I don't think 1 or 2 work out money-wise. Or 3. Or 4 or 5.
None of those teams have the cap space to swallow Pierce's contract (or KG) IIRC.
my friend i put in brackets, not including contract matching. You can include fillers to make the trade work salary wise
Fillers sometimes completely change the value of a trade. For instance, you brought up Paul George.
If Boston was only willing to take back 1 year contracts aside from George,
Bost trades: Pierce, 1st
Ind Trades: P George, D West, B Hansbrough, J Pendergraph
works, but its a very lopsided trade for boston. So then you allow Boston will take back other salary obligations.
Bos Trades: Paul Pierce, 1st
Ind Trades: Danny Granger, Paul George
That also works, but is completely lopsided again. But, Granger is rumored to be on the block, with a degenerative knee disorder. So maybe you find a 3rd team willing to take on Granger. But then what's coming back with that? Who is the team?
The point is, its not 'the easiest part' to match salaries in all cases.
With the Warriors, I have said before that R Jefferson, Harrison Barnes for Pierce and a top ten protected 1st would be an acceptable haul (and works salary-wise). That one is easy.