What Every NBA Team Would Do If the 2024 Trade Deadline Was Today
Every NBA team should be finalizing its trade-deadline plans as February 8 approaches.
We've already seen Pascal Siakam and OG Anunoby switch teams, bolstering the Indiana Pacers and New York Knicks, respectively, in the East. Now we wait to see how other contending teams counter and which squads completely punt on the season.
Given the latest news, rumors and needs, this is what every NBA team should do before the 2024 deadline.
Atlanta Hawks: Move Dejounte Murray for Best Offer Available
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At 20-27 overall and fighting just to make it into the East play-in tournament, it's officially safe to say the Dejounte Murray trade was a bust for the Atlanta Hawks.
That being said, the 27-year-old's value is still quite high, especially after he signed a team-friendly four-year, $114 million extension last summer.
Atlanta needs to move on from Murray, finding the best possible offer.
Jake Fischer of Yahoo Sports wrote: "The Lakers appear to have made the most aggressive known bid to date for Murray. Los Angeles has been willing to include a 2029 first-round pick plus a pick swap in its attempts to land the Hawks guard, league sources told Yahoo Sports."
The Hawks should use Murray to recoup picks or find win-now pieces to place around Trae Young in an attempt to save the season.
Boston Celtics: Add One More Rotation Piece
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The Boston Celtics won't make any major moves at the deadline due to a lack of needs and resources, but they should be on the hunt for some additional depth.
Kristaps Porziņģis has already missed 13 games this season, making an already thin bench even slimmer when Al Horford has to slide into the starting lineup.
Armed with a $6.2 million trade exception and a collection of draft picks, the Celtics should be looking for another veteran with playoff experience who can play reliable postseason minutes.
Players such as Cedi Osman, John Konchar and Otto Porter Jr. would all fit into the trade exception or have salaries low enough that Boston could trade for them without sending out any of its existing key pieces.
Brooklyn Nets: Take Best Deal Available While Keeping Mikal Bridges
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Few teams should be as interesting to monitor at the trade deadline as the Brooklyn Nets.
While Mikal Bridges isn't going anywhere, can we really say that about any other member of the roster?
Plenty of teams should call about Dorian Finney-Smith and Royce O'Neale, who are players the Nets should move if the price is right. This is a sneaky-good Zach LaVine destination (especially if Brooklyn can use Ben Simmons' salary as a match), and the Nets should be on the hunt for a franchise point guard as well.
Brooklyn should be aggressive both as a buyer and a seller if the trades make sense, surrounding Bridges with as much talent as possible for a 2024 playoff run.
Charlotte Hornets: Get Whatever They Can for Gordon Hayward
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We previously stressed the importance of trading Terry Rozier while his stock was high, a strategy the Charlotte Hornets wisely took advantage of.
Flipping him to the Miami Heat for a 2027 first-round pick and Kyle Lowry was solid value for Charlotte and helps open up cap space this summer.
The next order of business is finding a taker for Gordon Hayward, who is attracting interest despite his ongoing injury history, according to Zach Lowe on The Lowe Post podcast.
Trading the 33-year-old is going to be complicated, though.
Hayward is set to return shortly from a calf injury that has caused him to miss all of 2024 thus far. He was averaging 14.5 points, 4.7 rebounds, 4.6 assists, 1.1 steals and shooting 36.1 percent from three in 25 games to begin the season.
Still, an expiring $31.5 million salary is going to be tough to match for teams that may be waiting to see if he gets a buyout instead with the Hornets sitting at 10-35 overall.
If Charlotte can even get a second-round pick for Hayward at this point, it should make the deal.
Chicago Bulls: Hold Firm on Strong Return for Zach LaVine
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Give the Chicago Bulls credit: This group has gone 17-11 since the end of November, shaking off an awful 5-14 start to the season.
Still, reshuffling the roster is probably the best course of action, as this is still a play-in-level team in the East. Recent improvement should take some heat off forcing a Zach LaVine trade, but it's one Chicago reportedly won't take pennies on the dollar for.
