Everything You Need to Know About Your Team's 2018 NBA Trade Deadline
Bring it on, NBA trade deadline!
No, seriously, please: Bring it. Bring something. Anything. Some maintain the Blake Griffin blockbuster will be the best this year's silly season has to offer. We don't want that to happen. Nay, it can't happen.
We've sifted through too many rumors, bandied about too many scenarios and constructed far too many hypothetical deals for the Association's late-winter chaos to end with the Detroit Pistons and Los Angeles Clippers. And now we're about to pore over the trade-deadline vitals and aims of every team.
The breakdown for this exercise will rest on the following outline for each squad:
- Buyers or Sellers: Should a team buy or sell at the deadline? Why?
- Untouchable Players: Using a combination of common sense and team-specific tendencies, which names are non-starters in 11th-hour negotiations?
- Notable Trade Assets: All players who are considered to have positive value on their own. Future draft picks will only be included if they're coming from another team and feasibly on the chopping block. (Example: The Atlanta Hawks own a bunch of rival first-rounders, which will not be listed because they're not buyers.)
- Best Salary-Matching Assets: Contracts that aren't necessarily desirable but can be used to grease the wheels of larger inbound cap hits.
- Toughest Player to Move: The one player every team will most struggle to trade without attaching sweeteners.
- Most Likely Player to Be Traded: Determined by the rumor mill, contract situations, team trajectories, etc.
- Biggest Need: Every team's most pressing priority at the deadline.
- A Trade: Hypothetical deals for each team to pursue or consider. You're welcome.
Contract details will be provided throughout whenever it's deemed necessary. Their values will include this season's salary along with any imminent non-guarantees or options.
Something big will happen between now and 3 p.m. ET Thursday. It always does. Trust me. I've stayed at a Holiday Inn more than once.
And besides: Karma can't be so cruel as to render this exhaustive primer completely, utterly, painfully pointless.
Atlanta Hawks
1 of 30
Buyers or Sellers: Sellers. The Atlanta Hawks have a ton of palatable contracts for players who don't fit into their big picture. Even with four first-rounders—including their own—over the next two drafts, they should be absorbing unwanted salaries that come laced with picks and prospects.
Untouchable Players: DeAndre' Bembry; John Collins; Taurean Prince
Notable Trade Assets: Luke Babbitt (expiring at $1.5 million); Marco Belinelli (expiring at $6.6 million); Dewayne Dedmon (two years, $12.3 million; $6.3 million player option for 2018-19); Ersan Ilyasova (expiring at $6 million); Isaiah Taylor
Best Salary-Matching Assets: Kent Bazemore (three years, $54.3 million; $19.3 million player option for 2019-20); Dennis Schroder (four years, $70 million, with $62 million guaranteed)
Toughest Player to Move: Miles Plumlee (three years, $37.5 million)
Most Likely Player to Be Traded: Marco Belinelli
Biggest Need: A bigger wing and/or a clearer path to top lottery odds.
A Trade
Atlanta Hawks Receive: SF/PF Maurice Harkless, PF/C Meyers Leonard, PF Caleb Swanigan, 2018 first-round pick (top-16 protected), 2019 second-round pick (via Lakers or Timberwolves)
Portland Trail Blazers Receive: SG/SF Kent Bazemore, SF/PF Luke Babbitt
Boston Celtics
2 of 30
Buyers or Sellers: Buyers. The Boston Celtics are armed to the teeth with assets—few of which, however, make for good salary-matching fodder. That's fine. They don't need a savior. They have the best record in the Eastern Conference. They should instead focus on cheaper add-ons or soon-to-be free agents who come with Bird rights they can parlay into dispensable trade filler next year.
Untouchable Players: Gordon Hayward (injured); Al Horford (unless Giannis Antetokounmpo, Anthony Davis or Kawhi Leonard are available); Kyrie Irving
Notable Trade Assets: Jaylen Brown; Semi Ojeleye; Terry Rozier, Marcus Smart (restricted free agent); Jayson Tatum; Daniel Theis; Guerschon Yabusele; 2018 Los Angeles Lakers or 2019 Sacramento Kings first-round pick; 2019 Los Angeles Clippers first-round pick (lottery protected); 2019 Memphis Grizzlies first-round pick (top-eight protected)
Best Salary-Matching Assets: Aron Baynes (expiring at $4.3 million); Marcus Morris (two years, $10.4 million)
Toughest Player to Move: No one
Most Likely Player to Be Traded: Marcus Smart
Biggest Need: Another self-sufficient scorer.
A Trade
Boston Celtics Receive: SG/SF Rodney Hood
Utah Jazz Receive: Guerschon Yabusele, Boston's 2018 first-round pick
Brooklyn Nets
3 of 30
Buyers or Sellers: Sellers. Props to the Brooklyn Nets for turning into a hub for second chances. But they're approaching a few financial crossroads, beginning this summer, when they'll need to start reinvesting in some of their dice rolls just as they fulfill all their draft-day obligations. Their goal cannot change: They need assets under cost control for the next few years who won't torpedo potential tanks. Only those with more than one season left on rookie-scale deals should be considered off-limits.
Untouchable Players: Jarrett Allen; Caris LeVert
Notable Trade Assets: Spencer Dinwiddie ($1.7 million non-guaranteed in 2018-19); Joe Harris (early Bird); Rondae Hollis-Jefferson (extension-eligible); D’Angelo Russell (extension-eligible); Nik Stauskas (restricted free agent)
Best Salary-Matching Assets: DeMarre Carroll (two years, $30.2 million); Allen Crabbe (three years, $56.3 million; $18.5 million player option for 2019-20); Jeremy Lin (two years, $24.5 million; $12.5 million player option for 2018-19; injured); Jahlil Okafor (expiring at $5 million)
Toughest Player to Move: Timofey Mozgov (three years, $48 million)
Most Likely Player to Be Traded: Joe Harris
Biggest Need: Extra picks or prospects with two or more years left on their rookie-scale deals.
