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Poll: Which Team Will Win Eastern Conference?

February 17th, 2022 at 10:58am CST by Luke Adams

With the All-Star break set to begin after tonight’s games, it’s as good a time as any to check in on the NBA’s playoff race and assess which teams are best positioned to finish the season strong and make a deep postseason run.

We’ll start today with the Eastern Conference, which is more competitive in 2021/22 than it has been in years.

No team has been able to pull away from the pack in the East so far, with the 38-21 Bulls currently hanging onto the No. 1 seed by a half-game. If the season were to end today, Chicago’s .644 winning percentage would be the lowest mark for a conference’s top seed since Detroit went 50-32 (.610) in 2002/03.

However, while the East may lack a dominant team, the conference makes up for it in depth. The top five seeds are all within three games of one another, and the top eight seeds are all at least four games over .500 — the same certainly can’t be said of the West, where the 29-31 Clippers are in the No. 8 spot.

The parity in the Eastern Conference has created a fascinating playoff landscape. Instead of having one or two clear-cut favorites to represent the conference in the NBA Finals, the East has at least five or six teams that could realistically make it.

The aforementioned Bulls have the East’s best record despite having dealt with injuries and COVID-related absences to key players all season long. If they’re healthy in time for the postseason, they’ll be an incredibly tough out, especially with DeMar DeRozan shooting the lights out like he has lately.

The 37-21 Heat have also been affected by injuries, but have been dangerous when healthy. Their preferred starting lineup of Jimmy Butler, Bam Adebayo, Kyle Lowry, Duncan Robinson, and P.J. Tucker has a +13.5 net rating for the season.

The Bucks (36-23) are the defending champions, having proven in last year’s playoffs that they can win big games and big series. The upstart Cavaliers (35-23) are on the opposite end of the spectrum in terms of postseason experience, but have one of the NBA’s best defenses and added some more offensive firepower at the deadline by acquiring Caris LeVert.

Further down the standings, the Sixers (34-23) and Nets (31-27) made themselves legitimate title threats by completing a deadline-day trade to acquire stars who actually want to play for them. James Harden is expected to make his Philadelphia debut after the All-Star break, while Ben Simmons will play at some point for the Nets, who will also be getting Kevin Durant back in the coming weeks.

The Celtics (34-26) and Raptors (32-25) were out of the East’s playoff picture earlier this season, but have been two of the conference’s hottest teams as of late. Boston’s +5.4 net rating and 104.9 defensive rating both rank first in the conference, while Toronto’s length and defensive versatility has created problems for many of its opponents — the Raps have a 6-3 record against the East’s current top three seeds.

Of course, the Hornets (29-30), the Hawks (28-30), and a couple others teams remain in the mix for an Eastern Conference playoff spot, but unless Atlanta can replicate its late-season success from a year ago, a spot in the NBA Finals is an extreme long shot for any of those clubs.

What do you think? Who’s your current pick to come out of the Eastern Conference? How many teams in the wide-open East do you think have a realistic chance to make the NBA Finals?

Vote in our poll, then head to the comment section below to share your thoughts!

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Updated Mid-Level, Bi-Annual Projections For 2022/23

February 16th, 2022 at 9:40am CST by Luke Adams

Under the NBA’s previous Collective Bargaining Agreement, the values of various salary cap exceptions like the mid-level and bi-annual were established years in advance, but the league’s current CBA tweaked how those exceptions are calculated.

Rather than being determined ahead of time, the mid-level and bi-annual exceptions – along with several other cap-related figures and exceptions – are dependent on the movement of the salary cap from year to year. If the cap increases by 5% from one league year to the next, the exceptions increase by the same rate.

As such, we don’t know yet exactly what those exceptions will be worth in 2022/23, but we can make an educated estimate. When the NBA released its new salary cap estimates, the league projected a $123,655,000 cap for the ’22/23 season. That means we’re due for an update on next season’s mid-level and bi-annual projections.