K.C. Johnson of NBC Sports Chicago wrote: "To this point, a source said, the Bulls haven't moved off their stance of seeking a strong return for LaVine. In other words, at least as of recently, the Bulls aren't looking to move LaVine simply as a cost-saving move or in 'addition by subtraction' thinking."
If no strong offer for LaVine is made, the Bulls should focus on trading DeMar DeRozan and his expiring contract instead while trying to find a trade partner for their two-time All-Star guard again in the summer.
Cleveland Cavaliers: Keep Donovan Mitchell, Jarrett Allen and Core Together
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The vultures were circling Northeast Ohio when it was announced in mid-December that Darius Garland and Evan Mobley would be sidelined for a few months following jaw and knee surgery, respectively.
Would the Cavs trade Donovan Mitchell while he still had a year-and-a-half remaining on his contract? Could Jarrett Allen become available?
Instead, Cleveland has gone 14-4 without two of its stars, with both Mitchell and Allen playing at extremely high levels.
Mitchell has averaged 28.0 points, 5.0 rebounds, 7.6 assists and 1.9 steals as the starting point guard with Garland out, while Allen is putting up 18.3 points, 12.9 rebounds, 3.7 assists, 1.1 steals and 1.3 blocks on 63.7 percent shooting over this stretch.
Bleacher Report's Chris Haynes noted that the Cavs have received "heavy interest" in Allen, although Cleveland is "not moving" the 25-year-old center.
Riding this core through the playoffs (now with some extra shooting and depth) is the right choice.
Dallas Mavericks: Find a 3-and-D Wing
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Surrounding elite passers with three-point shooters is no secret. Neither has trying to cover defensively for Luka Dončić and Kyrie Irving throughout their careers.
With a young franchise center in place in Dereck Lively II, the goal now becomes adding three-and-D wings around the stars in Dallas.
The Mavericks still have some trade assets left in the tank with their 2027 first-round pick and some interesting prospects. While no superstar is walking through the door, there's enough ammunition here to try to bring back Dorian Finney-Smith or trade for Jerami Grant, Royce O'Neale, Bruce Brown or another potentially available forward.
Dallas ranks just 22nd overall defensively this season and 12th in three-point accuracy (37.3 percent).
The middle of the West (along with the Sacramento Kings, Phoenix Suns, New Orleans Pelicans, Los Angeles Lakers and others) is going to be a dogfight to get out of the play-in tournament and secure a top-six seed.
The Mavs need to do something at the deadline to keep pace.
Denver Nuggets: Trade for a DeAndre Jordan Upgrade
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No player is going to come in after Nikola Jokić and look that great, but this shouldn't stop the Denver Nuggets from trying to find a better backup at the trade deadline.
DeAndre Jordan can still grab some rebounds and finish off an alley-oop now and again, but his teams have gotten killed with him on the floor for the last eight seasons, dating all the way back to his Los Angeles Clippers days.
This year, the Nuggets are 14.8 points per 100 possessions worse with the 35-year-old on the floor, ranking in the 3rd percentile, according to Cleaning the Glass.
Much like they did at the deadline last year when trading for Thomas Bryant, the Nuggets need to find an upgrade over Jordan now so he doesn't have to play meaningful postseason minutes.
Andre Drummond, Mo Bamba, Mike Muscala and Nick Richards could all be affordable options here.
Detroit Pistons: Don't Force a Veteran Trade
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Despite owning the NBA's worst record this season at 6-40 overall, the Detroit Pistons don't appear interested in having a firesale.
According to The Athletic's James L. Edwards III, they have actually had trade conversations about acquiring win-now help like Zach LaVine and Dejounte Murray and that Detroit is "not actively shopping" current vets like Bojan Bogdanović and Alec Burks, even though the latter will be an unrestricted free agent in a few months.
While there's no reason to give either player away, holding on to both seems foolish if any decent offer comes around. Bogdanović's value is only going to drop as he goes into the final year of his contract at age 35 next season.
With this season all but lost, Detroit probably should be shopping its vets, even if recent reporting suggests it won't.
