What Every NBA Team Would Do If Trade Deadline Was Today
The 2024 NBA trade deadline may still be 11-ish weeks away, but that doesn't mean every team hasn't already begun to formulate its strategy.
From identifying positional needs to making a choice between being a buyer/seller and seeing what star players may hit the market, every team's trade deadline plan will differ.
While the sample size is still small, here's what every team would do if the trade deadline was today.
Atlanta Hawks: Find a Third Star
1 of 30
Following a season in which they went 41-41 overall, the Hawks have begun the 2023-24 campaign a perfectly even 6-6 as well.
There's enough of a sample size here to know Atlanta should once again fall into the play-in tournament in the East, as a roster of Trae Young, Dejounte Murray and some high-quality role players can only carry the Hawks so far.
If there was ever a team in need of a third star, this is it.
Even after trading for Murray, the Hawks can still part with multiple first-round picks (either their own or a 2024 selection via the Sacramento Kings plus one in 2029 or 2030) and have some intriguing young talent to offer as well.
This could be a potential home for a player like Karl-Anthony Towns, Pascal Siakam, OG Anunoby or Jerami Grant at the deadline.
Boston Celtics: Keep a Roster Spot Open for Buyout Market
2 of 30
The Celtics are the best team in basketball following a 10-2 start to the season and a league-high plus-12.7 net rating. They shouldn't feel much pressure to do anything at the deadline, instead letting this new-look roster with Jrue Holiday and Kristaps Porziņģis continue to marinate.
Adding another wing off the bench would be nice, but Boston can afford to be patient. They are currently filling 14 of the maximum 15 roster spots, leaving one open for a potential buyout candidate following the trade deadline.
Of all the potential landing spots for championship-chasing veterans to go to, the Celtics should be at the top of the list.
Boston shouldn't feel like it has to do anything at the deadline, as their big trades have already been made.
Brooklyn Nets: Go All-in for the Playoffs
3 of 30
The Nets are one of the most interesting teams this season, showcasing a talent-filled roster that's been bitten by injury in the early going.
A core of Mikal Bridges, Cam Thomas, Nic Claxton and Cam Johnson is a good starting point, although these four have logged just three total possessions together. Despite all of the health concerns, Brooklyn has no reason to tank the season.
The Nets' unprotected first-round pick is owed to the Houston Rockets because of the James Harden trade (the 2021 version, not 2022 or 2023), meaning any deal orchestrated before the deadline should bring in talent, not send any away.
It's hard to pinpoint what exactly this roster needs given that Thomas, Claxton, Johnson and Ben Simmons have combined to miss 25 games, but Brooklyn should still look to buy at the deadline.
Charlotte Hornets: Shop Gordon Hayward, Terry Rozier and Other Vets
4 of 30
While there was hope that a healthy season from LaMelo Ball and the addition of No. 2 overall pick Brandon Miller would erase the memory of a disastrous 2022-23 season, a 3-9 record has the Hornets continuing to wallow in the basement of the East.
Getting another top draft pick to add to a core of Ball, Miller, Mark Williams and P.J. Washington would be what's best overall for the franchise, which only happens if the Hornets once again land in the lottery. Their 2024 pick is owed to the San Antonio Spurs, top-14 protected for the next two years.
Charlotte needs to be honest with itself and execute a quick reset of the franchise, shipping off veterans like Gordon Hayward and Terry Rozier for whatever the return may be. Getting back some defensive help (NBA-worst 121.4 defensive rating) and draft picks would be ideal.
The strategy should be to open up enough minutes to see what you have in Miller while looking to add another top young talent from the 2024 draft.
Chicago Bulls: Begin the Inevitable Rebuild
5 of 30
A 5-9 start to the season from these Bulls shouldn't surprise anyone.
We knew this core couldn't function without a high-level point guard like Lonzo Ball running the show, and there's more pressure than ever to make a decision on the team's future with DeMar DeRozan hitting free agency in a few months.
Expect Chicago to eventually do what's necessary and begin a rebuild.
Every contender should call about defensive ace Alex Caruso and his sub-$10 million contract. There should be at least one team willing to give up real pieces for Zach LaVine, and DeRozan is still a walking bucket even at age 34.
The Bulls simply aren't good enough to be a true playoff threat. It's time to put the garage sale sign out in front of the United Center and see what offers come in.
Cleveland Cavaliers: Find a Backup Point Guard
6 of 30
Finding someone who can dribble and pass has been difficult for the Cavs thus far, as Darius Garland, Donovan Mitchell and Ty Jerome have missed a combined 17 games because of injuries. Ricky Rubio, who was supposed to be the primary backup to Garland, is still away from the team to focus on his mental health.
