B/R's Ultimate NBA Trade Season Cheat Sheet for Every Team
Welcome to the unofficially official start of NBA trade season! To celebrate the occasion, we're running back our mammoth deadline primer, cheat sheet, survival guide, whatchamacallit-thingamabob for every team. That includes your favorite one!
Here's how we'll ready ourselves for nearly two months of rumors and, potentially, trades galore in advance of Feb. 8:
- Buyers or Sellers: Should a team buy or sell at the deadline? There will be no "hold" designations here, even if that's the most likely outcome.
- Untouchable Players: Which names are non-starters in 11th-hour negotiations? Based on whether a team is buying or selling...and common sense. Subject for manipulation if a team enters the currently nonexistent superstar sweepstakes. Poison-pill extensions automatically go here.
- Notable Trade Assets: All players who hold positive value on their own and have a feasible path to the chopping block. Two-way contracts will not be included.
- Notable Traded Player Exceptions: Will only be included for TPEs of $5 million or larger.
- Notable Inbound Draft Picks: Synopsis for key draft picks in each team's possession—excluding their own. This does not necessarily mean they're on the table in trade talks. Future swaps will be included; 2023 swaps will only be listed if they project to convey.
- Notable Outbound Draft Picks: Any noteworthy draft pick-obligations. Not all selections will be highlighted. Top-55-protected choices, for instance, won't receive play unless they're projected to convey.
- 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 deal without attaching sweeteners or taking back unflattering salary. Anyone included in the "Untouchable" section because of a poison-pill extension or trade restriction will not be up for consideration here.
- Most Likely Player to Be Traded: Determined by the rumor mill, contract situations, team trajectories, etc.
- Salary-Cap Situation at a Glance: Payroll proximity to the tax, and any trade-market limitations this might impose.
- Biggest Need(s): What type of players, functional voids or assets should teams prioritize ahead. This is the space in which I'm allowed to elaborate. Get excited. Or terrified. Maybe both.
- Realistic Trade Targets: Trade targets that are...realistic (relative to assets and salary-matching tools at the team's disposal). Three of them. Please note that rebuilding squads will predominantly be tied to flier-types.
Contract details will be provided for all non-untouchables. Their values will reflect the money owed after this season and include any imminent nonguarantees or options unless otherwise noted. (Back-end player and team options will not be outlayed unless we expect them to be exercised.)
Players are slotted within the category that best suits them, though there will be overlaps when looking at the toughest to move and those most likely to be traded. Let us now belly-flop, gracefully, into #SlopSeason.
Atlanta Hawks
1 of 30
- Buyers or Sellers: Buyers, with an open mind toward selling. (#CheckTheStandingzzz)
- Untouchable Players: Onyeka Okongwu (poison pill); ...maybe Trae Young
- Notable Trade Assets: Saddiq Bey (expiring at $4.6 million; restricted free agent this summer); Bogdan Bogdanović (three years, $49.9 million; player option for 2026-27); Kobe Bufkin (three years, $15.7 million); A.J. Griffin (two years, $9.9 million); De'Andre Hunter (three years, $69.9 million); Jalen Johnson (one year, $4.5 million); Dejounte Murray (four years, $114.2 million; trade-eligible on Jan. 9)
- Notable Traded Player Exceptions: $23 million (via John Collins trade; expires Jul. 8)
- Notable Inbound Draft Picks: Sacramento's 2024 first-round pick (lottery protection in 2024; top-12 protection in 2025; top-10 protection in 2026; turns into 2026 and 2027 seconds if not conveyed); Minnesota's 2025 second-round pick; Memphis' 2026 second-round pick (protected Nos. 43 to 60); L.A. Clippers 2027 second-round pick; Houston's 2028 second-round pick
- Notable Outbound Draft Picks: 2024 second-round pick to Portland; 2025 first-round pick to San Antonio; 2025 second-round pick to Oklahoma City (protected Nos. 31 to 40) or Portland (protected Nos. 41 to 59); 2026 first-round pick to San Antonio (swap rights); 2027 first-round pick to San Antonio; 2027 second-round pick to Boston; 2028 second-round pick to Golden State; 2029 second-round pick to Oklahoma City
- Best Salary-Matching Assets: Clint Capela (one year, $22.3 million); Patty Mills (expiring at $6.8 million)
- Toughest Player to Move: Clint Capela (one year, $22.3 million)
- Most Likely Player to Be Traded: Saddiq Bey
- Salary-Cap Situation at a Glance: $9.7 million below the tax
- Biggest Need(s)
Upgrading the perimeter defense, either in the starting lineup or in multiple spots across the bench, should register as the Atlanta Hawks' most pressing aim.
Another combo big is fine, but they need that player to not cost Jalen Johnson and be a rim-protecting and rebounding upgrade over the Clint Capela-Onyeka Okongwu combination.
- Realistic Trade Targets: OG Anunoby; Jae'Sean Tate; Patrick Williams
Boston Celtics
2 of 30
- Buyers or Sellers: Buyers
- Untouchable Players: Jaylen Brown (trade restriction lifts after Feb. 8); Jayson Tatum
- Notable Trade Assets: Sam Hauser (one year, $2.1 million); Jrue Holiday ($40.2 million player option for 2024-25); Al Horford (one year, $9.5 million); Kristaps Porziņģis (two years, $60 million); Payton Pritchard (three years, $21.7 million; poison pill, but an easily workable one); Derrick White (one year, $19.6 million)
- Notable Traded Player Exceptions: $6.2 million (via Grant Williams sign-and-trade; expires Jul. 12)
- Notable Inbound Draft Picks: 2024 second-round pick from Chicago or New Orleans (more favorable); Dallas' 2024 second-round pick; 2025 second-round pick from Dallas, Detroit, Golden State or Washington; 2026 second-round pick from Minnesota, New Orleans, New York or Portland (most favorable); Atlanta's 2027 second-round pick; Dallas' 2030 second-round pick.
- Notable Outbound Draft Picks: 2024 second-round pick to Charlotte; 2025 second-round pick to Oklahoma City or Orlando; 2026 second-round pick to Memphis (swap rights; Boston receives less favorable of its own and Indiana's pick); 2027 second-round pick to Orlando; 2028 first-round pick to San Antonio (top-one protection; turns into 2028 second-rounder, protected Nos. 46 to 60, if not conveyed); 2028 second-round pick to Phoenix (top-45 protection); 2029 first-round pick to Portland; 2029 second-round pick to Oklahoma City
- Best Salary-Matching Assets: No strictly salary-matching assets
- Toughest Player to Move: None
- Most Likely Player to Be Traded: Lamar Stevens (contract guarantees on Jan. 7)
- Salary-Cap Situation at a Glance: $18.2 million over luxury tax; second-apron team; can only take back up to 110 percent of outgoing salary
- Biggest Need(s)
Seeking out potential upgrades at basically any position to fill out spots behind the top six in the rotation should be the Boston Celtics' aim. People will insist a reserve big is a must, but a bigger wing, ball-handler/playmaker or extra point-of-attack defender could be just as useful. If they believe Sam Hauser has the seventh spot and minutes at the 3 and 4 on lock, well, that doesn't really change the plot.
Granted, Boston might be boxed into buyout-market surfing after Feb. 8. Its best salary-matching tools are all mission critical. Team president Brad Stevens' wish list will consist of lower-salaried fliers unless he's willing to part with Horford or White or prepared to boost the Celtics' tax bill using the Grant Williams TPE.
- Realistic Trade Targets: Jevon Carter; Naji Marshall; Aaron Wiggins
Brooklyn Nets
3 of 30
- Buyers or Sellers: Buyers, with the potential to sell (non-Mikal Bridges division)
- Untouchable Players: Mikal Bridges
- Notable Trade Assets: Nic Claxton (expiring at $9.6 million); Noah Clowney (three years, $12 million); Dorian Finney-Smith (two years, $30.2 million; player option for 2025-26); Cam Johnson (three years, $68.8 million; trade-eligible Jan. 15); Royce O'Neale (expiring at $9.5 million); Day'Ron Sharpe (one year, $4 million); Dennis Smith Jr. (expiring at $2.2 million); Cam Thomas (one year, $4 million); Lonnie Walker IV (expiring at $2.2 million); Dariq Whitehead (three years, $11.8 million)
- Notable Traded Player Exceptions: $18.1 million (via Kevin Durant trade; expires Feb. 9); $19.9 million (via Joe Harris trade; expires Jul. 8); $6.8 million (via Patty Mills trade; expires Jul. 8)
- Notable Inbound Draft Picks: Phoenix's 2025 first-round pick; Miami's 2025 second-round pick (top-37 protection); Philadelphia's 2027 first-round pick (top-eight protection through 2028; turns into 2028 second if not conveyed); Phoenix's 2027 first-round pick; Phoenix's 2028 first-round pick (swap rights); Dallas' 2029 first-round pick: Phoenix's 2029 first-round pick; Dallas' 2029 second-round pick
- Notable Outbound Draft Picks: 2024 first-round pick to Houston; 2024 second-round pick to Houston (unspecified protection); 2025 first-round pick to Houston or Oklahoma City (swap rights); 2025 second-round pick to New York; 2026 first-round pick to Houston; 2027 first-round pick to Houston (swap rights); 2027 second-round pick to Washington or Detroit
- Best Salary-Matching Assets: Spencer Dinwiddie (expiring at $18.9 million)
- Toughest Player to Move: Ben Simmons (one year, $40.3 million)
- Most Likely Player to Be Traded: Royce O'Neale
- Salary-Cap Situation at a Glance: $8 million under the tax
- Biggest Need(s):
Another perimeter body who can close out strong on open shooters would do wonders for a defense that has so far waxed and waned. This feels weird to say about a Brooklyn Nets squad with so many wing-sized bodies.
Sure, absences from Claxton and Simmons (still out with nerve damage in his back) may account for some of the wonkiness. But the Nets can't count on the latter. They need a little extra outside-in defensive oomph. Bonus points if that player brings some floor generalship on offense. Injecting some brawn into the front-line rotation should be on the table, too.
And while the Nets have the goods to go star-hunting, they're better off straddling the line in between until they have a firmer grasp on their potential within this current window.
- Realistic Trade Targets: Alex Caruso; Isaac Okoro; Immanuel Quickley
Charlotte Hornets
4 of 30
- Buyers or Sellers: Sellers. Please.
