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David Zalubowski/Associated Press
The NBA offseason has already begun for nearly half the league, with other franchises soon to join them as the playoffs march on.
With a free-agent class lacking in star power, the most exciting part of the offseason may end up being the trade market.
While it s important to aim high with your trade target list, teams have to be realistic as well. For this exercise, we re looking at high-impact deals teams can make, while still being grounded in reality.
These are the swaps every NBA team should be calling about this offseason.
Atlanta Hawks
Boston Celtics Receive: 2023 second-round pick (via Boston Celtics)
The Hornets need help at center. Veterans Cody Zeller and Bismack Biyombo can leave via free agency this offseason, and rookie Vernon Carey Jr. played just 115 minutes this season.
Thompson, 30, is still good enough to be a starter and would be an upgrade over everyone the Hornets have at the position. He s a good screen setter and rebounder and would bring 78 games (and counting) of playoff experience, including a championship ring with the 2016 Cleveland Cavaliers.
Boston has leaned toward Robert Williams III, 23, as the future at the position. The Celtics are already at the luxury tax line for next season, and that s before any free-agent signings or a new contract for Evan Fournier.
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Entering a season knowing your favorite NBA team is rebuilding is one thing.
Fully expecting a playoff run only to end up with a spot in the lottery is quite another.
No franchises have been as disappointing this year as the Chicago Bulls, Golden State Warriors, Houston Rockets, Indiana Pacers, New Orleans Pelicans and Toronto Raptors.
As of May 3, all six teams were seeded ninth or lower in their respective conferences, with none possessing a record above .500. Given that all had legitimate postseason hope when the year began, this year has been a massive disappointment.
With the offseason quickly approaching for most, these are trades all six should be considering.
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Nick Wass/Associated Press
Hope is fading for many NBA teams, as losses pile up and dreams of even making the play-in tournament start to feel far-fetched.
Hope springs eternal each offseason, of course, with franchises already dreaming up deals that can improve their outlooks.
For the six teams with the worst records in the NBA (excluding the Oklahoma City Thunder since those 34 draft picks in the next seven drafts carry a LOT of hope), the following moves can get them a little closer to playoff contention or at least lay a better foundation for a rebuild.
Cleveland Cavaliers and Minnesota Timberwolves