Latest NBA Intel on Trade-Season Storylines
Trade season unofficially kicks off on December 15, with most recently signed free agents available for deals.
The wide-open standings in the Western Conference should encourage more buyers. A few teams in the East may take steps to challenge the Boston Celtics or Milwaukee Bucks, but the conference may have more sellers.
Some players are a near-lock to be traded, like Jae Crowder, who has spent all season away from the Phoenix Suns staying in shape for the opportunity to play elsewhere. Others have been long available, like Russell Westbrook of the Lakers, but the odds that he finishes his contract in Los Angeles may be closer to 50/50.
Who are the most interesting players to watch closely through the February 9 trade deadline?
Detroit Cashing out Bojan Bogdanović?
1 of 16
The Detroit Pistons are in a great position relative to the Victor Wembanyama 2023 draft lottery. The team has the worst record (7-22) in the NBA. Cade Cunningham is out for the season with a shin injury. And a trade or two to add future pieces while making sure it keeps losing makes sense.
Detroit acquired veteran shooter Bojan Bogdanović from the Utah Jazz over the summer for a relatively low price (Kelly Olynyk and Saben Lee). After giving him a franchise-friendly extension (two years, $39 million with $22 million guaranteed) and a successful showcase, the Pistons should be able to cash out on Bogdanović for a profit.
While the team's front office has been downplaying that it will move Bogdanović, well-placed sources say the Pistons will patiently wait for an offer with a suitable first-round pick.
Teams believed to be interested include the Atlanta Hawks, Phoenix Suns and Los Angeles Lakers, among others.
Detroit is willing to part with veterans like Alec Burks and Nerlens Noel. Per James Edwards III of The Athletic, Saddiq Bey may also be attainable.
Lakers Thinning Guard Duplication?
2 of 16
The Lakers feel like they're not far from fielding a contender. Coach Darvin Ham getting Russell Westbrook to accept a role off the bench has increased his value to the team, especially as a playmaker for a resurgent Anthony Davis.
But concerns persist internally that Westbrook doesn't complement LeBron James and that the mix of stars may not work in the postseason when rotations shorten. The Lakers also have guards Patrick Beverley and Kendrick Nunn (all three expiring contracts) as trade pieces for a smaller deal—or with Westbrook in a potential blockbuster.
The answer will depend on what other teams offer. The Lakers will give more if the return provides the team with a credible chance to flourish in the playoffs. Potential trade partners wouldn't necessarily desire Westbrook, Beverley or Nunn for what they bring to the court. Rather, they would be the necessary salaries needed to take on in order to nab the Lakers' distant firsts (2027 and 2029), which have value in part because they're long after James and Davis are projected to be with the franchise.
NBA sources have listed the Miami Heat as a potential destination for Westbrook as a post-trade buyout candidate.
Rockets Patient with Gordon, KJ
3 of 16
Like the Pistons, the Houston Rockets (8-18) have several exciting young players but few wins to speak of—a win in itself when considering the draft possibilities. The team has shopped veteran Eric Gordon for a couple of seasons while looking for a first-round pick.
Forward KJ Martin has also hoped to be moved to a team that can give him a more significant role. His minutes have climbed in Houston this season, but multiple sources believe he still wants out. Since both players have team-favorable contracts (Gordon has one more season, but it's at a non-guaranteed $20.9 million; Martin has a team option at $1.9 million) and are viable on-court contributors, the Rockets won't make a deal they don't like.
The Suns have tried to acquire both, using whatever return they can get for Crowder as compensation. To date, that hasn't been enough for Houston. Martin has fans throughout the league, given his age (21), but it remains to be seen if teams will be generous enough to get the Rockets to act.
Yes, Crowder. But Cam, Too?
4 of 16
Do the Suns want to send Jae Crowder to a Western Conference contender to guard Devin Booker? The Golden State Warriors have had an interest. The 32-year-old forward, who was disappointed Phoenix wouldn't give him an extension, has been missing in action all season.
Phoenix was close to sending him to the Milwaukee Bucks in a three-way deal with the Rockets. Talks extended to include the Warriors, but nothing came of it. Other teams believed to be interested include the Heat, Hawks and Lakers.
