*not pictured: Detroit Pistons get Draymond Green
The Golden State Warriors get crazy
And this is where we get crazy! Admittedly, there are probably some details that need to be ironed out for this deal to be legal. But that’s the complications of what a four-team trade can be. Nevertheless, I do believe that the framework of this deal is legal.
Let’s begin with the Los Angeles Lakers getting a facelift. They have to trade Russell Westbrook and both of their trade-eligible future first-round picks, but they land a collection of new rotation players in Cory Joseph, Bojan Bogdanovic, Joe Harris, and Royce O’Neale.
The Brooklyn Nets decide to cut their losses by trading Kevin Durant (more on that in a bit), Harris, and O’Neale. The Nets have to eat Westbrook’s contract (it’s expiring), but land Jonathan Kuminga, Jordan Poole, and James Wiseman from Golden State. They also get three future first-round picks.
The Warriors get a future first-round pick and Durant. Golden State would have to punt on their young players but they get Durant, a player that would immediately make the Warriors head and shoulders the favorites to win the title.
There’s a growing chance that the Warriors get to a point this season where they’re ready to move one or two of their young players in order to prepare for the stretch run. They owe it to Steph to surround him with the supporting cast that gives him the best possible chance to win another championship.