Survey the NBA landscape, and there are teams who need to make a move ahead of the Feb. 8 trade deadline.
Sometimes those moves are for the short term and sometimes for the long term.
There are teams that are buyers and teams that are sellers.
And there are teams like the Oklahoma City Thunder that are in a fortunate position: they have the ability to buy and sell at the trade deadline.
Earlier this week, we took a look at players who could be on the move. Now, let’s take a look at teams that could be buyers and sellers ahead of the NBA trade deadline:
NBA trade deadline buyers
Boston Celtics
The Celtics have a great starting five (No. 2 offense and No. 2 net rating for the starters) and an OK bench (No. 3 net rating), but they could use depth, especially in the frontcourt. They have first-round draft picks to offer, if necessary, and president of basketball operations Brad Stevens has proven himself an aggressive front-office executive. Now, the Celtics are already headed for a luxury tax payment. Are they willing to pay a bigger bill if that gets them closer to a title?
Philadelphia 76ers
This will be an interesting trade deadline for the Sixers who are getting another MVP-type season from Joel Embiid and All-Star play from Tyrese Maxey. Sixers president of basketball operations Daryl Morey has decisions: make a move at the trade deadline with limited draft assets or ride it out with this group that is third in the East (just behind Milwaukee and Boston) and use Philadelphia’s significant salary cap space to bring in another All-Star-level player.
Miami Heat
The Heat’s organizational mantra is “We have enough.” But do they? This is a franchise that wants to win titles and looks for ways to improve the roster. But one thing to consider: the Heat, in general, are not a team that makes trade deadline deals, especially major ones. Their last significant trade at the deadline came in 2021.
Orlando Magic
The Magic are a young team on the rise and do not need to make drastic moves given their roster and trajectory. There’s no need to give up too much, especially first-round picks, right now. However, if they can find some shooting – they’re among the worst 3-point shooting teams in the league – at a decent price, they should go for it.
Sacramento Kings
The Kings are on the lookout for a roster upgrade, potentially another scorer (or solid two-way player) to go alongside De’Aaron Fox and Domantas Sabonis. Their 2024 first-round pick belongs to Atlanta (top-14 protected). At 20-13 and four games behind first place in the West, the Kings’ front office, led by Monte McNair, wants to be aggressive without being reckless.
New Orleans Pelicans
The Pelicans are close to being a really good team. But how good? They are in the middle of a nice stretch – 7-3 in their past 10 games, including four consecutive victories – and have moved into a tie with the Kings for fifth place, just a game behind the Los Angeles Clippers. The Pelicans have multiple first-round picks to trade, too, including the Los Angeles Lakers 2024 first-round pick. New Orleans is in position to make a move.
Denver Nuggets
If the Nuggets make moves before the deadline, they likely will be aimed at adding depth. Unless they’re packaging a big deal with players on the roster, the Nuggets don’t have the draft assets to make a blockbuster trade. And, the defending champions don’t need to with Nikola Jokic and Jamal Murray.
Dallas Mavericks
Health is a factor for the Mavericks who are on the lookout for defensive improvement. But Dallas also does not have significant draft assets to send in a big deal.
Los Angeles Lakers
NBA trade deadline sellers
Golden State Warriors
Is is time for the Golden State Warriors to move on from their dynasty? They are 16-18 and not a contender. Or do they wait and see what happens when Draymond Green returns from his suspension? Regardless, they have a $400 million payroll, which includes nearly $200 million in luxury taxes, and no owner wants to pay that much for a team that might not make the playoffs.
Chicago Bulls
At 15-21 and any kind of deep postseason run unlikely, the Bulls have players who could be moved at the deadline in exchange for draft picks. The Bulls tried a rebuild on the fly, but an injury to Lonzo Ball didn’t help and the Bulls don’t have much to show for getting Ball, DeMar DeRozan, Nikola Vucevic, Zach LaVine and Alex Caruso. A roster reset might be the answer.
Charlotte Hornets
The Hornets just ended an 11-game losing streak. They have players who could help other teams and should take advantage of that. Charlotte desperately needs more talent.
Washington Wizards
This looks like a long-term rebuild for the Wizards, and outside of Bilal Coulibaly, the No. 7 pick in the 2023 draft, no player on the roster should be untradeable. Oklahoma City executive vice president Sam Presti’s theory is to get as many first-round picks as possible with the idea that a couple of the right picks will elevate a team into contention. Wizards president Michael Winger and GM Will Dawkins both worked with Presti in Oklahoma City. They know the strategy.
Detroit Pistons
Like the Hornets, the Pistons should be trying to accumulate first-round picks. Pistons GM Troy Weaver worked for Presti in Oklahoma City.
NBA trade deadline buyers and sellers
Oklahoma City Thunder
The Thunder are in a fantastic place at 23-10. They have a great young core featuring MVP candidate Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and the possibility of 15 first-round picks over the next seven years. The Thunder don’t have to make a trade now but they have the assets to do so. At some point – maybe not this season – Presti will make a deal.
Toronto Raptors
It appears the Raptors are trying to retool on the fly, evidenced by their deal that sent OG Anunoby, Precious Achiuwa and Malachi Flynn to New York for RJ Barrett, Immanuel Quickley and a second-round pick. If they can return an All-Star caliber player for soon-to-be free agent Pascal Siakam, it won’t be a surprise.
Utah Jazz
The Jazz got off to a slow start but have shown improvement, inching up the standings and putting themselves in play-in contention – just a game behind the Lakers for 10th place in the West. In terms of draft picks, the Jazz are right there with the Thunder with future first-round picks. The Jazz are holding approximately 15 first-round picks through the 2030 draft. You can be sure Jazz CEO Danny Ainge and GM Justin Zanik are plotting their next big moves.
Follow NBA reporter Jeff Zillgitt on social media @JeffZillgitt
