Best Landing Spots for the League’s Most Available Stars

(cleveland.com)

Kyle Lowry - Los Angeles Clippers

The greatest Raptor of all time may be on the move at this year’s deadline. Toronto, or Tampa this year, have struggled out of the gate and many are wondering if it’s time to blow it up. If the Raptors do decide they want to build around their young core of Pascal Siakam and Fred VavVleet, Lowry is going to have to be the one of the move. He would still garner a good return for the Raptors if they feel like their current roster isn’t good enough to make noise in the East. The LA Clippers look to be the best option for a moving Lowry. The Clippers have been in search of a true point guard for a while. They last acquired Reggie Jackson hoping he would fill the void, but he has turned into more of a bench player. Kawhi Leonard and Paul George do most of the ball handling for the team, along with Patrick Beverley. Lowry and Leonard have history together. The pair led the Raptors to an NBA Championship in 2019 and were close friends along the way. Lowry would fit the Clippers need better than maybe anyone in the league right now. He is a craft veteran All-Star would knows how to handle big pressure situations. He can also still give you 25 to 30 on any night without being the defenses main focus. If LA can pull the trigger and somehow get Lowry, they would likely turn into the favorites in the West.

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LaMarcus Aldridge - Golden State Warriors

LaMarcus Aldridge has carved out a solid role for himself down in San Antonio. He is a locker room leader who will give you good enough defense and about 18 points a game. He is still a reliable shooter from mid-range and from deep, shooting 35% from downtown this season. But his time may be running out with the Spurs. After 6 seasons, it seems like the Spurs are starting a youth movement down in the Alamo that wouldn’t involve Aldridge. The Spurs lineup has been playing well with bag man Jakob Poeltl starting since Aldridge has been sidelined. If LaMarcus were to be moved, I think Golden State would have interest. The Warriors have always been able to plug in a decent big man with Steph, Klay, and Draymond and make it work. Aldridge could be a stretch five who doesn’t need the ball, but can score when he has it. Similar to how the Warriors used DeMarcus Cousins in 2019. It would give him a fresh start in the last chapter of his career and another chance at a title upon Klay’s return. His ability to also mentor rookie James Wiseman could be a cherry on top of the cake. Aldridge to the Warriors, let’s make it happen.

(Stephen Spillman/USA Today Sports)

Andre Drummond - Toronto Raptors

Andre Drummond is probably the most likely to be traded out of all the names on this list. His name has been linked to many teams including Brooklyn, both Los Angeles franchises, and the Toronto Raptors. Toronto desperately needs help at the big position this year. Their starting center Aron Baynes has not been what Toronto had hoped this season. Their best center has been Chris Boucher, who is built like a skinnier KD. Drummond, while being an All-Star caliber player, does not hold a lot of value on the trade market. Last deadline he got shipped to Cleveland for Brandon Knight, John Henson, and a 2nd round pick. Neither one of those players are on the Pistons to start this year. So they basically gave him away. Many around the league think teams could get more out of him this time around. He has played decently and some teams, like the Raptors, are likely to overpay out of desperation. Toronto probably wouldn’t have to trade one of their starts, including Lowry, to get this deal done. It is also possible they could pick up Drummond on the buyout market if no teams are interested in trading for him. Andre would help them down low immensely and give them another piece to build around.

(theathletic.com)

Blake Griffin - Portland Trail Blazers

Blake Griffin is an under-the-radar on the move player at the deadline. Detroit is clearly heading in a different direction with the franchise and the fact Blake is still on the team now baffles me. Griffin is still an All-Star caliber player who is basically just going through the motions on the worst team in basketball. He is averaging a career low in points this season and the need for a fresh start is obvious. A team I like for Blake is the Portland Trail Blazers. It seems like the Blazers always have a big man injured. Whether it’s Zach Collins or Jusuf Nurkic, neither player has been able to stay on the court consistently. I think Blake would fit nicely with that offense and make them a better team overall. His new ability to shoot 3s at a high rate would allow for more spacing for Lillard and McCollum. He has also been in high pressure situations before and knows how to play when it counts. The Blazers need a player like that who isn’t named Damian Lillard. Portland would probably have to part ways with either one of their young studs or Robert Covington to make this deal happen. Blake Griffin would make them a better, and a more interesting, team and I think we could see Blake return to All-Star form.

Bradley Beal - Denver Nuggets

Bradley Beal needs to be traded yesterday. The Wizards absolutely suck. Even with two All-NBA caliber players in Beal and Russell Westbrook, Washington is the most unwatchable team in the league. The Wolves are more fun to watch for god’s sake! Beal is one of the best scorers in basketball and he is basically wasting away his prime in Washington. Beal has committed to the his love for the city, but what is he supposed to say? “You guys stink and I’m better than everyone” might actually work, but I think it’s a bit too harsh. Beal needs to be on a contending team where he fits. The Denver Nuggets are that team. Denver made it to the Western Conference Finals last year, lead by young star point guard Jamal Murray and MVP candidate big man Nikola Jokic. Denver also has one of the best trade pieces in the league today in Michael Porter Jr. Porter Jr. is seen as one of the better rising stars today with definite star potential. His long frame and ability to score and shoot has reminded many scouts of Kevin Durant. He has been solid for the Nuggets as their 3rd or 4th option this year, but many want to see him in a bigger role. A package revolving around Porter Jr., Gary Harris, and picks could be enough to pry Beal away from Washington. He would be able to finally compete in the playoffs and test himself in the West and Washington would be getting one of the best young stars in the game. Beal and Jokic on the same team would be a hoot. Hopefully Beal is in the Mile High city before too long.

(Getty Images)