.jpg?w=1280)
Updated Bold Trade Deadline Predictions for Every NBA Team
Mere hours from the 2026 NBA trade deadline, every organization is undoubtedly working the phones for possible trade partners. Offers are surely being exchanged, molded and re-exchanged.
Soon, some of those offers will become actual trades. A few already have, like this week's trades of Jaren Jackson Jr., Jaden Ivey, Darius Garland, Anthony Davis and (surprise, surprise) James Harden.
As the news keeps rolling in, based on recent rumors and reports, team and individual performance—as well as future prospects and some old-fashioned prognostication—we have bold predictions for all 30 teams below.
Atlanta Hawks Will Bring Jonathan Kuminga Off the Bench
1 of 30
Current Record: 25-27
Last 10 Games: 5-5
Current Conference Standing: 9th
It's been a busy couple of weeks for the Atlanta Hawks, who sent its former face of the franchise (Trae Young) to the Washington Wizards and then pulled a rabbit out of their hat by turning the oft-unavailable Kristaps Porziņģis for Jonathan Kuminga and Buddy Hield.
That second deal brought even more shooting (from Hield), length and athleticism (from Kuminga) to a team already loaded with the latter two attributes (from Jalen Johnson, Dyson Daniels and Zaccharie Risacher).
The Hawks look poised to move forward with more of a defense-first identity, and Kuminga (assuming he buys into that identity) can be a big part of it.
But if he's looking for a much better opportunity to be a star than he had with the Golden State Warriors, this may not be the spot. Kuminga can maybe grow into a super-sixth-man role, but it makes more sense for Atlanta to continue to start Nickeil Alexander-Walker, Zaccharie Risacher, Onyeka Okongwu and Dyson Daniels alongside rising star Jalen Johnson.
Boston Celtics Won't Duck the Tax
2 of 30
Current Record: 32-18
Last 10 Games: 7-3
Current Conference Standing: 3rd
After the Boston Celtics spent the offseason shedding salary and big names like Kristaps Porziņģis and Jrue Holiday, it almost felt like a foregone conclusion that they'd find a way to get under the luxury tax before the deadline.
But lowering your payroll by just over $12 million in the middle of the season is no small feat. Even after trading Anfernee Simons for Nikola Vučević, they're still almost $6 million over that line, and there isn't an obvious move on the board to get the rest of the way there.
It shouldn't be a huge deal, though. This no longer feels like a gap year. It's not close, actually. The Celtics are within striking distance of the East's top seed. And if Jayson Tatum is back before the playoffs, this team could have a realistic shot at another championship.
Brooklyn Nets Will Trade Michael Porter Jr.
3 of 30
Current Record: 13-36
Last 10 Games: 1-9
Current Conference Standing: 13th
In his first season away from the Denver Nuggets, Michael Porter Jr. has played like a bona fide All-Star.
He's at 25.9 points, 7.4 rebounds and 3.4 assists, with a 39.7 three-point percentage and a near-positive point differential for a way-below-.500 team.
Considering how early the Brooklyn Nets appear to be in a rebuild, that kind of performance makes MPJ look like a very real trade candidate.
Surely, there will be contenders who come calling with young talent and/or draft picks. The Nets taking one of those offers wouldn't be surprising, even with the team not too far out of the play-in race right now.
Chasing 10th place (or better) would be admirable. It's probably doable with Porter, but to what end? Brooklyn already made another deal last year to regain control of its 2026 first-round pick. Having it slide out of the lottery, or even to the back of it, in a year with multiple potential franchise cornerstones up top, would be a disaster.
Of course, there's no guarantee any of the incoming rookies ever produce at the level MPJ is right now. And that may be why, at least according to All City's Marc Stein, there's still a chance Brooklyn keeps him. But he very clearly hurts the team's chance at the No. 1 pick, and that may be enough to send him elsewhere.
Charlotte Hornets Will Keep LaMelo Ball
4 of 30
Current Record: 23-28
Last 10 Games: 8-2
Current Conference Standing: 11th
Trae Young isn't the only dynamic lead playmaker in trade rumors. LaMelo Ball has spent plenty of time there, too. And though availability continues to be a major concern for him (and now Brandon Miller), the early returns on his minutes with Kon Knueppel have been good.
