NBA Mock Trades: Warriors, Bucks, Knicks, & Grizzlies Improve Their Title Odds

The NBA trade deadline is Feb. 6 at 3 p.m. ET, so teams are scrambling to negotiate ahead of this rapidly approaching date. Brooklyn Nets forward Cameron Johnson is the most coveted player on the market, but there are also numerous other intriguing options like Jimmy Butler and Nikola Vucevic.  

Check out three NBA mock trades below and the rationale behind them from all perspectives.

NBA Mock Trades That Shift Championship Landscape

The following three mock trades would muddy the championship waters and likely shift some futures odds at sportsbook apps.

Warriors acquire Nikola Vucevic in three-team trade

It’s no secret that the Warriors are searching for upgrades and have tagged Bulls center Nikola Vucevic as a top trade candidate. This three-team deal would send Vucevic to Golden State while simultaneously fortifying an Eastern Conference contender. 

Warriors receive

  • Nikola Vucevic 

Bucks receive: 

  • Gary Payton II

Bulls receive

  • Pat Connaughton, Kevon Looney, Lindy Waters III, Gui Santos, 2026 2nd via Hawks, 2028 2nd via Hawks, 2029 2nd via Warriors, top-10 protected 2031 1st swap rights via Bucks

Why the Warriors accept: Golden State owns a top-10 defense and has playoff depth, but it is not a serious contender as currently constructed because the offense struggles to create and make shots on a regular basis. If the Warriors plan on reaching and advancing past the first round, then it’s imperative that they add creators. Stephen Curry cannot do it alone. 

Vucevic certainly has his flaws, but the veteran is playing like a borderline All-Star this season. He’s thriving inside the paint, knocking down triples, and operating as a quality playmaking hub down low. His passing and outside shooting would fit perfectly in Golden State’s system. Vucevic also adds size and a rebounding presence that the Warriors desperately need. 

Does this move vault them into true contention? It’s highly doubtful, but the trade at least offers Curry more to work with during his twilight years without sacrificing first-round picks or young prospects. And who knows? A breakout series from Jonathan Kuminga combined with a vintage Curry run could give them a puncher’s chance against most Western Conference teams. That’s an excellent return for a few second-round picks.  

Why the Bucks accept: Damian Lillard will be hunted in every series, so surrounding him with elite guard defenders needs to be at the top of Milwaukee’s list. 

Gary Payton II remains a superb perimeter defender who seamlessly transitions between the point of attack and chasing off-ball shooters. His ability to apply pressure and get stops on an island would be a game-changer for Milwaukee’s defense. 

Payton’s outside shooting is suspect, but the defensive boost that he provides trumps the spacing side effects, especially since Lillard and Giannis Antetokounmpo stabilize the offensive floor. 

Injuries are a slight concern for the 32-year-old. The risk is worth the reward. 

Overall, if there is one area holding the Bucks back from a potential championship, it’s perimeter defense. With Payton and Andre Jackson Jr. on the roster, the Bucks could always play Lillard next to a strong perimeter defender. 

Conceding swap rights on their 2031 first stings. However, the top-10 protection clause significantly reduces the downside, and Milwaukee sheds Pat Connaughton’s $9.4M salary for next season. The front office must focus on maximizing this small window now. 

Why the Bulls accept: Chicago has no hope of a deep playoff run and would be fortunate to even make the playoffs. To make matters worse, the Bulls owe a top-10 protected first-rounder to the Spurs in this loaded 2025 draft. 

Fighting for a play-in spot is subsequently the least logical strategy since it probably leaves them eliminated early with no incoming top prospect. Sell the vets! Teams won’t touch Zach LaVine’s contract in this new apron era, but Vucevic will command draft capital. 

The Bulls must not be too stubborn about price because keeping their 2025 first should be the main goal. Dorian Finney-Smith recently went for three second-rounders, which feels a little cheap yet reasonable for Vucevic. After all, he is 34 years old, and second-rounders are far more valuable than they used to be because of the new CBA. 

Perhaps Chicago could squeeze out a heavily protected first-round pick? If it cannot, then raking in three or four picks is well worth it, especially since his departure drastically increases the Bulls’ chances of landing in the top 10. 

The Warriors offer three picks in this mock trade, and the Bucks chip in top-10 protected swap rights on their 2031 first-round pick for taking on Connaughton instead of Payton. Additionally, Chicago also shaves $9.8M off its total salary next season. That figure becomes $12M if the Bulls decline Gui Santos’ team option. 

Flexibility is king in today’s age, and the Bulls gain both financial and draft flexibility here. 

Knicks flip Mitchell Robinson for depth

New York improves its bench by moving on from a talented yet injury-prone center. 

Knicks receive: 

  • Nick Richards, Cody Martin

Hornets receive: 

  • Mitchell Robinson, 2026 2nd via Warriors, 2027 2nd via Timberwolves

Why the Knicks accept: New York’s starting lineup features a dynamic one-two punch along with a trio of impactful wings. That unit at its best can compete against anyone. 

However, elite teams have exposed the Knicks’ minimal depth this season. Their recent games against Oklahoma City, in particular, put a blinding spotlight on the issue. 

They need to bolster the second unit behind Miles McBride in order to compete against premier contenders. Otherwise, New York will be too worn down and own a margin of error that’s likely too slim to win four straight series. Asking six players to claim a title is simply not realistic. 

Now, the Knicks have a great backup center in Mitchell Robinson, but he’s still recovering from offseason surgery. Robinson is no stranger to injuries, so it’s valid to be dubious about his health moving forward — especially since there’s no clear return date at this moment. 

New York has its best shot at a title since the Patrick Ewing era. It cannot afford to shove its chips on Robinson’s health. Flipping him into a backup center and backup wing makes the most sense from a roster construction perspective, and it just so happens that there’s a rebuilding team looking to sell both of these for future picks. 