- Untouchable Players: LaMelo Ball (poison pill), Brandon Miller
- Notable Trade Assets: Bryce McGowens (one year, $2 million; non-guaranteed); Nick Richards (two years, $10 million; 2025-26 non-guaranteed); Nick Smith Jr. (three years, $10.2 million); JT Thor (one year, $2 million; team option); P.J. Washington (two years, $29.7 million; trade-eligible Jan. 15); Mark Williams (two years, $10.4 million)
- Notable Traded Player Exceptions: None
- Notable Inbound Draft Picks: Boston's 2024 second-round pick; 2027 second-round pick from New Orleans or Portland (more favorable); L.A. Clippers 2028 second-round pick
- Notable Outbound Draft Picks: 2024 first-round pick to San Antonio (lottery protection in 2024 and 2025; turns into 2026 and 2027 seconds if not conveyed); 2024 second-round pick to Denver or Portland; 2025 second-round pick to Golden State
- Best Salary-Matching Assets: James Bouknight (expiring at $4.6 million); Miles Bridges (expiring at $7.9 million; implied no-trade clause); Gordon Hayward (expiring at $31.5 million); Cody Martin (two years, $16.8 million; 2025-26 non-guaranteed)
- Toughest Player to Move: Terry Rozier (two years, $51.5 million; $49.8 million guaranteed)
- Most Likely Player to Be Traded: Gordon Hayward
- Salary-Cap Situation at a Glance: $30.6 million under the tax
- Biggest Need(s)
Please get the Charlotte Hornets a stick of dynamite. I hate being this general, but everyone not named LaMelo and Miller should be up for grabs. (Williams shouldn't be dealt just because, but he's far from untouchable.)
Charlotte first and foremost needs extra firsts to facilitate a more cohesive direction. If it wants to focus on player-types, taking fliers on anyone who can guard the point of attack/pick-and-roll without leaving Williams/the bigs hanging out to dry would be just swell.
- Realistic Trade Targets: Ousmane Dieng; Miles McBride; Isaac Okoro
Chicago Bulls
5 of 30
- Buyers or Sellers: Sellers...even though they look plucky without Zach LaVine (right foot injury)
- Untouchable Players: None
- Notable Trade Assets: Jevon Carter (one year, $6.5 million); Alex Caruso (one year, $9.9 million; 2024-25 non-guaranteed); Torrey Craig ($2.8 million player option for 2024-25); DeMar DeRozan (expiring at $28.6 million); Ayo Dosunmu (three years, $21 million; trade-eligible Jan. 15); Andre Drummond (expiring at $3.4 million); Zach LaVine (three years, $137.9 million; player option for 2026-27); Coby White (two years, $26.9 million; trade-eligible Jan. 15); Patrick Williams (expiring at $9.8 million; restricted free agent in 2024)
- Notable Traded Player Exceptions: None
- Notable Inbound Draft Picks: Portland's 2024 first-round pick (lottery protection through 2028; turns into 2028 second if not conveyed)
- Notable Outbound Draft Picks: 2024 second-round pick to Boston or New Orleans; 2025 first-round pick to San Antonio (top-10 protection for one year; top-eight protection through 2027; turns into 2028 second if not conveyed); 2025 second-round pick to San Antonio; 2026 second-round pick to Washington; 2027 second-round pick to Washington
- Best Salary-Matching Assets: Lonzo Ball ($21.4 million player option for 2024-25); Dalen Terry (two years, $8.9 million; 2025-26 team option)
- Toughest Player to Move: Nikola Vučević (two years, $41.5 million)
- Most Likely Player to Be Traded: Zach LaVine
- Salary-Cap Situation at a Glance: $1.7 million under the tax; hard-capped; cannot exceed first luxury-tax apron ($172.3 million); $6.4 million beneath the hard cap
- Biggest Need(s)
Reinvigorated play without LaVine is not cause for the Chicago Bulls to go full Chicago Bulls and quintuple-down on a core that's long since past its expiration date. They need to start over and build up their pick-and-prospect stash.
If that's not on the table, they should target additional wing depth and a big man of the future.
- Realistic Trade Targets: A.J. Griffin; Jonathan Kuminga; Leonard Miller
Cleveland Cavaliers
6 of 30
- Buyers or Sellers: Buyers
- Untouchable Players: Darius Garland; Donovan Mitchell; Evan Mobley
- Notable Trade Assets: Jarrett Allen (two years, $40 million); Georges Niang (two years, $16.7 million); Isaac Okoro (expiring at $8.9 million; restricted free agent in 2024); Max Strus (three years, $47.8 million); Dean Wade (two years, $12.9 million; $10.9 million guaranteed)
- Notable Traded Player Exceptions: None
- Notable Inbound Draft Picks: Golden State's 2024 second-round pick (protected Nos. 56 to 59); Milwaukee's 2025 second-round pick; Denver's 2027 second-round pick
- Notable Outbound Draft Picks: 2024 second-round pick to Indiana, L.A. Clippers or New York; 2025 first-round pick to Utah; 2026 first-round pick to Utah (swap rights); 2027 first-round pick to Utah; 2028 first-round pick to Utah (swap rights); 2029 first-round pick to Utah; 2030 second-round pick to San Antonio
- Best Salary-Matching Assets: Caris LeVert (one year, $16.6 million); Ricky Rubio (one year, $6.4 million)
- Toughest Player to Move: Ricky Rubio (away from team)
- Most Likely Player to Be Traded: Ricky Rubio
- Salary-Cap Situation at a Glance: $750,000 under the tax; hard-capped; cannot exceed first luxury-tax apron ($172.3 million); $7.8 million beneath the hard cap
- Biggest Need(s)
Injuries continue to limit the Cleveland Cavaliers' best-player sample size, but the data on that core lineup is weird. Uneven play from Darius Garland hasn't helped, either.
On the bright side, the additions of Max Strus and Georges Niang have proved useful. Overall, though, this squad still feels like it needs some frontcourt diversification. Cleveland's assets are limited beyond tidy salary-matching tools, but it should scour the market for stretch combo-forwards or bigs who can rebound and/or sling it from deep.
- Realistic Trade Targets: Chris Boucher; Torrey Craig; Simone Fontecchio
Dallas Mavericks
7 of 30
- Buyers or Sellers: Buyers
- Untouchable Players: Luka Dončić; Josh Green (poison pill); Kyrie Irving
- Notable Trade Assets: Dante Exum (one year, $3.2 million; 2024-25 non-guaranteed); Jaden Hardy (one year, $2 million; 2024-25 non-guaranteed); Derrick Jones Jr. (expiring at $2 million); Maxi Kleber (two years, $22 million); Dereck Lively II (three years, $17.5 million); Olivier Maxence-Prosper (three years, $11.2 million); Grant Williams (three years, $40.9 million)
- Notable Traded Player Exceptions: $5 million (via Dāvis Bertāns trade; expires Jul. 8)
- Notable Inbound Draft Picks: Toronto's 2025 second-round pick; Miami's 2028 second-round pick
- Notable Outbound Draft Picks: 2024 first-round pick to New York (top-10 protection through 2025; turns into 2025 second if not conveyed); 2024 second-round pick to Boston; 2026 second-round pick to Houston, Oklahoma City or San Antonio; 2027 second-round pick to Detroit or Washington; 2028 second-round pick to Indiana; 2029 first-round pick to Brooklyn; 2029 second-round pick to Brooklyn; 2030 first-round pick to San Antonio (swap rights); 2030 second-round pick to Boston
- Best Salary-Matching Assets: Seth Curry (one year, $4 million; 2024-25 non-guaranteed); Tim Hardaway Jr. (one year, $16.2 million); Richaun Holmes ($12.9 million player option for 2024-25); Dwight Powell (two years, $8 million; player option for 2025-26)
- Toughest Player to Move: Richaun Holmes
- Most Likely Player to Be Traded: Richaun Holmes
- Salary-Cap Situation at a Glance: $3.5 million under the tax; hard-capped; cannot exceed first luxury-tax apron ($172.3 million); $8.5 million beneath the hard cap
- Biggest Need(s)
A recent spate of injuries—and nearly season-long absence from Kleber—makes it difficult to pin down the Dallas Mavericks. The emergence of Exum and DJJ (hitting threes!) seemingly diminishes the urgency to net another wing or point-of-attack defender. At the same time, neither of those guys are instilling fear in opposing playoff teams.
Like so many others, Dallas needs a perimeter stopper—or even league-average defender—who doesn't shrink the half-court.
- Realistic Trade Targets: Torrey Craig; Jerami Grant; Marcus Smart
Denver Nuggets
8 of 30
- Buyers or Sellers: Buyers
- Untouchable Players: Nikola Jokić; Jamal Murray
- Notable Trade Assets: Christian Braun (two years, $8 million); Kentavious Caldwell-Pope ($15.4 million player option for 2024-25); Aaron Gordon (two years, $45.6 million; player option for 2025-26); Jalen Pickett (three years, $6.5 million); Michael Porter Jr. (three years, $115 million); Julian Strawther (three years, $10.1 million); Hunter Tyson (three years, $6.5 million); Peyton Watson (two years, $6.8 million)
- Notable Traded Player Exceptions: None
- Notable Inbound Draft Picks: 2024 second-round draft pick from Charlotte or Minnesota (less favorable)
- Notable Outbound Draft Picks: 2024 second-round pick to Phoenix (forfeited by Phoenix); 2025 first-round pick to Orlando (top-five protection through 2027); 2027 first-round pick to Oklahoma City (pending obligation to Orlando; top-five protection through 2029; turns into 2029 second-round pick if not conveyed); 2027 second-round pick to Cleveland: 2028 second-round pick to San Antonio; 2029 first-round pick to Oklahoma City (pending 2027 obligation to Oklahoma City; top-five protection through 2030; turns into 2030 second-round pick if not conveyed)
- Best Salary-Matching Assets: Vlatko Čančar ($2.3 million team option for 2024-25); Reggie Jackson ($5.3 million player option for 2024-25); Zeke Nnaji (poison pill on four-year, $32 million extension, but trade limitations are workable)
- Toughest Player to Move: Michael Porter Jr.
