Trades Recap: Lakers land Jrue Holiday, Charlotte deals Batum, Brooklyn ships Warren.

As the Lakers sat firmly in second place of the western conference (with the Clippers and the next three teams) only two-to-three games behind them, push came to shove and GM Rob Pelinka pulled off another stunning deal, trading for Jrue Holiday (and his expiring 26m contract) in a record-breaking eighteen-player blockbuster arrangement.

On a 10-game losing streak (even after acquiring Zach LaVine), the Orlando Magic parted ways with Nikola Vucevic and thereby committed to Mo Bamba's development as the new starting center. The Pelicans were happy to receive Vucevic's scoring ability to pair alongside Zion Williamson and help spread the floor better than with Derrick Favors, who slides back to a backup center/power forward role. The Pelicans supplemented Orlando's loss with prospect center Jaxson Hayes (#8 pick, 2019) and rookie point guard Killian Hayes (#13 overall, 2020) to make up for losing DJ Augustin to New Orleans.

The Lakers motivation was addition by subtraction, nabbing Jae Crowder's perimeter defense and Wilson Chandler, in exchange for Danny Green joining the Magic, choosing to hang onto Kentavious Caldwell-Pope (who's having a better year). They had to deal JaVale McGee to Orlando, also, but have subsequently signed free agent (and ex-Spur) Joakim Noah, rival of LeBron James for years in the eastern conference, now turned teammate to back up Marc Gasol.

The Rest: Quinn Cook joins Orlando, prospect point guards James Drew & Ayo Dosunmu, center rookie N'Faly Dante go to the South Bay Lakers, Jimma Gatwech heads to N'awlins, Patty Mills takes his mentorship role to Orlando where he can help Markelle Fultz (and Hayes) improve their game. Both Green and Mills also boost Orlando's scoring problem, despite having LaVine and DeRozan. Time will tell if the Magic can figure their way back up in the standings, despite a bevy of roster moves over the summer and this season. The Pelicans receive Talen Horton-Tucker, Matthew Dellavedova (a reunion with LeBron James that didn't quite pan out) & Tre Jones.

After dealing Terry Rozier away to Cleveland, the Hornets are nearly back to zero financially after finally finding a new home for Nicolas Batum to the Memphis Grizzlies with Miles Bridges in exchange for Kyle Anderson & Jonas Valanciunas. Memphis will now be able to play Paul Millsap alongside Jaren Jackson, Jr in the starting lineup. The Grizzlies also get a top 3 protected 2023 draft pick. John Wall joined the Pistons to help mentor Cole Anthony (leading ROY candidate), Blake Griffin joined the Knicks with Julius Randle joining the Wizards for Derrick Rose to Detroit.

In other news, the struggling Brooklyn Nets are now able to slot Kevin Durant into the PF spot as T.J. Warren (ex-Spur) was dealt to the improved Minnesota Timberwolves to pair with KAT in the frontcourt. Marco Belinelli joins the T'Wolves, as Josh Okogie joins Brooklyn. The Pelicans made more waves by dealing Josh Hart to the Nuggets for Gary Harris, losing out on JJ Redick, who'll improve Denver's playoff chances, gaining two more draft picks for the Duke sniper.