A Trade
Brooklyn Nets Receive: PF/C Cheick Diallo
New Orleans Pelicans Receive: SG/SF Joe Harris
Charlotte Hornets
4 of 30
Buyers or Sellers: Sellers. Charlotte Hornets owner Michael Jordan told the Charlotte Observer's Rick Bonnell "I'm not looking to trade Kemba (Walker), but I would listen to opportunities." He's not kidding anyone. The Hornets almost have to trade Walker. He's their ticket to beginning a rebuild. They cannot independently sell off their ancillary pieces for assets or cap space, and they risk souring Walker's affinity for Charlotte ahead of free agency in 2019 even if they could. They're in this weird spot where they have to stand pat or move the best player in franchise history. No middle ground will suffice, if it exists at all.
Untouchable Players: None
Notable Trade Assets: Dwayne Bacon; Treveon Graham (restricted free agent; Early Bird rights); Willy Hernangomez; Frank Kaminsky; Jeremy Lamb (two years, $14.5 million); Malik Monk; Kemba Walker
Best Salary-Matching Assets: Michael Carter-Williams (expiring at $2.7 million); Dwight Howard (two years, $47.3 million); Michael Kidd-Gilchrist (three years, $39 million; $13 million player option for 2019-20); Marvin Williams (three years, $42.3 million; $15 million player option for 2019-20); Cody Zeller (four years, $56 million)
Toughest Player to Move: Nicolas Batum (four years, $99.1 million; $27.1 million player option for 2020-21)
Most Likely Player to Be Traded: Kemba Walker
Biggest Need: Cleaner books to incentivize a rebuild.
A Trade
Charlotte Hornets Receive: PF/C Channing Frye, SF/PF Cedi Osman, SG/SF Iman Shumpert, SG J.R. Smith, 2018 first-round pick (via Brooklyn), 2020 second-round pick (via Miami)
Cleveland Cavaliers Receive: SG/SF Nicolas Batum, PG Julyan Stone, PG Kemba Walker
Chicago Bulls
5 of 30
Buyers or Sellers: Sellers. Getting rid of Nikola Mirotic puts the Chicago Bulls back into contention for top-three lottery odds, but they need to make up the ground lost as the direct result of his initial return. That issue won't be addressed on the trade market. Some of their kiddies are responsible for bursts of competitive fire. Jettisoning Justin Holiday and renting out cap space for picks and prospects is still a must.
Untouchable Players: Lauri Markkanen
Notable Trade Assets: Kris Dunn; Jerian Grant; Justin Holiday (two years, $9 million); Zach LaVine (restricted free agent); David Nwaba (restricted free agent; Early Bird rights); Cameron Payne; Bobby Portis; Denzel Valentine
Best Salary-Matching Assets: Robin Lopez (two years, $28.2 million)
Toughest Player to Move: Cristiano Felicio (four years, $32 million)
Most Likely Player to Be Traded: Justin Holiday
Biggest Need: Picks and wing prospects.
A Trade
Chicago Bulls Receive: PF Darrell Arthur, 2018 second-round pick (less favorable of Portland and Sacramento, from Denver), 2019 second-round pick (via Washington, from Denver)
Denver Nuggets Receive: SG/SF Justin Holiday
Cleveland Cavaliers
6 of 30
Buyers or Sellers: Buyers. Duh. Every team that employs LeBron James, and the drama-king baggage he comes with, has to be a buyer. The degree to which the Cleveland Cavaliers will chase upgrades, though, remains a mystery. Should they trade the Nets' pick? Maybe. It absolutely needs to be on the table for the right combination of players. If they can snag some extra frontcourt juice, a rangier point guard, a two-way wing and then another two-way wing without using it, awesome sauce. Otherwise, everything and everyone not christened the King of Late-January/Early-February Theatrics needs to be in play.
Untouchable Players: LeBron James (no-trade clause)
Notable Trade Assets: Jae Crowder (three years, $21.9 million); Kyle Korver (three years, $22.1 million; $3.4 million guaranteed for 2019-20); Cedi Osman; Kevin Love (three years, $72.3 million; $25.6 million player option for 2019-20); 2018 Brooklyn Nets' first-round pick
Best Salary-Matching Assets: Channing Frye (expiring at $7.4 million); Iman Shumpert (two years, $21.3 million; $11 million player option for 2018-19); J.R. Smith (three years, $44.2 million with $3.9 million guaranteed for 2019-20); Tristan Thompson (three years, $52.4 million)
Toughest Player to Move: J.R. Smith
Most Likely Player to Be Traded: Iman Shumpert
Biggest Need: Two-way players.
A Trade
Cleveland Cavaliers Receive: SG/SF Evan Fournier, PF Aaron Gordon, SG/SF Jonathon Simmons
Orlando Magic Receive: PG Derrick Rose, SG/SF Iman Shumpert, SG J.R. Smith, 2018 first-round pick (via Brooklyn)
Bonus Trade (Three-team all-LeBron-everything alternative)
Cleveland Cavaliers Receive: SG/SF Evan Fournier, C DeAndre Jordan, SG/SF Jonathon Simmons
Los Angeles Clippers Receive: PF Aaron Gordon, SG J.R. Smith
Orlando Magic Receive: SF/PF Sam Dekker, SG/SF Iman Shumpert, C Tristan Thompson, 2018 first-round pick (via Brooklyn, from Cleveland)
Dallas Mavericks
7 of 30
Buyers or Sellers: Essentially both. The Dallas Mavericks aren't known for laboring through extensive rebuilds. If they can clear even more cap space to become a free-agency player this summer, they'll consider pouncing on it. But their foremost priority should be turning financial flexibility into a beefier collection of picks and prospects.
Untouchable Players: Maxi Kleber; Dirk Nowitzki; Dennis Smith Jr.
Notable Trade Assets: J.J. Barea; Harrison Barnes; Dorian Finney-Smith; Yogi Ferrell (restricted free agent; Early Bird rights); Wesley Matthews (two years, $36.5 million; $18.6 million player option in 2018-19); Salah Mejri (restricted free agent)
Best Salary-Matching Assets: Seth Curry (expiring at $3 million; Early Bird rights; out for season); Devin Harris (expiring at $4.4 million); Josh McRoberts (expiring at $6 million); Nerlens Noel (expiring at $4.2 million); Dwight Powell (three years, $28.9 million)
Toughest Player to Move: Harrison Barnes (three years, $72.3 million; $25.1 million player option for 2019-20)
Most Likely Player to Be Traded: Nerlens Noel (implicit no-trade clause)
Biggest Need: Picks and prospects in exchange for renting cap space.
