New Blockbuster Trade Ideas for 2024-25 NBA Season

Golden State Warriors receive: Mitchell Robinson

New York Knicks receive: Josh Green

Charlotte Hornets receive: Gary Payton II, Kevon Looney, a 2026 second-round pick (via ATL, from GSW) and a 2028 second-round pick (via ATL, from GSW)

The Warriors have admittedly tried—and notably failed—to take bigger swings than this. For Dubs fans who’ve spent any time over the past year daydreaming about LeBron James, Paul George or Lauri Markkanen, the suggestion of Mitchell Robinson may not move the needle much.

The front office may see things differently.

If they think they’ll need an impact big to hang with the NBA’s elite, they might see Mitchell Robinson as a viable option. This deal wouldn’t go down any time soon, as the bouncy big man may not hit the hardwood until the next calendar year, but the fact he’s hobbled now should help keep his trade cost reasonable. This isn’t a bargain price, but it is an opportunity for Golden State to potentially add a starter without coughing up any of its best assets.

A healthy Robinson is a dynamic, above-the-rim center. He’s an explosive lob-finisher, an active glass-cleaner and a don’t-even-think-about-it rim-protector. He’s almost a souped-up Trayce Jackson-Davis with more size and length and better hops. Robinson could be the ideal anchor for this defense and a lob threat teams must constantly monitor on the offensive end.

As for New York, the Karl-Anthony Towns trade may have rendered Robinson expendable, and the Knicks could consider dealing him to fill a need elsewhere. Their wing rotation thins out quickly behind Mikal Bridges, OG Anunoby and Josh Hart, so they might seek out Josh Green as another three-and-D support piece. If he could ever ramp up his three-point volume, he’d be hugely helpful.

Charlotte, meanwhile, might be drawn to tone-setters like Kevon Looney and Gary Payton II, particularly if it looks this team could be in the play-in picture. The Hornets have plenty of young talent, all of which could benefit from being around proven winners (and tireless workers) like Looney and Payton. Throw in a couple of future second-rounders from an Atlanta Hawks franchise with a very uncertain path in front of it, and that could be enough for Charlotte to bite.