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The NBA trade deadline is on February 9th, and there are plenty of teams with needs to address. We’re giving a trade target for all 30 teams in the Association.
Atlanta Hawks
Jordan Clarkson
The Jazz are overperforming this season. They know it, the rest of the NBA knows it, and so does Jordan Clarkson. He’s eligible to opt out of his contract at the end of this season, and the Jazz would be wise to capitalize on Clarkson’s performance this season and get something in return. The Hawks swung big on the Dejounte Murray trade, and the results haven’t yet materialized. Bringing on Clarkson as an elite scoring threat off the bench could help to take the pressure off Young, Murray, and John Collins (if he’s still in Atlanta after the trade deadline).
Boston Celtics
P.J. Washington
The Celtics don’t have many holes on their current roster, but they could use some frontcourt help for their second unit. Washington, in the final year of his rookie deal, is having an excellent year offensively and could step into Boston’s second team to provide some much-needed scoring relief. Plus, he wouldn’t cost as much as a big man like Jakob Poeltl.
Brooklyn Nets
Jakob Poeltl
Are we done with the Ben Simmons experience yet? Kevin Durant and Kyrie Irving have proved that they don’t need the limited offense that Simmons provides to thrive. The next area to address would be their bigs.
Nic Claxton is an elite defender, but he hasn’t yet blossomed into an offensive threat. Poeltl is a savvy scorer and playmaker who wouldn’t slack on the defensive end either.
Charlotte Hornets
Dyson Daniels
Is ‘none’ a more appropriate answer here? The Hornets are still in the middle of their rebuild and should be looking to sell right now as opposed to sending valuable assets. Daniels, however, is a player that they could get without compromising their rebuild. We all know how much of a show LaMelo Ball, Rozier, and Kelly Oubre can provide on offense, but this team struggles mightily on the defensive end. Bringing in a dynamic wing such as Dyson Daniels to cover multiple positions and provide defensive relief to their more offensive-minded players could be in their best interest.
Chicago Bulls
Jae Crowder
Going from one struggling team to another, the Chicago Bulls experiment has been largely a failure. DeMar DeRozan, Vucevic, and Zach Lavine haven’t produced the results they were expected to deliver, somewhat due to shortcomings surrounding them. Bringing on a veteran wing like Jae Crowder who can play tough defense, knock down shots, and provide leadership to this group could be a factor in helping them turn their season around.
Cleveland Cavaliers
Terrence Ross
With the Cavs reportedly looking for a “short-term wing option” per ESPN’s Zach Lowe, Terrence Ross is the perfect fit. He shouldn’t be as expensive as some other wing options, he’s still a valuable scoring threat off the bench and can slot into Cleveland’s current rotation without issue.
Dallas Mavericks
Bojan Bogdanovic
Get Luka some damn help! Simply put, Luka needs someone to take the scoring pressure off of him. Christian Wood is playing well and Dinwiddie is always a scoring threat, but they need more. Bogdanovic is a guy who can create his own shot, knock down open threes, and play off the ball just as well as he can play on the ball. The Mavericks need to capitalize on Luka’s MVP-style play, and bringing in Bogdanovic can take a lot of pressure off their young star.
Denver Nuggets
Matisse Thybulle
Thybulle is the perfect fit for this Nuggets squad. Whether or not the Sixers would be willing to deal him to a contender, albeit in the West, is another question. While Thybulle’s minutes have declined in Philadelphia, he’s still an elite off-ball defender who could create chaos for Denver on defense and open up transition opportunities for Jokic, Murray, and MPJ on offense. The Nuggets are solid on offense, and with rumors of them looking to offload Bones Hyland, a defensive-minded player like Thybulle could be an excellent option.
Detroit Pistons
Josh Hart
The Pistons need help. This isn’t a secret to anyone. They have a wealth of trade pieces, and now, it’s about finding the right guys to help build out their young core. Josh Hart is a guy who can guard multiple positions, knock down shots, and simply plays hard. Bringing on a guy like Hart who can provide them with a spark on both sides of the ball could help the Pistons build toward the future.
Golden State Warriors
Alex Caruso
We know that Steve Kerr would “love to have” Alex Caruso, whether he was talking about the Warriors or Team USA is up for you to decide. If it’s the Warriors, the fit makes perfect sense. Caruso is a guard who could thrive in the Golden State system and provides an elite defensive option next to guards like Curry, Thompson, and Poole. He might not be a Splash Bro, but his level of defense is eerily similar to pre-injury Klay, and you could even argue he’s on another level defensively.