A Trade
Cleveland Gets: SG/SF Wesley Matthews, C Nerlens Noel
Dallas Gets: C Channing Frye, SG/SF Iman Shumpert, C Ante Zizic
Denver Nuggets
8 of 30
Buyers or Sellers: Buyers. Jamal Murray's maturation has freed the Denver Nuggets from any urge they might've felt to trade for another point guard. With Nikola Jokic's next contract looming (team option), they could assume the bystander position, using Paul Millsap's return and Trey Lyles' emergence as their faux flavor enhancers. And yet, with both Will Barton and Wilson Chandler (player option) ticketed for free agency, they need to keep their eyes peeled for additional wings earning market-value money.
Untouchable Players: Gary Harris; Nikola Jokic; Jamal Murray
Notable Trade Assets: Will Barton (expiring $3.5 million); Malik Beasley; Juan Hernangomez; Trey Lyles; Emmanuel Mudiay
Best Salary-Matching Assets: Darrell Arthur (two years, $15 million; $7.5 million player option for 2018-19); Wilson Chandler (two years, $24.8 million; $12.8 million player option for 2018-19); Kenneth Faried (two years, $26.7 million)
Toughest Player to Move: Kenneth Faried
Most Likely Player to Be Traded: Emmanuel Mudiay
Biggest Need: Defensive specialist to test out on bigger wings, preferably with good off-ball touch.
A Trade
Denver Nuggets Receive: PG Jarrett Jack, SG/SF Courtney Lee
New York Knicks Receive: PF Darell Arthur, SG/SF Malik Beasley, 2018 lottery-protected first-rounder
Detroit Pistons
9 of 30
Buyers or Sellers: Buyers. The Detroit Pistons may not have another move left in them after emptying their shallow war chest for Blake Griffin. They don't house many appealing contracts and barely have $2 million in wiggle room below the luxury-tax line. Assuming they can't scoop up a premier playmaking shooter for cap dreck, they should try turning Stanley Johnson's final rookie-scale season (2018-19) into a prospect and future pick.
Untouchable Players: Andre Drummond; Blake Griffin
Notable Trade Assets: Reggie Bullock (two years, $5 million; non-guaranteed for 2018-19); Henry Ellenson; Stanley Johnson (extension-eligible); Luke Kennard
Best Salary-Matching Assets: Langston Galloway (three years, $21 million); Reggie Jackson (three years, $51.1 million); Ish Smith (two years, $12 million); Anthony Tolliver (expiring at $3.3 million)
Toughest Player to Move: Jon Leuer (three years, $30 million; out for season)
Most Likely Player to Be Traded: Stanley Johnson
Biggest Need: Playmaking shooters.
A Trade
Detroit Pistons Receive: C Joffrey Lauvergne, PG/SG Derrick White, 2018 first-round pick (top-20 protected)
San Antonio Spurs Receive: SF/PF Stanley Johnson, PF/C Eric Moreland
Golden State Warriors
10 of 30
Buyers or Sellers: Buyers. Here's every second unit averaging more made three-pointers per 100 possessions than the Golden State Warriors' reserves: All of them. Targeting a shooter, such as Marco Belinelli, makes a ton of sense. But the Warriors also need to keep an eye out for another backup big, if only to safeguard themselves against Zaza Pachulia aging, David West's retirement and Jordan Bell's inexperience and ankle injury. Their postseason wing rotation is pretty much set anyway.
Untouchable Players: Jordan Bell; Stephen Curry; Kevin Durant; Draymond Green; Klay Thompson
Notable Trade Assets: Damian Jones; Kevon Looney (expiring at $1.5 million); Patrick McCaw (restricted free agent; Early Bird rights); JaVale McGee (expiring at $1.5 million)
Best Salary-Matching Assets: Shaun Livingston (three years, $23.7 million; $2 million guaranteed for 2019-20); Zaza Pachulia (expiring at $3.5 million; implicit no-trade clause); Nick Young (expiring at $5.2 million)
Toughest Player to Move: Andre Iguodala (three years, $48 million)
Most Likely Player to Be Traded: Nick Young
Biggest Need: Bench shooting and/or spacey size.
A Trade
Golden State Warriors Receive: C Kyle O'Quinn
New York Knicks Receive: SG/SF Nick Young, 2018 first-round pick
Houston Rockets
11 of 30
Buyers or Sellers: Buyers. The Houston Rockets are one of the NBA's two most complete teams at full strength. They have no trajectory-altering holes to plug and shouldn't be dumping salary unless LeBron James has already whispered sweet somethings into Chris Paul's ear. Bolstering the frontcourt is their best aim. Clint Capela's lanky frame will take a beating in the playoffs, and Nene, as last year's postseason-ending injury suggests, isn't the most reliable contingency that late in the schedule.
Untouchable Players: James Harden, Chris Paul
Notable Trade Assets: Clint Capela (restricted); Eric Gordon (three years, $40.5 million)
Best Salary-Matching Assets: Trevor Ariza (expiring at $7.4 million); Tarik Black (expiring at $3.3 million); Nene (three years, $11.1 million; $3.8 million player option for 2019-20); P.J. Tucker (four years, $32.3 million; $2.6 million guaranteed for 2020-21)
Toughest Player to Move: Ryan Anderson (three years, $61.3 million)
Most Likely Player to Be Traded: Tarik Black
Biggest Need: Cheap frontcourt insurance.
A Trade
Dallas Mavericks Receive: C Tarik Black, 2018 second-rounder (least favorable of Memphis, Charlotte or Miami)
Houston Rockets: C Nerlens Noel
Indiana Pacers
12 of 30
Buyers or Sellers: Buyers. The Indiana Pacers are sitting pretty. Few expected them to contend for a playoff berth, so they're not obligated to do anything—not even after Darren Collison's left knee injury. They get to be opportunistic. They have an extensive collection of contracts with non-guarantees next year, so if the right cap-starved seller comes along, they'll be able to strike without mortgaging much of their future.
