and they don't end up trading down in the draft, then there's not really any good options for them given their roster makeup other than reaching on Jaylen Brown at 4. Getting Lopez and Young for the #4 and Len is a pretty good deal to make them a playoff contender again in the West, or swapping one of their point guards for Lopez would also give them a better constructed roster with more talent. For Brooklyn, they'd add either a good young prospect at 4 or an above average guard locked up long-term and a late lottery pick.
What other potential deals can you think of that could ultimately ensure that Brooklyn is a bottom-three team next year?