Pointless Trade Idea

Wolves get David Lee (1 yr/$15.5m) and a 2016 1st rd pick (Warriors); Hornets get Pekovic (3 yrs/$35m); Warriors get Williams (1 yr/$7m), Zeller (2 yrs/$9.5m/team option).

Wolves ditch the long term commitment to injury-prone veteran C that has the potential to hold up their future roster construction and the development of their fine young low post talents and replace him with one year of a crafty veteran who knows how to be a good team player (and show Towns how to score, Dieng how to pass, Payne how to maximize his abilities). More salary for them but no matter, they're plenty well below the cap. And since they're taking back more salary than they're sending out, the Warriors should add 2016 1st rd pick (or perhaps 2016, 2017, 2020 2nd rd picks). Seriously, I think Lee wold be great for the Wolves and with this one move the roster would be set. Put the team on the court and let them play. If Bennett/Muhammad or Martin/Budinger can be moved, pull the trigger; if a blockbuster for Rubio comes along, think it over; other than that, put the kids out there and let's see 'em.

Hornets get a long term vet down low on a contract that gets better as the cap rises,if Pekovic stays healthy at all, he's pretty good and defensively an upgrade on whatever the Hornets would've had anyway. They give up on a young big but the Hornets ability to develop players (or draft well in the first place) is not that great and Zeller is not so promising that he's untouchable or anything, whereas Pekovic is at least a reliable veteran. The Hornets would also be giving up on Marvin Williams, a poor free agent signing that hasn't been the replacement for McRoberts that they needed. Not a great deal but a reasonable one, Pekovic probably is better for them going forward than Zeller and/or Williams.

Warriors have got to get rid of Lee and they'd prefer to get absolutely nothing in return. Williams (I think) can be bought out, which is expensive but less expensive than keeping Lee; and Zeller is cheap enough to be flipped for a coupla 2nd rd picks. Might want Zeller: Pelicans need cheap young talent, Celtics might be able to coach Zeller into a nice player, Sixers always love big guys on rookie deals. Repeat: Warriors must get rid of Lee. What they get back is entirely secondary. In my version they need to do more work beyond this deal but its worth it. (2nd rd picks are a great way of looking like you're accumulating promising future assets when really you're dumping toxic current assets)