Best-Case Scenarios for Every NBA Team at the Trade Deadline
Every NBA team should have a Plan A heading into the 2020 trade deadline. In other words, what's the best possible situation for the franchise, no matter how unlikely it may be?
This could mean adding one of the top player on the trade market, kick-starting a deep playoff run. For others, it may be getting great value for a veteran no longer needed on a rebuilding team or shedding a bloated contract without having to give up much in return.
This is every team's (somewhat realistic) best-case scenario heading into the Feb. 6 trade deadline.
Atlanta Hawks: Add Talent That Can Grow with Core
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At 12-35, the Atlanta Hawks have the NBA's second-worst record and are all but eliminated from the postseason, even in a weak Eastern Conference. The best thing they can do is continue to grow their young core while eyeing the trade market for any players who can complement that group.
Second-year point guard Trae Young is an All-Star starter at the age of 21, but the rest of the roster is mostly unproven and lacks many defenders.
In December, The Athletic's and Stadium's Shams Charania reported "one high-ranking team official was seen telling Young that the team would be getting him some help on the roster soon." He added that the team could "look to replenish its lack of veteran presence on the roster prior to the trade deadline."
While the Hawks have since traded for veteran point guard Jeff Teague, the 31-year-old will become a free agent this summer, which means his return to Atlanta could be brief.
The Hawks need a center to pair alongside third-year big man John Collins, and they should see if the Detroit Pistons' asking price for Andre Drummond goes down before the deadline. Steven Adams would be a tremendous cultural and positional fit if the Oklahoma City Thunder are open to moving him, too.
Boston Celtics: Trade for Size to Counter East Bigs
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Boston has arguably the NBA's best collection of guards and wings, led by All-Star starter Kemba Walker. Marcus Smart is the heartbeat of the 31-15 Celtics, and Jayson Tatum, Jaylen Brown and Gordon Hayward are all averaging between 17.0 and 21.5 points per game.
However, those guys can't guard Joel Embiid or any other talented big man Boston may run into in the playoffs.
The Celtics need to add size at the trade deadline given the bigs they may encounter (Embiid, Giannis Antetokounmpo, Pascal Siakam, Al Horford, Domantas Sabonis, Bam Adebayo) and what they currently have to counter with (Enes Kanter, Daniel Theis).
Steven Adams would bring the size and defensive chops Boston desperately needs, although it would take a player like Hayward to match salaries. But if the Celtics can get a center with the skill set and playoff experience of Adams while still getting to keep Walker, Tatum, Brown and Smart, that may be their best chance of going on a lengthy postseason run.
Brooklyn Nets: Don't Sacrifice Any Future Assets to Win Now
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Following a 16-13 start to the season, the Nets have gone only 4-13 since, dropping them to eighth in the East standings. With teams like the Chicago Bulls, Detroit Pistons and Washington Wizards within five games of them, the Nets may feel tempted to make a move or two to lock up a playoff spot.
However, Brooklyn's best trade-deadline strategy should be to do nothing. At least, nothing that would jeopardize next season and beyond.
We knew Kevin Durant would miss all of the 2019-20 season, but Kyrie Irving and Caris LeVert's lengthy injury absences took a toll on the Nets. Trading for a one-year rental may help Brooklyn keep pace in the playoff race, but the big picture is what truly matters with players like Durant and Irving on the roster.
The Nets need to keep all of their draft picks, and they should hang up immediately if anyone calls about Jarrett Allen, Spencer Dinwiddie or LeVert. If that makes for a boring trade deadline in Brooklyn, so be it.
The primary goal should be a championship in 2021. Anything that could interfere shouldn't happen.
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Charlotte Hornets: Get Something for Expiring Contracts
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The Hornets' best trade assets may be their expiring contracts.
Bismack Biyombo ($17 million), Marvin Williams ($15 million) and Michael Kidd-Gilchrist ($13 million) could all be of use to teams looking to clear up salary-cap space this summer. Charlotte should use the opportunity to add extra draft picks, even if it means taking back bloated long-term contracts.