Untouchable Players: Victor Oladipo; Myles Turner
Notable Trade Assets: Cory Joseph (two years, $15.5 million; $7.9 million player option for 2018-19); T.J. Leaf; Glenn Robinson III (expiring at $1.5 million); Domantas Sabonis
Best Salary-Matching Assets: Bojan Bogdanovic (two years, $21 million; $1.5 million guarantee for 2018-19); Darren Collison (two years, $20 million; $2 million guarantee for 2018-19); Al Jefferson (two years, $19.8 million; $4 million guarantee for 2018-19); Lance Stephenson (two years, $8.6 million; $4.4 million team option for 2018-19); Thaddeus Young (two years, $28.6 million; $13.8 million player option for 2018-19)
Toughest Player to Move: Al Jefferson
Most Likely Player to Be Traded: Cory Joseph
Biggest Need: Switchy wings.
A Trade
Charlotte Hornets Receive: SF/PF Bojan Bogdanovic, PG Darren Collison (out with left knee injury), PF T.J. Leaf, 2018 first-round pick (top-eight protected), 2019 second-round pick
Indiana Pacers Receive: PG/SG Michael Carter-Williams, SF Michael Kidd-Gilchrist, PG Kemba Walker
Los Angeles Clippers
13 of 30
Buyers or Sellers: Sellers. The Los Angeles Clippers can hedge against a fire sale all they want. No one will believe them. Nor should they. Management wouldn't have traded Blake Griffin if they weren't open to, if not dead set on, starting over. This team should still be looking to offload DeAndre Jordan after agreeing to an extension with Lou Williams for all the picks and prospects it can squeeze out of suitors, even if it means eating an unsavory contract or two in the process.
Untouchable Players: Lou Williams (just agreed to three-year extension)
Notable Trade Assets: Patrick Beverley (two years, $10.5 million; non-guaranteed for 2018-19; injured); Avery Bradley (expiring at $8.8 million); DeAndre Jordan (two years, $46.8 million; $24.1 million player option for 2018-19); Sindarious Thornwell
Best Salary-Matching Assets: Wesley Johnson (two years, $12 million; $6.1 million player option for 2018-19); Boban Marjanovic (two years, $14 million); Austin Rivers (two years, $24 million; $12.7 million player option for 2018-19); Milos Teodosic (three years, $20.2 million; $6.3 million player option for 2018-19)
Toughest Player to Move: Danilo Gallinari (three years, $64.8 million)
Most Likely Player to Be Traded: Avery Bradley
Biggest Need: Picks and prospects.
A Trade
Los Angeles Clippers Receive: C Marcin Gortat, PF/C Chris McCullough, PF/C Jason Smith, 2018 first-round pick (top-10 protected)
Washington Wizards Receive: SF/PF Sam Dekker, C DeAndre Jordan
Los Angeles Lakers
14 of 30
Buyers or Sellers: Sellers. Could we go with "Unconventional Buyers," citing the Los Angeles Lakers' well-documented obsession with opening two max-contract slots this summer? Sure. But they're warming up to the idea of punting on this year's free-agency class in favor of next July's talent pool, according to ESPN.com's Ramona Shelburne and Adrian Wojnarowski. That's a smart play. Give the youth more time to establish themselves, let another year tick off Luol Deng's bottom-line hemorrhoid and look to reload in 2019. In the meantime, the Lakers should allow this epiphany to serve as the impetus for capitalizing on their larger expiring contracts—irrespective of which one was negotiated by Rich Paul.
Untouchable Players: Lonzo Ball; Brandon Ingram; Kyle Kuzma
Notable Trade Assets: Josh Hart; Larry Nance Jr.; Julius Randle (restricted free agent).
Best Salary-Matching Assets: Corey Brewer (expiring at $7.6 million); Kentavious Caldwell-Pope (expiring at $17.7 million); Jordan Clarkson (three years, $37.5 million); Brook Lopez (expiring at $22.6 million)
Toughest Player to Move: Luol Deng (three years, $54 million)
Most Likely Player to Be Traded: Julius Randle
Biggest Need: Cap space for summer of 2018 or 2019.
A Trade
Los Angeles Lakers Receive: SG/SF/PF Justin Anderson, C Amir Johnson, PG/SG/SF Jerryd Bayless, 2018 second-round pick
Philadelphia 76ers Receive: SG/SF Cory Brewer, SG/SF Kentavious Caldwell-Pope, C Ivica Zubac
Bonus Trade (in the name of 2018 free agency)
Atlanta Hawks Receive: PG/SG Jordan Clarkson, C Ivica Zubac
Los Angeles Lakers Receive: SG/SF Marco Belinelli, C Dewayne Dedmon
Memphis Grizzlies
15 of 30
Buyers or Sellers: Sellers. Taking on a bunch of bad money is out of the question for the Memphis Grizzlies. For starters, they don't have the necessary breathing room. Mostly, they're trying to champion a one-year nosedive. Digesting a smaller unwanted deal to glean a first-round pick from any James Ennis and Tyreke Evans trade(s) should be their sole deadline mission.
Untouchable Players: Dillon Brooks
Notable Trade Assets: Deyonta Davis; James Ennis (early Bird rights); Tyreke Evans (expiring at $3.3 million); Marc Gasol (three years, $72.3 million; $25.6 million player option for 2019-20); JaMychal Green; Jarrell Martin; Wayne Selden (sub-$800,000 guaranteed in 2018-19)
Best Salary-Matching Assets: Ben McLemore (two years, $10.7 million); Brandan Wright (expiring at $6 million)
Toughest Player to Move (tie): Chandler Parsons (three years, $72.3 million); Mike Conley (four years, $126.1 million; $35.4 million early termination option for 2020-21; out for season)
Most Likely Player to Be Traded: Tyreke Evans
Biggest Need: Picks and prospects who might be able to pitch in by next season.
