It’s arguably the best time of the year– trade-deadline week.
While not all teams will make moves come Thursday’s deadline, all 30 squads are guaranteed to be on the phones until the clock hits 3pm ET.
With that in mind, we’ve analyzed each team’s current situation and decide — if applicable — what potential trade we could see by the end of the week. Split into three pieces, we start with the league’s contenders.
OTHER DEADLINE SECTIONS: Playoff Hopefuls | Lottery-Bound
Utah Jazz
Jazz receive: Kenrich Williams and Denver 2021 second-round pick
Thunder receive: Golden State 2021 second-round pick and Utah 2025 second-round pick
The Jazz may be the odds-on favorite not to make a deadline move. They love their young guys like Miye Oni and Juwan Morgan, and a lack of needs and draft capital points to a ho-hum deadline. But Dennis Lindsey would still be wise to poke around the market for a cheap, usable body at the forward spots. Enter Kenny Hustle. Miscast as a 3-and-D player in New Orleans, the Thunder found his true niche this year.
A hyper-efficient finisher (79% at the rim, 41% from deep) and smart with a good catch-and-shoot game is Quin Snyder’s role-player dream. On top of that, he’s an excellent defender with the versatility to guard 2-4. His energy is infectious, hitting the glass on both ends and hitting the deck when the ball is loose. For a team looking to make their first deep playoff run in decades, he can be a shot in the arm if the energy starts to sag. It doesn’t hurt that he has two more non-guaranteed years on the books. If Sam Presti is willing to part with Williams, the Jazz should come calling.
— Charlie Cummings
Philadelphia 76ers
The question that is on the minds of many Sixers fans– will Daryl Morey and company change this roster around? The Sixers still reside at the top of the Eastern Conference at 29-13. The team does have a challenging road ahead with a tougher schedule and they will be without superstar Joel Embiid for at least two weeks.
While many fans may be seeking out some changes to the roster, it appears a “big splash” is not in the cards. The biggest names associated with the team (aside from James Harden) have been Zach LaVine and Kyle Lowry. These are key players on their respective teams and acquiring their talents would come at no small price. Here at the The Lead, a Lowry trade has already been discussed in great length in a previous article and while there are certain pros, there are a fair share of cons.
The conclusion drawn from this writer is simple, if the Sixers do not intend to go for a slam dunk by the trade deadline, then there is simply no move to make.
— Derek Stein
Phoenix Suns
Suns receive: Larry Nance Jr., Quinn Cook
Cavaliers receive: Jalen Smith, Jevon Carter, Frank Kaminsky, E’Twaun Moore
Coming up with trades for this Suns team is a little tough. Not many fans feel there is any need for a change. If it ain’t broke, don’t fix it. Paired with how James Jones and Monty Williams have run this team so far, it’s hard to tell if they will make a move at all.
However, if Jones wants to at least try to increase his chances to win a title, this is a trade for him. When you get to the playoffs, minutes are upped for key players and lineups shrink. With this trade, the Suns will have a deep, diversified rotation and another key PF they can put in the rotation come playoff time. Although Nance Jr. removes some of the spacing, he maintains the size, while adding defensive versatility– being an upgrade from Kaminsky.
This gives Phoenix a great small-ball lineup opportunity with Saric. All while also going two for one with guards, getting Cook in the deal to slim down our rotation. Bringing championship experience and shooting to that back-up PG spot.
— Cameron Prichard
Brooklyn Nets
The Nets need a center. While they could really use a defensive-minded big, Aaron Gordon should be one of their top targets. Brian Windhorst recently shared the Magic could look to part ways with one of their core players, such as Gordon, as he has been discussed in trade talks among executives around the league. The Nets are already an offensive juggernaut, but with an additional scoring weapon like Gordon, they would be truly unstoppable.
Per teamrankings.com, the Nets are first in the NBA in transition efficiency, an area where Gordon thrives. James Harden and Gordon would be the new Lob City. Gordon would fit well and wouldn’t feel pressured to perform right away as the team has been successful, currently sitting at 2nd in the Eastern Conference standings.
— Mike Perry
Milwaukee Bucks
The Milwaukee Bucks don’t have much space to be wheeling and dealing at the deadline. They have already acquired P.J. Tucker from the Houston Rockets. If the Bucks make another deal, it’s likely a move for a rotational piece. The Deer need a wing scorer and a backup point guard to fill the void left by D.J. Augustin.
A potential addition is Wayne Ellington. The Bucks love surrounding Giannis with shooters and Ellington is shooting 42 percent from three-point range. He is also cheap, making just $1.6 million this year. Ellington averages 10.6 points per game and an efficient shooter at that with an effective field-goal percentage over 61%.
With two open roster slots, the Bucks are more likely to be active in the buyout market.
— Mitchell Skurzewski
Los Angeles Lakers
The Lakers are the most obvious buyers ahead of the trade deadline. They are looking to repeat and are currently without their two superstars for an extended time. It is anyone’s guess what Rob Pelinka will do. Andre Drummond and Hassan Whiteside‘s avenue to LA is likely via buyout only, but what about through trade?
Evan Fournier and Cedi Osman could serve as under-the-radar pickups. Fournier has a relationship with Frank Vogel and adds some much-needed shooting and off-the-ball scoring. A trade package can look like Kentavious Caldwell-Pope and two future second-round picks could be enough to nab Fournier from Orlando.
