5) NBA Trades: The New Orleans Pelicans ship Zion Williamson to the San Antonio Spurs.
Despite rumors that the San Antonio Spurs could be interested in pursuing Giannis Antetokounmpo and Kevin Durant, a third option would be for them to try and trade for Williamson this summer. That would make for an intriguing fit with them being uniquely able to slot him in next to a center who can both shoot and defend the rim.
Pairing Williamson with Victor Wembanyama would be a potentially wise move, giving them an efficient 25-point-per-game scorer who can dominate in the paint. That is something that the Spurs don't currently have, with Wembanyama being more of a stretch five that can bomb away from outside and occasionally score inside the paint.
As far as a potential trade package, the Spurs could trade Devin Vassell, Jeremy Sochan, a 2027 Atlanta first-round pick, and a 2030 pick swap via the Minnesota Timberwolves for Williamson. Depending on who you asked, that would be either an overpay or a bargain for Williamson.
Vassell still has enough talent to be a solid scorer in the NBA, but it's clear that his ceiling isn't that of a star any longer. He is on a solid declining contract over the next 4 years, which could be interesting to another team. Even if his future with the Spurs is still up in the air.
As for Sochan, despite him being viewed as a member of the Spurs' young core, he has yet to make significant strides regarding his biggest swing skill, his shooting. His lack of improvement during his third season is a concern, causing one to question his future with the team.
If the Spurs were interested in acquiring Zion, they might be willing to trade him, given that he and Williamson would be a poor fit. Add in an unprotected first from the Hawks that could easily be a top-10 pick in 2027, and it would be a competitive offer.
The Pelicans would be getting a starting-caliber shooting guard who, even coming off a down season, averaged more than 16 points per game. They would also be getting a versatile, defensive-minded power forward who is young enough to be a part of their future or valuable enough to be traded again for another first. Factor in a possible lottery pick, and it would be a competitive offer.
As for the Spurs, they could play star De'Aaron Fox, Stephon Castle, Harrison Barnes, and Wembanyama together with Zion, giving them a potent starting five. Zion could thrive playing next to Wembanyama, who is a high-volume 3-point shooter that can pull opposing centers away from the basket.
With most teams playing their center on Zion, it could force mismatches that either player could exploit. Zion doesn't make as much as other stars due to the incentive-based contract he signed.
That would allow the Spurs to add him while still being able to keep most of their current roster intact. The trade would also allow the Pelicans to start fresh with two solid young players and a likely lottery pick that they can use to aid with their rebuild going forward.