- Most Likely Player to Be Traded: Justin Holiday (expiring at $2 million)
- Salary-Cap Situation at a Glance: $12.6 million over the luxury tax; $4.7 million beneath the second apron
- Biggest Need(s)
Fleshing out the bench rotation remains the Denver Nuggets' core concern, but they are quietly stretching eight deep. Reggie Jackson has exceeded expectations. Christian Braun has perked up after an awkward start. And Julian Strawther is starting to look like someone who can hang in the playoff rotation.
Seeking out someone who can spell Nikola Jokić but also sponge up reps at the 4 is the top priority—essentially the player Zeke Nnaji is supposed to be. Whether they can find even a half-baked facsimile of that player without dispensable salary-matching tools remains to be seen.
- Realistic Trade Targets: Sandro Mamukelashvili; Xavier Tillman; Omer Yurtseven
Detroit Pistons
9 of 30
- Buyers or Sellers: Open-minded sellers; opportunistic buyers on vets who open up the floor for the kids
- Untouchable Players: Cade Cunningham; Jalen Duren; Isaiah Stewart (poison pill); Ausar Thompson
- Notable Trade Assets: Bojan Bogdanović (one year, $19 million; $2 million guaranteed); Alec Burks (expiring at $10.5 million); Jaden Ivey (two years, $18.1 million); Isaiah Livers (expiring at $1.8 million; restricted free agent in 2024); Monte Morris (expiring at $9.8 million); Marcus Sasser (three years, $10.9 million)
- Notable Traded Player Exceptions: None
- Notable Inbound Draft Picks: 2024 second-round pick from Memphis or Washington (more favorable); 2026 second-round pick from Minnesota, New Orleans, New York or Portland; 2027 second-round pick from Brooklyn or Dallas (less favorable); 2029 second-round pick from Milwaukee
- Notable Outbound Draft Picks: 2024 first-round pick to New York (top-18 protection in 2024; top-13 protection in 2025; top-11 protection in 2026; top-nine protection in 2027; turns into 2027 second if not conveyed); 2024 second-round pick to New York; 2026 second-round pick to Orlando or Phoenix
- Best Salary-Matching Assets: Joe Harris (expiring at $19.9 million); Killian Hayes (expiring at $7.4 million; restricted free agent in 2024); James Wiseman (expiring at $12.1 million; restricted free agent in 2024)
- Toughest Player to Move: Marvin Bagley III (one year, $12.5 million)
- Most Likely Player to Be Traded: Alec Burks
- Salary-Cap Situation at a Glance: $27.7 million under the tax
- Biggest Need(s)
Everyone wants the Detroit Pistons to sell off their entire roster, with Cunningham, Duren, Thompson and perhaps Sasser looming as the only exceptions. That is a reasonable stance to take. This team is aimless in so many respects.
But the nucleus is more talented than Detroit's crappy-ass record. Unless contenders are ponying up first-rounders or prospect equivalents for veteran rentals and the opportunity to offload longer-term deals, the Pistons should consider buy-low opportunities that optimize a woefully underserved core.
Atop the list: a combo forward who doesn't shrink the floor and forces them to ditch the dual-big crutch—because, no, Stewart is not a stretch big in the truest sense.
- Realistic Trade Targets: Gordon Hayward; Caleb Martin; Doug McDermott
Golden State Warriors
10 of 30
- Buyers or Sellers: Buyers...because Stephen Curry exists
- Untouchable Players: Stephen Curry
- Notable Trade Assets: Draymond Green (three years, $77.7 million; player option for 2026-27); Jonathan Kuminga (one year, $7.6 million); Kevon Looney (one year, $8 million; $3 million guaranteed); Moses Moody (one year, $5.8 million); Gary Payton II ($9.1 million player option for 2024-25); Brandin Podziemski (three years, $12.9 million); Dario Saric (expiring at $2 million)
- Notable Traded Player Exceptions: None
- Notable Inbound Draft Picks: Atlanta's 2026 second-round pick; Atlanta's 2028 second-round pick
- Notable Outbound Draft Picks: 2024 first-round pick to Portland (top-four protection in 2024; top-one protection in 2025; unprotected in 2026); 2024 second-round pick to Cleveland or Houston; 2025 second-round pick to Boston, Dallas, Detroit or Washington; 2026 second-round pick to Oklahoma City; 2027 second-round pick to Washington; 2028 second-round pick to Portland; 2030 first-round pick to Washington (top-20 protection; turns into 2030 second-round pick if not conveyed)
- Best Salary-Matching Assets: Chris Paul (one year, $30 million; 2024-25 non-guaranteed until Jun. 28); Andrew Wiggins (three years, $84.7 million; player option for 2026-27)
- Toughest Player to Move: Klay Thompson (expiring at $43.2 million)
- Most Likely Player to Be Traded: Jonathan Kuminga (extension-eligible this summer)
- Salary-Cap Situation at a Glance: $42.6 million over the luxury-tax; second-apron team; can only take back up to 110 percent of outgoing salary
- Biggest Need(s)
Say goodbye, farewell, so long, adiós, sayonara, arrivederci, adieu, au revoir, auf wiedersehen to the Golden State Warriors' dynasty. It's dunzo. They have exhausted their lightning-in-a-bottle stores. It's time for major shake-ups if they want to re-open the title window Curry remains fully capable of headlining.
Athletic size that doesn't shrink the floor on offense and can tackle some of the toughest defensive assignments anywhere inside the 1 through 4 spots is at the top of the must-have list. Getting someone who can generate their own shots more consistently would also be a plus—especially if CP3's expiring contract is leaving as part of any deal.
Barring a multitude of inbound depth, the Dubs must warm up to the idea of a star acquisition —while hoping the trade market actually becomes conducive to one.
- Realistic Trade Targets: OG Anunoby; Lauri Markkanen; Pascal Siakam
Houston Rockets
11 of 30
- Buyers or Sellers: Buyers
- Untouchable Players: Alperen Şengün; Amen Thompson
- Notable Trade Assets: Dillon Brooks (three years, $63.4 million); Tari Eason (two years, $9.4 million); Jalen Green (one year, $12.5 million); Jabari Smith Jr. (two years, $22.1 million); Jae'Sean Tate (one year, $7.1 million; 2024-25 team option); Fred VanVleet (two years, $87.7 million; team option for 2025-26); Cam Whitmore (three years, $12.4 million)
- Notable Traded Player Exceptions: None
- Notable Inbound Draft Picks: Brooklyn's 2024 first-round pick; Brooklyn's 2024 second-round pick (unspecified protection); Golden State's 2024 second-round pick (protected Nos. 56 to 59); Oklahoma City's 2024 second-round pick; 2025 first-round pick from Brooklyn Or Oklahoma City (swap rights with Brooklyn; OKC has swap rights with Houston); Oklahoma City's 2025 second-round pick; Brooklyn's 2026 first-round pick; 2026 second-round pick from Dallas, Oklahoma City or Philadelphia (second-most favorable); 2026 second-round pick from Boston, Indiana, L.A. Clippers or Miami; Brooklyn's 2027 first-round pick (swap rights); Memphis' 2027 second-round pick
- Notable Outbound Draft Picks: 2024 first-round pick to Oklahoma City (top-four protection; turns into 2025 second-round pick if not conveyed); 2024 second-round pick to Oklahoma City; 2026 first-round pick to Oklahoma City or Philadelphia (top-four protection; turns into 2026 second-round pick if not conveyed); 2027 second-round pick to Miami, Oklahoma City or San Antonio; 2028 second-round pick to Atlanta; 2029 second-round pick to Oklahoma City; 2030 second-round pick to Oklahoma City
- Best Salary-Matching Assets: Jeff Green (one year, $9.6 million; 2024-25 non-guaranteed); Jock Landale (three years, $24 million; $0 guaranteed); Victor Oladipo (expiring at $9.5 million)
- Toughest Player to Move: Dillon Brooks
- Most Likely Player to Be Traded: Victor Oladipo
- Salary-Cap Situation at a Glance: $22 million under the tax; hard-capped; cannot exceed first luxury-tax apron ($172.3 million); $27.6 million beneath hard cap
- Biggest Need(s)
Immediately, the Houston Rockets could stand to bolster their backup-big spots. Long term, though, they need to have their eye out for a bigger-sized playmaking wing who preserves floor-spacing and invites Houston to more frequently explore Jabari Smith Jr.-at-the-5 arrangements. That also happens to be the toughest, and least likely, spot to fill.
Extra shot creation that doesn't come in the form of someone who monopolizes the ball wouldn't be a bad idea, either. Star-hunting is fine, as well. But any marquee names should cater to the longer end of Houston's timeline.
- Realistic Trade Targets: Nicolas Batum; Alec Burks; Kevon Looney
Indiana Pacers
12 of 30
- Buyers or Sellers: Buyers
- Untouchable Players: Tyrese Haliburton (poison pill); Aaron Nesmith (poison pill)
- Notable Trade Assets: Bruce Brown ($23 million team option for 2024-25); Buddy Hield (expiring at $19.3 million); Bennedict Mathurin (two years, $16.4 million); Andrew Nembhard (two years, $4.2 million); Ben Sheppard (three years, $10.5 million); Obi Toppin (expiring at $6.8 million; restricted free agent in 2024); Myles Turner (one year, $19.9 million); Jarace Walker (three years, $21.6 million)
- Notable Traded Player Exceptions: None
- Notable Inbound Draft Picks: 2024 first-round pick from Houston, L.A. Clippers, Oklahoma City or Utah (least favorable); Milwaukee's 2024 second-round pick; Miami's 2025 second-round pick (protected Nos. 38 to 59); Utah's 2027 second-round pick; Dallas' 2028 second-round pick; Phoenix's 2028 second-round pick (Indiana will swap more favorable of its own and Phoenix's with New York); Washington's 2029 second-round pick (Indiana will swap more favorable of its own and Washington's with New York); Sacramento's 2030 second-round pick
- Notable Outbound Draft Picks: 2024 second-round pick to L.A. Clippers (swap; Indiana gets least favorable of its own, Cleveland's or Utah's); 2026 second-round pick to Boston, Memphis, Minnesota or San Antonio; 2027 second-round pick to Miami, Oklahoma City or San Antonio
- Best Salary-Matching Assets: Isaiah Jackson (one year, $4.4 million); T.J. McConnell (one year, $9.3 million; 2024-25 non-guaranteed); Jordan Nwora (expiring at $3.2 million); Jalen Smith ($5.4 million player option for 2024-25)
- Toughest Player to Move: None
- Most Likely Player to Be Traded: T.J. McConnell
- Salary-Cap Situation at a Glance: $38.9 million under the tax
- Biggest Need(s)
Landing someone who can shimmy between the 3 and 4 spots and handle power-perimeter covers would accelerate the Indiana Pacers' place in the leaguewide pecking order by considerable margins. It might even make them a bonafide contender.