Houston Rockets
John Collins
Collins might be the most popular player in NBA history when it comes to trade rumors. It seems like his name runs through the rumor mill all year round, whether we’re in-season or in the off-season. Everyone knows the Rockets won’t be contenders this season, but someone like Collins fits their rebuild timeline and is an explosive athlete to add to their core of Jalen Green, Jabari Smith Jr., Alperen Sengun, and KPJ. With the Hawks seemingly willing to deal Collins, the Rockets should gauge his price.
Indiana Pacers
Jalen McDaniels
A Myles Turner extension put years of trade rumors to bed, and now the focus moves to find wings for the Pacers. Jalen McDaniels is an excellent young forward, who may be too valuable for the Hornets to give up, but is a realistic target for the Pacers. If they think they can contend this season, then they need to go after McDaniels, who is set to be an unrestricted free agent after this season. Being outbid in the summer would mean losing out on a valuable addition to the Pacers’ young core.
Los Angeles Clippers
Fred VanVleet
After Kawhi Leonard told the Clippers he would “welcome” a trade for a point guard, the Clippers would be wise to listen to him. And who better than his old running mate, Fred VanVleet? The Clips have a good mix of contracts and vets to make the deal happen, and VanVleet would provide a huge boost on the offensive side of the ball.
Los Angeles Lakers
Zach Lavine
Here we go. Why not, right? I don’t know where the Lakers keep getting these picks, but they seem to be taking advice from their NFL neighbors in LA, the Rams. LeBron is still playing at an elite level, but this roster isn’t going to win an NBA championship. Making a blockbuster trade for Zach Lavine would certainly compromise the future of this franchise, but when you have one of the greatest players of all time on your roster and you need to capitalize on the short window you have, you make something happen. Lavine is the guy to keep an eye on.
Memphis Grizzlies
OG Anunoby
Remember when Ja Morant said the Grizzlies were fine in the West? Good one! As talented as this squad may be, they’ve been struggling as of late and could use some help. Anunoby is an expensive option, but he could be the piece that elevates this Grizz squad to title contenders. He can guard multiple positions, score in bunches, and provides playmaking options for Toronto. He’d be an excellent complementary piece to Ja Morant.
Miami Heat
D’Angelo Russell
The Heat are shopping Kyle Lowry, which could leave them without a point guard. With the Timberwolves reportedly gauging league interest in D’Angelo Russell, a swap could be in both teams’ best interest. Russell has been buried in the Timberwolves’ struggles this season but is still a solid option to run the point. He’s proven he can be both a scorer and playmaker when needed, has valuable playoff experience, and would be a good piece to slot in next to Bam Adebayo and Jimmy Butler.
Milwaukee Bucks
Kelly Oubre Jr.
The Bucks need wing help. Oubre is an athletic wing who could fit either in Milwaukee’s starting unit or off the bench, either as a small-ball 4 or a traditional 3. His offense has left something to be desired as of late, but a culture change could get him back on track to being a scoring threat.
Minnesota Timberwolves
Bones Hyland
Similar to the Heat’s situation, the T’Wolves are interested in moving on from D’Angelo Russell. With the Nuggets looking to move on from Bones Hyland (for what reason, though?), another swap could be on the table. Hyland is an energetic young guard who could inject some life into the lowly Timberwolves. He may not be the piece to turn them into playoff contenders this season, but he could be someone to help turn the culture around in Minnesota.
New Orleans Pelicans
Malik Beasley
The Pelicans are lacking in the asset department this season, with their only truly viable trade options being Jaxon Hayes and Devonte’ Graham, meaning they’ll need to temper their expectations on the trade market. Beasley is someone that could be attainable for that kind of price and would slot in nicely next to players like Zion, BI, and CJ McCollum. He’s able to create his own shot, provide scoring relief to their stars, and they won’t need to hide him on defense.
New York Knicks
Grayson Allen
Would there be a better fit than Grayson Allen in New York City? He’s tough, pesters (to use a nice word) opponents on the defensive end, and can slot in nicely to the Knicks’ offense. His toughness is something that Thibs would take advantage of, and he’d be able to elevate the whole team’s defense because of his energy on that end.