The Cleveland Cavaliers pulled a similar move last year, acquiring a 2019 first-round pick from the Houston Rockets in a three-team trade in which they moved Alec Burks' expiring contract to the Sacramento Kings and took back Brandon Knight from Houston. While the Cavs are paying Knight $15.6 million this year, extra first-round picks are crucial to any team's rebuild.
The Kings are paying Dewayne Dedmon $13.3 million this year and next, but he's getting limited run off their bench. His salary would match up perfectly with that of Kidd-Gilchrist, giving the Kings additional cap space this summer if they're open to sending a draft pick to the Hornets for cap relief. Sacramento may be looking to get off Harrison Barnes' four-year, $85 million contract soon as well.
These are the types of deals Charlotte should be pursuing in another lottery-bound season.
Chicago Bulls: Trade Otto Porter Jr. for Expiring Contract
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Although Lauri Markkanen, Wendell Carter Jr. and Otto Porter Jr. are all injured at the moment, the Chicago Bulls sit only three games out of the East playoffs at 19-31. While they seem committed to Zach LaVine, they're looking to move another big salary before the trade deadline.
"The Bulls would love to trade Porter, whom they acquired in a deal with the Wizards at the deadline last season, but good luck finding a team to take that contract," Joe Cowley of the Chicago Sun Times wrote on Jan. 23.
Porter is owed $27.3 million this season and carries a player option next year at $28.5 million, one he "undoubtedly will exercise," per Cowley. If the Bulls can move him for an expiring contract, they would enter the summer with less than $80 million in committed salary, making them major players in free agency.
When healthy, Porter can help a contender. He's averaged 15.1 points, 4.8 rebounds, 2.3 assists and 1.1 steals while shooting 45.8 percent from three-point range in 24 games with Chicago.
The Portland Trail Blazers, who need wing help and have a massive expiring salary in Hassan Whiteside, would be an ideal trade partner for Chicago.
Cleveland Cavaliers: Find a Happy Ending to Kevin Love Saga
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The relationship between Kevin Love and the Cleveland Cavaliers appears to have run its course, and finding a trade that works for all parties involved is the right thing to do.
For the Cavs, this means sending Love to a contender. Dumping him onto a team with no postseason hopes wouldn't be doing right by a player that has contributed so much to the best era in franchise history.
The Cavs need something in return as well, although it could be as little as a late first-round pick or a young player who can develop into a rotation piece. Getting expiring money back shouldn't be the primary concern, as Tristan Thompson ($18.5 million), Brandon Knight ($15.6 million), John Henson ($9.7 million) and Matthew Dellavedova ($9.6 million) will all come off Cleveland's books this summer.
For Love, it's about leaving Northeast Ohio on good terms, with memories of raising a banner rather than raising his arms in frustration at young teammates. It's about finding a new home (Portland? Phoenix? Boston?) where he can return to the playoffs and build on a borderline Hall of Fame resume.
Cleveland needs to find a Love trade that everyone can be happy with.
Dallas Mavericks: Turn Courtney Lee Contract into Anything
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Before Courtney Lee potentially leaves as a free agent this summer, the Dallas Mavericks should make use of his expiring $12.8 million deal.
They could do so in a few ways.
If the Mavericks want to chase a player such as Andre Iguodala or Robert Covington in a trade, Lee's contract could be the salary-matching base of the deal. If they're comfortable taking on money next year to acquire an extra draft pick, Lee's expiring deal should appeal to a number of teams looking to get off a bad contract.
The Mavericks already owe first-round picks to the New York Knicks in 2021 and 2023 from the Kristaps Porzingis trade. Getting a first back by taking on bad salary for Lee would give them more flexibility to add future talent.
Whatever the Mavs decide to do, they need to use Lee's contract as an asset while they can.
Denver Nuggets: Trade for Robert Covington
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A left knee bruise continues to sideline Paul Millsap, leaving the Denver Nuggets with a defensive hole at power forward.
Robert Covington would be an excellent replacement.
Kyle Fredrickson of the Denver Post listed Covington as a trade target for the Nuggets, citing injuries to Millsap, Michael Porter Jr. and Mason Plumlee as reasons Denver may need frontcourt reinforcements. That's only part of his appeal, however.