Golden State Warriors: Be 'Open Minded' on Everyone Outside of Stephen Curry
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No team needs to make a move at the trade deadline more than the Golden State Warriors, a team that's falling further away from the West play-in tournament by the day.
Stephen Curry is safe, of course, although Shams Charania of The Athletic and Stadium told FanDuel TV (23:40) that Golden State is open to making a significant trade involving one or more of its vets:
"They're going to take calls on Andrew Wiggins, Chris Paul, and could they get interest on a guy even like Klay Thompson? I think those are very much open conversations for the Warriors. They have to be open-minded. This is a team that's five games under 500, in that 12th spot. So we'll see if there's going to be any moves over the next 10 days."
With Golden State now two-and-a-half games behind the Utah Jazz for the final play-in spot, it simply has to make some major changes if it even wants to reach the playoffs.
Houston Rockets: Bring in Former Boston Celtics
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As the Houston Rockets look to continue their rise in the West, they could turn to head coach Ime Udoka's previous stop with the Boston Celtics as a guide to the trade deadline.
Jake Fischer of Yahoo Sports wrote: "In addition to the Knicks and Lakers, league personnel believe (Malcolm) Brogdon has another team with legitimate interest in his services: Houston, which has plenty of former Boston staffers who overlapped with Brogdon during his season with the Celtics. Head coach Ime Udoka's Rockets are also one of the teams that is considering a move for injured Portland big man Robert Williams, sources said."
Currently just a game out of the West play-in tournament, the addition of Brogdon would help propel Houston up the standings.
Williams is sidelined following knee surgery, although the 26-year-old is still under contract through the 2025-26 season. He'd be an ideal big to pair with Alperen Şengün in the frontcourt, bringing a rim protector that this roster simply doesn't have right now.
Indiana Pacers: Balance Out the Roster
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The Indiana Pacers already made their big move by trading Bruce Brown, Jordan Nwora and three first-round picks to the Toronto Raptors for Pascal Siakam.
Now, the deadline becomes about balancing out a roster that has become extremely big-heavy.
With Siakam and Myles Turner now starting at power forward and center, respectively, it leaves players such as Obi Toppin, Jarace Walker, Jalen Smith and Isaiah Jackson all fighting for minutes. Indiana has James Johnson on a 10-day contract as well.
Looking for a defensive-minded wing to take Brown's spot would be ideal, especially if this team has to go up against players like Jayson Tatum, Jimmy Butler, Donovan Mitchell, Tyrese Maxey, Jaylen Brown, Jalen Brunson and others during the playoffs.
Now three games up on the Miami Heat for the final playoff spot in the East, getting one more wing would help Indiana compete for the fourth seed and home-court advantage in the first round.
Los Angeles Clippers: Acquire the 'One Last Player'
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While the playoffs will ultimately dictate the success of the James Harden trade, the early results have been fantastic for the Los Angeles Clippers.
Since Russell Westbrook agreed to move to a sixth man role, the Clippers have the best record in the NBA (27-8) and the third-highest net rating (plus-7.4) behind only the Oklahoma City Thunder and Boston Celtics.
There simply aren't a lot of needs here, with ESPN's Zach Lowe noting: "The Clippers are searching the trade market for one last player, sources said—likely a tweener forward or backup center."
L.A. already pushed its best chips in to get Harden. Getting one more rotation player may be all this team needs.
Los Angeles Lakers: Upgrade at Point Guard
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The Los Angeles Lakers made a season-saving trade at this time last year. Now just a game away from falling out of the play-in tournament in the West, another big move may have to be made.
Fischer wrote: "There are several teams looking for point guard help across the board. The Lakers are chief among backcourt buyers, sources said, with an apparent goal to upgrade at the position currently being filled by D'Angelo Russell."
Fischer also noted that the Lakers have offered their 2029 first-round pick, a pick swap and Russell to the Atlanta Hawks for Dejounte Murray.
Malcolm Brogdon or Tyus Jones would help improve this Lakers backcourt, as would the signing of Kyle Lowry should he receive a buyout from the Charlotte Hornets after the deadline passes.
