Miami Heat
Miami Heat receive: C DeAndre Jordan, C Nikola Vucevic, 2018 LAC 1st round pick (top 3 protected)
Orlando Magic receive: C Hassan Whiteside, PF Kelly Olynyk, SF Justise Winslow, SF Josh Richardson
LA Clippers receive: SF Terrence Ross, SG Jonathon Simmons, SF/PF Jonathan Isaac, C Bam Adebayo
Ok, this one is a little out there. But 3 team trades are always fun, so why not?
Miami would be making moves to contend now. They’ve made it clear that this is not Whiteside’s team. DeAndre is a better player. Nikola Vucevic could provide some offense for the Heat with his banger of a mid range shot. This new center rotation would give the Heat a better shot of competing for a high playoff spot.
Orlando would be cashing in on some young talent. Winslow hasn’t really worked out in Miami, maybe a change in scenery would lead to him improving. Josh Richardson has been very good this season as he is averaging a career high in the 5 main statistical categories.
Hassan Whiteside could finally go to a team where he is clearly the best center. When he is feeling good, he is a force to be reckoned with.
Kelly Olynyk is a guy that could probably carve out a role as a backup power forward. His floor stretching ability at his position is very valuable.
You might think that the Magic would never do this, but you can’t count them out. They are very good at making questionable decisions (Oladipo and Sabonis for Ibaka, Saric to the Sixers, Redick to the Bucks, Tobias Harris to the Pistons for nothing, etc).
The Clippers would get the best return in this trade. Story time: One day, a poor Jonathon Simmons was sitting on his couch and asked a friend to borrow $150 to try out for the NBA D-League. 3 years later, he’s is signed into a 3 year $18 million contract and averaging 13 points per game. You can’t not root for this guy. He had a career high 30 point outing in March against the Bucks.
Jonathan Isaac is very special. He is long and has the potential to become a very effective 3 point shooter. He was taken 6th overall in the 2017 draft, but has sat out a good chunk of the year due to injury.
Terrence Ross is a serviceable backup small forward. He’s as athletic as could be and is known for his crazy dunks and scoring 51 points on our very own Los Angeles Clippers. Fantastic.
Bam Adebayo is a intriguing piece. He has been taking a lot of minutes from Whiteside in the Heat’s center rotation. He has tremendous rebounding and blocking ability. He is a rookie and was taken by the Heat with the 14th pick of the 2017 draft. He and Isaac would fit in with the new chapter that is beginning for the Clippers.