Covington could fill in as the starting power forward while Millsap is out, but he can play on the wing as well. The 29-year-old is averaging 12.8 points, 6.0 rebounds and 1.6 steals while shooting 34.8 percent from deep. He's also under contract through 2021-22 and is owed only $25 million over the next two seasons.
Denver already traded its 2020 first-round pick to the Oklahoma City Thunder, so it should instead offer young players such as Malik Beasley, Monte Morris or even Gary Harris to Minnesota.
One additional plus of a Covington trade? The Nuggets would keep him away from the Houston Rockets, Los Angeles Clippers, Dallas Mavericks or any other Western Conference title hopeful.
Detroit Pistons: Get 1st-Round Picks for Drummond, Rose
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The Detroit Pistons' Blake Griffin-Andre Drummond experiment should officially be over. They should now turn their attention to maximizing the trade value of their current veterans.
Given his contract and injury history, it would be nearly impossible to get any value back for Griffin. However, the same isn't necessarily true for Drummond and Rose.
Shams Charania of The Athletic and Stadium reported the Atlanta Hawks, New York Knicks and Boston Celtics have all inquired about Drummond, but "the Pistons' asking price of a first-round draft pick or a quality young player has not yielded a quality offer yet."
As teams get closer to the trade deadline, the Pistons have to hope desperation will drive up the offers for Drummond, who's about to claim his fourth rebounding title in the past five years. Rose (18.8 points, 6.0 assists, 2.5 rebounds, 49.5 percent shooting overall) should also fetch a first-rounder, especially with his team-friendly $7.7 million salary for next season.
If the Pistons can come away from the deadline with two extra first-round picks, they will have salvaged an otherwise lost season.
Golden State Warriors: Use Alec Burks' Salary as Leverage in Trade Talks
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Players who produce as much as Alec Burks is with the Golden State Warriors this season typically don't make only $2.3 million. The 28-year-old wing is averaging 15.8 points, 4.8 rebounds, 3.2 assists and 1.0 steals while shooting 36.0 percent from three.
While matching salary is typically one of the toughest parts of orchestrating a trade, any team could gather up $2-3 million in contracts to send back for Burks. Most have a trade exception that could cover it as well.
That makes Burks especially valuable for a contender, which should drive the price up for Golden State.
Teams like the Philadelphia 76ers, Portland Trail Blazers and Orlando Magic all need wing help and wouldn't have to give up any key rotation players for Burks given his salary. Golden State should try to leverage bids against each other and hope some team will give up a first-round pick either in 2020 or a future year.
With Burks ranking 34th among all guards in scoring but only 129th in salary, the Warriors are all but certain to move him to a contender before the deadline.
Houston Rockets: Trade for Davis Bertans
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It's tough to find a quality trade target for the Houston Rockets without including James Harden, Russell Westbrook, Clint Capela or PJ Tucker. The Rockets have so much money tied up in those four players that they may need to find someone making less than $10 million for salary-matching purposes.
According to Shams Charania of The Athletic and Stadium, the Rockets "have prioritized a potential wing player acquisition before the Feb. 6 trade deadline, and are continuing to make future draft picks available for an upgrade." General manager Daryl Morey has proved time and again that he isn't afraid to take risks, either.
One ideal target? Washington Wizards power forward Davis Bertans, who ranks fifth in the NBA in made three-pointers per game (3.6) while connecting at a 42.7 percent clip.
He'd be an ideal floor-spacer for the Rockets, as he's making 43.6 percent of his threes off a Bradley Beal pass this season. Imagine what he could do playing alongside Harden and Westbrook.
The Rockets could offer their 2020 first-round pick while putting together enough salary to match Bertans' $7 million contract this season.
Indiana Pacers: Swap Myles Turner for Better-Fitting Star
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Myles Turner's production is down across the board in his fifth NBA season, and the Indiana Pacers have been slightly better (1.7 points per 100 possessions) with him on the bench. Domantas Sabonis has had the opposite effect, improving Indiana by 6.6 points over the same amount of time while enjoying a career year with 18.0 points, 12.8 rebounds and 4.6 assists.