Poking around the Pascal Siakam market is a fair-weather course—if the price is right. (His free agency looms large.) But the Pacers' ideal acquisition tilts toward the wing end of the spectrum, with someone who delivers more size than they get from Bruce Brown and Aaron Nesmith.
- Realistic Trade Targets: OG Anunoby; Draymond Green; Matisse Thybulle (trade-eligible Jan. 15)
L.A. Clippers
13 of 30
- Buyers or Sellers: Buyers
- Untouchable Players: Paul George; James Harden; Kawhi Leonard; Daniel Theis (trade restriction expires after Feb. 8)
- Notable Trade Assets: Brandon Boston Jr. (expiring at $1.8 million; restricted free agent in 2024); Kobe Brown (three years, $10 million); Amir Coffey (one year, $3.9 million); Bones Hyland (one year, $4.2 million); Terance Mann (one year, $11.4 million); Norman Powell (two years, $39.7 million); Russell Westbrook ($4 million player option for 2024-25; implicit no-trade clause); Ivica Zubac (one year, $11.7 million)
- Notable Traded Player Exceptions: None
- Notable Inbound Draft Picks: 2024 second-round pick from Cleveland, Indiana or Utah; 2024 second-round pick from Cleveland, Indiana, Toronto or Utah (overlaps but is separate from previous obligation)
- Notable Outbound Draft Picks: 2024 first-round pick to Oklahoma City; 2024 second-round pick to Los Angeles Lakers; 2025 first-round pick to Oklahoma City (swap rights); 2025 second-round pick to Lakers; 2026 first-round pick to Oklahoma City or Philadelphia; 2026 second-round pick to Houston or Memphis; 2027 first-round pick to Oklahoma City (swap rights; first from Denver or Oklahoma City incoming); 2027 second-round pick to Atlanta; 2028 first-round pick to Philadelphia; 2028 second-round pick to Charlotte; 2029 first-round pick to Philadelphia (swap rights); 2029 second-round pick to Philadelphia
- Best Salary-Matching Assets: Mason Plumlee (expiring at $5 million; implicit no-trade clause); P.J. Tucker ($11.5 million player option for 2024-25)
- Toughest Player to Move: P.J. Tucker
- Most Likely Player to Be Traded: Mason Plumlee
- Salary-Cap Situation at a Glance: $34 million over the tax; second-apron team; can only take back up to 110 percent of outgoing salary
- Biggest Need(s)
Head coach Tyronn Lue has unearthed combinations that work following the James Harden trade. The L.A. Clippers look like a more complete team because of it.
And yet, they remain uneven. Tucker is registering DNPs. Harden and Westbrook cannot (and currently are not) playing together. The center rotation is solid yet perhaps not 16-wins-when-it-matters-most enough.
L.A. still has a first-rounder to trade and the salary to anchor another big-time get. Its best use of those assets is angling for a more matchup-proof big or someone who actualizes the idea of Tucker—a forward who can slide up to the 5 in smaller combinations, won't get cooked in a variety of defensive situations and doesn't need the ball but is willing to let 'er rip or quickly attack when he gets it.
- Realistic Trade Targets: Santi Aldama; Torrey Craig; Kelly Olynyk
Los Angeles Lakers
14 of 30
- Buyers or Sellers: Buyers
- Untouchable Players: Anthony Davis; LeBron James; Jarred Vanderbilt (trade restriction expires after Feb. 8)
- Notable Trade Assets: Max Christie (three years, $6.5 million; $1.9 million guaranteed); Jaxson Hayes ($2.3 million player option for 2024-25); Jalen Hood-Schifino (three years, $14.2 million); Tauren Prince (expiring at $4.5 million); Austin Reaves (three years, $41.8 million; player option for 2026-27; trade-eligible Jan. 15); Cam Reddish ($2.5 million player option for 2024-25); D'Angelo Russell ($18.7 million player option for 2024-25); Christian Wood ($3 million player option for 2024-25)
- Notable Traded Player Exceptions: None
- Notable Inbound Draft Picks: L.A. Clippers' 2024 second-round pick; L.A. Clippers' 2025 second-round pick
- Notable Outbound Draft Picks: 2024 first-round pick or 2025 first-round pick to New Orleans (deferral rights for New Orleans); 2024 second-round pick to San Antonio; 2026 second-round pick to Miami; 2027 first-round pick to Utah (top-four protection; turns into 2027 second-round pick if not conveyed); 2028 second-round pick to Orlando or Washington; 2029 second-round pick to Washington
- Best Salary-Matching Assets: Gabe Vincent (two years, $22.5 million)
- Toughest Player to Move: Rui Hachimura (two years, $35.3 million)
- Most Likely Player to Be Traded: D'Angelo Russell
- Salary-Cap Situation at a Glance: $1.3 million over the tax; hard-capped; cannot exceed first luxury-tax apron ($172.3 million); $4.9 million beneath hard cap
- Biggest Need(s)
Defense and gradually better health have positioned the Los Angeles Lakers to climb up the Western Conference hierarchy. Reaching their absolute peak mandates scooping up additional offensive juice.
Vincent's eventual return from a left knee injury will help, but L.A. could really use a more dependable shot-creator and -maker fit to carry units without LeBron—which remain cripplingly bad. In the event the Lakers don't want to (or can't) find a blockbuster-esque acquisition, they should prioritize reliable three-point volume and accuracy on the wings.
- Realistic Trade Targets: Bojan Bogdanović; Zach LaVine; Dejounte Murray (trade-eligible Jan. 9)
Memphis Grizzlies
15 of 30
- Buyers or Sellers: [long pause] Sellers
- Untouchable Players: Desmond Bane (poison pill); Bismack Biyombo (signed in-season); Jaren Jackson Jr.; Ja Morant
- Notable Trade Assets: Santi Aldama (one year, $4 million); Luke Kennard ($14.8 million team option for 2024-25); John Konchar (three years, $18.6 million); Jake LaRavia (two years, $8.6 million); David Roddy (two years, $7.7 million); Marcus Smart (two years, $41.8 million); Xavier Tillman (expiring at $1.9 million)
- Notable Traded Player Exceptions: $7.5 million (via Dillon Brooks sign-and-trade; expiries Jul. 8)
- Notable Inbound Draft Picks: 2024 first-round pick from Phoenix or Washington (swap rights with Phoenix; Memphis will receive less favorable of Phoenix's and Washington's pick); 2026 second-round pick from Boston, L.A. Clippers, Indiana or Miami
- Notable Outbound Draft Picks: 2024 second-round pick to Detroit or Minnesota; 2025 second-round pick to Oklahoma City or Orlando; 2026 second-round pick to Atlanta (protected Nos. 43 to 60) or Portland (protected Nos. 31 to 42); 2027 second-round pick to Houston; 2028 second-round pick to Phoenix; 2029 second-round pick to Phoenix
- Best Salary-Matching Assets: Steven Adams (one year, $12.5 million); Derrick Rose (one year, $3.4 million); Ziaire Williams (one year, $6.1 million)
- Toughest Player to Move: Brandon Clarke (three years, $37.5 million)
- Most Likely Player to Be Traded: Ziaire Williams
- Salary-Cap Situation at a Glance: $11.6 million under the tax
- Biggest Need(s)
Morant's impending return doesn't give the Memphis Grizzlies license to buy. They can (and should) look to cement their rotation on the margins, but their biggest voids require wholesale upgrades. It doesn't make a ton of sense to fill those gaps now when their season is already too far gone—unless the player in question is can't-miss-times-infinity.
To that end, Memphis needs a properly sized wing of the future who can slide up to the 4 without limiting its offense. Still. It's clearly not Ziaire Williams, and Smart wears a touch too many hats to believe he'll age well post-injury. A bigger type of center matters immediately, but less so if any non-star deal commands meaningful assets.
- Realistic Trade Targets: Julian Champagnie; Andre Drummond; Kyle Kuzma
Miami Heat
16 of 30
- Buyers or Sellers: Buyers
- Untouchable Players: Bam Adebayo; Jimmy Butler
- Notable Trade Assets: Tyler Herro (three years, $93 million); Haywood Highsmith (expiring at $1.9 million); Jaime Jaquez Jr. (three years, $13.6 million); Nikola Jović (two years, $6.9 million); Caleb Martin ($7.2 million player option for 2024-25); Josh Richardson ($3.1 million player option for 2024-25); Orlando Robinson (one year, $1.9 million; $0 guaranteed until Jul. 15)
- Notable Traded Player Exceptions: $9.5 million (via Victor Oladipo trade; expires Jul. 8); $7.2 million (via Max Strus sign-and-trade; expires Jul. 8)
- Notable Inbound Draft Picks: L.A. Lakers' 2026 second-round pick
- Notable Outbound Draft Picks: 2024 second-round pick to Atlanta (protected Nos. 31 to 50 and 56 to 59) or New York (top-55 protection); 2025 first-round pick to Oklahoma City (lottery protection in 2025; unprotected in 2026); 2025 second-round pick to Brooklyn (protected Nos. 31 to 37) or Indiana (protected Nos. 38 to 59); 2026 second-round pick to Boston, Memphis, Minnesota or San Antonio; 2027 second-round pick to Oklahoma City or San Antonio (another least favorable selection incoming; basically a swap); 2028 second-round pick to Dallas; 2029 second-round pick to Oklahoma City; 2030 second-round pick to Oklahoma City
- Best Salary-Matching Assets: Kevin Love ($4 million player option for 2024-25; implicit no-trade); Kyle Lowry (expiring at $29.7 million), Duncan Robinson (two years, $39.3 million; early termination option for 2025-26)
- Toughest Player to Move: Tyler Herro
- Most Likely Player to Be Traded: Kyle Lowry
- Salary-Cap Situation at a Glance: $15 million over the tax; $4.2 million beneath second apron
- Biggest Need(s)
There is a national obsession over the Miami Heat needing another from-scratch shot-creator and -maker. It is not without merit. But getting bigger on the frontline is more important—in lineups both with and without Adebayo.