Despite being well below .500 on the season, the Charlotte Hornets are outscoring opponents when Knueppel and Ball are both on the floor. And it's easy to see why the duo works so well (especially when Miller is around too).
For all the issues that can come with Ball's defense and shot selection, he's still one of the most creative and talented offensive creators in the league. He's 6'7", and he's incredibly productive. He commands a ton of attention in the middle of the floor. And if you flank him with one of the best shooters in the league (it's already safe to call Knueppel that), his exploits become even more dangerous.
At the same time, Ball's ingenuity as a distributor obviously helps Knueppel too. There aren't many point guards in the league better equipped to take full advantage of Knueppel's off-ball movement and catch-and-shoot trigger.
And the Hornets will give both a little more time to cultivate their chemistry.
Chicago Bulls Aren't Done
5 of 30
Current Record: 24-27
Last 10 Games: 5-5
Current Conference Standing: 10th
The Chicago Bulls have been one of the busiest teams in the league this week, unloading Coby White, Nikola Vučević and Ayo Dosunmu (three of their top four scorers) and getting Anfernee Simons, Collin Sexton, Jaden Ivey, Rob Dillingham and Guerschon Yabusele back.
But the flurry of moves has left the roster looking hilariously out of balance. Yabusele is the only big man among the newcomers, which means players like Josh Giddey, Patrick Williams and Matas Buzelis may have to play some 4 or 5.
Or at least they would if Chicago is done. It isn't. Expect one or two of those guards to be re-routed for a wing, forward or center.
Cleveland Cavaliers Will Finish 2nd in the East
6 of 30
Current Record: 30-21
Last 10 Games: 8-2
Current Conference Standing: 5th
The Cleveland Cavaliers took a couple big swings this week, turning De'Andre Hunter into guard depth (Dennis Schroder and Keon Ellis) and swapping Darius Garland for James Harden.
And after supercharging a backcourt that already includes Donovan Mitchell, Cleveland is going to make up the three-game gap in the loss column between itself and the New York Knicks and Boston Celtics.
Harden is available far more often than Darius Garland, and his particular knack for getting big men easy shots will help Jarrett Allen and Evan Mobley.
And after spending most of this season missing the boost that Ty Jerome gave off last season's bench, the Cavs are now better equipped to win some non-Mitchell minutes with Schroder and Ellis on the floor.
Dallas Mavericks Will Move Cooper Flagg Back to 'Point Guard'
7 of 30
Current Record: 19-31
Last 10 Games: 4-6
Current Conference Standing: 12th
Now that Anthony Davis has been moved to the Washington Wizards, the 2025-26 Dallas Mavericks season is entirely about the development of Cooper Flagg.
And that should (and will) mean a lot more on-ball reps for the Rookie of the Year contender.
Playing him as a point guard at the start of the season steepened his learning curve, but it may have paid off. Flagg looks plenty comfortable engineering possessions now. He's already one of the most dangerous drivers in the league. Over his last three games, he's averaging a whopping 39.7 points and 4.7 assists.
And for the rest of the way, expect Kidd (who recently and aggressively defended his decision to play Flagg at the point) to roll out more lineups with Flagg as a nominal 1.
Denver Nuggets Won't Duck the Luxury Tax
8 of 30
Current Record: 33-18
Last 10 Games: 5-5
Current Conference Standing: 3rd
The Denver Nuggets' new front office made the roster deeper and more cost-effective this past summer.
Before they got hit by injuries, it looked like their series of moves, which included the additions of Cameron Johnson, Jonas Valančiūnas, Tim Hardaway Jr. and Bruce Brown, might lead to a 60-win season.
But even after all that activity, there may be one box left to check.
The Nuggets are less than $1 million over the luxury tax. Being that close could make dipping under the line irresistible for ownership. The incentives for resetting the penalties for being a "repeater" team are huge. And Denver can do it without really hurting their 2026 title chances.
If they can find a deal involving Zeke Nnaji, Julian Strawther, Hunter Tyson or Jalen Pickett that sends out around $400,000 more than it brings back, the Nuggets will be under the line.