[RELATED: Maximum Salary Projections For 2022/23]

Based on a $123,655,000 cap, here’s what the mid-level and bi-annual exceptions would look like in 2022/23:

Mid-Level Exception

Year Standard MLE
 Taxpayer MLE Room MLE
2022/23 $10,490,000 $6,479,000 $5,401,000
2023/24 $11,014,500 $6,802,950 $5,671,050
2024/25 $11,539,000 $7,126,900 –
2025/26 $12,063,500 – –
Total $45,107,000 $20,408,850 $11,072,050

The standard mid-level exception is available to over-the-cap teams that haven’t dipped below the cap to use room and don’t go over the tax apron. It can run for up to four years, with 5% annual raises. Once a team uses the standard/non-taxpayer MLE, that team is hard-capped at the tax apron for the rest of the league year.

[RELATED: Hoops Rumors Glossary: Mid-Level Exception]

The taxpayer mid-level exception is for in-the-tax teams, or teams that want the flexibility to surpass the tax apron later. It can run for up to three years, with 5% annual raises.

The room exception is for teams that go under the cap and use their space. Once they’ve used all their cap room, they can use this version of the mid-level exception, which runs for up to two years with 5% annual raises.

Bi-Annual Exception

Year BAE Value
2022/23 $4,105,000
2023/24 $4,310,250
Total $8,415,250

The bi-annual exception – which can be used for contracts up to two years, with a 5% raise after year one – is only available to teams that are over the cap and under the tax apron.

It can also only be used once every two years, which will disqualify the Mavericks and Bulls from using it in 2022/23 — Dallas and Chicago were the only teams to use the BAE in 2021/22.

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NBA Teams With Open Roster Spots

February 14th, 2022 at 1:49pm CST by Luke Adams

Several NBA teams typically end up with newly-opened roster spots following the trade deadline. This happens for a variety of reasons. Some teams make two-for-one or three-for-one trades; some acquire players in cap-related deals and immediately cut them; others buy out or release players they weren’t able to move at the deadline.

Whatever the reason may be, there are plenty of available roster spots around the NBA, and it’s a good bet that most of them will be filled before the end of the regular season. Contending teams will want to fortify their depth for the playoffs, while lottery-bound clubs will take fliers on prospects willing to accept multiyear deals that aren’t fully guaranteed beyond this season.

Here, with the help of our roster counts page, is a look at the teams that have open roster spots as of February 14:

Teams with open 15-man roster spots:

  • Atlanta Hawks
  • Boston Celtics (3)
  • Charlotte Hornets
  • Denver Nuggets *
  • Detroit Pistons
  • Houston Rockets
  • Miami Heat (2)
  • Milwaukee Bucks (3) *
  • Minnesota Timberwolves
  • New Orleans Pelicans
  • Orlando Magic
  • Philadelphia 76ers
  • Toronto Raptors
  • Utah Jazz
  • Washington Wizards

* The Nuggets (DeMarcus Cousins) and Bucks (Greg Monroe) each have a player on a 10-day contract. We’re counting those roster spots as “open” because Cousins’ and Monroe’s deals will expire this week.

If we count the Nuggets, exactly half of the NBA’s 30 teams have at least one 15-man roster spot available. Twelve of those clubs have a single open roster spot, while the Celtics, Heat, and Bucks have multiple openings.

Since teams are only permitted to dip below 14 players on standard contracts for up to two weeks at a time, Boston, Miami, and Milwaukee will all have to get back to that league-mandated minimum before the end of the month.

The other teams on this list aren’t under immediate pressure to add a 15th man, and some may hold off for a little while for financial reasons — or just to wait to see who else becomes available on the buyout market in the next couple weeks.

Some of these clubs – including the Heat with Caleb Martin, the Pelicans with Jose Alvarado, and the Raptors with Justin Champagnie – might use their open roster spot to promote a player on a two-way contract who has earned regular minutes.