As a result, Cleveland ranks just 20th overall offensively (110.8 rating) and 24th in assist percentage (58.6 percent), contributing to a ho-hum 6-6 start.
If Rubio doesn't return this season (or even if he does) the Cavs could use another ball-handler in the backcourt to deliver passes to Evan Mobley, Jarrett Allen, Max Strus and others.
The Cavaliers could be a sneaky destination for Malcolm Brogdon by the deadline.
Dallas Mavericks: Look for a Wing Upgrade
7 of 30
The Mavericks have four starters locked in, with an All-Star backcourt of Luka Dončić and Kyrie Irving and a promising young defensive frontcourt of Grant Williams and Dereck Lively II.
The small forward spot has been filled by journeyman Derrick Jones Jr., now on his fifth team in eight seasons. While he's been OK thus far (8.9 points, 3.8 rebounds, 35.3 percent from three), this is still a position that Dallas should be looking to upgrade.
A 25th-ranked defense means the Mavs should be targeting players like OG Anunoby or Jerami Grant at the deadline, athletic wings who can defend multiple positions while still providing some offensive juice.
With some assets left to offer (2027 first-round pick, Jaden Hardy, Josh Green, etc.), the Mavs should have one more big move left in them before the playoffs begin.
Denver Nuggets: Find One More Playoff-Tested Vet
8 of 30
The defending champions don't need much to pull off a repeat, as even a hamstring injury to Jamal Murray hasn't hurt Denver (9-3) that much.
While the Nuggets can get by with young wings like Peyton Watson and Julian Strawther playing rotation minutes during the regular season, the playoffs will be a different beast. Denver will need a Bruce Brown-type at times—a vet who won't be fazed when the pressure gets turned up.
The Nuggets currently rank 25th overall in bench points per game (28.7) with a negative plus-minus rating on the season (minus-9, 20th overall). Adding one more reliable veteran at the deadline or via the buyout market would give Denver a major boost come playoff time.
Detroit Pistons: Make Decisions on Expiring Contracts
9 of 30
Even a return by Cade Cunningham from shin surgery hasn't meant a leap up the standings for these Pistons, as a 2-11 record still has them at the bottom of the East.
Troy Weaver and the rest of Detroit's front office will have a lot of tough decisions to make both at the deadline and next offseason, when players like Killian Hayes, James Wiseman, Joe Harris, Alec Burks, Monte Morris, Kevin Knox and Isaiah Livers will all become free agents.
Does the team try to re-sign a helpful vet like Burks or trade him now while his value is high? Does Hayes still have a future with the team now that he's started every game, or does his lack of scoring mean the Pistons should move on?
Detroit needs to have a plan in place for all of their expiring contracts heading into the deadline.
Golden State Warriors: Add Some Offensive Splash
10 of 30
The pool has begun to run dry on one half of the splash brothers, as Klay Thomspson (14.0 points, 33.0 percent from three) has struggled mightily to start the season.
With no Jordan Poole to help carry some of the offensive load, Stephen Curry has been asked to do far too much for any 35-year-old, as he's averaging over twice as many points (30.0) as the next closest Warrior (Thompson).
Golden State's offense, once the envy of the league, has dropped to just 16th overall (112.2 rating) and ranks in just the 27th percentile in non-Curry minutes (110.0 rating).
If Moses Moody and Jonathan Kuminga can't step into larger offensive roles immediately, the Warriors will have to go out and get another proven scoring force before the deadline. They need someone who can help keep Curry fresh for the playoffs (if Golden State makes it that far).
Houston Rockets: Look for a Rim Protector
11 of 30
The Rockets have been one of the league's most pleasant surprises thus far, as a 6-4 start has them in the West playoff picture.
One of the biggest reasons has been the play of third-year center Alperen Şengün, as the 21-year-old leads Houston in scoring (19.8 points per game), rebounds (8.2) and is second to Fred VanVleet in assists (5.8).
Like some of the other nifty-passing big men in the league, however, defense is not Şengün's strong suit.
Houston ranks 28th overall in blocked shots per game (3.5), while Şengün is allowing opponents to convert 69.0 percent of their shot attempts at the rim—the worst mark of any of player who's challenged 62 shots or more.
The Rockets should look for a backup center who can protect the rim and rebound, bringing a different dynamic to the frontcourt behind Şengün.
