5 Necessary NBA Trades Teams Are Too Scared to Make

Image via Complex Original

To this point, the Kings have rebuffed all trade offers for Boogie, but with two years left on his deal, it’s time for the team to figure out what they’re doing. It has been years since the Kings have been competitive and if they ever did decide to trade Cousins, they would be hard pressed to find a better option than Klay Thompson. 

Klay is one of the best shooters in the world and a very good defender on the perimeter. Even better, Klay is under contract longer than Boogie, which would give the Kings even more incentive to make the deal. Why would the Warriors do such a thing? Why break up the dynamic Splash Brothers with both of them just entering their prime? The answer is sort of simple: Kevin Durant is Steph Curry’s new Splash Brother whether Klay got the memo or not. Durant is at worst a top-three player in the league and may actually be the best player on the already-stacked Warriors. 

When you look at their roster, you can’t tell me that Warriors GM Bob Myers wouldn’t at least consider thinking about how much more balanced they would be if they had Boogie—an elite big man—instead of Klay, whose skill set is sort of redundant with Durant in town. With Boogie on board, the Warriors could run a lineup of Steph, Andre Iguodala, Durant, Draymond Green, and Boogie Cousins. That’s insane to think about. They would still be unguardable and would have the elite inside presence that they’re currently lacking. This is not going to happen, but if the Warriors were scared, they'd somehow be able to make their team even more dangerous. —ZF

Normally, when two All-Star players are traded for each other it’s a seismic event, sending ripples through fans and teams alike. This is not one of those times. Paul Millsap has played in the last three All-Star games, LaMarcus Aldridge in the last five. Aldridge is three inches taller than Millsap, at 6'11", but Millsap averaged more boards than Aldridge last season, with 9 to Aldridge’s 8.5. They would both fit seamlessly onto their new teams.

So why make the deal at all? Aldridge has expressed some discontent in San Antonio, and might be a better fit alongside Dwight Howard in Atlanta. Millsap is a perfect Popovich player who has built up his game playing on the Spurs of the East. It’s about time he tried the real thing. Hawks officials have expressed the desire to keep Millsap long term, but a Twin Towers setup of Howard and Aldridge could prove too enticing to pass up. —RB

Danny Ainge is one of the best GMs in the NBA, but along with being one of the best, he's also one of the most stubborn. He has to be, or else Massachusetts native Nerlens Noel would already be on the Celtics. Nobody has ever been on the trading block as obviously as Noel. He owns a house on the actual trading block and had BBQs there this summer with Ricky Rubio and Greg Monroe.

It isn't as if Ainge doesn't like Noel or believe he wouldn't help the Celtics' issues with rim protection. Ainge just has a huge crush on Avery Bradley, his defensive-minded guard who has blossomed in Boston over the past couple of years. Avery Bradley is a fine player, the only problem is there are at least three other capable players who play guard for the Celtics. Philadelphia has the same problem, only with at least three other capable centers on the roster.

So why are we fighting this, Danny? Bring Nerlens home. Give Isaiah Thomas, Terry Rozier, Marcus Smart, James Young, Jaylen Brown, and the other 500 young guys on your roster space to flourish...as well as some help on the other side of the court. After a few Noel-Thomas pick-and-roll lobs, you'll wonder why you didn't do it earlier. —MP

John Wall doesn't get the appreciation he deserves. At least, that's how John Wall feels. WHERE ARE HIS BILLBOARDS, DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA? 

You know what isn't lacking in Boston? Fanaticism. People in Boston LOVE sports. Sure, they're very easily triggered because of this, but emotional fans are better than indifferent fans, right?

Right. So maybe it's time John tells the Wizards he wants out. No more apathetic fans, no more sharing a back court with a minutes-restricted guy who somehow makes $5 million+ more than him, no more stepping on crunchy old Michael Jordan cigars in the locker room—it's time to move on. 

And where better to go than Boston, a city desperate to attract stars? This has the potential to be win/win. Boston gets another star to pair with Al Horford, and the Wizards get rid of Wall before he turns into a malcontent while adding an All-Star, a competent guard, and a high-ceiling lottery pick to their roster. 

Besides, look at this Celtics roster should they go through with both trades we've proposed in this post:

PG—John Wall

SG—Terry Rozier

SF—Jae Crowder

PF—Nerlens Noel

C—Al Horford

​Slightly better than Al Horford and the 14 guards on the bench they're currently heading into the season with. —MP

You're thinking this makes no sense. You're wondering why Chicago would be motivated to move a young two-way star for an aging ball-stopper, especially since their team is already has its "aging ball-stopper" quota filled. We hear you. Now hear us.

With this trade, the Bulls get to continue not making any logical sense with their team-building strategies. You think their moves so far have been logical? What's logical about signing a 34-year-old Dwyane Wade to a $47 million contract, even though he plays the same position as their best player and may or may not have a malnutritioned left knee? What's logical about paying Rajon Rondo $14 million a year, even though he hasn't made an All-Star team since people were bumping Macklemore's "Thrift Shop"? What's logical about trading for Michael Carter-Williams, who quite possibly has never hit a three-pointer in his life? None of it makes sense. You wanna get nuts, Chicago? LET'S GET NUTS.

The Bulls get to pair two of the Superfriends together in Melo and Wade. They get rid of the last semblance of shooting left on the roster in McDermott, thus becoming the complete antithesis of the Warriors. Carmelo gets to take his social activism to Chicago. The Knicks get to finally admit that they are now Kristaps' team. Both squads continue their efforts to slowly morph into the other, as Rose and Noah are reunited with Jimmy Butler and Melo gets to play with Robin Lopez again. 

Both sides will act like they don't want this, but deep down, this is exactly what each city needs right now. —MP