The Suns could also look to send out Cam Johnson, who is hoping to return shortly from a knee injury. The team wasn't able to reach an extension before the season and could look to send him out with Crowder. The Suns have been linked to Kyle Kuzma, John Collins, Bojan Bogdanović, Eric Gordon and KJ Martin. Some sources are skeptical that Phoenix, with the team for sale, will take on a large, multi-year deal. That might eliminate Collins from serious consideration.
Kuzma's Last Year in DC?
5 of 16
Teams are waiting to see if the Washington Wizards will trade Kyle Kuzma, who can opt out of his contract after the season. An NBA source previously told Bleacher Report that Kuzma "wants out" and is looking to join a larger market or championship contender willing to pay him over $20 million a season.
The Wizards may gamble on their playoff hopes and that Kuzma will choose to stay. But Washington may desire players under greater team control via trade. That could include Cameron Johnson of the Suns (restricted free agent this summer). The Sacramento Kings may also have interest (in exchange for Harrison Barnes, perhaps Davion Mitchell), but the team may be hesitant to disrupt its recently found chemistry.
Other suitors include the New York Knicks with young players (Obi Toppin, Immanuel Quickley) and draft compensation. The Lakers may regret parting with Kuzma, but it's unclear if the Wizards are interested in "just draft compensation" for him—or if they're willing to part with him at all.
Reddish Available, Others Too?
6 of 16
The Knicks (14-13) have rallied recently but are actively looking to move forward Cam Reddish. New York acquired Reddish and a second-round pick (plus Solomon Hill) in January for a heavily protected first-round pick (via the Charlotte Hornets) and Kevin Knox II.
Reddish hasn't fit coach Tom Thibodeau's style. New York may want a first in return, but that may be optimistic. The Lakers tried to trade for Reddish from the Hawks and Knicks last season and could be the most likely destination.
New York may be open to bigger deals that include Derrick Rose, Obi Toppin and Immanuel Quickley, but only if it brings back players to help further the team's playoff chances. Perhaps the Wizards would make a deal with enough draft compensation for Kuzma. Some competing executives agree that the Dallas Mavericks should target Quickley, if available.
Will Bulls Blow It Up?
7 of 16
Several teams hope the Bulls look at their roster as a dead-end endeavor. Is Chicago going to re-sign pending free agent Nikola Vučević this summer? Or will the franchise cut its losses and embrace a rebuild?
The Lakers have interest in DeMar DeRozan and Vučević, likely for two future first-round picks (and Westbrook). It's unclear if L.A. would also want to bring back Alex Caruso.
Today, the Bulls don't care what the Lakers might want as they continue to push forward. Any overture that involves the team taking a step back will be rejected—but that may change closer to the deadline.
Gary Trent Jr. Expendable?
8 of 16
The Raptors have several decisions over the next 18 months, specifically the long-term future of Fred VanVleet, Pascal Siakam, O.G. Anunoby and Gary Trent Jr.
VanVleet and Trent can opt out of their contracts and explore unrestricted free agency. Rival teams are hopeful the Raptors will fall off and focus on building a new core around second-year forward Scottie Barnes. The number of teams interested in their players is too long to list.
But more realistically, the Raptors will fight to avoid the play-in, compete and answer their more essential questions later. If there's one player who doesn't stick through the deadline, it's Trent.
Trent (almost 24) would fit with any team looking to add a wing scorer who can defend. The Suns, Lakers, Warriors, Hawks and Heat could be interested.
Mo Bamba Available
9 of 16
The Orlando Magic re-signed Bamba to trade him; at least, that's how it appears. His role has diminished this season with the arrival of No. 1 pick Paolo Banchero and the emergence of Bol Bol.
Bamba (who can't be dealt until mid-January) is on a two-year $20.6 million contract, but the second season is non-guaranteed. Orlando would like a first but may be looking for younger players who can grow with its young team longer term.
The Los Angeles Clippers, Lakers, Kings and Raptors may have interest, among others. The Magic (8-20), who have one of the worst records in the league, may also look to move veterans Gary Harris and Terrence Ross. Teams who miss out on the flashier available wings may give Orlando a call.
Kyrie Sticking in Brooklyn?