A Trade
Memphis Grizzlies Receive: PG Tim Frazier, PF/C Jason Smith, 2018 first-round pick
Washington Wizards Receive: SG/SF James Ennis, SG/SF Tyreke Evans
Miami Heat
16 of 30
Buyers or Sellers: A little bit of both. The Miami Heat don't have another choice. Their seesaw performance thus far has been uninspiring, but they don't own the movable contracts to swivel into a rebuild. Their splashiest option consists of turning Justise Winslow into an offensive upgrade on the wings.
Untouchable Players: Josh Richardson (signed four-year, $42 million extension)
Notable Trade Assets: Bam Adebayo; Goran Dragic (three years, $54.3 million; player option for 2019-20); Wayne Ellington (expiring at $6.3 million; Early Bird rights); Kelly Olynyk (four years, $50 million; $45.6 million guaranteed; $12.2 million player option for 2020-21); Okaro White (restricted free agent; Early Bird rights); Justise Winslow (extension-eligible)
Best Salary-Matching Assets: James Johnson (four years, $60 million; player option for 2020-21); Hassan Whiteside (three years, $76.3 million; player option for 2019-20)
Toughest Player to Move (tie): Tyler Johnson (three years, $44.4 million; owed combined $38.7 million over next two seasons; $19.2 million player option for 2019-20); Dion Waiters (four years, $52 million, with $47.3 million guaranteed; out for season)
Most Likely Player to Be Traded: Justise Winslow
Biggest Need: Playmaking wing who can shoot.
A Trade
Denver Nuggets Receive: PF/C Jordan Mickey, SF/PF Justise Winslow
Miami Heat Receive: SG/SF Will Barton, SG/SF Malik Beasley, 2018 second-round pick (less favorable of Portland and Sacramento)
Milwaukee Bucks
17 of 30
Buyers or Sellers: Buyers. Acquiring Tyler Zeller from the Nets could be the Milwaukee Bucks' submission to inaction. They don't have the assets to enter the running for prizes like DeAndre Jordan and Tyreke Evans, and most of their best middling resources—a second-rounder and Rashad Vaughn's expiring contract—are now in Brooklyn's possession. They're not making any further waves without finding a taker for the injured Matthew Dellavedova and Mirza Teletovic.
Untouchable Players: Giannis Antetokounmpo; Eric Bledsoe; Khris Middleton
Notable Trade Assets: Malcolm Brogdon (non-guarantee for 2018-19; full-Bird restricted free agent in 2019; out with left quad injury); SG/SF Sterling Brown; Thon Maker; Jabari Parker (restricted free agent); Tony Snell (four years, $44 million; $12.2 million player option for 2020-21); D.J. Wilson
Best Salary-Matching Assets: John Henson (three years, $31.7 million); Mirza Teletovic (two years, $21 million; currently sidelined with blood-clot issues)
Toughest Player to Move: Matthew Dellavedova (three years, $28.8 million; out with right ankle sprain)
Most Likely Player to Be Traded: D.J. Wilson
Biggest Need: Versatile size.
A Trade
Atlanta Hawks Receive: PF/C Mirza Teletovic (injured), PF/C D.J. Wilson, 2021 second-round pick
Milwaukee Bucks Receive: C Dewayne Dedmon, PF/C Ersan Ilyasova
Minnesota Timberwolves
18 of 30
Buyers or Sellers: Buyers. Attaching their Oklahoma City Thunder pick to one or two of their short-term deals should get the Minnesota Timberwolves some wing depth off the bench. The problem? Coach-president Tom Thibodeau remains reserve-averse. Would he really cough up a first-rounder for a player or two he needs but probably won't use enough? He'll have to change his rotation structure for the Timberwolves to even view themselves as serious deadline aggressors.
Untouchable Players: Jimmy Butler; Karl-Anthony Towns
Notable Trade Assets: Nemanja Bjelica (restricted free agent); Tyus Jones; Justin Patton; Oklahoma City's 2018 first-rounder (lottery protected)
Best Salary-Matching Assets: Cole Aldrich (two years, $14.3 million; $2.1 million guaranteed for 2018-19); Jamal Crawford (two years, $8.9 million; $4.5 million player option for 2018-19); Taj Gibson (two years, $28 million); Shabazz Muhammad (two years; $3.4 million; $1.8 million player option for 2018-19); Jeff Teague (three years, $57 million; $19 million player option in 2019-20)
Toughest Player to Move (Tie): Gorgui Dieng (four years, $62.9 million); Andrew Wiggins (poison pill: making $7.6 million this year; five-year, $154 million deal kicks in for 2018-19)
Most Likely Player to Be Traded: Cole Aldrich
Biggest Need: Reserve wings.
A Trade
Brooklyn Nets Receive: C Cole Aldrich, PF Nemanja Bjelica, 2018 lottery-protected first-round pick (via Oklahoma City Thunder)
Minnesota Timberwolves Receive: SF/PF DeMarre Carroll, SG/SF Joe Harris
New Orleans Pelicans
19 of 30
Buyers or Sellers: Buyers. Snagging Nikola Mirotic exhausted the New Orleans Pelicans' best trade asset, their own first-round pick. But they got back their own second-rounder as part of the deal—because, Bulls. Leashing that to a minimum contract, Alexis Ajinca's short-term jetsam and another future second-rounder would enable them to do something meaningful.
Untouchable Players: Anthony Davis; Darius Miller (two years, $4.3 million; non-guaranteed in 2018-19)
Notable Trade Assets: DeMarcus Cousins (expiring at $18.1 million; out for season); Ian Clark (expiring at $1.5 million); Cheick Diallo ($500K guaranteed in 2018-19); Nikola Mirotic (two years, $25 million); E'Twaun Moore (three years, $26 million)
Best Salary-Matching Assets: Alexis Ajinca (two years, $10.3 million); Solomon Hill (three years, $38.1 million; recovering from torn hamstring)
Toughest Player to Move: Solomon Hill
Most Likely Player to Be Traded: Ian Clark
Biggest Need: Spacing on the wings and in the frontcourt.
