Absurd NBA Trade Offers for Every Team's Most Untouchable Star

This probably isn't a precursor to many (or any) actual real-world swaps, but it is a fun mental exercise to try to determine the trade value of players who aren't actually available in trades.Atlanta Hawks receive: Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Luguentz Dort, No. 25 pick (via DEN) and 2021 first-round pick (top-five protected)Oklahoma City Thunder receive: Trae YoungMuch like the initial trade that delivered Trae Young to Atlanta during the 2018 draft (at the expense of Luka Doncic), this deal would involve the Hawks flipping one star prospect for a slightly lower regarded one to fetch additional assets.Young is the brightest star involved and certainly the most lethal on offense. The fact he played his high school and college ball in the Sooner State should also energize one of the league's smallest markets.Boston Celtics receive: Jaren Jackson Jr., Dillon Brooks, 2021 first-round pick (top-five protected) and 2024 first-round pick (top-four protected via GSW)Memphis Grizzlies receive: Jayson Tatum, Enes Kanter and Vincent PoirierCeltics fans are probably screaming right now, since they are losing an ascending star in Jayson Tatum without bringing back an established star or someone guaranteed to reach that level in the future. Enes Kanter is a money-matcher after picking up his player option, and Vincent Poirier would get tacked onto the trade so Boston can open a roster spot.Brooklyn Nets receive: Joel Embiid, Josh Richardson and Zhaire SmithPhiladelphia 76ers receive: Kevin Durant and DeAndre JordanEven in this fantasy realm, it feels cruel to break apart Kevin Durant and Kyrie Irving before they take the floor together, but this exercise demands it. The Nets, meanwhile, would snag a three-and-D ace in Josh Richardson, and they would pick up a wild card with bouncy 21-year-old Zhaire Smith.Charlotte Hornets receive: Ricky Rubio, Cameron Johnson, Ty Jerome and No. 10 pickPhoenix Suns receive: Devonte' Graham and Nicolas BatumThe euphoria of uncovering a hidden gem is unlike many other experiences in the NBA. Rubio should be a more natural backcourt fit with Terry Rozier, former Tar Heel Cameron Johnson would scratch an itch for more shooting in Charlotte, and maybe Ty Jerome discovers a long-term niche.Chicago Bulls receive: Spencer Dinwiddie, Jarrett Allen and No. 19 pick (via PHI)Brooklyn Nets receive: Zach LaVineIt'd be a great sign for the Bulls' rebuild if someone other than Zach LaVine stood out in this exercise, but the occasional pops from their prospects aren't enough to displace the dunk king. Porter's viewed as the most promising of all the young pieces."The problem is Porter is better in theory than practice at the moment (he averaged 10.0 points and 2.2 assists), so the only kind of swap that sort of makes sense is a one-for-one trade for another intriguing prospect.The Wizards should be willing to gamble, since they need help to make the Bradley Beal-John Wall reboot work. He isn't as ball-dominant as Porter, which should make for an easier fit with Sexton and Garland.Dallas Mavericks receive: Jayson Tatum and No. 14 pick (via MEM)Boston Celtics receive: Luka DoncicIt was tempting to exclude the Mavericks from this exercise, as there's less than a zero percent chance they'll trade Luka Doncic. McDermott just had his third straight season with 80-plus threes at a 40 percent clip; only three other players can say the same.If Murray makes his superstar leap and Michael Porter Jr. ascends to All-Star status, Denver could remain in the championship hunt while bringing back a lightly protected pick in a loaded draft.Indiana, meanwhile, would add a new best player without necessarily giving up its current one. But it would also involve trading away the best player in the swap for economic relief (with Nicolas Batum's $27.1 million expiring salary), a fringe prospect (Malik Monk) and a high second-round pick in a weak draft class.Still, if the Pistons think Griffin's best days are behind him—a distinct possibility with the oft-injured 31-year-old—then it's worth the risk. Plus, they could still field a formidable roster around him with John Collins, Cam Reddish, Kevin Huerter and whomever they add with the No. 6 pick.Houston Rockets receive: Joel Embiid, Josh Richardson