Memphis Grizzlies: Plan the 2024-25 Roster
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Injuries and a suspension have wrecked the Memphis Grizzlies' 2023-24 season, but this group is nearly all under contract for next year and could become a power in the West once again.
This continuity is both a blessing and a curse, as Damichael Cole of The Commercial Appeal pointed out:
"The deadline will be interesting for Memphis in large part because of the roster logjam. Among the 15 players under standard contracts, 14 are signed through the 2024-25. Xavier Tillman Sr. is the only player slated to hit free agency after this season. Considering the Grizzlies have a first-round pick in the 2024 NBA draft and will need to address the GG Jackson contract if he continues to show promise, one projected open roster spot won't get the job done."
The Grizzlies could look to make a consolidation trade now, some sort of two-for-one or three-for-two deal that would set them up for more flexibility this summer.
Miami Heat: Find a Big Wing
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On Jan. 11, we stressed the importance of the Miami Heat upgrading at point guard while still keeping Tyler Herro, with Terry Rozier's name on the list of targets.
Now following a trade for Rozier, the Heat should look for wings who can help cover for a defensively-suspect backcourt.
The Athletic's Jared Weiss wrote: "If Miami makes a move, it seems like a big wing is the main priority." This could include Dorian Finney-Smith, Royce O'Neale or Jerami Grant if Miami can afford him after sending out a future first-round pick for Rozier.
After losing seven straight games, Miami probably needs to make another move at the deadline if it wants to climb out of the East play-in tournament.
Milwaukee Bucks: Improve Perimeter Defense
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It's no secret that the Milwaukee Bucks need to improve defensively, with new head coach Doc Rivers inheriting a roster that has struggled to stop dribble penetration all season.
Fischer noted that the Bucks are "exploring a range of options to improve its perimeter defense" with a few key targets in mind:
"The combined $12.5 million salary between [Pat] Connaughton and [Cameron] Payne would put Milwaukee in position to land several targets, such as Portland wing Matisse Thybulle and Clippers forward P.J. Tucker, sources said. Alex Caruso would mark a dream outcome for the Bucks, but Chicago has indicated the Bulls would need multiple first-round picks to even consider parting with Caruso, according to league sources, if Chicago even truly considers moving him at all."
Kris Dunn of the Utah Jazz and former Bucks guard Jevon Carter, now of the Chicago Bulls, would help slow down opposing guards as well, with a much lower asking price than a player like Caruso.
Minnesota Timberwolves: Build Up the Backcourt Reserve
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While the rise of Anthony Edwards has played a major role in the success of the Minnesota Timberwolves, let's not overlook the importance of the trade for Mike Conley Jr.
When Edwards, Karl-Anthony Towns, Rudy Gobert and Conley all share the floor this season, Minnesota is beating teams by 10.5 points per 100 possessions. When the former three are in but Conley sits, this number falls to plus-0.6.
The Wolves could use a better backup point guard for Conley, 36, who's currently dealing with a hamstring injury.
With an offense that still ranks just 19th overall, Minnesota should look for some guard insurance at the deadline.
New Orleans Pelicans: Look for Center Insurance
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The New Orleans Pelicans are another one of the many West teams currently in a logjam at the middle of the conference, but there are a lot of wings and guards to like on this roster.
According to Fischer, New Orleans "is primarily focused on adding at the center position" at the deadline.
Cody Zeller has been ineffective behind Jonas Valančiūnas, and Larry Nance Jr. has missed 17 games this season, primarily with a fractured rib.
Getting one more defensive-minded big who can space the floor would help complement this backcourt and provide more insurance in case Nance misses additional time.
New York Knicks: Find a (Temporary) Julius Randle Replacement
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The New York Knicks were already operating with a short-handed frontcourt following an ankle injury to Mitchell Robinson and are now dealing with a dislocated shoulder suffered by Julius Randle.
The good news? Randle's injury should only cause him to miss a few weeks, according to Fred Katz and Shams Charania of The Athletic.
