A hypothetical three-team blockbuster would send Michael Porter Jr. to the Warriors, Jonathan Kuminga, Buddy Hield, Terance Mann, and Haywood Highsmith to the Lakers, and Moses Moody, Rui Hachimura, Gabe Vincent, Maxi Kleber, Jarred Vanderbilt, plus 2026 first-round picks from Golden State and Los Angeles to the Nets.
Golden State Warriors star forward Jimmy Butler suffered a season-ending torn right ACL during Monday night's 135-112 win over the Miami Heat at Chase Center.
Golden State Warriors / Schedule
The devastating injury, confirmed by ESPN's Shams Charania, has abruptly ended Butler's campaign and thrown the Warriors' 2025-26 season into crisis.
With the team sitting at 25-19 and clinging to the No. 8 spot in the Western Conference, Golden State now faces an urgent need to retool around Stephen Curry to avoid a complete collapse of their playoff push.
Meanwhile, their conference rivals, the Los Angeles Lakers, sit at 25-16. After a strong start to the season, they have begun to slide and currently hold the sixth spot in the West.
With the aforementioned franchises at crossroads, we explore a hypothetical three-team, 10-player trade involving the Warriors, Lakers, and Brooklyn Nets – one that could transform the Lakers into a contender while giving Golden State hope of salvaging its season.
The trade idea first appeared on Buha's Block.
Hypothetical three-team, 10-player trade
Golden State Warriors receive:
Michael Porter Jr. (from Nets)
Los Angeles Lakers receive:
Jonathan Kuminga (from Warriors)
Buddy Hield (from Warriors)
Terance Mann (from Nets)
Haywood Highsmith (from Nets)
Brooklyn Nets receive:
Moses Moody (from Warriors)
Rui Hachimura (from Lakers)
Gabe Vincent (from Lakers)
Maxi Kleber (from Lakers)
Jarred Vanderbilt (from Lakers)
2026 Warriors first-round pick
2026 Lakers first-round pick
Why it makes sense for the Warriors
Sitting precariously in the play-in mix, Golden State desperately needs offensive firepower to complement Steph Curry and maintain their championship pedigree.
Enter Michael Porter Jr.
The 6'10" forward is enjoying a career season, averaging 25.7 points, 7.4 rebounds, and 3.2 assists while shooting 39.8% from three.
At 27 years old, Porter offers an ideal replacement for Butler's lost scoring and fits the Warriors' immediate win-now timeline.
Although Golden State reportedly hadn't engaged Brooklyn in trade talks for over a month and never showed serious interest in Porter Jr. before Jan. 15, circumstances have changed now.
The seven-year NBA veteran spent his first six seasons in Denver before being dealt to the Nets last summer in exchange for Cam Johnson.
Credit Getty Images via AFP - Scanpix
Porter's size and shooting would slide seamlessly into Steve Kerr's system, giving Curry more space to operate while providing a long-term building block alongside young pieces like Brandin Podziemski.
Giving up Moses Moody and Buddy Hield is a manageable cost, especially with Golden State also moving on from Jonathan Kuminga, whose development has stagnated amid inconsistent rotation roles and whose relationship wiht Kerr "fractured beyond repair".
Including a 2026 first-round pick is painful, but it's a calculated gamble to avoid wasting another Curry (37) season.
Why it makes sense for the Lakers
The Lakers have battled injuries, inconsistent depth, limited athleticism, and shaky perimeter defense throughout the 2025-26 season.
With LeBron James in the twilight of his career and Luka Doncic now shouldering a heavy load, this trade injects much-needed youth, versatility, and two-way impact to make them legitimate contenders in the West.
Kuminga, the 23-year-old athletic wing, brings explosive rim pressure and defensive upside that the Lakers have sorely missed, especially as they reportedly seek a 3-and-D player.
Credit AP - Scanpix
Buddy Hield adds pure shooting (career 39.5% from three), stretching the floor for LeBron and Luka while providing a reliable bench spark.
Terance Mann, a gritty 29-year-old combo wing, supplies steady two-way playmaking and defense – essentially a more athletic version of what Gabe Vincent was expected to provide.
Haywood Highsmith rounds out the package with switchable defense and spot-up shooting (37.4% from three).
Although the 29-year-old is currently sidelined following a setback in his recovery from offseason knee surgery, he remains a valuable rotational piece once healthy.
In return, the Lakers part with Rui Hachimura, Gabe Vincent, Maxi Kleber, and Jarred Vanderbilt – useful role players but with already known ceilings.
The 2026 first-round pick is a future asset, but with James pushing for immediate contention, the price is justified.
This deal could potentially transform the Lakers from a fringe playoff team into a balanced squad capable of challenging the likes of Denver or Oklahoma City.
Why it makes sense for the Nets
The Nets, stuck in mediocrity and lacking a clear direction post their star-studded era, are wisely shifting toward a rebuild.
This trade nets them a haul of young talent, veteran depth, and valuable draft capital, setting the stage for long-term growth without tanking outright.
Moses Moody, at just 23, is a high-upside wing with defensive tools and improving shooting, making him a potential long-term piece.
Rui Hachimura (27) provides scoring punch and versatility, while Jarred Vanderbilt (26) bolsters their defense with his rebounding and energy.
Credit AP - Scanpix
Gabe Vincent and Maxi Kleber add experienced depth – Vincent as a backup point guard and Kleber as a floor-spacing big – helping the Nets stay relevant in the short term.
Most crucially, the two 2026 first-round picks (from playoff hopefuls Golden State and LA) could yield lottery talent, accelerating Brooklyn's reset.
Moving on from Michael Porter Jr. (owed $38.3 million this season and $40.8 million next year), Terance Mann, and Haywood Highsmith also clears significant salary and opens minutes for younger players.
For a team not contending anytime soon, this is an asset accumulation, turning established pieces into a mix of prospects and picks that could jumpstart the next era in Brooklyn.
Pijus Sapetka
Pijus Sapetka began his basketball media career in 2021, building on years of closely following the sport. Since then, he has reported from a variety of basketball events, including the EuroLeague Playoffs, Lithuanian Cups, LKL Finals, EuroCup games, the FIBA Olympic Qualifying Tournament, and Goran Dragic's Farewell Game. He holds a degree in Journalism & PR.
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