Shooting should be a mandate in that spot. On-ball attacks are negotiable, though they're preferred/helpful/gnarly as hell.
- Realistic Trade Targets: Jerami Grant (trade-eligible Jan. 15); Keldon Johnson; Lauri Markkanen
Milwaukee Bucks
17 of 30
- Buyers or Sellers: Buyers
- Untouchable Players: Giannis Antetokounmpo (trade restriction lifts after Feb. 8); Damian Lillard
- Notable Trade Assets: MarJon Beauchamp (two years, $4.8 million); Jae Crowder (expiring at $2 million; implicit no-trade clause); A.J. Green (one year, $2.1 million; $0 guaranteed until Jul. 8); Andre Jackson Jr. (three years, $6.5 million; $946,000 guaranteed); Chris Livingston (three years, $6.5 million; $0 guaranteed); Brook Lopez (one year, $23 million; trade-eligible Jan. 15); Khris Middleton (two years, $61.7 million; player option for 2025-26); Bobby Portis (two years, $26 million; player option for 2025-26)
- Notable Traded Player Exceptions: None
- Notable Inbound Draft Picks: Portland's 2024 second-round pick
- Notable Outbound Draft Picks: 2024 first-round pick to New Orleans (swap rights); 2024 second-round pick to Indiana; 2025 first-round pick to New Orleans (protected Nos. 5 to 30) or New York (protected Nos. 1 to 4); 2025 second-round pick to Cleveland; 2026 first-round pick to New Orleans (swap rights); 2026 second-round pick to Orlando or Phoenix; 2027 first-round pick to New Orleans; 2028 first-round pick to Portland (swap rights, protected Nos. 15 to 30); 2028 second-round pick to Oklahoma City; 2029 first-round pick to Portland; 2029 second-round pick to Detroit; 2030 first-round pick to Portland (swap rights, protected Nos. 15 to 30; obligation extinguishes if Portland doesn't have a first to swap); 2030 second-round pick to Orlando
- Best Salary-Matching Assets: Pat Connaughton (two years, $18.8 million; team option for 2025-26)
- Toughest Player to Move: Khris Middleton
- Most Likely Player to Be Traded: Pat Connaughton
- Salary-Cap Situation at a Glance: $18.3 million over the tax; second-apron team; can only take back up to 110 percent of outgoing salary
- Biggest Need(s)
Heartier point-of-attack and general perimeter defense are by far and away the Milwaukee Bucks' most pressing needs. But the convenience of identifying a clear issue is mitigated by depleted trade-asset stores.
Some combination of Connaughton, Beauchamp and Portis—each of whom, when healthy, is important to the rotation in their own right—is basically all they have to dangle.
- Realistic Trade Targets: Jevon Carter; Ayo Dosunmu (trade-eligible Jan. 15); Kris Dunn
Minnesota Timberwolves
18 of 30
- Buyers or Sellers: Buyers
- Untouchable Players: Anthony Edwards (poison pill); Jaden McDaniels (poison pill)
- Notable Trade Assets: Kyle Anderson (expiring at $9.2 million); Nickeil Alexander-Walker (one year, 4.3 million); Troy Brown Jr. (one year, $4 million; $0 guaranteed until Jun. 30): Mike Conley (expiring at $24.4 million); Rudy Gobert (two years, $90.5 million; player option for 2025-26); Jordan McLaughlin (expiring at $2.3 million); Leonard Miller (three years, $6.5 million; $1.9 million guaranteed); Josh Minott (two years, $4.2 million; $0 guaranteed until Jun. 28); Wendell Moore Jr. (two years, $6.1 million; team option for 2025-26); Naz Reid (two years, $29 million; player option for 2025-26); Karl-Anthony Towns (four years, $222.7 million; player option for 2027-28)
- Notable Traded Player Exceptions: None
- Notable Inbound Draft Picks: 2024 second-round pick from Memphis or Washington (less favorable); Utah's 2025 second-round pick; 2026 second-round pick from Indiana, Miami or San Antonio (least favorable)
- Notable Outbound Draft Picks: 2024 second-round pick to Denver or Portland; 2025 first-round pick to Utah; 2025 second-round pick to Atlanta; 2026 first-round pick to Utah (swap rights); 2026 second-round pick to Boston, Detroit or New York; 2027 first-round pick to Utah; 2027 second-round pick to Oklahoma City; 2028 second-round pick to San Antonio; 2029 first-round pick to Utah (top-five protection; turns into 2029 second-round pick if not conveyed)
- Best Salary-Matching Assets: Shake Milton (one year, $5 million; $0 guaranteed until Jun. 29)
- Toughest Player to Move: Karl-Anthony Towns
- Most Likely Player to Be Traded: Shake Milton
- Salary-Cap Situation at a Glance: $2.4 million under the tax; hard-capped; cannot exceed first luxury-tax apron ($172.3 million); $7.8 million beneath hard cap
- Biggest Need(s)
Few teams have a rotation as playoff-ready as the Minnesota Timberwolves. That number dwindles down even further if you have virtually no qualms about how the dual-big setup navigates a best-of-seven-series climate.
But the Wolves also exist in this weird space where the loss of a singular starter puts them at a serious deficit. Their margin for error is thinnest on the offensive end—where, even at full strength, they need someone(s) to pump up the three-point volume and/or steward the machine independent of Conley and Edwards.
- Realistic Trade Targets: Alec Burks; Jevon Carter; Delon Wright
New Orleans Pelicans
19 of 30
- Buyers or Sellers: Buyers, with a sell-to-actually-buy peripheral
- Untouchable Players: None
- Notable Trade Assets: Jose Alvarado ($2 million team option for 2024-25); Dyson Daniels (two years, $13.8 million); Jordan Hawkins (three years, $16.2 million); Brandon Ingram (one year, $36 million); Herb Jones (three years, $41.8 million; trade-eligible Jan. 15); E.J Liddell (two years, $4.4 million; team option for 2025-26); Naji Marshall (expiring at $1.9 million); CJ McCollum (two years, $64 million); Trey Murphy III (one year, $5.2 million); Jonas Valančiūnas (expiring at $15.4 million); Zion Williamson (three years, $163.2 million; guarantees tied to weight)
- Notable Traded Player Exceptions: None
- Notable Inbound Draft Picks: L.A. Lakers 2024 first-round pick (option to defer until 2025); Milwaukee's 2024 first-round pick (swap rights); Milwaukee's 2025 first-round pick (protected Nos. 5 to 30); Milwaukee's 2026 first-round pick (swap rights); Milwaukee's 2027 first-round pick
- Notable Outbound Draft Picks: 2024 second-round pick to Boston (basically a potential swap; New Orleans receives less favorable of its own and Chicago's seconds); 2025 second-round pick to San Antonio; 2026 second-round pick to Boston, Detroit or San Antonio; 2027 second-round pick to Charlotte or Portland; 2028 second-round pick to San Antonio; 2029 second-round pick to San Antonio
- Best Salary-Matching Assets: Kira Lewis Jr. (expiring at $5.7 million; restricted free agent in 2024); Larry Nance Jr. (one year, $11.2 million)
- Toughest Player to Move: CJ McCollum
- Most Likely Player to Be Traded: Kira Lewis Jr.
- Salary-Cap Situation at a Glance: $2.9 million over the tax (read: Buh-bye, Kira)
- Biggest Need(s)
The New Orleans Pelicans are the consummate must-be-open-to-anything team. Now, should they be actively looking to move Zion? Absolutely not. And throw Murphy in there, too. The full extent of his ceiling isn't yet known, and his newly-minted ultra-deep threes are pivotal to maximizing New Orleans' oft-cramped spacing.
Everyone else should be in play, including the deconstruction of the roster if it means better positioning themselves for a longer, more sustainable and durable run that brings back a head-of-the-snake, every-level floor general.
Just so we're clear: I would not go the teardown route if I'm executive vice president David Griffin. Zion continues to enthrall me, and the Pelicans have the pick equity to access otherwise unavailable players. But the most nuclear pivots have to at least be considered.
Filling and upgrading current-core needs should be priority numero uno. A rim protector who generates space with pancake-y screens and/or outside shooting would be divine. If that market is too sparse, the Pelicans should be on the prowl for a lead guard of the future who works on and off the ball while nudging up three-point volume. Another combo-wing who further fortifies Zion-as-the-lone-big arrangements is also worthwhile. And New Orleans should not be afraid to explore options who come at the cost of McCollum or Ingram.
- Realistic Trade Targets: Jarrett Allen; OG Anunoby; Kelly Olynyk
New York Knicks
20 of 30
- Buyers or Sellers: Buyers
- Untouchable Players: Jalen Brunson; Josh Hart (trade restriction expires after Feb. 8)
- Notable Trade Assets: R.J. Barrett (three years, $83.1 million); Donte DiVincenzo (three years, $35.9 million); Quentin Grimes (one year, $4.3 million); Isaiah Hartenstein (expiring at $8.2 million); Deuce McBride (expiring at $1.8 million; restricted free agent in 2024); Immanuel Quickley (expiring at $4.2 million; restricted free agent in 2024); Julius Randle (two years, $57.1 million; player option for 2025-26); Mitchell Robinson (two years, $27.3 million); Jericho Sims ($2.1 million team option for 2024-25)
- Notable Traded Player Exceptions: $6.8 million (via Obi Toppin trade; expires Jul. 8)
- Notable Inbound Draft Picks: Dallas' 2024 first-round pick (top-10 protection through 2025; turns into 2025 second-round pick if not conveyed); Detroit's 2024 first-round pick (top-18 protection in 2024; top-13 protection in 2025; top-11 protection in 2026; top-nine protection in 2027; turns into 2027 second-round pick if not conveyed); Washington's 2024 first-round pick (top-12 protection in 2024; top-10 protection in 2025; top-eight protection in 2026; turns into 2026 and 2027 seconds if not conveyed); 2024 second-round pick from Cleveland or Utah (more favorable); 2024 second-round pick from Detroit; Milwaukee's 2025 first-round pick (protected Nos. 1 to 4); Brooklyn's 2025 second-round pick; 2028 second-round pick from Indiana or Phoenix (less favorable); 2029 second-round pick from Indiana or Washington (less favorable)
- Notable Outbound Draft Picks: 2024 second-round pick to Philadelphia; 2025 second-round pick forfeited; 2026 second-round pick to Boston or Detroit (swap rights; New York receives less favorable of its own or Minnesota's pick)
- Best Salary-Matching Assets: Evan Fournier ($19 million team option for 2024-25)
- Toughest Player to Move: Julius Randle
- Most Likely Player to Be Traded: Evan Fournier
- Salary-Cap Situation at a Glance: $2.8 million under the tax; hard-capped; cannot exceed first luxury-tax apron ($172.3 million); $4.7 million under hard cap
- Biggest Need(s)
Procuring a bigger wing who can shoot and hold up defensively against larger, playmaking 2s, 3s and 4s should be the New York Knicks' primary objective. And no, this player doesn't have to be a star.