Teams with open two-way spots:

  • Boston Celtics
  • Dallas Mavericks
  • Oklahoma City Thunder
  • Phoenix Suns
  • Utah Jazz

The Celtics (Sam Hauser) and Thunder (Aaron Wiggins) have each promoted a two-way player to the 15-man roster since the trade deadline. The other three teams on this list released a two-way player in January, creating an opening.

In the past, teams haven’t been able to sign players to two-way contracts after January 15, but that restriction doesn’t exist this season, so I expect we’ll see some – if not all – of these teams fill their open two-way slots sooner or later.

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Updated NBA Maximum Salary Projections For 2022/23

February 14th, 2022 at 9:05am CST by Luke Adams

The maximum salaries for a given NBA season aren’t determined until the salary cap for that league year has been set, which typically happens just before free agency begins. So even though several players have already signed maximum-salary contract extensions that will begin in 2022/23, we won’t know the exact amount of those contracts until the summer.

[RELATED: 2021/22 NBA Contract Extension Tracker]

However, we can ballpark next season’s maximum salaries based on the NBA’s salary cap projections. Last August, we provided maximum salary projections for 2022/23 based on an estimated $119MM cap, but the NBA has since updated its cap projection for ’22/23 to $123,655,000. We’re updating our maximum salary projections today based on that new cap estimate.

Listed below are the maximum salary projections for 2022/23. The first chart shows the maximum salaries for a player re-signing with his own team — a player’s previous club can offer five years instead of four, and 8% annual raises instead of 5% raises. The second chart shows the maximum salaries for a player signing with a new team.

A player’s maximum salary is generally determined by his years of NBA experience, so there’s a wide gap between potential earnings for younger and older players. Unless they qualify for a more lucrative extension by meeting certain performance criteria, players with no more than six years of NBA experience are limited to a starting salary worth up to 25% of the cap. For players with seven to nine years of experience, that number is 30%. For players with 10 or more years of experience, it’s 35%.

Here are the the maximum salary projections for 2022/23:

A player re-signing with his own team (8% annual raises, up to five years):

Year 6 years or less 7-9 years 10+ years
2022/23 $30,913,750 $37,096,500 $43,279,250
2023/24 $33,386,850 $40,064,220 $46,741,590
2024/25 $35,859,950  $43,031,940 $50,203,930
2025/26 $38,333,050  $45,999,660 $53,666,270
2026/27 $40,806,150 $48,967,380 $57,128,610
Total $179,299,750 $215,159,700 $251,019,650

The “6 years or less” column here is what the new extension for Shai Gilgeous-Alexander will look like in 2022. This is also the maximum amount that a free-agent-to-be like Deandre Ayton would be eligible for this offseason.

Players like Luka Doncic and Trae Young met the Rose Rule criteria, so the 30% max column reflects the projected value of their new extensions.

The third column (35%) represents the projected salaries a veteran star like Bradley Beal would receive if he signs a new maximum-salary contract as a free agent this summer. Beal has a 2022/23 player option on his current contract, but would have to decline that option to have a shot at $251MM+ over the next five years.

A player signing with a new team (5% annual raises, up to four years):

Year 6 years or less 7-9 years 10+ years
2022/23 $30,913,750 $37,096,500 $43,279,250
2023/24 $32,459,438 $38,951,325 $45,443,213
2024/25 $34,005,126 $40,806,150 $47,607,176
2025/26 $35,550,814 $42,660,975 $49,771,139
Total $132,929,128 $159,514,950 $186,100,778

If a player changes teams as a free agent, he doesn’t have access to a fifth year or 8% raises. So if Ayton were to sign an offer sheet with a new team this summer, he’d be limited to a four-year deal projected to be worth nearly $133MM.

If Zach LaVine – or another veteran with between seven and nine years of NBA experience – wants to change teams this offseason, he would be able to sign a four-year contract worth up to a projected $159.5MM.

Beal or another veteran with 10+ years of experience would be limited to about $186.1MM across four years if he changes teams as a free agent in 2022.