Having said that, one of the most concerning injuries is the nagging hamstring strain that has Aaron Gordon out for several weeks beyond the deadline. Nnaji seemed like the most obvious candidate for a tax-ducking move, but his minutes suddenly feel far more crucial.
Surely, ownership would like to avoid being a repeater team, but preserving a title shot in Nikola Jokić's prime is more important.
Detroit Pistons Will Add an Offensive Star
9 of 30
Current Record: 37-12
Last 10 Games: 8-2
Current Conference Standing: 1st
The Detroit Pistons are first in the East, but it might still be hard to pick them over more experienced teams like the New York Knicks or Boston Celtics (assuming Jayson Tatum is back by then) in a playoff series.
The typical aging curve demands a few more speed bumps before the real breakout for title contention. The Oklahoma City Thunder crushed that trend last season, but that feels like more of an exception than a new rule.
Still, Detroit is close. Tuesday's trade, which cost it Jaden Ivey but brought back Kevin Huerter (and his three-point shooting) shows the Pistons know that. And with one more big-time scorer in the lineup to take a little pressure off Cade Cunningham, Detroit could skip some steps like OKC did.
With plenty of movable salaries and draft picks, they could realistically chase options like Trey Murphy or Michael Porter Jr. to be that scorer.
Before February, they'll pull off just that kind of move.
Golden State Warriors Won't Make the Playoffs
10 of 30
Current Record: 27-24
Last 10 Games: 5-5
Current Conference Standing: 8th
After tantalizing fans with a rumored pursuit of Giannis Antetokounmpo, the Golden State Warriors emerged from deadline week with a genuinely sad trade that sent Jonathan Kuminga and Buddy Hield to the Atlanta Hawks for Kristaps Porziņģis, who can barely get on the floor for the last few years.
Porziņģis, who has just 17 appearances this season, is undoubtedly going to miss more games down the stretch. And a Warriors team without two of its three biggest salaries (KP and Jimmy Butler), even with Stephen Curry still playing at an All-NBA level, is barely going to cling to a play-in spot.
And while the teams behind them in the standings may suggest that Golden State will get into the playoffs by default, there's at least one capable of keeping it out.
The Portland Trail Blazers will treat play-in games with a fervor that the aging, broken down Warriors won't be able to match.
Houston Rockets Will Add a Veteran Guard
11 of 30
Current Record: 31-17
Last 10 Games: 8-2
Current Conference Standing: 4th
Reed Sheppard and Amen Thompson have done a solid job of filling the role and minutes vacated by Fred VanVleet's offseason ACL injury, but the Houston Rockets could still use a steady hand to bolster the backcourt.
It doesn't need to be a huge move. It might not even need to be a player who'd definitely take minutes from Sheppard or Thompson.
But those two are about to face the crucible of a deep playoff run, and that can be overwhelming for young guards. A team with 37-year-old Kevin Durant probably can't afford to have that happen, so it'll make a move on the fringes to add a little insurance.
Indiana Pacers Will Unload Bennedict Mathurin
12 of 30
Current Record: 13-38
Last 10 Games: 4-6
Current Conference Standing: 15th
The Indiana Pacers should be in pretty good shape no matter what they do.
With or without Bennedict Mathurin, the Pacers will keep losing this season. And every loss will solidify their chances for the top pick in the 2026 draft. Adding that to Tyrese Haliburton will give Indiana one of the most interesting cores in the East, regardless of how challenging Mathurin's free agency is.
But if recent rumors are to be believed (one of which has Indiana discussing a Mathurin-for-Yves Missi swap), the Pacers may want to avoid that anyway.
It wouldn't be surprising to see some young team with cap space throw an offer sheet worth $20-plus million per year to Mathurin. And though Indiana wouldn't be forced to match it, letting him go for nothing wouldn't be ideal either.
Instead, the Pacers will turn his potential departure into a contract or second-round pick that will be with the team beyond this summer.
Los Angeles Clippers Will Trade Ivica Zubac (and Maybe Even Kawhi Leonard)
13 of 30
Current Record: 23-26
Last 10 Games: 7-3
Current Conference Standing: 9th
When you don't have control of your own first-round pick (in 2026, the Los Angeles Clippers' first goes to the Oklahoma City Thunder), tanking doesn't make much sense.