The Pacers can choose to keep both natural centers and hope for the best, but they should at least explore what Turner's value is around the league.
According to Dan Woike of the Los Angeles Times, Turner has rival scouts and executives intrigued.
"Turner is one of the NBA's best shot-blockers and has fit better with Domantas Sabonis this season than in the past," Woike wrote. "Still, as Sabonis has blossomed, Turner could be viewed as an attractive asset to help the Pacers in other areas."
Indiana's backcourt is set with Victor Oladipo and Malcolm Brogdon, and Sabonis can start at either power forward or center. The Pacers could try to swap Turner for an All-Star big like LaMarcus Aldridge or Kevin Love, or they could see if the center-needy Celtics would consider sending Jaylen Brown for Turner and an additional asset.
The Pacers don't have to do anything drastic at the deadline, but it's hard to see them advancing deep into the playoffs if they don't.
Los Angeles Clippers: Trade for Chris Paul
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The Los Angeles Clippers are talented enough to win a title without any major shake-ups, but it's hard to ignore how good Chris Paul would look running this offense.
Paul is averaging 17.2 points, 5.0 rebounds, 6.4 assists and 1.6 steals with the Oklahoma City Thunder while posting a true shooting mark of 60.6 percent, the second-highest of his 15-year career. He's still playing at an All-Star level at 34 years old, and he would be the perfect third star on a Clippers team that has struggled with ball movement. Paul last played for the Clippers in 2016-17.
The Clippers could send back Patrick Beverley, Maurice Harkless, Rodney McGruder and Ivica Zubac to match Paul's $38.5 million salary, keeping Kawhi Leonard, Paul George, Lou Williams and Montrezl Harrell in place. They could try to get a first-round pick back as well, given the amount of talent OKC would be receiving.
The real problem comes over the next two years. Paul is owed $41.4 million in 2020-21 and holds a $44.2 million player option the year, which he told Rohan Nadkarni of Sports Illustrated that he wouldn't turn down even if it facilitated his move to a contender.
While this amount of money would cripple some franchises, the Clippers don't project to have cap space for years anyway, especially if they give Harrell a new deal this summer and Leonard and George both opt in to their contracts for the 2021-22 season.
This kind of talent accumulation would make for a tremendous luxury-tax bill, but with Steve Ballmer as the owner, that shouldn't be an issue.
Los Angeles Lakers: Trade for Derrick Rose While Keeping Kyle Kuzma
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The Lakers need some additional playmaking when LeBron James goes to the bench, and Derrick Rose is posting the highest assist percentage (41.7 percent) of his career.
Chris Haynes of Yahoo Sports reported the Lakers are one of the teams that have expressed interest in trading for Rose. The 31-year-old is averaging 18.8 points, 6.0 assists and 2.5 assists while shooting 49.5 percent as the Pistons' sixth man.
Having already burned up most of their trade assets in the Anthony Davis deal, the Lakers' best piece now is 24-year-old power forward Kyle Kuzma. While the Pistons may have interest in the Michigan native, the Lakers should try to get a deal done using their other assets.
Alex Caruso and Talen Horton-Tucker are the best young trade chips the Lakers have outside of Kuzma, and they could offer second-round picks in 2023 and 2024 as well.
With no first-round picks left to trade, getting Rose without including Kuzma would be the Lakers' clear best-case scenario.
Memphis Grizzlies: Get a 1st-Round Pick for Andre Iguodala
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The Memphis Grizzlies already got one first-round pick from the Golden State Warriors this offseason for taking on Andre Iguodala's salary. They could turn that haul into two first-rounders by finding the right deal ahead of the deadline.
Although Iguodala just turned 36 and won't offer much as a scorer, he could help any contender in need of wing defense and championship experience. That includes the Dallas Mavericks, Los Angeles Clippers, Indiana Pacers or any other team that can match Iguodala's $17.2 million salary in a trade.
