Memphis has the pieces to go after Antetokounmpo while still retaining its star players, Ja Morant and Jaren Jackson Jr. It would cost a lot of players and picks, but the blockbuster deal makes the team a title contender, even in a crowded Western Conference.

The NBA’s competitive landscape hung in the balance during a potential lottery apocalypse on Monday night. The Dallas Mavericks and San Antonio Spurs found themselves as the last two teams standing for the rights to Cooper Flagg on the TV broadcast.

The draft lottery delivered a true stunner, with the Dallas Mavericks improbably cashing their 1.8 percent chance to land the No. 1 pick. Even before that improbable ping-pong ball bounce, the rumor mill was in a frenzy with trade talks surrounding a two-time MVP (who's very much still in his prime).