Biggest Storylines Ahead Of NBA Trade Season
NBA trade season unofficially kicks on Friday as restrictions lift for most players signed as free agents over the summer. With almost 25 games apiece, teams should have a sense of direction as they near the February 8 trade deadline.
Some surprising teams are very, very good (Minnesota Timberwolves, Orlando Magic, etc.), and some are unsurprisingly very, very bad (Washington Wizards, Detroit Pistons, San Antonio Spurs, etc.).
Franchises in the playoff chase will look for pieces to elevate their chances, while lottery teams may cash out on veteran players and steer into the lottery-ball skid.
Of course, just because a player is becoming technically available for trade doesn't mean their team will consider making a move. The Houston Rockets, who won 22 games last season, probably don't look to trade veterans Fred VanVleet and Dillon Brooks, given the team's turnaround (11 wins already).
The Dallas Mavericks (15-8) are probably too good thus far to consider a Kyrie Irving trade, though the mercurial star guard is ever unpredictable.
The following is a list of players who could be dealt—at least the ones who may have a higher likelihood of moving with their trade restrictions lifting on December 15.
Do the Lakers Make a Change?
1 of 8
Fresh off the Los Angeles Lakers' in-season tournament win, does the team look at that success as a portend of what's to come in May and June? Or will the Lakers take a swing at the trade market (chasing Zach LaVine of the Chicago Bulls should be a "no").
Does L.A. have enough at center to challenge the Denver Nuggets and Nikola Jokić? Does one of the team's veteran point guards become expendable for potential upgrades (D'Angelo Russell or Gabe Vincent)?
The Lakers have a history of chasing stars but may be better served improving around the edges to improve around the two they already have in LeBron James and Anthony Davis.
Others available on December 15: Taurean Prince, Jaxson Hayes, Cam Reddish, Christian Wood
Bucks Hold on To Middleton?
2 of 8
The Milwaukee Bucks made one of the most significant moves late in the offseason, bringing in Damian Lillard from the Trail Blazers. While the pairing of Giannis Antetokounmpo and Lillard has helped keep the Bucks among the best in the Eastern Conference, Khris Middleton isn't nearly the same player he was when the team won the title in 2021.
Is it time for the franchise to make a change? Middleton, 32, re-signed to a three-year $95 million contract (player option in the final season) that may make him difficult to move. That's a heavy price for a player averaging 12.4 points a game.
Instead, Milwaukee may try to keep his minutes down and work on getting Middleton as healthy and productive as possible for the playoffs. A more significant move probably waits until the following offseason.
Others: Thanasis Antetokounmpo, Malik Beasley, Jae Crowder, AJ Green, Robin Lopez
Suns May Have a Move or Two Left
3 of 8
The Phoenix Suns don't have much left in its arsenal after the last year plus, bringing in Kevin Durant and Bradley Beal to play with Devin Booker. Beal hasn't been healthy, and the team's record (13-10) may not be what it hoped. That could lead to some minor tweaks before the deadline.
Perhaps teams without immediate postseason aspirations have playoff-level veterans they'd be willing to swap for still-young players like Bol Bol, Drew Eubanks and/or Chimezie Metu?
Others: Keita Bates-Diop, Eric Gordon, Damian Lee, Josh Okogie, Yuta Watanabe
.png?w=256)
Knicks Looking for Star Power
4 of 8
The New York Knicks may have an eye on adding star power to join Jalen Brunson, Julius Randle and RJ Barrett.
Donte DiVincenzo has been solid for the New York Knicks, primarily in a 20-minute-per-game bench role. In July, the guard left the Golden State Warriors to sign with New York on a four-year $46.9 million contract.
Combined with Evan Fournier's movable contract—and possibly Immanuel Quickley if the team doesn't want to reinvest at the price he wants in July—the Knicks have enough draft assets to make a credible run if a big name becomes available before the deadline.
Other: Ryan Arcidiacono
Clippers Need Depth
5 of 8
The LA Clippers have begun to find chemistry after the James Harden deal with the Philadelphia 76ers reshaped the roster. The Clippers gave up significant depth, especially at power forward, that may need addressing before the trade deadline.
Even though Russell Westbrook moved to the bench, the Clippers may hesitate to trade him for what he brings as a do-a-lot reserve. Instead, Mason Plumlee (expected back soon from a knee injury) could be expendable after the team acquired Daniel Theis behind Ivica Zubac.
Other: Xavier Moon
Cavaliers Underperforming
6 of 8
The Cleveland Cavaliers (13-11) may have a winning record, but the team needs to climb out of play-in range. The team hasn't entirely lived up to expectations.
That probably won't mean Max Strus gets traded, as he's second on the team in minutes (34.6 per game) and helping to space the floor at 36.2 percent from three on 7.7 attempts. Perhaps Caris LeVert, whose two-year $32 million contract was signed in July, and/or Georges Niang ($25.5 million over three) are more expendable.
Several competing executives are curious to see if the team looks to move Evan Mobley to center with Jarrett Allen as trade bait to add talent at power forward that better fits with Mobley.
Others: Ty Jerome, Tristan Thompson
Is Toronto a Seller?
7 of 8
A more extensive debate in NBA circles surrounds the Toronto Raptors (9-14) and its willingness to rebuild more formally around Scottie Barnes (with veterans like Pascal Siakam and OG Anunoby finally offloaded). If that does finally come to fruition, would the team also look to deal veteran guard Dennis Schröder, who signed a two-year $ 25.3 million contract this summer?
Beyond the bigger picture questions, Jalen McDaniels isn't a significant part of the rotation and could be on the move.
Other: Garrett Temple
Honorable Mention
8 of 8
Draymond Green is an integral part of the Golden State Warriors triumvirate with Stephen Curry and Klay Thompson, but the team isn't doing exceptionally well. Could Green's recent series of unpleasant on-court moments lead to a change? Would the Warriors find a market and make such a dramatic shift? Probably not, but it may be worth keeping tabs on how this one plays out as the deadline gets closer.
The Timberwolves may not want to mess with chemistry, but of the team's rotation players, Troy Brown Jr. plays the fewest minutes (16.1 a game). Similarly, the (potentially playoff-bound) Magic may not part with Joe Ingles as a veteran voice among young players—but he may be the type of player an older win-now team may covet.
The Indiana Pacers got to the in-season tournament final., but the team may need a long-term solution at power forward. Perhaps Bruce Brown Jr. and his large ($22 million) but short (team option next year for $23 million) contract is the key to a trade.
The Chicago Bulls may change direction, leading to a new home for Jevon Carter. Finally, Grant Williams is third in minutes on the Mavericks and seems like a keeper in Dallas.
Email Eric Pincus at eric.pincus@gmail.com and follow him on Twitter @EricPincus.
.png?w=480)
.jpg?w=600 "Raw Results & Grades 🔠")
.png?w=600 "2027 NFL Mock Draft 🔮")
