Three high-stakes teams loom large as the post-cutoff phase kicks in: the Kings, the Raptors and the Bulls. Malik Monk’s name heads a flurry of whispers around Sacramento, with rumors tying him to a Russell Westbrook bid and a sign-and-trade that could reshape the rotation and free cap space for bigger moves. The discussion probes whether giving Monk up makes sense if it unlocks a veteran ballhandler or a longer-term fit, all while weighing Dennis Schroder as a potential backcourt upgrade and the mystery surrounding Jonathan Kuminga as a trade asset.

In Toronto, RJ Barrett’s name surfaces as a potential target or trade chip, depending on how the Raptors orchestrate their core around Scotty Barnes, Jakob Poeltl, Grady Dick, and Emanuel Quickley. The panel weighs Barrett’s fit against the long-term plan, the dollar figures at stake, and the chance Toronto could parallel the Nuggets’ approach with a move that upgrades the roster without crippling its cap ladder. Grady Dick’s arrival and Purle/Quickley depth add intrigue to the roster math.

Meanwhile Chicago’s path is framed by the LaVine–DeRozan cap reality and the need to balance value with flexibility. The group reviews whether the Bulls should pursue paths that preserve core talent while extracting surplus value to add shooting and wing defense, especially as the league’s apron-era finances tighten and every dollar matters for fantasy lineups.