One exception in this last group is James Harden — he’s already earning more than the maximum salary, since the raises on his current contract have outpaced the NBA’s annual salary cap increases. If Harden becomes a free agent this summer, he’d be eligible for a 5% raise on his current $44.3MM salary, rather than having to take a pay cut to the league-wide maximum.

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2022 NBA Trade Deadline Recap

February 10th, 2022 at 10:59pm CST by Luke Adams

The 2022 NBA trade deadline wasn’t as eventful as some previous deadlines – including last year’s – in terms of total deals made. However, you’d be hard-pressed to find many past deadlines that featured as many blockbuster trades as this year’s did.

While the Nets and Sixers stole the show by agreeing to a deal that sent James Harden and Ben Simmons to new teams, there were a slew of other noteworthy trades during the days leading up to the February 10 deadline, and on deadline day itself.

In total, 10 trades involving 33 NBA players (plus two more draft-and-stash players) were made on Thursday. Another six trades involving 24 different players (including two who were moved twice) were completed during the week before deadline day.

Here’s a recap all of 2022’s deadline deals:

Trades made on deadline day:

The Nets and Sixers complete the trade of the year (story)

  • Sixers acquire James Harden and Paul Millsap.
  • Nets acquire Ben Simmons, Seth Curry, Andre Drummond, the Sixers’ 2022 first-round pick (unprotected), and the Sixers’ 2027 first-round pick (top-eight protected).
  • Note: The Nets reportedly have the option to defer the 2022 first-round pick to 2023.

The Mavericks cash out on Kristaps Porzingis (story)

The Celtics secure a potential long-term answer at point guard (story)

  • Celtics acquire Derrick White.
  • Spurs acquire Josh Richardson, Romeo Langford, the Celtics’ 2022 first-round pick (top-four protected), and the right to swap 2028 first-round picks with the Celtics (top-one protected).

The Celtics reacquire their former starting center (story)

The Kings, Pistons, Clippers, and Bucks complete the season’s only four-team trade (story)

The Hornets make an upgrade at center (story)

The Raptors find a taker for Goran Dragic‘s expiring contract (story)

  • Raptors acquire Thaddeus Young, Drew Eubanks, and either the Pistons’ or Bulls’ 2022 second-round pick (whichever is more favorable).
  • Spurs acquire Goran Dragic and the Raptors’ 2022 first-round pick (top-14 protected).

The Suns reacquire a wing defender (story)

The Suns add more backcourt depth (story)

The Celtics sneak below the luxury tax line (story)

  • Magic acquire Bol Bol, PJ Dozier, the Celtics’ 2028 second-round pick (top-45 protected), and cash.
  • Celtics acquire the Magic’s 2023 second-round pick (top-55 protected).

Notable trade candidates who stayed put:

Players waived on deadline day:

Note: Players marked with an asterisk (*) have been sidelined with long-term injuries.

Note: Enes Freedom is also reportedly being waived by the Rockets, but it hasn’t officially happened yet.

Trades made in the week leading up to the deadline:

The Pacers swap a two-time All-Star for a possible future All-Star (story)

The Trail Blazers kick off their retooling process (story)

The Trail Blazers bid farewell to a longtime backcourt fixture (story)

The Trail Blazers’ retooling continues; the Jazz take a low-risk gamble (story)

The Cavaliers shore up their wing depth (story)

  • Cavaliers acquire Caris LeVert and the Heat’s 2022 second-round pick.
  • Pacers acquire Ricky Rubio, the Cavaliers’ 2022 first-round pick (top-14 protected), the Rockets’ 2022 second-round pick, and the Jazz’s 2027 second-round pick.