While this likely means more minutes at power forward for OG Anunoby and Josh Hart, the Knicks should explore the trade market for some additional size up front, even if it comes on an expiring contract.
The Knicks hold just a half-game lead over the red-hot Cleveland Cavaliers for fourth place and home-court advantage in the first round and can't afford to go on any kind of slide without Randle now.
Oklahoma City Thunder: Pick Up One More Rotation Big
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If the 32-15 Oklahoma City Thunder have one weakness, it's crashing the boards.
They rank 29th overall both in offensive and defensive rebounding. Asking a rookie in Chet Holmgren to play big minutes both now and during a long playoff run isn't going to improve his ability to clean the glass, either.
OKC should look at bringing in one more rotation big, either as a backup to Holmgren or someone who can start alongside him.
Andre Drummond is still one of the best per-minute rebounders in the NBA and could be had for a second-round pick. The Thunder don't need to make any major moves at the deadline, but they should be looking to buy a veteran big to help keep Holmgren fresh.
Orlando Magic: Add More Shooting
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The Orlando Magic have somehow stayed above .500 all season despite possessing the NBA's 24th-ranked offense.
It's clear what Orlando needs to do at the deadline. It is dead last in both three-point accuracy (34.4 percent) and made threes per game (10.9).
This roster craves more shooters and possibly a short-term answer at point guard until Anthony Black can develop some more. Plugging in a veteran point guard for now would lead to more open shots for Paolo Banchero, Franz Wagner and others.
This is a sneaky-good destination for Malcolm Brogdon, a veteran who could mentor Black, Jalen Suggs, Cole Anthony and others and is also shooting 43.4 percent from three over the past two seasons.
Orlando should be open to adding shooters at all positions, though, to keep its early-season momentum going.
Philadelphia 76ers: Upgrade While Opening Up a Roster Spot
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Still within striking distance of the No. 1 seed (or at least No. 2) in the East, the Sixers should be looking for upgrades without totally shaking up the core of their roster.
While talking trades with opposing teams, Philly should try to open up a roster spot, as the current edition stands at the full 15.
According to Fischer, the 76ers could be the leaders to sign Kyle Lowry should he receive a buyout from the Charlotte Hornets:
"At that point, one destination that currently appears to be a real possibility: Philadelphia, where the Sixers stand as one of the few contenders below the first luxury-tax apron and capable of signing a player who was bought out from a contract pricier than this year's mid-level exception ($12.4 million.)"
Lowry, a Philadelphia native, would be a huge addition to the locker room as a backup point guard after previously winning a title with the Toronto Raptors under Nick Nurse.
Phoenix Suns: Keep Grayson Allen, Add One More Rotation Piece
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While the Big 3 of Kevin Durant, Devin Booker and Bradley Beal aren't going anywhere, the Phoenix Suns reportedly have a fourth player they hold dear as well.
According to Fischer, "Phoenix appears intent on keeping Grayson Allen," who's been having a strong season following a trade from the Milwaukee Bucks.
The 28-year-old is the Suns' fourth-leading scorer at 13.2 points per game and has made nearly half of his three-pointers (49.8 percent) this season.
Fischer noted that Phoenix could explore a trade for one more rotation player, a la Delon Wright, Monte Morris, Jae'Sean Tate, Royce O'Neale, Miles Bridges and Nick Richards.
Portland Trail Blazers: Consider Keeping the Vets
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A 14-33 record would seemingly signal that the Portland Trail Blazers will be heavy sellers at the trade deadline, especially with this team in a full rebuild.
According to ESPN's Adrian Wojnarowski, though, veteran point guard Malcolm Brogdon may actually be staying put given his value to the young guards on the roster and relationship with head coach Chauncey Billups.
"I wouldn't rule out Malcolm Brogdon being traded at this deadline but I don't think they're real active in those conversations yet. We'll see what teams step up, he certainly has value to a number of teams but again I think for Portland, they don't have to do it this deadline," Wojnarowski said on The Woj Pod.
