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Five game-changing NBA draft trades we'd love to see

Kelvin Kuo/USA TODAY Sports

There's a flurry of trade talk happening around the NBA draft.

Here are five big trades that make sense, featuring five top-10 draft picks, six All-Stars and 11 teams -- including the Lakers, Celtics, Sixers, Knicks and Cavs.

We are not reporting these deals as actual trade talks. But in each case the teams involved have been rumored to be talking about various scenarios.


The massive three-teamer

Knicks send: Carmelo Anthony and Robin Lopez to Cleveland
Cavaliers send: Kyrie Irving, Kevin Love, Mo Williams and Sasha Kaun to Phoenix
Suns send: Eric Bledsoe to Cleveland; Brandon Knight, Alex Len, P.J. Tucker, Archie Goodwin and the Nos. 4 and 13 picks to New York

View in ESPN's trade machine

Why the Cavs do it: If the Cavs fail to beat the Warriors in the Finals, it might be time to make some changes. Love still seems like an awkward fit. Irving is special but hasn't clicked consistently with LeBron James the last two years, despite Irving's incredible scoring display in Monday's Game 5.

This deal brings in two players LeBron has wanted to play with for a while: Anthony and Bledsoe. Would this be a talent upgrade? Maybe, maybe not.

But chemistry seems to be a significant issue in Cleveland and the hope would be for a trade like this to improve the team's synergy -- and its chances to win a title. Also, Lopez would be a serviceable big man to help control the paint.

Why the Suns do it: Owner Robert Sarver has been eager to avoid a total rebuild in Phoenix. This would give him a chance to make a big splash right now. Irving has a higher ceiling than Bledsoe and is two years younger. Love would fill a huge gap at the 4.

Most importantly, it also allows the Suns to do this while still hanging on to Devin Booker, whom they are very high on. With Knight departing in this trade, Booker could step into the starting lineup for Phoenix right away.

Why the Knicks do it: First of all, Anthony has the ability to veto any trades. But given his friendship with LeBron and his desire to compete for an NBA championship, it's quite possible he would endorse this deal.

The Knicks would get multiple pieces for Melo and speed up the rebuild around Kristaps Porzingis. The big prize would be the No. 4 pick in the draft. That pick should be able to net them Kris Dunn, Jamal Murray, Marquese Chriss, Jaylen Brown or Buddy Hield.

The No. 13 pick should land a player like Dejounte Murray, Wade Baldwin or Furkan Korkmaz. In short, there's a lot of talent there. Len was the No. 5 pick in 2013 and still has terrific upside. Goodwin is only 21 and a solid scorer.

While this trade wouldn't improve the Knicks' record by much next season, it would give them a solid foundation for building a contender down the road. Knicks fans might hate rebuilding, but this is the way to go.


The Jimmy Butler deal

Bulls send: Jimmy Butler to Minnesota
Wolves send: No. 5 pick, Zach LaVine, Gorgui Dieng and Nikola Pekovic to Chicago

View trade in ESPN's trade machine

Why the Wolves do it: Because coach Tom Thibodeau loves Butler. Thibodeau has plenty of elite young players on the roster. He wants to put them in a winning culture and Butler would help tremendously with that.

The Wolves won't be the only team pursing Butler and this package might not be enough. But if Thibs could get this done, it's a slam dunk.

Why the Bulls do it: The Bulls are potentially facing a total rebuild. Pau Gasol might leave via free agency. Derrick Rose looks like he'll never be able to fully bounce back after several years of injuries.

Getting the No. 5 pick -- they really covet Dunn -- along with LaVine and Dieng, to go along with their own No. 14 pick, would allow the Bulls to start the rebuild process quickly.

The Celtics might be able to make a better offer, so keep an eye on that. Either way, the Bulls are likely missing the playoffs again next year. But this kind of deal would give them significant hope for the future.


The Lakers-Celtics swap

Lakers send: D'Angelo Russell and Julius Randle to Boston
Celtics send: Picks Nos. 3 and 16 along with Jonas Jerebko, R.J. Hunter and Jordan Mickey to Los Angeles

View in ESPN's trade machine

Why the Lakers do it: The Lakers have hoped Russell would be the face of the franchise, post-Kobe Bryant, after drafting him with the No. 2 pick a year ago. It might still work out. But so far, it hasn't gone as hoped.

Russell struggled early in the year and turned the locker room against him after the Nick Young incident. Given Russell's high draft value, there is reason to believe the Lakers might be better off moving him and giving him a fresh start while finding comparable young players.

The Lakers hold the No. 2 pick in the draft, likely to be Brandon Ingram, and are enamored with two other prospects: Dunn and Chriss.

Adding either player -- along with another mid-first-round pick, plus other young prospects like Hunter and Mickey -- would give them a stronger base to build upon.

Why the Celtics do it: The Celtics would essentially get two picks for the price of one. Russell can do many of the things Evan Turner did for Boston last year, but for less money with far more upside. Randle is an athletic, versatile 4 -- another need on Boston's list.

It's clear the Celtics would prefer to package these picks along with other players on their roster for a veteran superstar. But that trade might not be available

This would give the Celtics two players who are a little more ready to come in and contribute right now and grow with a team full of young veterans.


Big for small

Sixers send: Jahlil Okafor to New Orleans
Pelicans send: No. 6 pick and Alexis Ajinca to Philadelphia

View in ESPN's trade machine

Why the 76ers do it: They don't believe Okafor and Nerlens Noel can thrive together on the court. Head coach Brett Brown wants to play fast, which makes Okafor more expendable.

In addition to likely taking Ben Simmons with the No. 1 pick, the Sixers would love to add a guard in the draft. Dunn, Jamal Murray or Hield should still be on the board at No. 6.

Why the Pelicans do it: Pairing Anthony Davis and Okafor gives them a powerful front court. It also allows them to shop Omer Asik for another potential backcourt player.

New Orleans isn't a perfect fit for Okafor -- I'm not sure there is one -- but this is the best the Sixers will do if they want to land another top pick.


The backcourt boosts

Hawks send: Jeff Teague and Thabo Sefolosha to Sacramento
Kings send: No. 8 pick, Kosta Koufos and Ben McLemore to Atlanta

View in ESPN's trade machine

Why the Hawks do it: The Hawks are shopping Teague hard. It looks like Dennis Schroder is their point guard of the future. This would give them a chance at a prospect like Jaylen Brown, Hield or maybe Jamal Murray to pair with Schroder. Or they could go in a different direction and take a big man like Jakob Poeltl or Skal Labissiere.

McLemore hasn't been great in Sacramento, but maybe a chance of scenery would do him good.

Why the Kings do it: The Kings are in playoff-or-bust mode. The last thing they want is another rookie (especially given their awful track record in developing them).

Teague would give them a very good starting point guard and keep them from overpaying Rajon Rondo. Sefolosha would give them a veteran 2-guard to help as well.