and Zhaire SmithPhiladelphia 76ers receive: James HardenJames Harden has paced the Association in points per game in each of the last three seasons. This would also free up the center spot for Al Horford, who was miscast in a jumbo frontcourt with Embiid (that pairing was outscored by 0.5 points per 100 possessions over 619 minutes).Indiana Pacers receive: Chris Paul, No. 25 pick (via DEN) and 2022 first-round pick (from LAC)Oklahoma City Thunder receive: Domantas Sabonis, Jeremy Lamb and Aaron HolidaySurprised not to see Victor Oladipo listed here? This package also provides a lockdown defender (Matisse Thybulle), a sharpshooter (Furkan Korkmaz) and a first-round pick to flesh out the rotation around Simmons and Davis.If the Sixers decide they've taken the Simmons-Joel Embiid experiment as far as it can go, they'd rely on James' basketball genius to make sense of their roster. Every franchise that has employed him has collected at least one championship as a result, and if he found the sweet spots for Embiid, Tobias Harris and Al Horford, Philly could continue that trend.Memphis Grizzlies receive: Trae YoungAtlanta Hawks receive: Ja Morant and 2021 first-round pick (1-7 and 15-30 protected, via UTA)Ja Morant gave Beale Street some bounce, and the presumably rebuilding Grizzlies nearly followed his lead into the postseason. Young's three-point cannon would also give Jonas Valanciunas and Justise Winslow more room to operate, hence the Grizzlies' willingness to ship out a pick in this deal.The Hawks, though, might envision more team-building opportunities with Morant than a one-way player like Young allows. There wouldn't be such a thing as playing too fast for this young Atlanta offense, and opposing defenses could be repeatedly humiliated with Morant, John Collins, Clint Capela and Cam Reddish all exploding to the rim.Miami Heat receive: Devin Booker and Kelly Oubre Jr.Phoenix Suns receive: Jimmy Butler and Kelly OlynykNot all of the bubble trends will likely extend into the future, but the transformations of Jimmy Butler and Devin Booker should stand the test of time.Butler was a two-way superstar while steering the Heat to the NBA Finals. Kelly Olynyk would primarily work as a money-matcher in the trade, but his shooting and distributing would add different elements to the Suns frontcourt.Milwaukee Bucks receive: Jrue Holiday, Zion Williamson, No. 13 pick and 2021 first-round pick (8-30 protected via LAL)New Orleans Pelicans receive: Giannis Antetokounmpo and Brook LopezIf you're a Pelicans fan, you might be screaming "Overpay!" If you're a Bucks backer, you probably think this isn't enough for a once-in-a-generation talent. With Brandon Ingram, Lonzo Ball and JJ Redick potentially comprising the rest of the starting five, New Orleans could enter the championship chase as soon as next season.Minnesota Timberwolves receive: Caris LeVert, Spencer Dinwiddie, Jarrett Allen and No. 19 pick (via PHI)Brooklyn Nets receive: Karl-Anthony TownsMinnesota's offensive upside is enormous after partnering 2015 draft classmates and close friends Karl-Anthony Towns and D'Angelo Russell. There is no comfortable way for opposing defenses to try to contain Towns, Kevin Durant and Kyrie Irving.New Orleans Pelicans receive: Deandre Ayton, No. 10 pick and 2022 first-round pick (top-five protected)Phoenix Suns receive: Zion WilliamsonPelicans fans were partying as soon as their team drafted Zion Williamson first overall last summer, and that excitement reached a fever pitch when he was finally healthy enough to debut in January. When he puts it all together, it's spectacular to see (like an 11-game stretch during the 2018-19 season in which he averaged 26.5 points, 12.6 rebounds, 2.5 threes and 2.4 assists).As for Isaac, he has Defensive Player of the Year potential with the tools, talent and drive to defend all five positions. They would also bet on one of Shake Milton or Kendrick Nunn seizing the starting lead guard spot with shooting and off-the-dribble scoring and the other settling in as a spark-plug sub.Phoenix Suns: John Collins, De'Andre Hunter, Kevin Huerter and No. 6 pickAtlanta Hawks: Devin BookerOnly 10 players have scored more points than Devin Booker since 2016-17, and that number would be even smaller had he not missed 46 games during the 2017-18 and 2018-19 seasons.