The Heat and Thunder complete a minor move (story)

  • Thunder acquire KZ Okpala and amended terms of a first-round pick owed to them by the Heat.
  • Heat acquire either the Thunder’s, Mavericks’, or Sixers’ 2026 second-round pick (whichever is least favorable).
  • Note: The Heat previously owed the Thunder their 2023 first-round pick (top-14 protected). They now owe their 2025 first-round pick (top-14 protected).
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Hoops Rumors’ 2022 NBA Trade Deadline Primer

February 10th, 2022 at 6:21am CST by Luke Adams

Deadline day is finally here. NBA teams will have until today at 2:00 p.m. central time to finalize trade agreements. Anyone not traded by that time will be ineligible to be moved until after his team’s season comes to an end this spring.

It has already been an active trade season around the league. with six deals completed in the last week. Some of those were major moves too, including the Kings and Pacers completing a six-player swap involving Domantas Sabonis and Tyrese Haliburton, and the Pelicans acquiring CJ McCollum from the Trail Blazers. Caris LeVert, Norman Powell, and Robert Covington are among the other players who have been on the move since last Friday.

Even after all that pre-deadline activity, there are plenty of storylines to keep an eye on today.

Will the struggling Lakers make a move in an effort to shake things up and turn their season around? Will the Pistons get an offer they like for forward Jerami Grant? Are retooling teams like the Trail Blazers, Kings, and Pacers done dealing, or do they have more up their sleeves? And, most importantly, will the Nets and Sixers move forward on a long-rumored blockbuster involving James Harden and Ben Simmons?

We’ll be keeping tabs on all the latest news and rumors all day long on Hoops Rumors, leading up to 2:00 p.m. CT.

In the meantime, here are some of our features and trackers to help you prepare for today’s action:

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2022 NBA Trade Deadline Preview: Southwest Division

February 9th, 2022 at 6:33am CST by Luke Adams

With the NBA’s February 10 trade deadline around the corner, we’re taking a closer look at all 30 teams, breaking down their potential plans for the deadline and identifying their most likely trade candidates. We’re focusing today on the Southwest Division.

Dallas Mavericks

Trade deadline goals:

The Mavericks don’t have a single glaring hole on their roster, but could use some extra reinforcements at any number of spots.

It wouldn’t be a shock to see Dallas try to acquire another wing to replace the injured Tim Hardaway Jr.; or an extra big man as Kristaps Porzingis insurance; or even one more guard who can shoot, such as buyout candidate Goran Dragic.

The Mavs probably aren’t just one player away from legitimate title contention — or if they are, they don’t have the assets necessary to make a good deal that one player. So anything they do at the deadline will probably be about taking an incremental step forward. Ideally, they’d find a player who fits well alongside Luka Doncic and who can make the roster a little more dangerous in the playoffs.

Top trade candidates:

Any team that discusses trades with the Mavericks will likely want to talk about one of two players: Jalen Brunson and Dorian Finney-Smith. They’re not exactly young prospects anymore – Brunson is 25 while Finney-Smith is 28 – but both players remain very much in their prime, have small cap hits, and are solid two-way contributors who would fit in just about any system. They’ll be unrestricted free agents this summer, but acquiring their Bird rights may appeal to a capped-out team.

The Mavs are in a tricky spot with Brunson and Finney-Smith. The team has insisted it wants to retain them and re-sign them this summer, but both guys may be in line for eight-figure raises, pushing Dallas into tax territory without even adding a single piece to the current roster. On the other hand, trading either player comes with its own risk — no Maverick besides Doncic has played more minutes than Brunson and Finney-Smith this season, so they’ve been important parts of the team’s success.

If the Mavs aren’t willing to move Brunson or Finney-Smith, their trade assets are limited. Hardaway isn’t a viable trade chip due to his injury and his contract. Dwight Powell and Reggie Bullock have been playing well as of late, but their multiyear guarantees will make some teams wary — they probably have marginal positive trade value, at best. Maxi Kleber, whose $9.2MM salary for next season is non-guaranteed, could be a trade candidate, though he has battled injuries this season, which may hurt his value.