While the Los Angeles Lakers or Houston Rockets were hoping for a buyout, according to Marc Stein of the New York Times, the Grizzlies appear hell-bent on getting something back for him.
"We're not buying him out," an executive with the Grizzlies told Bleacher Report's Eric Pincus recently. "We will trade him, period."
The Grizzlies should be open to any offer containing a first-round pick. Getting an expiring contract in return for Iguodala would be ideal, but Memphis should be willing to take on salary at this point in its rebuild if it comes with a first-rounder attached.
Miami Heat: Trade for LaMarcus Aldridge
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Miami is already a great team, albeit one that lacks the experience it might need to reach the Finals this season. Adding a seven-time All-Star and 72-game playoff veteran in Aldridge would change that.
Barry Jackson of the Miami Herald reported: "A source in contact with the Spurs said San Antonio hasn't decided what to do regarding LaMarcus Aldridge and DeMar DeRozan but that it views the Heat as a potential trade partner if it decides to make a move with either one."
A frontcourt of Aldridge and Bam Adebayo would be one of the best in the NBA, assuming the Spurs are willing to let the 34-year-old big man go.
He would make Miami much more formidable against other teams with talented post duos (Philadelphia 76ers, Milwaukee Bucks, Indiana Pacers, Toronto Raptors), especially given the way he has expanded his game.
One of the best mid-range and post-up bigs of the past decade, Aldridge is now shooting a career-high 42.9 percent from three on 2.8 attempts per game. He's also giving San Antonio 19.1 points, 7.5 rebounds, 2.3 assists and 1.7 blocks per night.
If Miami is serious about upsetting the Bucks in the East playoffs, Aldridge would certainly help.
Milwaukee Bucks: Trade for Bogdan Bogdanovic
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At 41-6, Milwaukee has easily been the NBA's best team this season, even with 33-year-old Wesley Matthews serving as the starting shooting guard.
Imagine how good the Bucks would be with Bogdanovic.
At 6'6", Bogdanovic can play either wing position and recently moved into the Sacramento Kings' starting lineup. He was one of the NBA's best sixth men before that, and he's now averaging 14.3 points, 3.0 rebounds, 3.4 assists and 1.0 steals while shooting 38.1 percent on catch-and-shoot threes.
Milwaukee has plenty of productive veterans who should be off-limits, but they do own the Indiana Pacers' first-round pick this season as well as young players like Donte DiVincenzo and D.J. Wilson.
Should the Kings decide they don't want to pay Bogdanovic as a restricted free agent this summer, the Bucks should pursue the 27-year-old using any combination of the Pacers' pick and their own young talent.
Now isn't the time for Milwaukee to develop its young core. Getting Bogdanovic as the new starting shooting guard would make (keep?) the Bucks title favorites.
Minnesota Timberwolves: Pair D'Angelo Russell with Karl-Anthony Towns
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The dream to unite D'Angelo Russell and Karl-Anthony Towns, which initially failed last summer, could finally come to fruition. As Jon Krawczynski of The Athletic wrote:
"New team president Gersson Rosas and the rest of his front office have been actively pursuing deals on a number of fronts to try to remake the roster to better fit their vision for the team moving forward, league sources told The Athletic. That includes intensifying their pursuit of Golden State Warriors guard D'Angelo Russell. Discussions have yielded no traction to this point, league sources said. So far, Golden State has been inclined to keep Russell unless it is blown away by an offer."
With the Warriors stumbling through this season at 10-38, they should instead be focusing on how best to prepare the team for 2020-21.
If Golden State wanted Andrew Wiggins (22.9 points, 5.2 rebounds, 3.7 assists, 44.8 field-goal percentage) as its new small forward, the Wolves would almost certainly swap him straight up for Russell, likely even throwing in draft picks if necessary. And if he doesn't appeal to the Warriors front office, a package based around Robert Covington, Jarrett Culver and multiple first-round picks should.
After all, it only seems like a matter of when, not if, the Warriors trade Russell, assuming both Stephen Curry and Klay Thompson return to full strength this fall.
