The NBA trade deadline is just a couple of days away, and we’ve already seen a blockbuster thanks to Kyrie Irving drama.
So: Who else is going? We’ve listed a bunch of possible trade targets, and now the question is: What should every team do by Thursday afternoon?
We’ve answered that below with a look at how each of the 30 NBA teams should approach the deadline, whether it’s buying, selling or staying out of the fray, including some ideas for their front offices.
Prince Grimes has the Eastern Conference handled, while Charles Curtis will tackle teams in the West. Let’s dive in:
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1
Atlanta Hawks: Just trade John Collins already
It seems like John Collins’ name comes up every trade deadline, and after every trade deadline he remains a Hawk. This year in particular seems as good as any for Atlanta to finally move him, as he’s posting career lows in several categories including field goal and 3-point percentage, and the team has a lot of holes that need filling, including outside shooting.
Atlanta may be able to find a team that believes Collins could have a resurgence in a new situation, and it better hope so. He’s been trending down for several years now and doesn’t seem likely to turn things around any time soon, meaning his stock can only get lower the longer they hold him.
2
Boston Celtics: Find another athletic big
I wouldn’t worry about the Celtics much. Robert Williams is still playing his way back into form, logging just 19 games so far this season. Health-permitted, I’m confident he and Al Horford will remain a formidable one-two punch at center.
However, the frontcourt lacks athleticism outside of Williams. Boston could use another rim-running lob threat in the lineup.
3
Brooklyn Nets: Add another defensive big
If Brooklyn wants to see how competitive a team built solely around Kevin Durant can be, then one hole that existed before trading Kyrie Irving and continues to exist is at backup center. Nic Claxton has been quite the revelation, but he’s the only real big on the squad.
Of course, the Nets could decide to blow it completely up and trade Durant and a few others to contenders. But that wouldn’t be my first choice.
4
Charlotte Hornets: Trade Kelly Oubre Jr. and Mason Plumlee
The Hornets should be in asset collection mode. So, they should be trying to get whatever they can for the expiring contracts of Oubre and Plumlee, neither of which appears to have much of a future with the team.
5
Chicago Bulls: Check Nikola Vucevic's temperature
The mysterious Lonzo Ball injury has really thrown a wrench into what this team was trying to build, and I’m afraid the window for this iteration of the Bulls is nearing a close. If Vucevic also believes that, he could bolt in the offseason and the Bulls would lose him for nothing.
If I’m Chicago, I want to keep Vucevic. So I’d see if the feeling is mutual before making a decision on whether to blow up the entire team. With health and/or an upgrade at point guard, this isn’t a bad roster to run it back just one more time next year.
6
Cleveland Cavaliers: Get healthy
At different points this season, almost all of the Cavs’ key players have missed time due to injury, including the backcourt of Donovan Mitchell, Darius Garland and backup point guard Ricky Rubio, who has missed most of the season.
This team just needs to focus on staying healthy and getting back into the playoffs after health cost them a shot at doing just that last year.
7
Detroit Pistons: Offload the vets
Detroit is headed back to the lottery this summer after enjoying a couple solid drafts in a row, so there’s no need to keep players around who better fit on teams more equipped to win now.
That includes Bojan Bogdanovic, Alec Burks and Nerlens Noel among players they should trade away.
8
Indiana Pacers: Tank for Wemby
The Pacers have been a nice story through the first half of the season, but at a certain point reality has to sink in. This team isn’t going very far. A recent skid now has them out of the play-in picture, which should be a blessing in disguise. Trade Buddy Hield and whoever else might not fit into your future plans, and put yourself in better position to get a top draft pick.
9
Miami Heat: Find an upgrade at point guard
The play of 36-year-old Kyle Lowry is finally bottoming out, putting a real cap on how far this Miami team can go. The Heat need to find an upgrade at the position if they want to push the East’s top teams, which is why it made sense for them to be in the Kyrie Irving talks. That, of course, is easier said than done.
10
Milwaukee Bucks: Add more size on the wings
Outside of Giannis Antetokounmpo, this Bucks team doesn’t have many players on the wings with a good combination of length and athleticism. They need an upgrade over players like Grayson Allen and Pat Connaughton, and one name that’s been mentioned in trade rumors is Jae Crowder.
11
New York Knicks: Trade Cam Reddish and Evan Fournier
I don’t necessarily consider the Knicks sellers any more than I consider them buyers. I don’t think they need to make any silly win-now moves, because there isn’t likely one out there that would make them a legit contender.
However, there seems to be a market for Reddish and there’s likely one for Fournier too. So they might as well see what they can get for two players on their roster collecting DNPs.
12
Orlando Magic: Trade Mo Bamba
Suspended or not, Bamba doesn’t really have a place in a crowded Orlando frontcourt rotation. His name has been mentioned in past trade rumors, so they should just go ahead and cut ties now and see what they can get for the 24-year-old.
The Magic should probably gauge what interest is out there for the expiring deal of Terrance Ross too.
13
Philadelphia 76ers: Get another rebounding big
Most of the deadline chatter around the Sixers is regarding Matisse Thybulle, who has a reduced role that makes him expendable. And Furkan Kormaz has reportedly asked for a trade himself.
However, the Sixers should be focused on upgrading the frontcourt behind Joel Embiid. They rank 28th in rebounding. If they can do that while also moving players who are out of the rotation, all the better.