Nick Richards is a traditional big who primarily acts as a roller and glass-cleaner. His interior defense would hold up in limited minutes, too. Meanwhile, Cody Martin is a disruptive wing defender with playmaking chops. He would be a defensive menace under Tom Thibodeau who brings connective passing and allows much-needed rest for Josh Hart, OG Anunoby, and Mikal Bridges

Essentially, the Knicks acquire a pair of reliable reserves who are also on team-friendly contracts next season. It’s a trade that helps New York for the next two playoff runs, so giving up Robinson and a couple of picks is worth it. 

This would create an eight-man postseason rotation with Cameron Payne and Precious Achiuwa also available depending on the situation. That’s just enough depth to feel good about a deep run barring injuries. 

Why the Hornets accept: The season is already derailed because they are 8.5 games back of the final play-in spot. Even if Chicago plummets down the standings, it’s unlikely that Charlotte would outduel Philadelphia for the 10th seed. Therefore, focusing on long-term additions is the wise move. 

Richards and Martin are quality veterans who can fetch a decent package on the trade market. Their departures would open up more playing time for the Hornets’ young guys, such as Tidjane Salaun and Moussa Diabate. Charlotte losing immediate talent also slightly improves its tanking outlook. Hello, Cooper Flagg! 

In this trade package, the Hornets secure a pair of future second-rounders along with a backup center who is actually an upgrade over Richards when healthy. A center rotation featuring Mark Williams and Robinson would provide elite rim protection and rebounding across 48 minutes. 

Robinson is owed $12.9M next season before becoming an unrestricted free agent during the 2026 offseason. That makes him extremely easy to flip to a contender for draft capital at next year’s trade deadline should the Hornets have hesitations about paying him. 

Grizzlies win the Cameron Johnson sweepstakes

There are a few hoops to jump through for Memphis to acquire Cameron Johnson

The Grizzlies and Nets are both hard-capped at the first apron and do not possess much remaining space. Johnson has $4.5M in bonuses, so a hard-capped team would actually be acquiring $27M in salary by snagging him, not his $22.5M contract figure. 

Memphis also only has $1.8M of space before crossing the luxury tax threshold. The Grizzlies need to strike a deal where their incoming salary is incredibly close to the outgoing salary. 

Plus, avoiding a godfather offer from Sam Presti and the Oklahoma City Thunder is another bullet to dodge. 

In the mock trade below, Memphis manages to cobble together a desirable package that has a mere $1,362 difference between the incoming and outgoing salaries. 

Grizzlies receive:

  • Cameron Johnson, Trendon Watford 

Nets receive:

  • Marcus Smart, Jake LaRavia, John Konchar, 2025 1st via Grizzlies, 2027 1st via Grizzlies 

Why the Grizzlies accept: Although Memphis is one of three teams (OKC, Boston) to currently rank in the top seven in both offensive and defense rating, it still seems as if the Grizzlies are in that second tier of championship contenders. Acquiring Johnson would immediately vault them up a tier. 

He is knocking down 43.6% of his triples and ranks sixth in the NBA in Basketball Index’s metric off-ball gravity, which “aims to measure how much attention and resources a team uses trying to defend a player when they don’t have the ball.” Brooklyn lacking other offensive options definitely contributes to Johnson’s gravity ranking, but it’s mainly because he is one of the top shooters in the association who cannot be left open. 

Johnson isn’t just a one-trick pony, either. Of the 85 players with 100+ pull-up attempts this season, his 54 effective field goal percentage on pull-up jumpers ranks sixth-best. He’s also dishing out three assists per game and holds his own defensively. 

Overall, the Nets forward would perfectly complement Memphis’ paint scorers and likely fix the team’s fourth-quarter offensive struggles. This deal also would give the Grizzlies a massive boost against Oklahoma City since the Thunder’s defense is built to stop pick-and-roll scorers and rim attempts yet concedes a ton of catch-and-shoot triples. 

Two first-round picks, Jake LaRavia, and Marcus Smart’s defense is a steep price, but the trade would elevate Memphis into the top tier with Boston, Cleveland, and Oklahoma City while still keeping it below the luxury tax and first apron. 

It’s a move that would maximize the next two seasons for the Grizzlies before they must pay an enormous contract to Jaren Jackson Jr. and avoid Victor Wembanyama’s reign. 

Why the Nets accept: Brooklyn embraced a complete rebuild last offseason by exchanging Mikal Bridges for a treasure chest of picks. It’s time to cash in on Johnson, who does not fit the timeline at 28 years old. 

In this mock trade, the Nets would receive two unprotected first rounders as the foundation. Both are projected to be late, but the new CBA places a tremendous amount of value on first-round picks. 

Additionally, LaRavia has broken out this season with career highs in assists, rebounds, stocks, 3-point percentage, true shooting percentage, and numerous advanced metrics. He owns an intriguing future as an all-around connective wing. LaRavia will be an unrestricted free agent this summer, so Brooklyn gets the chance to audition him before potentially locking the 23-year-old down long term. 

Smart is on an expiring $21.M contract next season, so the Nets should be able to flip his services to a contender for second-round draft capital either this offseason or next trade deadline. 

Brooklyn would have to absorb John Konchar’s negative contract. However, it’s only $6.1M in each of the next two seasons. 

Maybe Sam Presti comes over the top with a godfather offer? I doubt it based on his past transactions, and Memphis’ package likely checks in as the best non-Thunder offer.

Post
Braxton has been covering the NBA for Lineups since the 2022 season. He's worked with multiple collegiate coaching staffs regarding analytics and scouting, which has allowed him to understand the game on a deeper level. Braxton is also a contributor at Thunderous Intentions.

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