New Orleans Pelicans: Ignore Trade Offers for Jrue Holiday
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When the Pelicans began the season 6-22, it was natural to wonder if veterans like Jrue Holiday, JJ Redick and Derrick Favors would all become available.
As the team has grown healthier and witnessed the debut of rookie phenom Zion Williamson, New Orleans has gone 13-7 since its dismal start. The recent surge has it just five games out of the West playoffs.
But while making the postseason would be a big step in the development of the young core, it's not the most important part of 2019-20. New Orleans needs veterans like Holiday, not just for his production (20.0 points, 4.8 rebounds, 6.4 assists, 1.7 steals) but also to set the culture for Williamson, Brandon Ingram, Lonzo Ball, Jaxson Hayes and others.
With so many of the young players in their rookie seasons or coming off an unstable Los Angeles Lakers team, it's crucial for the Pelicans to keep their vets around to serve as examples, regardless of whether they make the playoffs.
Even if franchises like the Miami Heat, Denver Nuggets or Los Angeles Clippers come calling for Hoilday with attractive trade packages, the Pelicans should politely decline.
New York Knicks: Get a 1st-Round Pick for Marcus Morris
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With the Knicks enduring another brutal season at 13-36, Marcus Morris would be best suited joining a contender at the deadline.
New York has done its best to drive up the 30-year-old's value, even claiming it wants to keep the impending free agent. As Marc Berman of the New York Post wrote:
"According to an NBA source, some members of the front office are leaning toward holding onto Morris at the deadline — unless they get back a star-type player in a large package.
"The source said a minor Morris deal that would net a late-first-round pick and force them to take on a non-expiring contract is not an attractive option at this juncture. The Knicks prefer not to diminish their 2020 or 2021 cap space in any deal."
It seems comical that the Knicks are so focused on cap space coming off a year in which they failed to sign any of the top talents on the market, especially with few stars becoming free agents this summer.
Morris' 19.3 points and 5.5 rebounds per game on 44.3 percent shooting from three, as well as his defensive presence, are enough to warrant a first-round pick even without taking back a bad contract. That's the best-case scenario for the Knicks, who should contact the Los Angeles Clippers for a deal based around Maurice Harkless' expiring deal and a 2020 first-round pick.
Oklahoma City Thunder: Trade Paul, Gallinari and Schroder
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A funny thing happened along the way in the Thunder's rebuild this season: They became a really good team.
At 28-20, OKC looks like a playoff lock even in the Western Conference, led by a mix of veterans and young talent.
Despite the incredible level that Chris Paul, Danilo Gallinari and Dennis Schroder have played at this season, the Thunder should still be seeking new homes for all of them.
Plenty of teams should be interested in Gallinari, a 6'10" floor-spacer who's on an expiring $22.6 million deal. Schroder is averaging 18.9 points, 3.9 rebounds, 4.0 assists and shooting 38.2 percent from three as the team's sixth man, and is making $15.5 million both this year and next.
Paul will be the most difficult to trade given his contract, but a team like the Los Angeles Clippers would greatly benefit from his passing and leadership and shouldn't worry about paying the luxury tax with Steve Ballmer as an owner.
As tempting as it may be for OKC to keep its core together and make a playoff run, this is still a team that needs to prioritize young talent and continue to load up on draft picks if it can.
Orlando Magic: Use Aaron Gordon as Trade Bait for All-Star Wing
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Orlando continues to be a frustrating heap of mismatched talent that's good enough to make the Eastern Conference playoffs but far from actually competing for a championship.
This is still a roster with far too many big men and not enough quality wings or guards, something a trade would help take care of.
While Jonathan Isaac is probably off-limits in trade talks, Aaron Gordon should interest plenty of teams as an athletic power forward on a good contract.
A player like Gordon Hayward would do wonders for Orlando, giving the team a 6'7" small forward who can shoot, create for others and rebound. Boston needs bigs, and swapping Gordon and Al-Farouq Aminu for Hayward would make the money work as well.
Such a trade would help balance out the Magic roster, giving them a formidable starting five of Markelle Fultz, Evan Fournier, Hayward, Isaac (when healthy) and Nikola Vucevic.