New York's depth affords that kind of optionality. But this player should be able to spell Julius Randle at the 4 and help iron out the Knicks' matchup wrinkles versus teams that deploy spacey, playmaking bigs. Focusing solely on inoculating the half-court offense against intermittent collapse is fine—how do you do, Bojan Bogdanović?—but only at a stopgap's cost.
- Realistic Trade Targets: OG Anunoby; Bojan Bogdanović; De'Andre Hunter
Oklahoma City Thunder
21 of 30
- Buyers or Sellers: Buyers
- Untouchable Players: Shai Gilgeous-Alexander; Chet Holmgren; Jalen Williams
- Notable Trade Assets: Ousmane Dieng (two years, $11.8 million); Lu Dort (three years, $51.7 million; team option for 2026-27); Josh Giddey (one year, $8.4 million); Isaiah Joe ($2.2 million team option for 2024-25); Cason Wallace (three years, $18.8 million); Aaron Wiggins ($2 million team option for 2024-25); Jaylin Williams (two years, $4.2 million; $0 guaranteed until Jul. 7); Kenrich Williams (three years, $21.1 million; team option for 2026-27)
- Notable Traded Player Exceptions: None
- Notable Inbound Draft Picks: Houston's 2024 first-round pick (top-four protection; turns into 2025 second-round pick if not conveyed); L.A Clippers' 2024 first-round pick; Utah's 2024 first-round pick (top-10 protection through 2025; top-eight protection in 2026; obligation expires if not conveyed); Houston's 2024 second-round pick; 2025 first-round pick from Houston or Clippers (swap rights); Miami's 2025 first-round pick (lottery protection in 2025; unprotected in 2026); Philadelphia's 2025 first-round pick (top-six protection in 2025; top-four protection in 2026 and 2027; turns into 2027 second-round pick if not conveyed); 2025 second-round pick from Boston or Memphis (more favorable); Philadelphia's 2025 second-round pick; 2026 first-round pick from Houston or L.A. Clippers (Oklahoma City receives two most favorable of its own pick, Houston's top-four-protected pick and the Clippers' unprotected first-round pick); 2026 second-round pick from Dallas or Philadelphia (most favorable; swap rights); Golden State's 2026 second-round pick; Denver's 2027 first-round pick (top-five protection through 2029; turns into 2029 second-round pick if not conveyed); L.A. Clippers' 2027 first-round pick (swap rights; can swap using Denver's pick if that obligation conveys); 2027 second-round draft picks from Houston, Indiana and/or Miami (Oklahoma City receives three most favorable of these and its own second-round picks); Minnesota's 2027 second-round pick; Milwaukee's 2028 second-round pick; Utah's 2028 second-round pick; Denver's 2029 first-round pick (pending Denver's 2027 obligation to Oklahoma City; top-five protection through 2030; turns into 2030 second-rounder if not conveyed); Atlanta's 2029 second-round pick; Boston's 2029 second-round pick; Houston's 2029 second-round pick; Miami's 2029 second-round pick; Phoenix's 2029 second-round pick; Phoenix's 2029 second-round pick; Houston's 2030 second-round pick; Miami's 2030 second-round pick
- Notable Outbound Draft Picks: 2024 first-round pick to Indiana (least favorable of Houston's top-four-protected pick, L.A. Clippers' unprotected pick, Oklahoma City's own pick and Utah's top-10-protected pick); 2024 second-round pick to Houston; 2025 second-round pick to Houston
- Best Salary-Matching Assets: Dāvis Bertāns (one year, $16 million; $5.3 million guaranteed); Tre Mann (one year, $4.9 million); Vasilije Micić (two years, $13.7 million; team option for 2025-26); Aleksej Pokuševski (expiring at $5 million)
- Toughest Player to Move: Dāvis Bertāns
- Most Likely Player to Be Traded: Dāvis Bertāns
- Salary-Cap Situation at a Glance: $12.2 million under the tax
- Biggest Need(s)
Bagging some heft (or bounce) up front from someone who can help on the glass and play both beside and independent of Chet Holmgren is probably the Oklahoma City Thunder's most pressing need.
However!
Slippage from Josh Giddey—whose on-court struggles are now costing him run in higher-stakes moments—may hike up the need for another playoff ball-handler with more side-to-side jiggle and joggle in the half-court than a slowed-down J-Dub.
- Realistic Trade Targets: Daniel Gafford; Jonathan Issac; Lauri Markkanen
Orlando Magic
22 of 30
- Buyers or Sellers: Buyers(!!!!!)
- Untouchable Players: Cole Anthony (poison pill); Paolo Banchero; Franz Wagner
- Notable Trade Assets: Goga Bitadze (expiring at $2.1 million); Anthony Black (three years, $25.7 million); Wendell Carter Jr. (two years, $22.8 million); Markelle Fultz (expiring at $17 million); Gary Harris (expiring at $13 million); Caleb Houstan (two years, $4.2 million; $0 guaranteed until Jun. 30); Jett Howard (three years, $18.1 million); Jalen Suggs (one year, $9.2 million)
- Notable Traded Player Exceptions: None
- Notable Inbound Draft Picks: Denver's 2025 first-round pick (top-five protection through 2027; obligation extinguishes if not conveyed); 2025 second-round pick from Boston or Memphis (less favorable); 2026 first-round pick from Phoenix or Washington (swap rights); 2026 second-round pick from Detroit and/or Milwaukee (Orlando receives two most favorable second-round picks from its own, Detroit's and Milwaukee's); Boston's 2027 second-round pick; 2028 second-round pick from L.A. Lakers or Washington (more favorable); Milwaukee's 2030 second-round pick
- Notable Outbound Draft Picks: None (What. A. Flex.)
- Best Salary-Matching Assets: Joe Ingles ($11 million team option for 2024-25); Jonathan Isaac (one year, $17.4 million; $0 guaranteed; fully guarantees on Jan. 10, 2025); Chuma Okeke (expiring at $5.3 million; restricted free agent 2024); Mo Wagner ($8 million team option for 2024-25);
- Toughest Player to Move: EVERYBODY'S EMINENTLY MOVABLE, BABY!
- Most Likely Player to Be Traded: Chuma Okeke
- Salary-Cap Situation at a Glance: $34.3 million below the tax.
- Biggest Need(s)
The Orlando Magic are free to sit tight and let their burgeoning core and competitive window marinate a little longer. Their defense is hellfire. The offense has flashed more substance in recent weeks. And their stay inside the—ahem—top four of the East has largely materialized without Carter or Fultz.
This is all fantastic. It also increases the temptation to make a win-now move that solidifies Orlando's place among the almost-elite to actually elite. The focus needn't be on an offensive star—though, if the price bottoms out enough, the Magic shouldn't be opposed to swindling Chicago again and rolling the dice on Zach LaVine.
Orlando is good enough and, therefore, free to peruse the perimeter-bodies aisle for self-starter and accessory shooters who open up the half-court.
- Realistic Trade Targets: Malcolm Brogdon; Corey Kispert; Anfernee Simons
Philadelphia 76ers
23 of 30
- Buyers or Sellers: Buyers
- Untouchable Players: Joel Embiid; Tyrese Maxey
- Notable Trade Assets: Nicolas Batum (expiring at $11.7 million); Patrick Beverley (expiring at $2 million); Robert Covington (expiring at $11.7 million); Tobias Harris (expiring at $39.3 million); Kenyon Martin Jr. expiring at $1.9 million); De'Anthony Melton (expiring at $8 million); Kelly Oubre Jr. (expiring at $2 million); Paul Reed (two years, $15.8 million; $0 guaranteed unless Philadelphia wins opening round of playoffs; trade-eligible Jan. 15; implicit no-trade clause); Jaden Springer (one year, $4 million)
- Notable Traded Player Exceptions: $6.8 million (via James Harden trade; expires Nov. 1)
- Notable Inbound Draft Picks: New York's 2024 second-round pick; 2024 second-round pick from Cleveland, Indiana, Toronto or Utah; 2026 first-round pick from Houston, L.A Clippers or Oklahoma City (least favorable); L.A. Clippers' 2028 first-round pick; L.A. Clippers' 2029 first-round pick (swap rights); L.A. Clippers' 2029 second-round pick; Portland's 2029 second-round pick
- Notable Outbound Draft Picks: 2024 second-round pick forfeited; 2025 first-round pick to Oklahoma City (top-six protection in 2025; top-four protection in 2026 and 2027; turns into 2027 second-round pick if not conveyed); 2025 second-round pick to Houston, Oklahoma City or San Antonio; 2027 first-round pick to Brooklyn (pending Philadelphia's 2025 obligation to Oklahoma City; top-eight protection through 2028; turns into 2028 second-round pick if not conveyed)
- Best Salary-Matching Assets: Danuel House Jr. (expiring at $4.3 million); Furkan Korkmaz (expiring at $5.4 million); Marcus Morris Sr. (expiring at $17.1 million)
- Toughest Player to Move: Tobias Harris
- Most Likely Player to Be Traded: Marcus Morris Sr.
- Salary-Cap Situation at a Glance: $4.3 million over the tax
- Biggest Need(s)
Maxey's superstar turn has safeguarded the Philadelphia 76ers against having to acquire a red-carpet name this year. Team president Daryl Morey is notoriously aggressive and opportunistic, but he and the rest of the front office are currently free to scope out gap-fillers who don't infringe upon the organization's 2024 cap space if a no-brainer blockbuster doesn't materialize.
