NBA trade season is upon us.
Well, almost.
Come Dec. 15, the floodgates could open, as players who signed contracts this season first become trade-eligible. Couple that with sample sizes now large enough to be relatively trusted, and market conditions could be perfect for a flurry of activity.
But who wants to wait that long? With a quarter of the 2022-23 campaign already in the books, we already have a good of sense of who the NBA's buyers and sellers will be. So, why not link a few of them together with a fresh batch of trade ideas?
Kings Deal for Defense and Depth, Spurs Add More Assets
Sacramento Kings receive: Josh Richardson
San Antonio Spurs receive: Richaun Holmes, 2023 second-round pick and 2024 second-round pick
It's early, but the Kings look decent. Maybe even pretty good. Their 115.9 offensive rating ranks fourth overall. Their .591 winning percentage is their highest since 2004-05, back before their record-setting playoff drought started.
If they've ever had incentive to buy, the time is now. Especially when their 18th-ranked defense, while not totally terrible, is leaky enough to potentially prevent them from reaching their goals.
Snagging a perimeter stopper like Richardson would make plenty of sense, particularly if the price proved as reasonable as this.
He's pesky on the ball and a pest away from it. He is long enough to bother wings and quick enough to keep in front of guards. He can spark transition plays with steals or an occasional block. Offensively, he can find his fit as a spot-up shooter (career 36.5 percent from three) and secondary ball-handler.
Richardson, who turned 29 in September, has plenty to offer a winning team. Since San Antonio is temporarily no longer in the business of winning basketball, the club should have no hesitation about shipping him out before he heads to unrestricted free agency next summer.
The Spurs would have to take back Richaun Holmes, who doesn't fit their timeline and is overpaid, but adding a pair of second-rounders for their troubles should make it worth it for this future-focused franchise.
Warriors Upgrade Offense, Jazz Play the Long Game
Golden State Warriors receive: Kelly Olynyk
Utah Jazz receive: James Wiseman and Ryan Rollins
The Warriors have started turning the corner of late, but the front office shouldn't take this as a sign of the roster suddenly being championship-ready. They're only getting so more cracks at expanding their championship collection with an in-prime Stephen Curry; they have to make sure they count.
That's why a James Wiseman deal feels increasingly inevitable. The No. 2 pick of the 2020 draft lasted just 10 games as a rotation regular and was banished to the G League shortly thereafter. He cannot, in his present form, help this club chase another ring.
Kelly Olynyk could, though.
His steady shooting, slick passing and sky-high basketball IQ would make him a seamless fit in this offense. He has played above his head so far, but even when regression comes for the 31-year-old, he'd have plenty to give Golden State in a reserve role. The second unit has badly needed ball movement—which is why Draymond Green has been such an impactful addition to it—and you could argue that's the strongest part of Olynyk's arsenal.