The NBA might be winding through the final stretch of the 2022 offseason and working toward the 2022-23 campaign, but it's possible a blockbuster deal still comes together and reshapes the hoops world's landscape.
It just apparently won't be the blockbuster many had in mind.
All Kevin Durant megadeals are seemingly off, as Brooklyn Nets general manager Sean Marks released a statement saying that all parties "have agreed to move forward with our partnership."
That's a huge bummer for all the Durant dreamers out there, but worry not, folks—the trade machines are still firing on all cylinders. In fact, we've dialed them up here to form five impact moves that could be felt across the Association.
Wizards Push for Present Upgrade
Washington Wizards receive: Harrison Barnes
Sacramento Kings receive: Will Barton and Deni Avdija
Still wondering why Washington committed a quarter-billion dollars to 29-year-old Bradley Beal this summer? You are not alone.
Having said that, the super-sized spending would start to make more sense if the Wizards could brighten their outlook. No, Harrison Barnes wouldn't transform this team into a title contender, but couple his rock-solid play with a return to form for Beal and a resurgent, healthy season from Kristaps Porzingis and maybe this club could be more than a pesky play-in tournament participant.
Granted, that isn't the biggest prize imaginable, but Washington lacks the assets to go championship-chasing. The Wizards should instead chase maximum competitiveness, and Barnes' experience, versatility and consistency could all help make that happen.
As for Sacramento, this trade would net them a potential long-term keeper in Deni Avdija as well as an established pro in Will Barton. That could be critical for the Kings since this roster could use more youth, but this organization operates like one in perpetual need of instant gratification, which sort of makes sense when it's been historically starved of success.
If Avdija finds his offensive niche, he could be a long-term starter in Sacramento. Barton, meanwhile, would add more shot-creation and support-scoring to the mix.
Pacers Gamble on Potential Building Block
Indiana Pacers receive: Jonathan Isaac
Orlando Magic receive: Buddy Hield and 2023 first-round pick (top-12 protected, via BOS)
The Pacers are knee-deep in a rebuilding project centered around Tyrese Haliburton, Bennedict Mathurin and Chris Duarte. If they acquired Jonathan Isaac, helped him get healthy and somehow got him back on track after his last two seasons were erased by an August 2020 ACL tear, they could add a high-level frontcourt player to their nucleus.
If the light bulb switches on fast enough for Isaac, Indy might even be able to justify keeping 26-year-old Myles Turner around and extending him or re-signing him next summer.
Now, that's putting plenty in the basket of someone who hasn't suited up in two years and has never been much of an offensive threat (career 9.3 points per game on 43.5 percent shooting). However, if Indy's young perimeter players can supply the necessary scoring, then Isaac can take care of the defensive end, where he once shined as one of the Association's best young stoppers.
A healthy Isaac is a 6'11", 230-pound shape-shifter. He packages top-shelf paint protection with five-position versatility. He could form a nasty 4-5 combination up front with Turner or man the middle himself. Granted, there's no telling when or if he'll be healthy again, but the sky-high reward exists all the same.
The Magic, meanwhile, may decide they no longer need Isaac, as their frontcourt is sufficiently stacked with No. 1 pick Paolo Banchero and recent top-10 selections Wendell Carter Jr. and Mo Bamba. While they'd be selling low on Isaac, his trade value may never recover if he can't make it back on the hardwood, so perhaps this would be enough.
Orlando was collectively punchless last season—29th in scoring and efficiency—and one of the league's worst three-point attacks (33.1 percent, 28th). Buddy Hield is accurate enough to improve that number on his own (career 3.0 triples per game on 39.8 percent shooting). The first-round pick accounts for the fact that a healthy Isaac still has a substantial ceiling.