A Trade
Orlando Magic Receive: C Alexis Ajinca, SG/SF Ian Clark, 2018 second-round pick, 2019 second-round pick (top-46 protected)
New Orleans Pelicans Receive: SF/PF Mario Hezonja, PF/C Marreese Speights
New York Knicks
20 of 30
Buyers or Sellers: Kristaps Porzingis tearing his ACL should cement the New York Knicks' seller status. Then again, they already traded a cost-controlled 23-year-old asset, in Willy Hernangomez, for what amounts to second-round fliers in 2020 and 2021. So, who knows? Whereas rookie Frank Ntilikina seemed in no way untouchable before, he must be now. The Knicks were also interested in dumping Joakim Noah, per Yahoo Sports' Shams Charania. Prepare for them to kibosh that pipe dream. Stretching him this summer shouldn't even be an option, since a bulk of next season will be spent playing without Porzingis and, thus, for nothing special.
Untouchable Players: Frank Ntilikina; Kristaps Porzingis
Notable Trade Assets: Courtney Lee (three years, $36.8 million); Doug McDermott (restricted free agent); Kyle O'Quinn (two years, $8.4 million; $4.3 million player option for 2018-19); Lance Thomas (three years, $21.4 million; $1 million guaranteed for 2019-20)
Best Salary-Matching Assets: Ron Baker (two years, $8.9 million; $4.5 million player option for 2018-19; out for season); Tim Hardaway Jr. (four years, $71 million; $19 million player option for 2020-21); Enes Kanter (two years, $39.2 million; $18.6 million player option for 2018-19)
Toughest Player to Move: Joakim Noah (three years, $55.6 million)
Most Likely Player to Be Traded: Kyle O'Quinn
Biggest Needed: Fewer centers.
A Trade
Cleveland Cavaliers Receive: SG/SF Courtney Lee, C Kyle O'Quinn
New York Knicks Receive: PF/C Channing Frye, SG/SF Iman Shumpert, 2018 first-round pick (Cleveland's own)
Oklahoma City Thunder
21 of 30
Buyers or Sellers: Buyers. The Thunder always projected as trade-deadline spectators if things were going well with Paul George. And, well, things with George are just swell. But Andre Roberson's season-ending patellar injury forces them into an active search for upgrades. They need a defensive worker bee who preferably supplants the shooting they'll (likely) give up to replace him and doesn't noticeably raise their luxury-tax bill.
Untouchable Players: Steven Adams; Paul George ($20.7 million player option for 2018-19); Russell Westbrook
Notable Trade Assets: Terrance Ferguson; Jerami Grant (full Bird rights); Patrick Patterson (three years, $16.4 million; $5.7 million player option for 2019-20); Andre Roberson (three years, $30 million; out for season)
Best Salary-Matching Assets: Alex Abrines (three years, $18 million); Kyle Singler (three years, $15 million; non-guaranteed in 2019-20)
Toughest Player to Move: Carmelo Anthony (two years, $54.2 million; no-trade clause; $27.9 million early termination for 2018-19)
Most Likely Player to Be Traded: Kyle Singler
Biggest Need: Andre Roberson replacement.
A Trade
Los Angeles Clippers Receive: SG Alex Abrines, SF/PF Kyle Singler, 2018 second-round pick
Oklahoma City Thunder Receive: SG/SF Avery Bradley
Orlando Magic
22 of 30
Buyers or Sellers: Sellers. Aaron Gordon and Jonathan Isaac are essentially all the Orlando Magic have to show for their post-Dwight Howard reclamation project. The current regime needs to start over—for real. Clearing the salary decks is out of the question (get paid, Bismack!), but the Magic can leverage some of their more reasonable contracts into rented cap space, picks and prospects.
Untouchable Players: Jonathan Isaac
Notable Trade Assets: Evan Fournier (four years, $68 million; $17 million player option for 2020-21); Aaron Gordon (restricted free agent); Mario Hezonja (expiring at $4.1 million); Elfrid Payton (restricted free agent); Jonathon Simmons (three years, $18 million; $1 million guaranteed for 2019-20)
Best Salary-Matching Assets: Shelvin Mack (two years, $12 million; non-guaranteed for 2018-19); Terrence Ross (two years, $21 million; out with knee injury); Nikola Vucevic (two years, $25 million; out with hand injury)
Toughest Player to Move: Bismack Biyombo (three years, $51 million; $17 million player option for 2019-20)
Most Likely Player to Be Traded: Mario Hezonja
Biggest Need: Picks and rookie-scale contracts.
A Trade
Denver Nuggets Receive: SF/PF Mario Hezonja, SG/SF Jonathon Simmons, PG Elfrid Payton
Orlando Magic Receive: PF/C Kenneth Faried, PG Emmanuel Mudiay, SG/SF Malik Beasley, 2018 second-round pick (less favorable of Portland and Sacramento)
Philadelphia 76ers
23 of 30
Buyers or Sellers: Buyers. Most will have the Philadelphia 76ers reluctant or flat-out unwilling to take on money beyond this season. Team president Bryan Colangelo shouldn't be that stubborn. Paul George and LeBron James are the only 2018 free agents who make sense for them to max out, and let's face it: neither is Philly-bound. The Sixers would be smarter to prioritize the summer of 2019, when Jimmy Butler (player option), Kawhi Leonard (player option) and Klay Thompson are all available. That, in turn, allows them to buy at this year's deadline without constricting themselves to nothing more than expiring-contract returns.
Untouchable Players: Robert Covington (trade restriction following extension); Joel Embiid; Markelle Fultz; Ben Simmons
Notable Trade Assets: Justin Anderson; Furkan Korkmaz; Richaun Holmes ($1.6 million team option for 2018-19); Timothe Luwawu-Cabarrot; T.J. McConnell ($1.6 million team option for 2018-19); Dario Saric
Best Salary-Matching Assets: Jerryd Bayless (two years, $17.6 million); Trevor Booker (expiring at $9.2 million); Amir Johnson (expiring at $11 million); J.J. Redick (expiring at $23 million)
Toughest Player to Move: Jerryd Bayless
Most Likely to Be Traded: Jerryd Bayless
Biggest Need: Elite shooting that won't compromise financial flexibility in—wait for it—2019.