Indiana Pacers: With an In-Sync Offense, It's Time to Buy Buy Buy
12 of 30
The Pacers were our pick to become the surprise buyers of the trade deadline, and a 7-4 start to the season only reaffirmed these beliefs.
With the best offense in the history of the NBA (122.0 rating) as of the start of play Sunday, Indiana should be considered a true playoff contender as long as Tyrese Haliburton is on the floor.
Armed with two first-round picks in 2024 and all of their own selections moving forward along with a collection of young talent, the Pacers should be in the mix for a star at the deadline, especially if the Toronto Raptors decide to move on from Pascal Siakam or OG Anunoby.
It's time to kill any Myles Turner trade rumors once and for all and realize that these Pacers are ready to buy.
Los Angeles Clippers: Build a Time Machine and Never Make the James Harden Trade
13 of 30
James Harden isn't in peak shape yet! These guys are still getting used to each other! Just give them more time!
Take any excuse you want, spray some lighter fluid on it and strike a match. Trading for Harden will go down as a huge mistake for the Clippers, just as it did for the Philadelphia 76ers and Brooklyn Nets before them.
The difference is, those rosters were getting a younger, better version of Harden, one that actually fit in with their current players. Now, Harden becomes yet another old, ball-dominant wing on a team that already needed to get younger and move the ball more.
In their first 162 possessions together, the combination of Harden, Kawhi Leonard, Paul George and Russell Westbrook have a net rating of minus-16.5 with an offense that ranks in the first percentile (98.1 rating). Before trading for Harden, the three-man combo of Leonard, George and Westbrook were beating opponents by 31.5 points per 100 possessions, leading to a 48-points-per-100 possession (!!!) swing.
Not even Westbrook agreeing to come off the bench can save these Clippers now.
Los Angeles Lakers: Whatever LeBron James Wants
14 of 30
LeBron James continues to be a marvel of the modern world as he puts up 25.5 points, 8.3 rebounds, 6.3 assists and 1.6 steals a night on a career-high 57.2 percent shooting now just weeks shy of his 39th birthday.
As much as he's tried to pass the torch to Anthony Davis, the talented yet inconsistent center continues to reject it. With James having the option to enter unrestricted free agency this summer, the Lakers still have no choice but to do what he wants.
This could mean pursuing a trade for fellow Klutch client Zach LaVine or former playoff adversary DeMar DeRozan, someone who can take over the scoring load on nights when James is tired and Davis is checked out.
The Lakers shouldn't still need James to play at an All-NBA level at his age, but they do. As a result, keeping him happy and committed to staying in L.A. will largely depend on what this team does at the trade deadline.
Memphis Grizzlies: Find a New Starting Center
15 of 30
Losing Steven Adams to knee surgery was devastating for Memphis, a franchise now held together by duct tape and string while it awaits the return of Ja Morant from suspension.
Finding a replacement for Adams, if only for this season, is a must as well. No offense to Bismack Biyombo or Xavier Tillman Sr., but both make better backups than starters at this stage of their careers.
This could mean making a run at Clint Capela or Nikola Vučević, the latter of whom would really help breathe some life into a 28th-ranked offense.
The Grizzlies may not be able to wait until February to make a move, either, and should already be engaging in trade talks with the rest of the league to prevent punting on this season.
Miami Heat: Continue Pursuit of a Star Guard
16 of 30
Credit Miami for getting out to an 8-5 start with 37-year-old Kyle Lowry as the team's starting point guard and Tyler Herro playing just eight times before suffering an ankle injury.
This doesn't mean the Heat shouldn't still be on the lookout for a backcourt upgrade before the deadline, moving Lowry back to the reserve role he played during their Finals run a year ago.
This could range anywhere from trying to land Zach LaVine or DeMar DeRozan to settling for Malcolm Brogdon or Tyus Jones instead. Asking Lowry to play 30 minutes a night and be fresh enough for another long playoff run is too much at his age.
Miami should be making calls for any and all star guards that become available near the deadline.
Milwaukee Bucks: Find a Point-of-Attack Defender
17 of 30
Trading Jrue Holiday in a deal to get Damian Lillard was something every NBA general manager would do, although it has led to a big dip in defense for the Bucks.
Without a point-of-attack defender to slow down opposing ball-handlers, Milwaukee has tumbled from No. 4 defensively a season ago (110.9 rating) to No. 23 now (114.6 rating). Both Lillard and Malik Beasley can fire up points in bunches, but neither is stopping anyone else outside the arc.
While Giannis Antetokounmpo and Brook Lopez can still hold down the back line, the Bucks could still use one high-level defender in the backcourt, especially come playoff time.