10 of 16
The Brooklyn Nets have stabilized after a tumultuous start to the season. Kyrie Irving's tenure with the Nets may end after this season, but several sources believe the team will ride it out.
"The last thing they want is to inspire another [Kevin Durant] trade demand," one executive said.
The market for Irving may be a team of one (the Lakers), but he still makes the list of interesting players to watch. If Durant did push out again, the Raptors may have the best combination of players and picks to offer. But that doesn't look to be in the cards, at least as of mid-December.
Warriors Cash out Youth?
11 of 16
The Warriors have been delicately attempting to thread the needle, developing the next generation of stars while still winning championships. They have the 2022 title, but prospects like James Wiseman, Jonathan Kuminga and Moses Moody haven't necessarily arrived yet as consistent rotation players.
The team may stay the course and let them grow into roles, but if the Warriors feel they need actual ready-to-win value to replace players they lost in free agency (Gary Payton II, Otto Porter Jr., etc.), that may come at the expense of their youth movement.
Rebuilding franchises would undoubtedly have interest, which could lead to multi-team deals. It may be the surefire way for Golden State to stay on top, although it may sacrifice its future.
Collins Still Available
12 of 16
The Hawks have had an odd relationship with John Collins. The team didn't extend him off his rookie-scale contract, but then it overpaid him on a five-year, $125 million deal. He's been on the trade block for a long time, which may contribute to his down season.
His name will be bandied about through trade season, though it may be difficult for the Hawks to find a trade partner given how much is left on his contract. A team like the Suns likely stays away from that kind of commitment with ownership in flux.
Perhaps the Wizards take that leap with Kyle Kuzma, but Atlanta would need to be ready to reinvest in a player who expects to get paid like Collins.
Pacers May Hold
13 of 16
The Indiana Pacers (11-11) have come down to earth a bit after a hot start, but the season has been more positive than many expected.
The team had previously shopped Myles Turner for multiple deadlines, but when they landed Tyrese Haliburton from the Kings, they needed to give up Domantas Sabonis.
That may lead to a recommitment to Turner, who will be a free agent this summer. Still, plenty of teams have interest if the Pacers change course, including the Lakers, Clippers and Warriors.
Indiana may focus more on making the playoffs, but other teams have eyes on Buddy Hield and T.J. McConnell.
Hornets Bottoming Out?
14 of 16
The season has not gone well for the Hornets (7-20), which could pay off in the lottery. Miles Bridges remains unsigned after a domestic violence arrest and no-contest plea. LaMelo Ball has missed most of the season with ankle issues. Gordon Hayward is out with a shoulder injury.
Naturally, competing franchises are circling to see what players shake loose, like Mason Plumlee, Kelly Oubre Jr., P.J. Washington (restricted this summer) and Terry Rozier.
Plumlee could be an option for the Clippers. The Lakers have had an interest in Rozier. Oubre could go to a team that misses out on Kyle Kuzma. Washington may be intriguing to developing franchises looking for youth on long-term deals.
Spurs Invested in Poeltl?
15 of 16
The San Antonio Spurs (9-18) round out the list of bottom-performers/top-lottery contenders. Does center Jakob Poeltl fit into their long-term plans? He'll be an unrestricted free agent this summer and could be the best available center at the deadline.
Teams like the Clippers, Warriors and Lakers may have an interest. Additionally, sources indicate the Spurs have made veterans Josh Richarson and Doug McDermott available.
Money Moves
16 of 16
Not every trade is about basketball. Some are straight-up money moves. Last year, the NBA had five trades in January, of which three or four were exclusively about finances.
Expect a few this year as well. For instance, the Philadelphia 76ers are just over the luxury tax and could net about $16 million if they sent $3 million with Jaden Springer or Shake Milton in a salary dump.
It's enough of a windfall for Philadelphia; someone on the team may be sacrificed.
Email Eric Pincus at eric.pincus@gmail.com and follow him on Twitter @EricPincus.
.jpg?w=600 "Grading every NFL team's draft")
.jpg?w=600 "Report: Pavia Accepts Ravens Invite")
.JPEG?w=600 "Best Late-Round Draft Steals ‼️")
.jpg?w=600 "Undrafted Free Agent Tracker ✍️")
