What Every Team Would Do If the 2025 NBA Trade Deadline Were Today
The NBA's 2024-25 trade deadline is within a month. Franchises have until February 6 to decide on their approach for the remainder of the season.
Which teams will chase that final piece for a playoff push? Who are the sellers willing to send off veterans for prospects and draft picks? Along with some common sense based on the standings, what is the intel from various NBA sources, including executives, scouts and agents?
Following up on the December projection, how would each NBA team attack the trade deadline as of today?
Atlanta Hawks (19-19)
1 of 30
Goal: Opportunistic improvement
Name(s) to watch: Clint Capela, Onyeka Okongwu, Larry Nance Jr., De'Andre Hunter
The outside perception of the Hawks is that the organization wants to trade everyone when the team is losing, but they're all core pieces when winning. That makes the franchise challenging to read in the last few weeks ahead of the deadline.
Atlanta shopped De'Andre Hunter before this season, but the team may hold now that he's having a strong year.
"A guy you've been trying to move for two years has a strong two months, so now he's untouchable?" one Western Conference executive said of Hunter and the Hawks.
Capela, who has an expiring contract, might be the most likely player to move. The Hawks could be a dark-horse candidate to land Brandon Ingram or Deandre Ayton, but competing executives note that whatever long-term move they make, they'll stay under the luxury tax.
Boston Celtics (28-11)
2 of 30
Goal: Minor tax savings
Name(s) to watch: Jaden Springer
The Celtics haven't won as consistently over the past month, but the current NBA champs aren't expected to shake things up. Today, the team would probably love to send Jaden Springer and his expiring $4 million contract out with 1-2 second-rounders.
Boston can't send out cash to cover Springer's salary with a payroll of about $7.6 million over the second apron ($188.9 million). It might take a few seconds, and a team with the roster space and the means to take in Springer with minimal compensation back (perhaps $110,000 going to the Celtics, the minimum requirement).
Converting two-way forward Anton Watson (No. 54 in June's draft) would be the cheapest way Boston can get back to the required 14 players, a net savings of nearly $14 million.
Brooklyn Nets (13-26)
3 of 30
Goal: Trade just about anyone
Name(s) to watch: Just about anyone
The Nets surveyed the market and accepted that they would be better off getting multiple second-round picks than holding out for lower or heavily protected firsts. Dennis Schröder, Dorian Finney-Smith and Shake Milton are gone.
Who else? Competing executives believe the Nets will get a Cameron Johnson deal before the deadline. Some wonder what Cam Thomas' next contract will look like with Brooklyn since he's a restricted free agent this summer with high expectations. But few teams have spending power, and the Nets are the cap room powerhouse in July.
Would the Nets move Thomas for the right return? That, so far, isn't as clear.
Charlotte Hornets (8-28)
4 of 30
Goal: Lottery; opportunistic adds to their young core
Name(s) to watch: Miles Bridges, Nick Richards, Cody Martin, Josh Green
The Hornets have begun to solidify their core around the tandem of LaMelo Ball and Brandon Miller, but the rest of the roster has a long way to go. Some around the league wonder if Bridges could be moved if a team like the LA Clippers still has an interest.
However, most of the sources polled think the Hornets will make broader wholesale changes this offseason. Mark Williams, one of the team's top prospects in recent years, has yet to show the necessary durability. Charlotte could look for a more established replacement this offseason. In the meantime, the Hornets may get some compensation for Richards if the team chooses to cash out on the backup center.
Chicago Bulls (18-21)
5 of 30
Goal: Move off expensive, veteran contracts
Name(s) to watch: Zach LaVine, Nikola Vučević, Patrick Williams, Jevon Carter
Other teams anticipated the Bulls would (or at least should) blow up their core at the deadline for the last few years, yet the franchise has defied expectations. Chicago parted with Alex Caruso and DeMar DeRozan this past offseason, so it's assumed that LaVine and Vučević are next.