14
Toronto Raptors: Don't be forced into a bad deal
Things haven’t worked out for the Raptors this year, and the roster probably needs a little tweaking. But the bones of this team aren’t bad, and they don’t actually have to do anything right now. None of the players being mentioned in trade talks are on expiring contracts, including OG Anunoby, Gary Trent Jr. and Fred VanVleet.
If the Raptors get a deal that blows them away, then they should absolutely consider it. But they shouldn’t feel pressured to do anything.
15
Washington Wizards: Blow it up
This idea that the Wizards could build a contender around Bradley Beal hinged on Beal being the 25- to 30-point scorer he was from 2018-20. If he’s no longer that, do the Wizards actually think Kristaps Porzingis and Kyle Kuzma are the complimentary pieces to make them more than a play-in team?
I don’t, which is why I think they should start looking at their options to trade Beal before his value starts to dip. And from there, nobody on the roster is untouchable.
16
Denver Nuggets: Make a minor move, but trade Bones Hyland
Ugh. It bums me out that Bones Hyland wants out. And if that’s the case, the Nuggets should just move on and focus on winning a title.
Who do you replace him with? The Action Network mentioned Chris Duarte and I like that.
17
Memphis Grizzlies: Think REALLY hard about getting a wing like OG Anunoby
I’m guessing the Griz stick with their young, feisty, tough core and don’t do much of anything.
But if they’re a true contender? Why not think about trading some of those young developing studs for another defensive gem in Anunoby? Imagine facing him along with the rest of this roster every night. WHEW.
18
Sacramento Kings: Shore up the bench
This team’s starting five is doing amazing work, and Malik Monk has been a good sixth man.
So they should go looking for upgrades for the rotation, maybe a Mason Plumlee deal.
19
Los Angeles Clippers: Find a point guard
John Wall didn’t work out. Reggie Jackson? Not having the best of years. Maybe the Nets want to move Spencer Dinwiddie right away. Maybe D’Angelo Russell becomes available.
But they need help at the point. Bad.
20
Dallas Mavericks: Focus on making Kyrie Irving fit in
They’ve already made their big deal. Time to focus on that.
21
Phoenix Suns: Make a huge splash (and that includes dealing Chris Paul)
Say, uh, is Kevin Durant available? Maybe? OK, here’s everything but Devin Booker and Mikal Bridges.
Seriously: If there’s a big name to be had out there, it’s time to move on from an injured, past-his-prime CP3 and go get a player or two who can help them contend.
22
Golden State Warriors: Trade one of the kids for veteran bench help
You can’t be a contender like the Warriors and have a bench that leans more on developing young players. They need the help if they want to repeat. It’s time to look at dealing James Wiseman!
23
Minnesota Timberwolves: Consider trading D'Angelo Russell
I DIDN’T SAY TRADE HIM, I SAID CONSIDER IT.
But there are teams around the league who could use a guard like him, and the Timberwolves are mostly underachieving, not to mention they traded a ton of picks for Rudy Gobert.
So, the front office should pick up the phone and listen, at the very least.
24
New Orleans Pelicans: Hope for health
This intriguing team isn’t going to do much if Zion Williamson and Brandon Ingram aren’t completely healthy. I don’t see a move to be made beyond trading Jaxson Hayes and his expiring contract, but that’s minor.
I think they’re sticking with what they’ve got at the deadline, and that’s probably the right move.
25
Utah Jazz: Decide if they're tanking, and if so, deal the vets
The middle is death in the NBA, and if the Jazz want a shot at the top pick, they should move Mike Conley, Malik Beasley, Jordan Clarkson and Kelly Olynyk.
A playoff spot isn’t out of the question for this franchise, but given where they’re at in terms of a contention plan, they’re a few years off. Better to tank now and hope some ping-pong balls go their way.
26
Portland Trail Blazers: Get some help on defense
Could that mean a trade for a Jae Crowder type? Jarred Vanderbilt? Nerlens Noel? Any of them would be upgrades to balance out a team that can score.
27
Oklahoma City Thunder: Continue trusting their process
There’s a part of me that wonders if they want to mess around a bit and start upgrading with their endless future picks and young assets.
But I vote for staying away at the deadline. The future is already so bright (remember Chet Holmgren? He’ll be back!), and if Shai Gilgeous-Alexander plays at an MVP level next year, maybe that’s when OKC decides to start its ascent to contention by making moves.
28
Los Angeles Lakers: Hope that a disgruntled star pops up and their assets are enough
I dunno. Irving might have been their best shot. But for now, the Lakers need to hold out for a Bradley Beal-like play and hope that the future first-rounders they can trade are enough to sway a desperate franchise.
Otherwise? Can they deal Russell Westbrook? What do they get in return if so? It’s kind of a mess.
29
San Antonio Spurs: Keep on tanking
That means maybe dealing Jakob Poeltl, plus other vets on the roster like Doug McDermott. Because if they have a shot at Victor Wembanyama, they’ve got to go all in for lottery odds positioning.
30
Houston Rockets: Trade anyone not a part of the future
Things are … shall we say … chaotic in Houston when there should be hope that this young nucleus — Jalen Green, Tari Eason, Jabari Smith Jr. and Alperen Sengun — can grow.
But for now, the priority is: Find a new home for Eric Gordon and anyone else who doesn’t fit the timeline.