But it's always nice to get some future assets. And this week's trade of James Harden, as well as subsequent rumors that L.A. might be willing to move Ivica Zubac, suggest the Clippers might be pivoting to a midseason tank.
Zubac certainly doesn't make as much sense on the team without Harden to set him up. And if he's gone, even Kawhi Leonard doesn't make a ton of sense on a roster filled with players who probably make the most sense coming off a bench.
Given the way Leonard has played this season, some contender (maybe one that came up short in the Giannis pursuit) might give up a ton to get him for a 2019 Toronto Raptors-like run.
Los Angeles Lakers Will Add a Defender
14 of 30
Current Record: 30-19
Last 10 Games: 6-4
Current Conference Standing: 5th
The Los Angeles Lakers have been a borderline disaster on defense this season, and they edge closer to that line when all three of Luka Dončić, Austin Reaves and LeBron James are on the floor.
The most obvious way to address the problem might be a Reaves blockbuster that brings back an All-Defense-caliber wing or guard, but that feels too drastic and shortsighted.
As tough as it may be to defend with both on the floor, the Reaves-Luka combo could be one of the league's most dynamic one-two offensive punches for years to come. An outside shot at a title now isn't worth compromising several shots down the line.
Still, it feels like the Lakers need to do something to slow down opponents, even if it's a deal for a less heralded defensive stopper.
Now, plenty of Lakers fans probably think they should preserve any and all assets for a Giannis pursuit this summer, but Golden State landing him will signal that he's off the market and entice L.A. to make a win-now move.
Memphis Grizzlies Will Trade Ja Morant
15 of 30
Current Record: 19-29
Last 10 Games: 3-7
Current Conference Standing: 11th
If it wasn't already clear that the Memphis Grizzlies are headed toward a rebuild, Tuesday's trade of Jaren Jackson Jr. to the Utah Jazz made it so.
Now, thanks to this deal and last summer's Desmond Bane trade, Memphis has 13 first-round picks in the next seven years. And a Ja Morant trade almost feels like a foregone conclusion.
It's hard to imagine Morant's trade value being any lower than it is right now, but surely, at least one opposing front office was locked in on his 40-point explosion in December or his 24-point, 13-assist performance on Sunday and is talking itself into the upside.
Yes, Ja seems almost constantly injured. Suspensions have also kept him off the floor in the past. And this season, he's shooting just 40.7 percent from the field and 23.5 percent from deep.
But maybe he just needs a change of scenery. And maybe the player who dropped 40 on the Philadelphia 76ers would make more frequent appearances in a different system and for a different coach.
Those are the internal debates some general manager or front office is having right now. And at least one will settle on the side that pushes him to make an offer for Morant.
If it's for anything approaching reasonable value, Memphis should take the opportunity to start fresh and build around Zach Edey and Cedric Coward (even if the offer doesn't include the first-round pick the Grizzlies are reportedly after), even if Morant is suddenly reaffirming a commitment to the organization.
In London, Morant touted his loyalty and the Memphis logo tattooed on his back, but that doesn't change the fact that he and the team both need a shakeup.
Miami Heat Will Keep Their Assets for the Giannis Antetokounmpo Sweepstakes
16 of 30
Current Record: 27-25
Last 10 Games: 5-5
Current Conference Standing: 7th
After ESPN's Shams Charania reported that the Milwaukee Bucks would keep Giannis Antetokounmpo through the deadline, several teams pivoted to smaller deals, which is all we're likely to see from the Miami Heat.
They, like several other teams that may have been in the mix for Giannis this week, will hang onto most or all of their picks and young players to chase the superstar again this summer.
Given Giannis' current injury, the Bucks aren't likely to make the playoffs this year, and all this noise is going to ratchet up again in a few months.
Milwaukee Bucks Will Miss the Playoffs, Even with Giannis on the Roster
17 of 30
Current Record: 19-29
Last 10 Games: 2-8
Current Conference Standing: 12th
The biggest news of deadline day may well have been on the trade that didn't happen.
Yes, despite all indications that the Milwaukee Bucks are headed to the lottery and even after years of shortsighted moves have left them totally hamstrung on the team-building front, it looks like Giannis will remain with the team through the deadline.