LaVine has had a strong year, but his contract may scare off most suitors. Perhaps Denver will poke around again before the deadline with Michael Porter Jr. as bait, though that would make the Nuggets a smaller squad. Vučević would also draw interest, but not necessarily at Chicago's potential asking price.
Cleveland Cavaliers (33-5)
6 of 30
Goal: Hold (or very delicately get out of the luxury tax)
Name(s) to watch: Craig Porter Jr., Tristan Thompson
The Cavaliers need to tread very carefully. The team is off to an all-time start, and anything that might damage chemistry could be a non-starter.
Still, trading out two low-minute players (Porter and Thompson) could get Cleveland under the luxury tax, resulting in the team taking in around $18 million of the penalties paid by other tax teams. Porter's role has diminished this season, and several teams would be happy to take him (and Thompson) if necessary to complete a deal.
Cleveland needs to weigh chemistry, Thompson's role as a veteran in the locker room and Porter's upside vs. a significant amount of money.
Dallas Mavericks (22-17)
7 of 30
Goal: Hold
Name(s) to watch: Jaden Hardy, Dwight Powell
The Mavericks' name occasionally appears in rumors about players like Cameron Johnson or Kyle Kuzma, but the general vibe in NBA circles has been understated. Dallas has survived injuries to Luka Dončić and Kyrie Irving but has kept pace in the West.
The Mavs could make a move around the edges, but the safe bet is they don't take big swings at the deadline.
Denver Nuggets (23-15)
8 of 30
Goal: Get out of Zeke Nnaji's salary
Name(s) to watch: Michael Porter Jr., Dario Šarić, Nnaji
Despite losing a starter over the offseason (Kentavious Caldwell-Pope) and a slow start to the year, the Nuggets continue to climb in the West. The team has explored smaller trades with limited flexibility (Nnaji and Šarić aren't a big draw). Without any real draft compensation to offer, Denver may be stuck as is.
Improved play may have diminished the temptation to trade Porter for a bigger name (Jimmy Butler?) or multiple role players, but it's still worth keeping an eye on.
Detroit Pistons (20-19)
9 of 30
Goal: Use cap room to facilitate deals, improve
Name(s) to watch: Wendell Moore Jr.
The Pistons are the only team under the NBA's salary cap with about $14 million in flexibility to help another team get out of unwanted contract(s). Initially, the Pistons were expected to want draft compensation and/or prospects. But now, the team has a winning record and may seek players to help that playoff push (especially after losing Jaden Ivey to a painful leg injury).
Detroit is widely thought to be the franchise most likely to execute a trade before the deadline.
Golden State Warriors (19-19)
10 of 30
Goal: Improve playoff hopes
Name(s) to watch: Jonathan Kuminga, Gary Payton II
The slumping Warriors won't have Kuminga until February, which isn't the ideal way to build up the young forward's trade value. Golden State needs to pay him this offseason as a restricted free agent, but if the sides are far apart on numbers, a trade before the deadline could be the solution.
Golden State has been linked to Jimmy Butler and the Miami Heat, but the forward expects a sizable extension that the Warriors may be reluctant to consider. Look for the Warriors to be active in conversations over the next few weeks; open to a deal but diligent with their finances moving forward.
Houston Rockets (25-12)
11 of 30
Goal: Hold or star chase
Name(s) to watch: Reed Sheppard, Jeff Green, Jock Landale, Aaron Holiday, Jae'Sean Tate, Steven Adams
The Rockets seem committed to holding with their roster, waiting instead until the summer to make bolder moves. Will the Sacramento Kings move De'Aaron Fox? If yes, Houston may try to stall that until after the playoffs.
Holding may increasingly make sense, given the team's second-best record in the Western Conference after several years of missing the postseason entirely. Still, if a team-friendly win-now opportunity arose, the Rockets would have the means to make a deal.
Indiana Pacers (22-18)
12 of 30
Goal: Improve for the postseason
Name(s) to watch: Jarace Walker, Obi Toppin
The Pacers have finally begun to show some consistency after a difficult start to the season. Injuries have been a problem, notably to backup centers James Wiseman and Isaiah Jackson, but the Thomas Bryant trade (from the Miami Heat) has helped a bit.
