The often produces landscape-changing deals, but we rarely see opportunities where four franchises can simultaneously address their most pressing needs. A multi-team frame sent by Zion Williamson that the represents exactly that rare scenario for . Well, until I’m not-quite-there and Ja Morant missed the Memphis Grizzlies

• ,
• Nikola Vucevic
• , Kevin Huerter, 2026 FRP (via Knicks), 2026 FRP (from Grizzlies via Phoenix Suns), conditional 2026 FRP (top 14 protected, from Bulls via Portland Trail Blazers)

Alvarado is pure energy and steady point guard play, born and raised in the Boroughs. Some things are hard to quantify, but everyone agrees that the Grand Theft Alvarado experience is made for the greatest moments of the NBA playoffs at Madison Square Garden. Having Herb Jones on Cade Cunningham, or not, may be the difference in how the Conference Finals are decided.

The Bulls break the Play-In cycle

For Chicago, Williamson for Nikola Vucevic and Kevin Huerter technically works as a legal baseline. Strategically, it is not. In this scenario, the Bulls get two low-cost, high-reward projects and the best player, hypothetically. New York will argue it’s Herb Jones, Memphis will do the same for Vucevic. This is just another reason this trade might work; everyone gets to argue that point except the Pelicans.

Grizzlies are getting serious size

Memphis is under a different pressure. Ja Morant, Jaren Jackson Jr., EVP Zach Kleiman, and new head coach Tuomas Iisalo all know that middle of the Play-In pack is not acceptable. Furthermore, the Grizzlies need stability in rebounding, shooting and posturing to threaten Chet Holmgren’s Oklahoma City Thunder and Victor Wembanyama’s San Antonio Spurs. Iisalo essentially said as much after beating the Spurs with mostly backups on January 6.

Kleiman cannot afford another developmental swing akin to the Marcus Smart fiasco. Thankfully, Nikola Vucevic solves a lot of problems for a squad that has struggled without Zach Edey. Ownership does not have to worry about costs either. Vucevic is on an expiring deal, so this move carries no long-term salary cap pain. This represents a low-risk, high-reward move that could save the season before Ja Morant and Jaren Jackson Jr. become too uncomfortable in a non-competitive environment.

Pairing Jordan Hawkins with fellow UConn alum Cam Spencer gives the Grizzlies enough outside shooting to keep Holmgren’s Thunder and Vembanjamin’s Spurs honest. This is a surgical strike for present needs, preserving all future assets and flexibility.

Pelicans end Zion Williamson was

Dumars would also have multiple ways to work up a Playoffs-worthy roster given the new draft capital and salary cap space this summer. The four-team frame allows the true aggressors who are winning (the Knicks) for a run to the Finals and the contenders who are stuck in the middle (the Grizzlies) to make season-changing moves. The Bulls get their star while keeping the tank alive; Pelicans get the future.