And ultimately, this could prove to be a prudent decision. Several teams, including the Lakers and Warriors, should be able to put together better, more pick-rich packages for Antetokounmpo in the offseason.
But even with Giannis sticking around for now, Milwaukee isn't likely to make the playoffs, even in the dreadful East. The only trade the Bucks made today was a swap of Cole Anthony and Amir Coffey for Nick Richards and Nigel Hayes-Davis, and that certainly isn't going to make wins any more likely for the rest of Giannis' injury-induced absence.
Milwaukee is in 12th place right now. One of the teams in front of it (the Charlotte Hornets) is on fire. The Atlanta Hawks and Chicago Bulls both did more to improve this week than the Bucks did.
Even if Giannis is staying put for now, missing the postseason isn't likely to make him feel better about his situation this summer.
Minnesota Timberwolves Will Finish Top Four in the West
18 of 30
Current Record: 31-20
Last 10 Games: 4-6
Current Conference Standing: 5th
The Minnesota Timberwolves were among the teams that tried (and failed) to get Giannis Antetokounmpo ahead of the deadline, but they still came away with a solid, win-now move.
Ayo Dosunmu is far more likely to give them winning minutes than Rob Dillingham was.
And without the specter of a possible Giannis deal hanging over the roster, the rest of the team will lock in for a stretch run that will push them into the top four in the West.
New Orleans Pelicans Will Keep Zion Williamson
19 of 30
Current Record: 13-39
Last 10 Games: 4-6
Current Conference Standing: 14th
Giannis Antetokounmpo and Ja Morant both getting traded would already make this an absolutely bonkers deadline. At a certain point, we have to start reconnecting with reality, so we'll get a little more conservative with the New Orleans Pelicans.
Yes, Zion Williamson has long been the subject of trade rumors. And yes, there's a pretty reasonable argument for the Pelicans to unload him anywhere and start over.
But Zion is the kind of injury risk that plenty of front offices would be terrified of. And, like the Clippers, New Orleans already trading an unprotected 2026 first-round pick means it has absolutely no incentive to tank.
Trading Zion, presumably getting worse in the short term and handing over the No. 1 pick to the Atlanta Hawks would be an optics disaster. And the Pelicans will keep Williamson beyond the trade deadline in hopes that he can help prevent that.
New York Knicks Won't Land a Star
20 of 30
Current Record: 32-18
Last 10 Games: 7-3
Current Conference Standing: 2nd
The New York Knicks are generally a fixture of the rumor mill. That comes with being the more established organization in the biggest media market in the NBA.
Speculation about Giannis Antetokounmpo wanting to wind up there contributed to the buzz this year. And now that New York has lost nine of their last 13, names like Karl-Anthony Towns and Mikal Bridges are starting to show up in the news, too.
But again, the Knicks have already made two massive moves, both of which cost significant trade capital, and they just don't have much left to move. The individual value on KAT and Bridges can't be too high right now, either.
So, even after this slump, and despite reports that the Portland Trail Blazers might be willing to step in as a third team to take on Bridges and help fulfill Giannis' long-rumored desire to play for the Knicks, New York won't do anything dramatic at the deadline.
Expect something far less headline-grabbing, like a Guerschon Yabusele salary dump.
Oklahoma City Thunder Will Turn Jared McCain Into a Borderline Star
21 of 30
Current Record: 40-11
Last 10 Games: 6-4
Current Conference Standing: 1st
A previous version of this slideshow predicted that the Oklahoma City Thunder would be opportunistic, and sheesh, they certainly were.
OKC's stash of draft assets is massive. There's no way they'll ever be able to make all the picks and put everyone in Thunder jerseys. There are only 15 regular roster spots on an NBA team.
So turning one 2026 first-rounder (which originally belonged to the Houston Rockets) and three seconds into Jared McCain looks like an absolute steal.
He's averaging 6.6 points and shooting 38.5 percent from the field this season, but he put up 15.3 points and finished top 10 in Rookie of the Year voting in a 2024-25 campaign abbreviated by an injury.
With OKC's track record for talent identification and development, expect McCain to quickly look more like the rookie version of himself and maybe even be a part of the playoff rotation.