Osman’s salary hovers around $8.5 million. He has a well-documented friendship with LeBron and is on the lottery-bound Cavs. Jared Dudley, Wesley Matthews and a protected first or two seconds could get the job done. And with LaMelo Ball‘s injury, do not be surprised if the team also makes a run at Malik Monk or Devonte’ Graham. Both are young backcourt shooters on cheap, expiring contracts. Former Laker Mitch Kupchak now resides in Charlotte, too.
The Lakers’ contract situation hinders their trading flexibility, though. Their top-five largest contracts account for over 75% of their cap. The team will make their roster changes mainly via the buyout market. Not re-signing Damian Jones proves this point. With Jones off the roster, the team has two open roster spots.
Another roadblock is the West historically avoids trading with the most accomplished franchise in the conference.
— Max Levy
Los Angeles Clippers
Earlier in the season, many claimed the Clippers needed a point guard. While that view wasn’t the case for many Clipper fans, it has become reality as of late. Patrick Beverley has had lingering injuries and while the Clippers are much better when he’s on the court than off, his health raises plenty of concern.
In other words, the Clippers need a new point guard and have been reported to be looking for one. There have been some good options for the team, it’s just a matter of formulating a trade package. George Hill, Lonzo Ball, Terry Rozier and Ricky Rubio are among the prominent names for the job. While Ball would likely be the best to acquire, Hill looks to be the most realistic due to finding a package for Ball (which would likely require a third team).
If Ball is too far out of reach, Hill and Rozier should be the players the Clippers go after. In a package, signs point to the team sending either Beverley, Terance Mann, or Ivica Zubac. The Clippers should do all they can to keep Zubac, who has played great as of recent in the absence of Serge Ibaka and is a key part of the team defense. Lou Williams could also be considered tradeable, but will be tough to trade as his value has decreased and he’s indicated towards retirement if traded. While the front office does typically fly under the radar, this might not be the case this year.
Recent betting odds have the Clippers with a decent shot at landing Kyle Lowry, though that will be difficult to pull off at Lowry’s $30M price tag.
— Griffin Greenberg
Denver Nuggets
Nuggets receive: Kyle Lowry, Danny Green
Raptors receive: Gary Harris, R.J Hampton, Bol Bol, 2021 DEN first-round pick
76ers receive: Will Barton, Matt Thomas
The Western Conference has never been more wide open. In this trade, Denver receives two players who helped Toronto win their first-ever NBA championship.
Kyle Lowry would be perfect for the Nuggets. The former all-star is a fluid two-way guard who can accelerate Denver’s chances at reaching the title. Jamal Murray‘s role would change to more of a Devin Booker/Donovan Mitchell type with less pressure to orchestrate the offense.
Lowry would be the primary playmaker in the backcourt. In addition to Lowry, Denver also receives Danny Green – a veteran three-point shooter and perimeter defender. Like Lowry going to Denver, Will Barton would be an ideal fit for Philadelphia. They receive a spark-plug scorer who can stretch the floor for Simmons and Embiid. Matt Thomas could also pair with Furkan Korkmaz off the bench to give the Sixers even more three-point shooting.
I like this trade for the Nuggets because Lowry is a player the Nuggets could reel in without having to include Michael Porter Jr. in a trade. A starting lineup of Lowry, Jamal Murray, MPJ, Paul Millsap and Nikola Jokic can make a serious push to be the best team in the West.
— Rex Foster
Portland Trail Blazers
The Trail Blazers find themselves in a promising spot heading into the trade deadline. They currently sit comfortably ahead of the play-in tournament, and they’re not far off from having home-court advantage. With C.J. McCollum back in the starting lineup — and Jusuf Nurkic making his return soon — the Blazers will be making a strong second-half push for playoff positioning (and for Lillard’s MVP case).
But there are always areas to improve.
Portland desperately needs to part ways with Rodney Hood. He was re-signed hoping he could return to his pre-injury form, but that has not happened. He’s shooting an abysmal true-shooting percentage of 44%, is in the bottom 50 players for win-shares, and is not bringing anything to the table defensively.
Luckily, he’s making $10M, and so is Delon Wright. The Pistons are going to be aggressive sellers at the deadline, and Wright is clearly not part of their future. Hood’s expiring contract, two second-rounders, and possibly a young asset should be enticing to Detroit. Wright is averaging 10.0 points, 4.6 rebounds, 5.0 assists, and 1.5 steals in 29 minutes.
— Isaac Hinson
San Antonio Spurs
Spurs receive: C Tristan Thompson, future second-round pick
Celtics receive: F/C LaMarcus Aldridge
LaMarcus Aldridge, one of the most consistent stalwarts in the league in recent history, has faced a drastic drop-off in production this season. At 35, LMA has only averaged a paltry 13.7 points and 4.5 rebounds per outing donning the Silver and Black this campaign. With the disgruntled star and the Spurs having come to terms on a divorce, rerouting him to a contender for assets will benefit both sides. A team that comes to mind is the Boston Celtics, who have underperformed so far, netting a .500 record thus far.
With the rest of the East bolstering their squads, the C’s have zapped themselves out of contender talks with bouts of inconsistent play and front-office moves. With a massive trade exception on their belt, Boston can absorb LMA’s expiring $24 million contract.
However, the Spurs put LMA on the trading block with the aim to dongle him for assets. Tristan Thompson is someone that can help the Spurs, who has no dependable backup to starter Jakob Poeltl. TT provides solid rebounding, defense and experience that can help anchor a young Spurs team in their transitional period while remaining competitive. A future second-round pick will help sweeten the pot for Boston to pry the prized big man from other suitors.
— Kyle Pring
OTHER DEADLINE SECTIONS: Playoff Hopefuls | Lottery-Bound
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