Perhaps Dallas could drum up a little interest in a package that includes some combination of Josh Green, Sterling Brown, Trey Burke, Moses Brown, and a future first-round pick (the next one the Mavs can unconditionally trade is their 2027 first-rounder), but that won’t be enough to land an impact player.

Houston Rockets

Trade deadline goals:

The full-scale rebuild that began when the Rockets traded away James Harden a year ago remains a work in progress.

At 15-39, Houston is in last place in the Western Conference and remains very much in contention for a top spot in this year’s draft lottery. They won’t be making any trades that benefit the team more in the short term than the long term — asset accumulation is still the goal here.

Of course, there are no trade candidates on the current roster who are as valuable as Harden was last year, but the Rockets still have a handful of veterans who will generate real trade interest, along with a couple other vets who will be more challenging to move.

Top trade candidates:

Let’s start with Houston’s most valuable trade candidates — Christian Wood is averaging a double-double while knocking down 37.4% of his three-pointers this season, making him an intriguing option for any team in need of frontcourt help.

Wood, who is under contract through 2022/23, won’t come cheap though. I’d expect the Rockets to seek multiple first-round picks – or the equivalent in young talent – in exchange for Wood. If no one is willing to meet that price, Houston will probably be comfortable hanging onto Wood and revisiting trade scenarios in the offseason.

Veteran shooting guard Eric Gordon is enjoying a career year at the right time, knocking down 49.1% of his shots, including 42.7% of his threes, through 45 games. Gordon’s $18.2MM cap hit this season and his $19.6MM salary for next season will still be a little high for some teams’ liking, especially since he’ll turn 34 later this year. But I think the Rockets have a legitimate shot at getting a first-round pick for him, which I wouldn’t have expected entering the season.

Veteran center Daniel Theis hasn’t been at his best during his first year in Houston, but he has still drawn some interest from teams in need of a big man, based on his track record. Jae’Sean Tate would be popular if the Rockets made him available, but there’s no indication that has happened. Tate may be part of the club’s longer-term plans.

Of course, Houston would love to find new homes for point guards John Wall and D.J. Augustin, but they aren’t interested in giving up assets to make a deal happen. That essentially rules out a deal for Wall, whose $47.3MM player option for 2022/23 kills his value.

At $7MM, Augustin is a more realistic trade candidate, especially since he has been solid in his limited minutes. But unless Houston wants to take back multiyear money, it might be a challenge to acquire anything of real value for the veteran.

Memphis Grizzlies

Trade deadline goals:

The Grizzlies have been one of the best stories of the 2021/22 NBA season. After sneaking into the playoffs in ’20/21, Memphis has emerged as a serious threat to secure a top-three seed and to win a postseason series this year.

The Grizzlies control their own 2022 first-round pick and Utah’s, and would receive a third first-rounder if the Lakers’ pick falls between 11 and 30. With an ascendant roster and an excess of draft picks, you could make the case that the time is right for Memphis to make a major move at the trade deadline and push for a deep playoff run.

Still, it doesn’t appear that’s the plan for the Grizzlies, who have hardly been mentioned in trade rumors in the weeks leading up to Thursday’s trade deadline. Whether they don’t want to risk upsetting their chemistry, don’t feel they’re ready to push their chips into the middle, or want to wait until the offseason to see where their first-round picks land, the Grizzlies seem more inclined to stand pat than to take a big swing.

A smaller move remains possible. If Memphis makes a deal, the team will likely focus on fortifying its depth on the wing.

Top trade candidates:

Former lottery pick Jarrett Culver has occasionally flashed a little upside, particularly on the defensive end, but he’s not part of the Grizzlies’ rotation and will be an unrestricted free agent this summer. His $6.4MM expiring contract could be a logical salary-matching piece in a minor move. Culver wouldn’t have more than neutral trade value, but it’s possible he’d draw a little interest from a lottery team interested in taking a flier on him.