Oklahoma City Thunder
Saddiq Bey
Bey is reportedly on the block, with the Pistons looking for unprotected first-round draft capital. And boy, do the Thunder have plenty of that. Bey fits the Thunder’s timeline and can play both shooting guard and small forward. Whether or not they want to give up draft capital for an established player would be up to trade mastermind Sam Presti.
Orlando Magic
Moses Moody
The Magic have plenty of players that they’re willing to trade, including Terrence Ross, R.J. Hampton, Gary Harris, and Mo Bamba. It’s likely they’re looking to acquire draft capital, but in the event that they go after a player, Moody is a guy who fits their rebuild timeline and can slot into their system nicely. He’s fallen out of the Warriors rotation, meaning they could be willing to depart with him. If the price is right, Orlando should make this move.
Philadelphia 76ers
Reggie Bullock
The Sixers have been playing well as of late thanks to MVP candidate Joel Embiid, but there’s always room for improvement. Moving contracts and making the money work is going to be a challenge in any Philadelphia trade, but a guy like Reggie Bullock could be affordable and slot right into Doc Rivers’ system.
Bullock is a solid 3-and-D wing who has struggled offensively this season but comes as a great buy-low candidate. Bullock can play far better than what he’s playing like right now, and in the right system, he could turn things around. This is an intriguing opportunity for the Sixers.
Phoenix Suns
Terry Rozier
The Suns need to look ahead to the post-CP3 future. While arguably no players in the NBA can replicate the playmaking prowess of the Point God, someone like Terry Rozier could come in and give them a fresh look in the position. Rozier can be an elite scorer at times and could help take some scoring pressure off Devin Booker. Paul will be hard to replace, but the Suns should start making contingency plans sooner rather than later.
Portland Trail Blazers
Isaiah Stewart
The Blazers have shown a willingness to deal players like Josh Hart, and with Jerami Grant reportedly mulling over an extension from Portland, they could be in the market to acquire a big man if he turns it down. Stewart has been linked to multiple teams this season, but the Blazers would be smart to go after a defensive-minded big. Jusuf Nurkic is an incredibly talented offensive weapon but lacks the defensive prowess that Portland needs right now. Stewart, or even his teammate Nerlens Noel, could be the guy to fill that void.
Sacramento Kings
Nerlens Noel
The Kings haven’t been shy in letting the league know they need a quality backup center. Richaun Holmes has failed in his test as Sabonis’ backup, meaning the Kings need another option. Veteran Nerlens Noel brings a defensive mindset to Sacramento that can anchor their second unit as they make a push for the playoffs.
San Antonio Spurs
Draft Capital
Who’s that guy? Seriously though, the Spurs should be sellers. They’re a bottom-of-the-barrel team with a few bright spots, but a rebuild is in order. Poeltl should be the first to go, with guys like Doug McDermott and Josh Richardson soon to follow. If they do go after players, the Spurs should look to improve on defense, but no deal is going to make a drastic change for this season. Just whatever you do, don’t take on Westbrook’s contract.
Toronto Raptors
Christian Wood
With the Raptors reportedly “undecided” on their trade deadline approach, we’ll put them down as buyers for the sake of this article. Wood is a Raptors-style player who can contribute on both ends of the court. Much like the rest of the Raptors wings and bigs, he’s long, athletic, and can guard multiple positions. The Raptors could get Wood and much more for someone like Pascal Siakam.
Utah Jazz
Dorian Finney-Smith
Nobody, Utah included, expected to be the Jazz to be as good as they are this year. Coming off the Donovan Mitchell and Rudy Gobert trades, this team is currently sitting at .500 and could easily make a run at the play-in tournament. Dorian Finney-Smith would be the perfect guy to help them get there. The much-coveted Finney-Smith is a solid 3-and-D wing with an affordable contract, but the asking price might be too much for the Jazz to consider a deal.
Washington Wizards
Cam Reddish
The Wiz put the Kuzma trade rumors to bed after trading Rui Hachimura and telling Kuzma’s suitors that they had no interest in dealing him. So, let’s get him some help. Reddish has notoriously struggled to start his NBA career, but he’s a cheap, attainable target that could thrive alongside Kuzma. It wouldn’t take much to take a flyer on the 23-year-old, and with their current struggles, Washington might be willing to risk it.