Philadelphia 76ers: Add Bench/Wing Depth
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Philly shouldn't make any monumental changes at the trade deadline but rather add on to what it already has.
Ben Simmons and Joel Embiid remain two of the most talented players in the NBA, and Al Horford, Tobias Harris and Josh Richardson can win a playoff game by themselves. What this team lacks is depth in the backcourt and some additional shooters sprinkled into the rotation. Philadelphia is just 22nd in three-pointers made this season and 17th in accuracy (35.3 percent).
Matching salaries will be tough, especially if the Sixers want to hold onto their starting five.
Alec Burks of the Golden State Warriors and his $2.3 million salary would be a perfect fit, as would Shabazz Napier of the Minnesota Timberwolves ($1.8 million) or Derrick Rose of the Detroit Pistons ($7.3 million).
Philly should make at least one playoff run with this core and should pursue pieces that can complement what it already has.
Phoenix Suns: Trade for Kevin Love Without Using Draft Pick
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Phoenix remains the best destination for Love: an up-and-coming roster still in the playoff hunt that could use some additional star power.
Mix in Ricky Rubio (who was Love's point guard with the Minnesota Timberwolves), a need at power forward and former teammate James Jones as general manager, and it's Phoenix instead of Portland that makes the most sense as a Love landing spot.
Putting Love at power forward to round out a starting lineup with Devin Booker, Deandre Ayton, Kelly Oubre Jr. and Rubio would lead to a strong push for the eighth seed and set the team up for sustained success. In 41 games this season, Love is averaging 17.4 points, 9.9 rebounds and 2.8 assists while shooting 37.5 percent from three.
Given Love's contract (four years, $120.4 million), Jones wouldn't need to sell the farm, either.
Tyler Johnson's expiring $19.2 million salary would need to be included. From there, Phoenix could offer a combination of role players from the likes of Mikal Bridges, Dario Saric and Frank Kaminsky.
Phoenix should push to hold onto its draft picks, instead pitching the Cavs on Bridges and Saric as rotation pieces and the long-term salary relief trading Love would provide.
Portland Trail Blazers: Pass on Kevin Love, Trade for Danilo Gallinari
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If the Blazers are uncomfortable making significant long-term financial commitments to Damian Lillard, CJ McCollum and Kevin Love, they could always opt for a cheaper, less-skilled version of Love in Danilo Gallinari.
As Kevin O'Connor of The Ringer wrote: "Portland is also expected to pursue Oklahoma City's Danilo Gallinari, according to league sources. The Blazers have options to help save their season following the Carmelo Anthony Band-Aid."
Gallinari is on an expiring $22.6 million contract, meaning he'd be used for a playoff run this season and would turn into significant cap space this summer. The Blazers would have to include the $27.1 million expiring salary of center Hassan Whiteside and could ask the Thunder about also taking back Mike Muscala or Nerlens Noel (who would have to waive his no-trade clause).
Gallinari could play either forward position for the Blazers and is putting up 19.0 points, 5.8 rebounds and 2.3 assists per game while drilling 41.4 percent of his three-pointers.
While Love is the superior rebounder, passer and interior scorer, Gallinari has the friendlier contract.
Sacramento Kings: Find a Taker for Harrison Barnes
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The Kings have already unloaded one bad contract from their 2019 summer signings by trading Trevor Ariza to the Portland Trail Blazers. Now comes the tough part.
Giving Harrison Barnes a four-year, $85 million deal last summer was a terrible idea from the start, especially with Bogdan Bogdanovic, De'Aaron Fox and Marvin Bagley III all set to look for new contracts or extensions in the next two years.
Making $24.1 million this year, Barnes is giving Sacramento 15.0 points, 4.9 rebounds, 2.1 assists and 0.6 steals in 35.2 minutes per night. The Kings are 17-29, good for 13th place in the Western Conference.
Given Portland's need at forward, Sacramento could try to talk the Blazers into another salary dump by swapping Barnes for Hassan Whiteside's expiring $27.1 million deal. Paul Millsap carries an expiring $30 million contract for the Denver Nuggets as well.