This is an ideal Alex Caruso landing spot, although Milwaukee may not have enough trade assets left to land him.
Minnesota Timberwolves: Check on Karl-Anthony Towns Trade Offers
18 of 30
A 9-3 start to the season and a tie atop the West standings should quiet any potential Karl-Anthony Towns trade talk, right?
It certainly shouldn't.
With a massive four-year, $222.7 million contract kicking in next season and the Timberwolves headed toward a big luxury-tax bill, Minnesota has to be 100 percent sure Towns is making this team significantly better.
Like last season, the numbers say this simply isn't true.
The Wolves have a net rating of plus-2.1 when their core of Anthony Edwards, Towns and Rudy Gobert are all on the floor. With Edwards and Gobert together and Towns on the bench, this number jumps up to plus-27.3.
Minnesota needs to at least have some serious trade conversations around Towns and see what offers are out there while he's still on a far more tradable salary ($36 million).
New Orleans Pelicans: Upgrade While Ducking the Tax
19 of 30
The Pelicans have been a bit of a mess on both ends of the court this season, thanks in no part to a collapsed lung suffered by CJ McCollum and Trey Murphy III still being out while recovering from summer knee surgery.
A healthy New Orleans team should still be quite good, however, and shouldn't be looking to make any monumental changes.
This is also one of the few teams hovering around the luxury-tax line, as the Pelicans currently sit just $2.9 million over.
Dumping Kira Lewis Jr.'s $5.7 million contract on a team is the most likely path, especially if New Orleans can get a useful minimum salary player in return.
New York Knicks: Use Evan Fournier's Contract for Salary Matching in a Trade
20 of 30
Evan Fournier continues to watch from outside of the Knicks' rotation and should be a prime trade candidate at the deadline.
His contract, essentially an expiring one valued at $18.9 million (with a $19.0 million team option), could become valuable as a salary-matcher while keeping the rest of this core intact.
This number lines up similarly to that of OG Anunoby, Bojan Bogdanović, Kelly Olynyk or a package of Doug McDermott and Cedi Osman.
With some extra first-round picks to spare, attaching Fournier's contract to some draft capital could lead to another rotation player for New York.
Oklahoma City Thunder: Add Rebounding Help
21 of 30
The Thunder's 9-4 start to the season shouldn't surprise anyone.
This is one of the most exciting young teams in all of basketball, one that could already be ready to win a playoff round or two.
If there's one weakness with this group, it's a lack of rebounding and muscle inside. Chet Holmgren is one of the most skilled big men in the NBA with his combination of handles, shooting and rim protection, but he's not boxing out the bigger, stronger centers of the league anytime soon.
OKC ranks just 29th in overall rebound percentage this season (46.9 percent), only besting the 2-10 Washington Wizards.
Adding a traditional big who can clean the glass at a high rate would help get the Thunder get more second-chance looks and eliminate additional opportunities for opponents.
Orlando Magic: Find Some More Shooters
22 of 30
The feisty young Magic are off to a 7-5 start to the season thanks to a league-best defense—one that's been needed since their own shots haven't been falling, either.
Orlando ranks 29th overall in three-point accuracy (32.9 percent) and 27th in made threes per game (10.3).
Of the top-10 players in three-point attempts on the Magic, only Gary Harris and Paolo Banchero are converting more than 34.7 percent of their looks. Even key free-agent addition Joe Ingles (32.4 percent) has struggled thus far.
With one non-shooter in the backcourt (Markelle Fultz, 0-of-3 in his five games), this roster needs more floor-spacers who can knock down shots.
Philadelphia 76ers: Cash in the James Harden Trade Chips
23 of 30
The 76ers have to feel great about the James Harden trade even before using the draft equity acquired from the Los Angeles Clippers.
Both Robert Covington and Nicolas Batum have stepped into starting/rotation roles immediately, and Philly now has two extra future first-round picks and a first-round pick swap to use in a trade.
Tyrese Maxey is playing well enough that the Sixers don't need another All-Star guard and should be fine with adding a high-level starter instead.
This trade at least put Philly in position to pursue a star if one becomes available—a spot they weren't close to even a few weeks ago.
Phoenix Suns: Explore Center Upgrades
24 of 30
Trading Deandre Ayton was the right move for the Suns, but that doesn't mean that Jusuf Nurkić is the answer, either.
Yes, his passing has been good for a Phoenix team that largely operates without a traditional point guard and has had a healthy Bradley Beal for just three games. His weaknesses can't be overlooked, however, especially on a championship-hopeful team.
