Darius Miller
This trade scenario is predicated on New Orleans desire to surround Anthony Davis with more talent. With a 19-22 record, the Pels need to make personal changes to not only make the playoffs but prevent watching AD walk out the door.
Slam dunk deal for New Orleans
Otto Porter is one of the NBA’s best two-way players whose failed to make an All-Star team. The 25-year-old is a tremendous perimeter defender and elite marksman from distance, making 40.1 percent of his shots on 5.4 attempts for his career. He provides the Pels with a legitimate NBA wing and can make defenses pay if they choose to sag off him.
Markieff Morris is a gritty power forward with a solid back to the basket game. He can create his own shot on the block, make plays off the dribble as well as step out and hit the open three. Morris is a physical defender and relishes contact on the block but is just as sturdy when required to defend on the perimeter.
Alex Abrines brings additional wing depth and decent outside shooting. He has evolved into a decent defender and holds one the NBA’s best individual defense ratings.
Washington hit the reset button
After years of wallowing in mediocrity, the Wiz finally reset its roster by receiving Nikola Mirotic, Wesley Johnson, Solomon Hill, a future first-round pick (via NOP), and two future second-round picks. This deal aims to acquire assets and create cap space moving forward, providing Washington a chance to balance its books.
Nikola Mirotic is a prototypical stretch four having his best year scoring the ball (17.4 points per game). While he’s known as a 3-point shooter, Mirotic is only a career 35.6 percent shooter but has shown improvements creating off the dribble and shooting from the mid-range. He’s on an expiring deal and will look to get paid this Summer.
Solomon Hill and Wesley Johnson are nothing more than salary dumps in the trade. Hill’s health has been questionable since he inked his big deal in 2016 while Johnson is a mediocre defender with no offensive game. Hill has one year remaining beyond this season while Johnson is off-contract at seasons end.
Sniper comes to town and welcome home Jeff
Darius Miller has established himself as a solid three and D player averaging 6.9 points on 40.1 percent shooting and 38.2 percent from three. After splitting time between the NBA and overseas in his first four years of his career, the 27-year-old is recognized as a solid perimeter shooter defenses must account for.
Jeff Green is having a resurgent year scoring the ball averaging 11.4 points on 48.4 percent shooting and 35.1 percent from three. The 32-year-old is a long, athletic defender who fits OKC’s MO and would slide nicely into Billy Donovan’s defensive-minded line-ups.