A Trade
Sacramento Kings Receive: SG/SF/PF Justin Anderson, PG/SG/SF Jerryd Bayless, C Amir Johnson, 2018 second-round pick (via Houston)
Philadelphia 76ers Receive: PG/SG George Hill, SG/SF Malachi Richardson
Bonus Trade (For the 2018ers)
Memphis Grizzlies Receive: SG/SF Justin Anderson, SG/SF Jerryd Bayless, 2018 second-round pick (more favorable of Brooklyn and Cleveland)
Philadelphia 76ers Receive: SG/SF James Ennis, SG/SF Tyreke Evans
Phoenix Suns
24 of 30
Buyers or Sellers: Both. No, the Phoenix Suns shouldn't be forking over first-round picks to acquire a B-lister. But they do have an opening at point guard, now more so than ever after Isaiah Canaan's season-ending injury, and shouldn't be strictly mining for prospects when Devin Booker is extension-eligible this summer. Buying low on younger floor generals and catch-and-shoot specialists preserves their asset bank and organic tank without relegating them to salary-dumping duty.
Untouchable Players: Devin Booker
Notable Trade Assets: Dragan Bender; Marquese Chriss; Josh Jackson; Tyler Ulis; 2018 Miami Heat first-round pick (top-seven protected); 2018 Milwaukee Bucks first-round pick (protected Nos. 1 to 10 and 17 to 30); 2021 Miami Heat first-round pick
Best Salary-Matching Assets: Tyson Chandler (two years, $26.6 million); Jared Dudley (two years, $19.5 million); Alex Len (expiring at $4.2 million); Alan Williams (three years, $17 million; non-guaranteed for 2018-19; team option for 2019-20)
Toughest Player to Move: Brandon Knight (three years, $43.9 million; out for season)
Most Likely Player to Be Traded: Alan Williams (recovering from meniscus tear in right knee)
Biggest Need: Point guard flier.
A Trade
Orlando Magic Receive: SG Troy Daniels, C Alan Williams (injured), 2018 second-round pick (second-most favorable of Charlotte, Miami or Memphis)
Phoenix Suns Receive: SG Terrence Ross (injured), PG Elfrid Payton
Portland Trail Blazers
25 of 30
Buyers or Sellers: Buyers. Can you improve while shedding salary? The Portland Trail Blazers will have to try to find out. Exclusively dumping money isn't an option following Damian Lillard's meeting with owner Paul Allen. Baiting cap-rich squads with first-round picks is also dangerous business if they're not lopping off what's left on Evan Turner's deal. Hocking Maurice Harkless around the league with minimalistic sweeteners is the Blazers' most balanced play. He's only 24 and won't ever make more than $11.6 million under his current deal. Rebuilding teams can talk themselves into him as a big-picture fixture.
Untouchable Players: Damian Lillard
Notable Trade Assets: Al-Farouq Aminu (two years, $14.3 million); Zach Collins; CJ McCollum (four years, $106.8 million); Shabazz Napier; Jusuf Nurkic (restricted; full Bird); Caleb Swanigan; Noah Vonleh (restricted)
Best Salary-Matching Assets: Ed Davis (expiring at $6.4 million); Maurice Harkless (three years, $32.5 million); Meyers Leonard (three years, $31.8 million)
Toughest Player to Move: Evan Turner (three years, $53.6 million)
Most Likely Player to Be Traded: Noah Vonleh
Buyers or Sellers: Buyers
Biggest Need: Spacing on the wings that helps them evade the luxury tax.
A Trade
Chicago Bulls Receive: SF/PF Maurice Harkless, PF/C Noah Vonleh, 2019 second-round pick (more favorable of Los Angeles Lakers and Minnesota)
Portland Trail Blazers Receive: SG/SF Justin Holiday, PG Jameer Nelson
Sacramento Kings
26 of 30
Buyers or Sellers: Sellers. Look, the Sacramento Kings tried. They really did. But paying too many veterans over the short haul has done nothing for their rebuild. They need to ship out their older heads for cost-controlled fliers, youthful dice rolls and financial flexibility they can then convert into more cost-controlled fliers and youthful dice rolls this summer.
Untouchable Players: Bogdan Bogdanovic; Willie Cauley-Stein; De'Aaron Fox; Buddy Hield; Frank Mason III (plantar fasciitis injury)
Notable Trade Assets: George Hill (three years, $57 million; $1 million guaranteed in 2019-20); Justin Jackson; Skal Labissiere; Malachi Richardson
Best Salary-Matching Assets: Vince Carter (expiring at $8 million); Kosta Koufos (two years, $17.1 million; $8.7 million player option for 2018-19); Garrett Temple (two years, $16 million; $8 million player option for 2018-19)
Toughest Player to Move: Zach Randolph (two years, $24 million)
Most Likely Player to Be Traded: George Hill
Biggest Need: Cap relief that allows them to serve as salary-dumping ground this summer.
A Trade
Portland Trail Blazers Receive: SG/SF Malachi Richardson, SG/SF Garrett Temple
Sacramento Kings Receive: SF/PF Maurice Harkless, PF/C Noah Vonleh, 2019 second-round pick (more favorable of Los Angeles Lakers and Minnesota)
San Antonio Spurs
27 of 30
Buyers or Sellers: Buyers—but only because the "Nothings" designation isn't nearly as sexy. The San Antonio Spurs are generally allergic to midseason shakeups. That shouldn't change now, when they have no timetable for Kawhi Leonard's return. Then again, with him on the sidelines, they could use a mid-stream playmaking infusion. General manager R.C. Buford has to, at the very least, browse through the markdown bins.
Untouchable Players: LaMarcus Aldridge; Manu Ginobili (two years, $5 million); Kawhi Leonard; Tony Parker (expiring at $15.5 million)
Notable Trade Assets: Kyle Anderson (restricted free agent); Davis Bertans (restricted free agent; early Bird rights); Bryn Forbes (restricted free agent; early Bird rights); Danny Green (two years, $20 million; $10 million player option for 2018-19); Dejounte Murray; Brandon Paul (non-guaranteed in 2018-19); Derrick White
Best Salary-Matching Assets: Pau Gasol (three years, $48 million; $6.7 million guaranteed for 2019-20); Rudy Gay (two years, $17.4 million; $8 million player option in 2018-19); Patty Mills (four years, $48 million)
Toughest Player to Move: Pau Gasol (three years, $48 million; $6.7 million in 2019-20)
Most Likely Player to Be Traded: Your guess is as good as ours. (But also: Probably one of Bryn Forbes, Joffrey Lauvergne and Brandon Paul.)