Orlando Magic Will Entertain Paolo Banchero Trades
22 of 30
Current Record: 25-24
Last 10 Games: 4-6
Current Conference Standing: 8th
It won't ultimately happen, because the "poison pill provision" on Paolo Banchero's contract makes an in-season trade borderline impossible, but the Orlando Magic will quietly gauge his market around the league.
Keen observers of the league have expressed some concerns about his high-volume, low-efficiency game for a while, and this season has made it abundantly clear that Franz Wagner is the team's best player (at least for now).
The two forwards have never really jelled, and the team is about to get mighty expensive next season (though it did duck the luxury tax by dumping Tyus Jones this week).
If the Magic hover around .500 for the rest of the season and flame out in the playoffs, expect Banchero trade rumors to heat up this summer.
Philadelphia 76ers Will Be Buyers
23 of 30
Current Record: 29-21
Last 10 Games: 7-3
Current Conference Standing: 6th
This is another team you could reasonably argue should be looking to duck the tax. Right now, the Philadelphia 76ers are around $7 million over that line, and their two highest-paid players (Joel Embiid and Paul George) are about as far from a safe bet in terms of health as anybody in the league.
But the organization seems to have found the right balance with both (particularly Embiid) on a couple fronts.
First, and perhaps most importantly, the Sixers are able to get their veterans plenty of rest nights. They're giving them nice, conservative runways to return from nagging injuries, too. The superstar emergence of Tyrese Maxey and VJ Edgecombe's better-than-expected rookie season help with that.
But Philadelphia has also seemingly sold Embiid and George on this being Maxey's team. Even when both are in the lineup, they're appropriately deferential to the young guard. And that might be preserving them a bit too.
With Maxey doing the heavy lifting and the vets playing a bit more consistently of late, the Sixers might even be a fringe contender. And at this point in Embiid's career, you can't squander opportunities like this.
So instead of shedding salary, Philly might be able to do something pretty splashy by combining the salaries of Kelly Oubre and/or Quentin Grimes with the first-round pick it landed in the Jared McCain trade.
Somehow, the 76ers are going to get a little better before the trade deadline.
Phoenix Suns Will Finally Embrace a Slow Build
24 of 30
Current Record: 31-20
Last 10 Games: 7-3
Current Conference Standing: 6th
The Phoenix Suns spent plenty of time star-chasing over the first few years of Mat Ishbia's term as the team's governor.
And the aggressive, costly, win-now moves that brought big names like Kevin Durant and Bradley Beal to Phoenix did little more than embarrass the team.
This season, the front office stripped the roster of star power (outside of Devin Booker, of course) and rebuilt with gritty role players who don't seem remotely concerned with who gets credit for this turnaround.
Instead of responding to this surprise season by saying, "Oh, we're closer than we thought! Let's get Devin some more expensive help," Phoenix should (and will) just let previously unsung heroes like Collin Gillespie (13.4 points and 4.9 assists in 18.0 minutes, while shooting 41.7 percent from deep), Dillon Brooks (21.3 points) and Jordan Ott (an obvious Coach of the Year candidate) keep driving this train toward an unexpected playoff appearance.
Portland Trail Blazers Will Trade Jerami Grant
25 of 30
Current Record: 23-28
Last 10 Games: 4-6
Current Conference Standing: 10th
The Portland Trail Blazers are in a situation similar to a handful of other teams in that they need to stay a certain level of bad to keep their 2026 pick.
For Portland, if the pick winds up outside the lottery, it goes to the Chicago Bulls. And based on current records and simulations of the remainder of the season, there's around a 35 percent chance that's exactly what happens.
Now, it wouldn't be the end of the world for the Blazers. They already have a franchise cornerstone-level talent on the right side of his prime in Deni Avdija. There's plenty of young talent around him too.
But this version of the team isn't going to compete for titles in the next couple years. And adding another top 5-10 pick to the core should be enticing enough to unload Jerami Grant in a deal that makes Portland worse in the short term.
Sacramento Kings Will Try to Blow It Up but Will Only Move Domantas Sabonis
26 of 30
Current Record: 12-39
Last 10 Games: 1-9
Current Conference Standing: 15th
It was more than fair to expect the Sacramento Kings to be bad this season.