Both a secondary ball-handler slash perimeter shot-creator type and a complementary, twitchier wing who can rumble with rival heavyweights should dominate the shopping list. The latter is more pressing, but the former will be easier to address within this year's (non-star) trade landscape.
- Realistic Trade Targets: OG Anunoby; Keldon Johnson; Tyus Jones
Phoenix Suns
24 of 30
- Buyers or Sellers: Buyers
- Untouchable Players: Bradley Beal (no-trade clause); Devin Booker; Kevin Durant
- Notable Trade Assets: Grayson Allen (expiring at $9.8 million); Keita Bates-Diop ($2.7 million player option for 2024-25); Jordan Goodwin ($2.1 million team option for 2024-25); Eric Gordon ($3.4 million player option for 2024-25); Nassir Little (two years, $14 million); Josh Okogie ($3 million player option for 2024-25); Yuta Watanabe ($2.7 million player option for 2024-25)
- Notable Traded Player Exceptions: $5 million (via Dario Saric trade; expires Feb. 9); $6.5 million (via Cameron Payne trade; expires Jul. 17)
- Notable Inbound Draft Picks: Denver's 2024 second-round pick (forfeited by Phoenix); San Antonio's 2024 second-round pick (unspecified protection; this pick overlaps with San Antonio's obligation to Boston, which is protected Nos. 31 to 54); 2026 second-round pick from Detroit, Milwaukee or Orlando (least favorable); Boston's 2028 second-round pick (top-45 protection); Memphis' 2028 second-round pick; Memphis' 2029 second-round pick
- Notable Outbound Draft Picks: 2024 first-round pick to Memphis or Washington (swap rights); 2024 second-round pick to Washington; 2025 first-round pick to Brooklyn; 2025 second-round pick to Washington; 2026 first-round pick Orlando or Washington (swap rights); 2026 second-round pick to Washington; 2027 first-round pick to Brooklyn; 2027 second-round pick to Washington; 2028 first-round pick to Brooklyn or Washington (swap rights); 2028 second-round pick to Indiana or New York; 2029 first-round pick to Brooklyn; 2029 second-round pick to Oklahoma City; 2023 first-round pick to Memphis or Washington (swap rights); 2030 second-round pick to Washington
- Best Salary-Matching Assets: Jusuf Nurkić (two years, $37.5 million)
- Toughest Player to Move: Jusuf Nurkić
- Most Likely Player to Be Traded: Nassir Little
- Salary-Cap Situation at a Glance: $21.5 million over the tax; second-apron team; can only take back up to 110 percent of outgoing salary
- Biggest Need(s)
Extremely limited action featuring every member of the Big Three complicates any and all evaluations of the Phoenix Suns. But we've seen enough to know they're galaxies away from complete.
Sussing out a mobile rim protector who can potentially start and close (and is also gettable with minimal assets) would be my prerogative. If the Suns are committed to playing smaller in higher-stakes moments, another game-managing ball-handler will matter—particularly if he can warrant court time next to all three of Beal, Booker and Durant.
Nabbing a bigger wing/forward who provides more two-way dependability than Allen, Bates-Diop, Little, Okogie and Watanabe might actually be Phoenix's ideal get. But that's a whimsical order relative to their asset situation.
- Realistic Trade Targets: Jevon Carter; T.J. McConnell; Nick Richards
Portland Trail Blazers
25 of 30
- Buyers or Sellers: Buyers
- Untouchable Players: Scoot Henderson; Shaedon Sharpe
- Notable Trade Assets: Toumani Camara (three years, $6.5 million; $0 guaranteed until Jul. 20); Jerami Grant (four years, $132.4 million; player option for 2027-28); Kris Murray (three years, $11.4 million); Rayan Rupert (two years, $4.1 million; team option for 2025-26); Anfernee Simons (two years, $53.6 million); Matisse Thybulle (two years, $22.6 million; trade-eligible Jan. 15; implicit no-trade clause); Ish Wainwright (expiring at $1.9 million; restricted free agent in 2024); Jabari Walker (one year, $2 million; $0 guaranteed until Jul. 20);
- Notable Traded Player Exceptions: $8.3 million (via Gary Payton II trade; expires Feb. 9); $8.8 million (via Damian Lillard trade; expires Sep. 27);
- Notable Inbound Draft Picks: Golden State's 2024 first-round pick (top-four protection in 2024; top-one protection in 2025; unprotected in 2026); Atlanta's 2024 second-round pick; 2024 second-round pick from Charlotte or Minnesota (more favorable); Atlanta's 2025 second-round pick (protected Nos. 41 to 59); Memphis' 2026 second-round pick (top-42 protection); Milwaukee's 2028 first-round pick (swap rights; protected Nos. 15 to 30, pending Portland's obligation to Chicago); Boston's 2029 first-round pick; Milwaukee's 2029 first-round pick; Milwaukee's 2030 first-round pick (swap rights)
- Notable Outbound Draft Picks: 2024 first-round pick to Chicago (lottery protection through 2028; turns into 2028 second if not conveyed); 2024 second-round pick to Milwaukee; 2025 second-round pick to Sacramento; 2026 second-round pick to Boston, Detroit or San Antonio; 2027 second-round pick to Charlotte (basically a swap, with New Orleans' incoming); 2029 second-round pick to Philadelphia
- Best Salary-Matching Assets: Malcolm Brogdon (one year, $22.5 million); Robert Williams III (two years, $25.7 million)
- Toughest Player to Move: Deandre Ayton (two years, $69.6 million)
- Most Likely Player to Be Traded: Malcolm Brogdon
- Salary-Cap Situation at a Glance: $3.5 million below the tax; hard capped; hard-capped; cannot exceed first luxury-tax apron ($172.3 million); $9.1 million below hard cap
- Biggest Need(s)
Most of the league's buyers will be contacting the Portland Trail Blazers to see who can be pried away from a rebuild in its infancy. First-round picks will, of course, be their preferred currency.
Beyond that, Portland should be embracing dice rolls, projects, second-draftees, unknowns, the whole shebang. A younger 3-4 prospect who can preferably play-make would be sweet. Grant and Thybulle won't be part of the Blazers' next competitive iteration, and Sharpe is more like a fringe 3. The Blazers have enough experiments at the 5 when they're healthy—which they're not. So, they can go that route, as well.
- Realistic Trade Targets: Julian Champagnie; Andre Jackson Jr.; JT Thor
Sacramento Kings
26 of 30
- Buyers or Sellers: Buyers
- Untouchable Players: De'Aaron Fox; Domantas Sabonis
- Notable Trade Assets: Kessler Edwards (expiring at $1.9 million); Kevin Huerter (two years, $34 million); Colby Jones (three years, $6.7 million; $2.1 million guaranteed); Trey Lyles (one year, $8 million); Malik Monk (expiring at $9.9 million; Early Bird free agent in 2024); Keegan Murray (two years, $20 million); Sasha Vezenkov (two years, $13.6 million; team option for 2025-26)
- Notable Traded Player Exceptions: None
- Notable Inbound Draft Picks: Portland's 2025 second-round pick
- Notable Outbound Draft Picks: 2024 first-round pick to Atlanta (lottery protection in 2024; top-12 protection in 2025; top-10 protection in 2026; turns into 2026 and 2027 seconds if not conveyed); 2030 second-round pick to Indiana
- Best Salary-Matching Assets: Harrison Barnes (two years, $37 million; trade-eligible Dec. 30); Chris Duarte (one year, $5.9 million); Davion Mitchell (one year, $6.5 million)
- Toughest Player to Move: Harrison Barnes
- Most Likely Player to Be Traded: Davion Mitchell
- Salary-Cap Situation at a Glance: $18.4 million below the tax
- Biggest Need(s)
"Defense, everywhere, from almost anyone" should be the Sacramento Kings' trade-deadline mantra. Perhaps you disagree. Perhaps you're clinging to how they defended in their seven-game first-round loss to Golden State last spring. And perhaps you view hovering somewhere between 19th to 24th in points allowed per possession as an absolute, certifiable, inarguable win.
Good for you. High standards are the enemy of contentment, after all.
Sacramento shouldn't be that complacent (ignorant?). It is a modest acquisition away from scaring the jeepers out of the "Lakers! Lakers! Nuggets! Lakers! Lakers! Wolves?! Lakers! Lakers! Lakers!" crowd.
Skulking around rim protectors has its uses, but pairing Sabonis with another big who doesn't stretch the floor is a non-starter. (Apologies to Pascal Siakam admirers.) Defense-first combo wings will be easier to squeeze into the fold and should have a larger impact, especially considering the jumps De'Aaron Fox and a healthy Keegan Murray have made on the less glamorous end.