Center is the significant question, with Myles Turner in the last year of his deal and the franchise inching toward the luxury tax. Can the Pacers pay him, add a backup, and find a way to reduce his salary in the offseason? Should the team proactively move to get a replacement, perhaps a less expensive one (for now) in Walker Kessler of the Utah Jazz?
Has the development of Jarace Walker made him more attractive to trade or less expendable in Indiana? The short-term answers will be revealed over the next few weeks.
LA Clippers (20-17)
13 of 30
Goal: Avoid tax, improve for playoffs
Name(s) to watch: P.J. Tucker, Bones Hyland
The Clippers have outperformed outside expectations. Kawhi Leonard has missed most of the season due to knee issues. Instead of falling off early, the team has maintained a winning record, hoping to avoid the play-in tournament entirely.
Competing executives are unsure what to make of LA's direction. Usually, a team marginally above the luxury tax threshold ($2.5 million over the $170.8 million line) would find a way under. But others don't know if owner Steve Ballmer is concerned enough about taxes to make what would typically be an obvious move (with Tucker, Hyland, etc.).
The team still has $2.9 million in cash it can send out but few second-round picks to waste, and the markets for Tucker and Hyland are likely dry.
Los Angeles Lakers (20-16)
14 of 30
Goal: Add depth at center (and possibly guard), improve defensively
Name(s) to watch: Rui Hachimura, Jalen Hood-Schifino, Christian Wood, Gabe Vincent
The Lakers already executed one deal, sending D'Angelo Russell and Maxwell Lewis (plus second-round picks) to the Brooklyn Nets for Dorian Finney-Smith and Shake Milton. The hole at backup center has yet to be filled.
The franchise needs to improve its defense at guard, which has fallen off since Vincent was sidelined with an oblique injury. Austin Reaves and LeBron James are the team's primary ball-handlers, with Vincent (and Milton) in a supplementary role. The Lakers may also look to add another creative guard.
Considering salaries, moving Hachimura may be the most obvious path to fill multiple holes via trade, along with L.A.'s available future first-round picks (2029 and 2031). The more significant concern is ensuring the team doesn't overspend heading into next year with the punitive second apron looming.
Memphis Grizzlies (25-14)
15 of 30
Goal: Playoff depth
Name(s) to watch: Marcus Smart, Luke Kennard, John Konchar, Jake LaRavia, Brandon Clarke
The Grizzlies have handled injuries well, staying among the top three in the West. The team explored a trade with the Brooklyn Nets for Dorian Finney-Smith, but the Los Angeles Lakers won out. Memphis could consider Cameron Johnson instead, but that probably requires Smart to leave in a trade.
Few teams would want to invest in the oft-injured guard, who is owed $21.6 million next season. The Grizzlies want to improve their playoff chances by consolidating depth.
Miami Heat (20-17)
16 of 30
Goal: Resolve Jimmy Butler
Name(s) to watch: Butler
The Heat and Butler coming to this crossroad was predictable, including the ugliness of the situation. Butler is trying to get relocated to a team that will pay him an extension (the Phoenix Suns seemingly top the list), and the Heat need to make a deal they can support (that probably doesn't include Bradley Beal).
Milwaukee Bucks (20-17)
17 of 30
Goal: Keep Giannis Antetokounmpo happy
Name(s) to watch: Bobby Portis, Khris Middleton, Brook Lopez
The Bucks started the season poorly but rallied to win the NBA Cup. The squad hasn't been as sharp since the winning record seemed to quell any momentum for an earthshaking Antetokounmpo blockbuster.
Instead, look for the Bucks to explore whatever opportunities they can find to improve despite having little to offer in picks and young, desirable talent. It isn't easy to see the team finding the value it needs in return for Middleton or Lopez. Perhaps the key to a deal is another team coveting Portis, but the buzz has been relatively quiet.