Why the front office thought the DeMar DeRozan-Zach LaVine pairing would work better in the more difficult conference than it did on the Chicago Bulls is anyone's guess. How it traded both Tyrese Haliburton and De'Aaron Fox to emerge with De'Andre Hunter (who they just landed in exchange for Dennis Schröder, Keon Ellis and Dario Šarić) is a mystery.
But even the most pessimistic observers of this team probably didn't expect it to arguably be the worst in the NBA. Getting to that point less than three years after making the playoffs and looking like one of the league's more exciting young teams is pretty shocking.
And since there's no easy fix that will suddenly have the Kings pushing for a play-in spot this year, they need to do whatever they can to move every veteran (LaVine, DeRozan and Domantas Sabonis, for starters), lean into the losing and hope for lottery luck over the next few years.
Even if the Hunter deal might look like a win-now move, the front office has to know the only reasonable path forward is a full-fledged rebuild.
Of course, that doesn't mean they can actually do it. If you scan the list of the league's 30 teams, it's hard to find a single one that should be lining up for DeRozan or LaVine. Even Sabonis brings some team-building challenges with him, but we're not far removed from him being a triple-double machine. And he's still in his 20s.
Some team will take a chance on Sabonis, but DeRozan and LaVine will remain a part of the ongoing tank job.
San Antonio Spurs Will Land One of the Second-Tier Stars
27 of 30
Current Record: 33-16
Last 10 Games: 6-4
Current Conference Standing: 2nd
Months ago, there was some buzz about the San Antonio Spurs pairing Victor Wembanyama with Giannis Antetokounmpo.
They'd be able to put together one of the most attractive potential Giannis trade packages, and the defensive upside of a Giannis-Wemby duo would be off the charts.
San Antonio could also probably blow some of the other offers for someone like Trey Murphy away, without even necessarily including Dylan Harper or Stephon Castle.
But as the season has developed, it's become clear that perhaps the most exciting aspect of this Spurs roster is how the young, hyper-athletic guard corps works with Wembanyama.
The closer we get to the deadline, the harder it is to imagine San Antonio parting with either of Harper or Castle (or even De'Aaron Fox). And the easier it is to imagine the Spurs taking some portion of a Giannis or Markkanen offer and still landing a potential difference-maker like Murphy.
Toronto Raptors Will Add a Three-Point Shooter
28 of 30
Current Record: 30-21
Last 10 Games: 6-4
Current Conference Standing: 4th
Even when the Toronto Raptors have had all three of Scottie Barnes, Brandon Ingram and RJ Barrett on the floor this season, they're barely outscoring opponents and have looked around average offensively.
And for the entire season, they're in the bottom half of the league in both threes per game and three-point percentage.
Flanking that trio with a high-end, consistent floor spacer (something Gradey Dick just hasn't developed into) should be the priority. And if the Milwaukee Bucks do indeed tip off a rebuild, perhaps A.J. Green might be available.
Utah Jazz Have Made Their Move
29 of 30
Current Record: 16-35
Last 10 Games: 2-8
Current Conference Standing: 13th
The Utah Jazz felt like an obvious candidate to be a seller at the deadline, with Lauri Markkanen potentially being one of the best offensive players on the market.
But in trading for JJJ (and sending out three first-round picks to do it), Utah has pretty clearly signaled that it intends to be competitive as soon as possible.
A core with Markkanen, Jackson, Walker Kessler and Keyonte George certainly can be, too.
The Jazz still have some other assets they could include in smaller deals before Thursday, but it feels like they've already taken (and connected on) their big swing.
Washington Wizards Will Sit Trae Young and Anthony Davis for Most of the Second Half
30 of 30
Current Record: 13-36
Last 10 Games: 3-7
Current Conference Standing: 14th
This seems pretty obvious, but expect the injury timelines for Trae Young and Anthony Davis (both currently out with injuries) to be mighty conservative over the rest of the season.
That duo makes a lot of sense together on paper. And it's going to be fun to watch in action, but Washington needs losses more than it needs time to evaluate its new star combo.
If their 2026 first-round pick turns into someone like AJ Dybantsa, Darryn Peterson or Cameron Boozer, the Wizards could challenge for a top-six finish in the East as early as next season.
.png?w=600 "Play-In Winners and Losers 📊")
.jpg?w=600 "Breaking News")