- Realistic Trade Targets: OG Anunoby; Deni Avdija (poison pill); Torrey Craig
San Antonio Spurs
27 of 30
- Buyers or Sellers: Sellers who should be willing to buy a stopgap floor general since the state of Texas apparently outlawed starting Tre Jones
- Untouchable Players: Zach Collins (trade restriction expires after Feb. 8); Devin Vassell (poison pill); Victor Wembanyama
- Notable Trade Assets: Charles Bassey (one year, $2.6 million; $0 guaranteed until Aug. 1); Malaki Branham (two years, $8.2 million); Julian Champagnie (two years, $6 million; $0 guaranteed until Aug. 1); Sidy Cissoko (two years, $4.1 million; $1.9 million guaranteed); Keldon Johnson (three years, $54 million); Tre Jones (one year, $9.1 million); Sandro Mamukelashvili (expiring at $2 million; implicit no-trade); Jeremy Sochan (two years, $12.7 million); Blake Wesley (two years, $7.3 million; team option for 2025-26)
- Notable Traded Player Exceptions: None
- Notable Inbound Draft Picks: Charlotte's 2024 first-round pick (lottery protection in 2024 and 2025; turns into 2026 and 2027 seconds if not conveyed); Toronto's 2024 first-round pick (top-six protection through 2026; turns into 2026 second-round pick and 2027 second-round pick if not conveyed); L.A. Lakers' 2024 second-round pick; Atlanta's 2025 first-round pick; Chicago's 2025 first-round pick (top-10 protection for one year; top-eight protection through 2027; turns into 2028 second if not conveyed); Atlanta's 2026 first-round pick (swap rights); 2026 second-round pick from Dallas, Oklahoma City or Philadelphia (least favorable); 2026 second-round pick from Indiana or Miami (less favorable swap); 2026 second-round pick for New Orleans or Portland (less favorable); Utah's 2026 second-round pick; Atlanta's 2027 first-round pick; 2027 second-round pick from Houston, Indiana, Miami or Oklahoma City (basically a least-favorable swap, with San Antonio's own pick going to Miami); Boston's 2028 first-round pick (top-one protection; turns into 2028 second-round pick, protected Nos. 46 to 60, if not conveyed); Denver's 2028 second-round pick (protected Nos. 31 to 33); Minnesota's 2028 second-round pick; New Orleans' 2028 second-round pick; New Orleans' 2029 second-round pick; Dallas' 2030 first-round pick (swap rights); Cleveland's 2030 second-round pick
- Notable Outbound Draft Picks: 2024 second-round pick to Boston or Phoenix
- Best Salary-Matching Assets: Devonte' Graham (one year, $12.7 million; $2.9 million guaranteed until Jul. 1); Doug McDermott (expiring at $13.8 million); Cedi Osman (expiring at $6.7 million)
- Toughest Player to Move: Devonte' Graham
- Most Likely Player to Be Traded: Doug McDermott
- Salary-Cap Situation at a Glance: $28.3 million under the tax
- Biggest Need(s)
Adults in the room who can handle the ball and run the offense as a member of the starting five are desperately needed by the San Antonio Spurs.
They, of course, have one of these players in Tre Jones but refuse to start him. Because, well, who the heck knows?
Proven facilitators who don't jack up their books should be catnip in this search. But the Spurs have the, let's say, gradual timeline to test out lesser knowns who project as steadier ball-handlers and playmakers.
- Realistic Trade Targets: Tyus Jones; Vasilije Micić; Monte Morris
Toronto Raptors
28 of 30
- Buyers or Sellers: Sellers, who could (probably) mistakenly talk themselves into being buyers
- Untouchable Players: Scottie Barnes
- Notable Trade Assets: OG Anunoby ($19.9 million player option for 2024-25); Gradey Dick (three years, $16.9 million); Christian Koloko (one year, $2 million; $0 guaranteed until Jun. 25); Dennis Schröder (one year, $13 million); Pascal Siakam (expiring at $37.9 million)
- Notable Traded Player Exceptions: None
- Notable Inbound Draft Picks: None
- Notable Outbound Draft Picks: 2024 first-round pick to San Antonio (top-six protection through 2026; turns into 2026 second-round pick and 2027 second-round pick if not conveyed); 2024 second-round pick to Philadelphia or L.A. Clippers; 2025 second-round pick to Dallas
- Best Salary-Matching Assets: Precious Achiuwa (expiring at $4.4 million); Chris Boucher (one year, $10.8 million); Malachi Flynn (expiring at $3.9 million); Otto Porter Jr. (expiring at $6.3 million); Gary Trent Jr. (expiring at $18.6 million); Thaddeus Young (expiring at $8 million)
- Toughest Player to Move: Jakob Poeltl (three years, $58.5 million; player option for 2026-27; trade-eligible Jan. 15)
- Most Likely Player to Be Traded: Gary Trent Jr.
- Salary-Cap Situation at a Glance: $3.1 million below the tax; hard-capped; cannot exceed first luxury-tax apron ($172.3 million); $8.9 million beneath hard cap
- Biggest Need(s)
The Toronto Raptors' biggest need is technically a freaking direction. Optimize the immediate core around Barnes and go for it now. Or pander to the bigger picture and start building a roster in the coherent image of Barnes' skill set. I honestly don't care which one. Just choose, dammit. (Please?)
Regardless of which path the Raptors journey down, their primary target-types should remain the same: spacing and shot-making boosters at LITERALLY any of the spots not occupied by Barnes or Anunoby. And if they don't lean this way, they better at least prioritize positional versatility that doesn't congest the half-court.
- Realistic Trade Targets: Quentin Grimes; Jalen Johnson; Coby White (trade-eligible Jan. 15)
Utah Jazz
29 of 30
- Buyers or Sellers: Sellers, but also opportunistic, "remember the John Collins trade?" buyers
- Untouchable Players: Keyonte George; Walker Kessler
- Notable Trade Assets: Ochai Agbaji (two years, $10.7 million); Jordan Clarkson (two years, $28.4 million); Kris Dunn (expiring at $2.6 million); Simone Fontecchio (expiring at $3 million; restricted free agent in 2024); Lauri Markkanen (one year, $18 million; $6 million guaranteed); Taylor Hendricks (three years, $19.7 million); Kelly Olynyk (expiring at $12.2 million); Brice Sensabaugh (three years, $10.9 million); Collin Sexton (two years, $37.2 million); Omer Yurtseven (one year, $2.7 million; $1.4 million guaranteed)
- Notable Traded Player Exceptions: None
- Notable Inbound Draft Picks: Cleveland's 2025 first-round pick; Minnesota's 2025 first-round pick; 2026 first-round pick from Cleveland or Minnesota (swap rights); Cleveland's 2027 first-round pick; L.A. Lakers' 2027 first-round pick (top-four protection; turns into 2027 second-round pick if not conveyed); Minnesota's 2027 first-round pick; Cleveland's 2028 first-round pick (swap rights); Cleveland's 2029 first-round pick; Minnesota's 2029 first-round pick (top-five protection; turns into 2029 second-round pick if not conveyed)
- Notable Outbound Draft Picks: 2024 first-round pick to Oklahoma City (top-10 protection through 2025; top-eight protection in 2026; obligation expires if not conveyed); 2024 second-round pick to Indiana, L.A. Clippers or New York; 2025 second-round pick to Minnesota; 2026 second-round pick to San Antonio; 2027 second-round pick to Indiana; 2028 second-round pick to Oklahoma City
- Best Salary-Matching Assets: Talen Horton-Tucker (expiring at $11 million)
- Toughest Player to Move: John Collins (two years, $53.2 million; player option for 2025-26)
- Most Likely Player to Be Traded: Kelly Olynyk
- Salary-Cap Situation at a Glance: $29.3 million below the tax
- Biggest Need(s)
Anybody got any of those, whatcha call 'em, oh yeah, wing players? I'm asking for the Utah Jazz.
Real, live, actual wings who skew defense-first and can handle guarding down are nonexistent in Utah. That needs to change. And any inbound options don't have to be building-block material or young enough to require Fake IDs on road trips to Los Angeles.
Another floor general would also go a long way...provided they don't infringe upon Keyonte George's developmental runway.
- Realistic Trade Targets: Caleb Martin; Dejounte Murray (trade-eligible Jan. 9); Patrick Williams
Washington Wizards
30 of 30
- Buyers or Sellers: Sellers
- Untouchable Players: Bilal Coulibaly
- Notable Trade Assets: Deni Avidija (four years, $54.2 million; poison pill, but workable); Daniel Gafford (two years, $27.8 million); Tyus Jones (expiring at $14 million); Corey Kispert (one year, $5.7 million); Kyle Kuzma (three years, $64.3 million); Delon Wright (expiring at $8.2 million)
- Notable Traded Player Exceptions: $12.4 million (via Kristaps Porziņģis trade; expires Jun. 24); $5.4 million (via Bradley Beal trade; expires Jun. 24); $9.8 million (via Monte Morris trade; expires Jul. 8)
- Notable Inbound Draft Picks: Phoenix's 2024 first-round pick (swap rights); Phoenix's 2024 second-round pick; Phoenix's 2025 second-round pick; Phoenix's 2026 first-round pick (swap rights); Chicago's 2026 second-round pick; Phoenix's 2026 second-round pick; 2027 second-round pick from Brooklyn or Dallas (more favorable); Chicago's 2027 second-round pick; Golden State's 2027 second-round pick; Phoenix's 2027 second-round pick; 2028 first-round pick from Brooklyn, Philadelphia or Phoenix (swap rights; Washington receives most favorable of its own pick and the least favorable of the Brooklyn, Philadelphia and Phoenix picks); L.A. Lakers' 2029 second-round pick; Golden State's 2030 first-round pick (top-20 protection; turns into 2030 second-round pick if not conveyed); Phoenix's 2030 second-round pick
- Notable Outbound Draft Picks: 2024 first-round pick to New York (top-12 protection in 2024; top-10 protection in 2025; top-eight protection in 2026; turns into 2026 and 2027 seconds if not conveyed); 2024 second-round pick to Detroit or Minnesota; 2025 second-round pick to Boston, Dallas or Detroit (swap, with Golden State incoming); 2028 second-round pick to Orlando (basically a swap, with L.A. Lakers' second-round pick incoming); 2029 second-round pick to Indiana or New York
- Best Salary-Matching Assets: Johnny Davis (two years; $12 million; team option for 2025-26); Danilo Gallinari (expiring at $6.8 million); Mike Muscala (expiring at $3.5 million); Landry Shamet (one year, $11 million; $0 guaranteed until Jun. 29)
- Toughest Player to Move: Jordan Poole (three years, $99.3 million)
- Most Likely Player to Be Traded: Tyus Jones
- Salary-Cap Situation at a Glance: $25.7 million below the tax.
- Biggest Need(s)
Outright first-round picks need to be stockpiled by the Washington Wizards. And they should be willing to deal anyone other than Coulibaly to get them.
Finding a lead playmaker of the future is also on the agenda. It's not Jones or Poole or Wright. And neither Coulilbaly nor Avdija figures to grow into that type of player. But the Wizards shouldn't be surrendering the assets it'll (likely) take to fetch that player. And so, this trade season, Washington should be Distressed Asset Central
- Realistic Trade Targets: Killian Hayes; Aleksej Pokuševski; Ziaire Williams
Dan Favale covers the NBA for Bleacher Report. Follow him on Twitter (@danfavale), and subscribe to the Hardwood Knocks podcast, co-hosted by Bleacher Report's Grant Hughes.
Unless otherwise noted, stats courtesy of NBA.com, Basketball Reference, Stathead or Cleaning the Glass. Salary information via Spotrac. Draft-pick obligations via RealGM.