Nurkić isn't a good defender and is allowing opponents to shoot 62.0 percent at the rim this season. The 29-year-old is shooting a career-low 40.4 percent overall and has been a disaster from outside the arc (25.8 percent on 2.6 attempts per game).
The Suns don't need an All-Star center, but rather one that can defend, hit open threes and screen for the rest of the stars on this roster. Nurkić just isn't a great fit.
Portland Trail Blazers: Shop Jerami Grant
25 of 30
The 3-9 Blazers are right where they should be; near the bottom of the West and in prime position to grab a top pick in the 2024 draft.
The next step to help them get there is to trade Grant, the team's leading scorer at 22.7 points per game.
Moving Grant to a contender would be a win-win all around, as the veteran forward got his money this offseason ($160 million over five years) and could help a number of teams with his two-way talents. The Blazers should expect a first-round pick in return while opening up future cap space.
Trading Grant (and Malcolm Brogdon) for the best return possible is the best path forward for Portland.
Sacramento Kings: Add a Catch-and-Shoot Threat
26 of 30
While the Kings rank fourth in the NBA in assists per game (27.5), this number could actually be much higher if Sacramento was even an average shooting team off the catch.
The Kings rank dead last in catch-and-shoot effective field goal percentage (47.8 percent) and three-point percentage (32.3 percent) even with players like Kevin Huerter and Harrison Barnes on the roster.
There's enough ball-handlers and playmakers with De'Aaron Fox, Domantas Sabonis and Malik Monk, although the reserve core could use one more dead-eye shooter who can space the floor and get a shot up quickly.
Sacramento doesn't need to make any earth-shattering moves at the deadline, yet it should be on the lookout for a low-cost sniper should one become available.
San Antonio Spurs: Continue Re-Shaping the Roster Around Victor Wembanyama
27 of 30
Not even Victor Wembanyama can save the Spurs this season. San Antonio ranks 29th overall in both offense and defense, desperately needing some more elite young talent and a true answer at point guard to even sniff the playoffs next year.
Every move the Spurs make at the deadline should be with Wembanyama in mind, both as a buyer and seller.
Keeping future cap space open is important, especially if players around the league are intrigued about the possibility of playing with Wembanyama under Gregg Popovich. While Jeremy Sochan and Tre Jones are technically filling the point guard role, taking a flier on another young floor general would be smart if one becomes available.
Wemby is the franchise at this point. Maximizing his ability is the only goal right now.
Toronto Raptors: Test the Market for All Players Not Named Scottie Barnes
28 of 30
At 5-7, the Raptors could still be buyers or sellers come deadline time.
The new starting five of Dennis Schröder, OG Anunoby, Scottie Barnes, Pascal Siakam and Jakob Poeltl has just been OK, however, beating opponents by a mild 2.5 points per 100 possessions.
Toronto may not end up trading away any of its key players, but the front office should at least pick up when the phone vibrates.
With Siakam and Anunoby both hitting free agency a year after Fred VanVleet walked away for nothing, the Raptors need to at least get an idea of the market for their stars.
Utah Jazz: Move Jordan Clarkson to a Contender
29 of 30
The Jazz have talent and future draft picks to dangle in a trade, but this current version simply isn't playoff ready.
Utah should do right by Jordan Clarkson at the deadline, sending the 31-year-old to a spot where he can start or be a sixth man for a team with true postseason aspirations. Clarkson is having another strong year (19.3 points, 3.3 rebounds and 4.8 assists in 31.8 minutes), although moving him would open up more opportunities for the younger guards.
Players like Keyonte George, Collin Sexton, Talen Horton-Tucker, Ochai Agbaji and more would get more touches and shot attempts with Clarkson gone, ultimately leading to a brighter future in Utah.
Clarkson should be good enough to fetch yet another future first-round pick for this franchise to use as well.
Washington Wizards: Finish the Rebuild
30 of 30
For contenders looking to strengthen their rosters for a playoff run, making a call to the 202 area code should be the first thing they do.
The Wizards should be wiiide open for business, eager to finish off a yard sale that began in the summer and should only carry on until early February.
Everyone outside of Bilal Coulibaly, Deni Avdija and Corey Kispert should be on the table as Washington undergoes a complete teardown. Kyle Kuzma and Tyus Jones should bring a fair return, although it may take draft capital to get off Jordan Poole's contract.
Tanking the season in hopes of gaining the No. 1 overall pick in the 2024 NBA draft is the main priority here.