Biggest Need: Playmaking wing (aka Kawhi Leonard insurance; aka Rockets- and Warriors-proofing the roster).
A Trade
Memphis Grizzlies Receive: C Joffrey Lauvergne, SG/SF Derrick White, 2018 second-round pick, 2019 second-round pick
San Antonio Spurs Receive: SG/SF Tyreke Evans, SG/SF Wayne Selden
Toronto Raptors
28 of 30
Buyers or Sellers: Buyers. The Toronto Raptors don't have to do anything. They have one of the NBA's deepest benches and rank inside the top five of both offensive and defensive efficiency. But, much like overpriced abstract art, an NBA roster is never truly complete. Plus, the Raptors are all too familiar with fits of postseason anemia. Shopping around for an extra shooter would go a long way toward addressing DeMar DeRozan's and Kyle Lowry's annual playoff slumps before they hit.
Untouchable Players: DeMar DeRozan; Kyle Lowry; Norman Powell (signed four-year, $42 million extension in October)
Notable Trade Assets: OG Anunoby; Bruno Caboclo (restricted free agent); C.J. Miles; Lucas Nogueira (restricted free agent); Jakob Poeltl; Pascal Siakam; Fred VanVleet (restricted free agent; Early Bird rights); Delon Wright
Best Salary-Matching Assets: Serge Ibaka (three years, $65.1 million); Jonas Valanciunas (three years, $49.6 million; $17.7 million player option for 2019-20)
Toughest Player to Move: Jonas Valanciunas
Most Likely Player to Be Traded: Lucas Nogueira
Biggest Need: Sweet-shooting wing.
A Trade
Brooklyn Nets Receive: C Lucas Nogueira
Toronto Raptors Receive: SG/SF Joe Harris
Utah Jazz
29 of 30
Buyers or Sellers: Both. The Utah Jazz are in an enviable yet precarious situation. Tenth place in the West is never the best place to be, but neither the ninth-place Clippers nor eighth-place Pelicans nor seventh-place Blazers are running away with anything. If the Jazz can get their hands on immediate help without devastating their future asset base, they're green lit for liftoff. But if they can secure cost-effective goodies and projects for any of their expiring deals, they're better off selling themselves out of the race toward a first-round exit.
Untouchable Players: Rudy Gobert; Donovan Mitchell
Notable Trade Assets: Dante Exum (restricted); Derrick Favors (expiring at $12 million); Rodney Hood (restricted free agent); Joe Ingles (four years, $50 million)
Best Salary-Matching Assets: Alec Burks (two years, $22.4 million); Jonas Jerebko (two years, $8.2 million; non-guaranteed for 2018-19); Joe Johnson (expiring at $10.5 million); Ricky Rubio (two years, $29.3 million); Thabo Sefolosha (two years, $10.5 million; non-guaranteed for 2018-19); Ekpe Udoh (two years, $6.4 million; non-guaranteed for 2018-19)
Toughest Player to Move: Ricky Rubio (two years, $29.3 million)
Most Likely Player to Be Traded: Rodney Hood
Biggest Need: Compensation for the inevitable departure of Derrick Favors.
A Trade
Denver Nuggets Receive: SG/SF Rodney Hood
Utah Jazz Receive: SG/SF Malik Beasley, 2018 first-round pick (lottery protected)
Bonus Trade (Long-shot aggression)
Charlotte Hornets Receive: C Channing Frye, PG Ricky Rubio, SG/SF Iman Shumpert, 2018 first-round pick (from Brooklyn, via Cleveland), 2018 second-round pick (via Utah)
Cleveland Cavaliers Receive: PF/C Derrick Favors, SG/SF Rodney Hood, SF Michael Kidd-Gilchrist, PG Kemba Walker, 2018 first-round pick (via Utah)
Utah Jazz Receive: PG/SG Michael Carter-Williams, PF/C Kevin Love (out with fractured hand), PG Isaiah Thomas
Washington Wizards
30 of 30
Buyers or Sellers: Buyers. The Washington Wizards are "determined" to keep their first-round pick, according to NBA.com's David Aldridge. Good for them. They've recently handed those things out like mixtapes in the 1990s. But they're also taxed out, won't get John Wall back for two months and are hardly guaranteed a top-six playoff seed. Scrapping another first-rounder must be in play if the Wizards are hoping to be more than ceremonial postseason participants.
Untouchable Players: Bradley Beal; Otto Porter; John Wall
Notable Trade Assets: Tim Frazier (expiring at $2 million); Marcin Gortat (two years, $26.4 million); Markieff Morris (two years, $16.8 million); Kelly Oubre Jr. (extension-eligible); Tomas Satoransky; Mike Scott (expiring at $1.5 million)
Best Salary-Matching Assets: Jodie Meeks (two years, $6.7 million; $3.5 million player option for 2018-19); Jason Smith (two years, $10.7 million; $5.5 million player option for 2018-19)
Toughest Player to Move: Ian Mahinmi (three years, $48.1 million)
Most Likely Player to Be Traded: Jason Smith
Biggest Need: Defense and shooting off the bench.
A Trade
Boston Celtics Receive: SG/SF Tyreke Evans
Memphis Grizzlies Receive: PF/C Chris McCullough, PF/C Jason Smith, 2018 first-round pick (lottery protected, via Washington)
Washington Wizards Receive: SG/SF James Ennis, PG/SG/SF Marcus Smart (out with hand injury until mid-February)
Unless otherwise cited, stats courtesy of NBA.com or Basketball Reference and accurate leading into games on Feb. 6.
Dan Favale covers the NBA for Bleacher Report. Follow him on Twitter (@danfavale) and listen to his Hardwood Knocks podcast, co-hosted by B/R's Andrew Bailey.
.jpg?w=600 "Cards Had Wrong Love Number 😅")
.jpg?w=600 "Fans React to Simpson Pick 😱")
.jpg?w=600 "McVay's Reaction to Ty Simpson Pick 😅")