Minnesota Timberwolves (20-18)
18 of 30
Goal: Decide on Julius Randle
Name(s) to watch: Randle
The Timberwolves cleaned up some of their books with the Karl-Anthony Towns trade to the New York Knicks and the Rudy Gobert extension (which reduced the center's price for 2025-26). Julius Randle and Naz Reid have player options next season and could try to push Minnesota into new deals by opting out.
There's been little buzz that Minnesota is shopping Randle, who may have no choice but to opt into his $30.9 million contract next season. Still, some around the league think the Timberwolves would be open to a change. Randle has been productive offensively, but the team isn't as strong as it was a year ago, and Minnesota may prefer investing in Reid instead.
In the long term, the team needs a replacement point guard for the aging Mike Conley.
New Orleans Pelicans (8-32)
19 of 30
Goal: Decide on Brandon Ingram; avoid tax
Name(s) to watch: CJ McCollum, Jordan Hawkins, Ingram
The year has been an unmitigated disaster for the Pelicans. Injuries have derailed a season of promise, and while there hasn't been much buzz that Dejounte Murray may relocate, New Orleans may make moves to trim payroll before the deadline.
Historically, the team doesn't pay luxury taxes (and that's when it's competitive). Paying tax for one of the worst teams in the league is a non-starter. The larger question is how? Can the team find someone interested and capable of taking on Ingram (who has recently been sidelined with an ankle injury)?
And if not, is there another way out of the tax?
New York Knicks (26-14)
20 of 30
Goal: Add size
Name(s) to watch: Mitchell Robinson, Precious Achiuwa
The Knicks don't have significant flexibility but could use some defensive help at center behind Karl-Anthony Towns. Mitchell Robinson has been out with an ankle injury. The franchise needs to decide if it has enough up front besides Precious Achiuwa, Jericho Sims, Ariel Hukporti and/or small ball.
The grapevine suggests a quiet deadline for New York.
Oklahoma City Thunder (32-6)
21 of 30
Goal: Kick the can on first-round picks
Name(s) to watch: None
With Jalen Williams and Chet Holmgren extension-eligible this summer, Alex Caruso extended recently, and the team heavily invested in a core that is among the best in the NBA, the Thunder will need to get out of many of their upcoming first-round picks. The team won't have roster space and financial flexibility, let alone the minutes to develop young players.
The Thunder currently project to have three firsts in June (from the Philadelphia 76ers, LA Clippers and Miami Heat, depending on standings, swaps and pick protections). The franchise can wait until the lottery order is set closer to the draft, but maybe it can cash out earlier on the uncertainty from a team looking to buy into the draft at the deadline.
Expect the return to be future draft considerations more than incoming players on a team with a well-established rotation (especially when Holmgren returns from a hip injury).
Orlando Magic (23-18)
22 of 30
Goal: Minimal tweaks with playoffs in mind
Name(s) to watch: Cole Anthony, Gary Harris
The Magic have withstood injuries that would have decimated most teams, but coach Jamahl Mosley has consistently found ways to win with whatever players are available on a given night.
Orlando is often linked to "Cameron Johnson-type" trades in the rumor mill. Still, the franchise is well aware of its financial limitations, with significant extensions kicking in next summer (Franz Wagner and Jalen Suggs) and a likely max deal pending for Paolo Banchero.
A win-now move may be to hold, but the franchise could look to cash out on the recent spike from Cole Anthony—though having a reserve guard who can impact winning when the team is short-handed is a nice luxury.
Philadelphia 76ers (15-22)
23 of 30
Goal: Hold, opportunistically
Name(s) to watch: KJ Martin, Kelly Oubre Jr., Andre Drummond
The Sixers have been hurt for most of the year, unable to see if their offseason haul, headlined by Paul George, makes sense with Joel Embiid and Tyrese Maxey. The team can try to improve via trade but may hold to try to get a better sense of what it has.
Others warn that executive Daryl Morey should never be considered "conservative." He'll make a deal if there's one to finagle.