With Jerami Grant under contract for the next four-and-a-half seasons as well, it could be a quieter deadline than expected for Portland.
Sacramento Kings: Find a Backup Floor General
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De'Aaron Fox is playing like an All-Star once again for the Sacramento Kings, powering the offense with both his incredible scoring and high-level playmaking skills.
When the 26-year-old sits, though, the offense suffers.
The Kings score nearly 8.6 more points per 100 possessions with Fox on the floor and turn the ball over a full 3.3 percent less. Those figures rank in the 94th and 99th percentiles, per Cleaning the Glass.
Davion Mitchell is having the worst season of his career, leaving Malik Monk to take over more of the playmaking duties. Getting another point guard would allow Monk to resume his usual scoring responsibilities instead.
Sacramento should be checking on the price of players such as Tyus Jones, Delon Wright, Monte Morris and others before the deadline.
San Antonio Spurs: Start Search for a Franchise Point Guard
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The San Antonio Spurs rely on a lot of ball movement to generate their offense, which isn't easy to do without a high-level point guard on the roster.
While no team has registered a higher team assist percentage than the Spurs (69.8 percent), they rank just 22nd overall in turnover rate (14.3 percent).
As Fischer wrote, "Meanwhile, San Antonio, without a clear point guard to pair with Victor Wembanyama, will be considered a potential point guard destination until the Spurs make a move at the position."
This could mean a reunion with Dejounte Murray, a potential home for D'Angelo Russell in a three-team deal where Murray goes to the Los Angeles Lakers or even a veteran like Malcolm Brogdon to make life easier for Wembanyama and others.
Toronto Raptors: Finish the Remodeling
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After previously trading away Pascal Siakam and OG Anunoby, the Toronto Raptors shouldn't abandon their rebuilding plans just yet.
There's a first-round pick out there somewhere for Bruce Brown to be rerouted. Gary Trent Jr. will be an unrestricted free agent this summer and should probably be moved now before he can leave. Even players like Jakob Poeltl and Dennis Schröder could be traded to a contender for the right price.
The Raptors are doing the right thing, as painful as it may be in the present. This doesn't need to be a complete gut job with Scottie Barnes, RJ Barrett and Immanuel Quickley already serving as a foundation, but Toronto should firmly remain in draft-pick accumulation mode for now.
Expect Masai Ujiri to continue to be aggressive in turning this franchise around.
Utah Jazz: Be Open to Buying and Selling
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While they've been much better the last few weeks, the Utah Jazz still don't look like a team ready to go on a playoff run in a loaded West.
At 24-25 overall, they don't have the look of a typical seller, either.
According to Fischer, all options are on the table for Utah at the deadline:
"The Utah Jazz are being considered both a buyer and seller at this juncture, with ball-handlers Jordan Clarkson, Collin Sexton and Talen Horton-Tucker considered available for trade, sources said. And while the Jazz are confident in rookie Keyonte George's fitness as their point guard of the future, the Jazz have also registered interest in several veterans, including (Dejounte) Murray, sources said, to possibly hold the position in the interim."
Trading Clarkson is probably the right move, especially with Sexton playing well lately and more minutes needed for George.
Shopping Clarkson and John Collins while also sniffing around a trade to improve in the short term should both be considered.
Washington Wizards: Hunt for 1st-Round Picks
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After failing to pick up a first-round pick in either the Bradley Beal or Kristaps Porziņģis trade and with a protected first-rounder owed to the New York Knicks, it's important that the Wizards start accumulating more draft equity for their rebuild.
"They have to do this. That's a mandate," ESPN's Brian Windhorst said on The Hoop Collective podcast, referring to the Wizards front office acquiring extra first-round picks.
Outside of Kyle Kuzma, it's unlikely Washington would actually get a first-round offer for anyone. As good as Tyus Jones is, he's set to become an unrestricted free agent this summer, and players such as Daniel Gafford, Landry Shamet, Delon Wright and others are more second-round worthy.
Washington needs to sell off some vets, with its best bet getting multiple firsts for Kuzma.
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