During yet another lost season, the Kings' priority should be cleaning up their finances and redirecting the money for future extensions.
San Antonio Spurs: Trade DeMar DeRozan for Max Value
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The Spurs are in a tough position with DeRozan.
While the four-time All-Star is putting up another productive season (22.7 points, 5.7 rebounds, 5.2 assists, 1.0 steals, 53.4 field-goal percentage), San Antonio has been 8.8 points per 100 possessions better with him on the bench. That's a startling number for someone who could be seeking a near-max contract this summer, when he turns 31.
San Antonio can't lose DeRozan for nothing, not after he was acquired as the main returning piece in the deal that sent Kawhi Leonard to the Toronto Raptors.
One solution? Trade him now and get value back.
DeRozan is primarily a wing but has vastly improved his playmaking and can assume point guard duties for stretches. While he's probably never going to turn into a good three-point shooter, he's making 54.5 percent of his twos this season, a number usually reserved for centers.
Although the Spurs typically don't make in-season trades, they need to make an exception here.
Toronto Raptors: Bring Back DeMar DeRozan
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If the Spurs make DeRozan available, the Miami Heat, Orlando Magic and Toronto Raptors should all be interested.
A homecoming in Toronto makes a lot of sense for both DeRozan and the Raptors. At 33-14, they're good enough to claim the No. 2 seed in the East, but can they seriously challenge the Milwaukee Bucks during the postseason?
Bringing DeRozan back would give them someone who's shined in the brightest of moments across the northern border, and his return could give Toronto an emotional lift, especially point guard and close friend Kyle Lowry.
With so many key players hitting free agency this summer (Fred VanVleet, Serge Ibaka, Marc Gasol), this may be the Raptors' best chance at another title for the foreseeable future.
Sending back either Ibaka or Gasol to match salary would also help the Spurs win now, and including OG Anunoby as some added value would help ease losing a talent like DeRozan.
This would immediately be the best Raptors team DeRozan has ever played on, and he'd no longer have to be a No. 1 option with Pascal Siakam leading the way.
Utah Jazz: Move Ed Davis for Rotation Piece
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While signing veteran center Ed Davis to a two-year, $10 million contract this past summer seemed like a no-brainer at the time, he's struggled to adjust and has since been benched by coach Quin Snyder in favor of Tony Bradley.
As Andy Larsen and Eric Walden of the Salt Lake Tribune wrote: "Davis admits that 'I'd be lying if I said I haven't thought about other offers I had this summer.' While Davis has been a solid locker room presence, if he's not contributing on the court due to a poor fit within Snyder's system, he might be better utilized in another organization."
Utah shouldn't be looking to dump Davis for a draft pick or cap space, but rather for a rotation piece who could contribute immediately.
The Chicago Bulls would probably do a Kris Dunn-for-Davis swap, especially with starting center Wendell Carter Jr. nursing a severe ankle sprain.
Whatever the deal may be, the Jazz should be looking for players who can help off the bench now and in the playoffs.
Washington Wizards: Trade Davis Bertans for 1st-Round Pick
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Bertans has been one of the best bargains of the season, averaging 15.2 points and 4.6 rebounds while shooting 42.7 percent from three on a $7 million salary.
He could also be long gone by the time the Wizards return to the postseason, given the 27-year-old power forward will become an unrestricted free agent this summer.
So far, the Wizards seem to want to keep Bertans, even with the risk of losing him for nothing. As Chris Mannix of Sports Illustrated reported: "Inquiries to Washington have gone nowhere; several executives tell SI.com that the Wizards wouldn't even discuss a deal. Some teams, though, are holding out hope Washington will make Bertans available before the trade deadline."
There's no shortage of teams that would want a sharpshooting power forward, especially at such a reasonable salary. Not only should the Wizards get a first-round pick in an offer, but they should also have a choice of many from playoff-bound teams looking for a boost.
At 15-31, Washington should be collecting as many picks as possible while it can.
Unless otherwise noted, stats courtesy of NBA.com, Basketball Reference or Cleaning the Glass. Salary information via Spotrac.
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