Phoenix Suns (19-19)
24 of 30
Goal: Trade Bradley Beal for Jimmy Butler
Name(s) to watch: Josh Okogie, Jusuf Nurkić, Bol Bol
Beal still has a no-trade clause, an expensive contract and few suitors. But if the Suns can find someone to take him on, they'd likely bring in Butler via a multi-team trade.
How practical that goal may be is another question entirely.
Portland Trail Blazers (13-25)
25 of 30
Goal: Trade veterans with the future in mind
Name(s) to watch: Deandre Ayton, Jerami Grant, Anfernee Simons, Robert Williams III, Matisse Thybulle
The Blazers drafted their future center, Donovan Clingan, but he may not be ready for a full-time starting role. Portland may wait until the summer to move a higher-salaried player like Deandre Ayton. Grant's contract and age limit his market. Simons is due a new salary soon (expiring 2025-26), so he may be the right player to deal.
But Portland could do nothing this deadline and just wait for the offseason. It's a franchise willing to trade but not desperate to do so.
Sacramento Kings (20-19)
26 of 30
Goal: Need to improve defensively
Name(s) to watch: De'Aaron Fox, Kevin Huerter, Trey Lyles
The Kings went through an extremely rough patch, but with Doug Christie taking over as head coach for Mike Brown, the team has suddenly become one of the hottest teams in the league.
The big-picture question is Fox's future. Will he and the team recommit to an extension over the summer, or will they part ways? When the team struggled, Fox seemed the biggest name to watch by the trade deadline. Now it seems like more of an offseason decision.
However, his future should determine how the Kings approach the deadline, and the immediate priority should be improving defensively.
San Antonio Spurs (18-19)
27 of 30
Goal: Opportunistic improvements, no rush
Name(s) to watch: Chris Paul, Keldon Johnson, Harrison Barnes, Tre Jones
When the Spurs signed Paul and traded for Barnes, several competing executives thought they were moves with the deadline in mind. But San Antonio is thought to value the veteran impact the pair has had on its young, developing core around star center Victor Wembanyama.
The prevailing take is the Spurs hold for the offseason, not in a rush, though some wonder if their proximity to the playoffs may accelerate their path.
Toronto Raptors (8-31)
28 of 30
Goal: Cash out Bruce Brown Jr.'s expiring contract, opportunistic improvement
Name(s) to watch: Jakob Poeltl, Chris Boucher, Kelly Olynyk, Brown
If the Raptors put Poeltl on the block, they'd have multiple suitors. For now, the team is thought to be focused on cashing out its $23 million investment in Brown (via the team option taken in June). Instead of moving Poeltl, Toronto may have Boucher and Olynyk more readily available in trade.
The season has been a mess for Toronto, underperforming with multiple injuries. A trade may be more likely than not, but that requires a suitor willing to make a deal.
Utah Jazz (10-28)
29 of 30
Goal: Trade veterans with the future in mind
Name(s) to watch: Walker Kessler, Jordan Clarkson, Collin Sexton, John Collins, Drew Eubanks
The Jazz are focused on the lottery, player development and carefully cashing veterans for more draft compensation and prospects. Only Patty Mills is a lock to be a free agent this summer among the team's standard contracts, so the Jazz can deal before February 6, around June's draft, July's free agency or even next year's February deadline.
The team has taken this approach thus far, trying to drive up the "buy now" price in the hopes that other teams will capitulate. While Kessler is still young, he is extension-eligible this summer and may not be in Utah's long-term plans.
Washington Wizards (6-31)
30 of 30
Goal: Trade veterans with the future in mind
Name(s) to watch: Jordan Poole, Kyle Kuzma, Malcolm Brogdon, Richaun Holmes, Marvin Bagley III, Jonas Valančiūnas
The Wizards are another lottery-focused franchise with a terrible record willing to move out of veterans for future considerations. Like the Jazz, Washington can afford to be patient on inquiries for Kuzma, Valančiūnas, Holmes and Poole (all under contract next season).
Washington would prioritize getting out of the expiring contracts if they find teams eager to take on players like Brogdon and Bagley.
Email Eric Pincus at eric.pincus@gmail.com and follow him on X/Twitter @EricPincus.
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