Big man Xavier Tillman is another young player who has shown some promise but doesn’t have a place in Memphis’ current rotation. He’s on a minimum-salary contract, limiting the Grizzlies’ options with him unless they attach him to another player.

Unlike Culver and Tillman, reserve guard De’Anthony Melton and forward Kyle Anderson do play regular minutes, so the Grizzlies will be less motivated to move them. But if Memphis seeks out a more significant upgrade on the wing, Melton ($8.8MM) and Anderson ($9.9MM) would be the most logical trade candidates among the higher-salaried players on the team’s books.

New Orleans Pelicans

Trade deadline goals:

New Orleans had spent the entire season outside of the top 10 in the Western Conference until finally moving into 10th place for the first time on Sunday. Despite their underwhelming first-half performance, the Pelicans were in the market to buy in the weeks leading up to the deadline and found a deal they liked on Tuesday, acquiring CJ McCollum in a seven-player trade that also included three draft picks.

It was a logical move for the Pelicans, who had been on the lookout for backcourt help after Kira Lewis sustained a season-ending knee injury and former first-round pick Nickeil Alexander-Walker took a step backwards in his third NBA season.

McCollum is a reliable veteran capable of creating his own shot who will help Brandon Ingram and Jonas Valanciunas carry the offensive load. The deal makes the Pelicans an odds-on favorite to make the play-in tournament in the West, whether or not Zion Williamson returns in the second half.

Now that the Pelicans have already achieved their primary trade deadline goal of acquiring an impact backcourt player, it remains to be seen whether they’ll have anything else up their sleeves this week as they try to further fortify their roster in the hopes of pushing for a playoff spot.

Top trade candidates:

After trading away Josh Hart, Tomas Satoransky, Didi Louzada, and Alexander-Walker in the McCollum deal, the list of viable Pelicans trade candidates has dwindled.

Third-year big man Jaxson Hayes remains a possible trade chip, but New Orleans has reportedly been encouraged by his recent play at power forward, and his legal issues will negatively impact his trade value. The Pelicans may be better off hanging onto Hayes.

Garrett Temple has averaged about 20 minutes per game this year for New Orleans despite having one of the worst shooting seasons of his career (.382 FG%, .319 3PT%). If they can find a way to upgrade on the wing using Temple as a trade chip, the Pelicans would probably welcome the opportunity.

Larry Nance Jr., who New Orleans received in the McCollum deal, is another player worth watching. As long as Williamson remains sidelined, Nance – once he’s healthy himself – will have a role in the Pels’ rotation, so I imagine he’s not a real candidate to be flipped this week. But the team’s frontcourt will be pretty crowded if and when everyone’s back, so Nance could eventually be the odd man out. That’s probably an issue the Pelicans will wait until the offeason to address.

Finally, it’s worth noting that even after sending a first-round pick and two second-rounders to Portland in the McCollum deal, the Pelicans is well-stocked with future draft picks as a result of the Anthony Davis and Jrue Holiday trades. They could dangle another pick or two in trade discussions this week if there’s another player they like.

San Antonio Spurs

Trade deadline goals:

The Spurs rarely make in-season trades. Entering the 2021/22 league year, they’d completed just two deals during the season since 2012, and neither one had much of an impact on their roster.

However, San Antonio has already made one trade this year, sending Bryn Forbes to Denver last month in a three-team deal in exchange for Juan Hernangomez, a future second-round pick, and cash.

Did that trade signal an increased willingness from San Antonio to make moves before the deadline? Or is expecting more than one in-season trade from the Spurs misguided?

It’s still too early to say, but if the Spurs stand pat at the deadline, it won’t be due to a lack of interest in their players. They’ve reportedly gotten calls on Derrick White, Dejounte Murray, Jakob Poeltl, and Thaddeus Young, among others.

Top trade candidates:

Murray is almost certainly off the table, but it’s not out of the question that the Spurs could move White, Poeltl, or Young.

Of the three, Young is the least likely to finish the season in San Antonio. The veteran forward hasn’t been a regular part of the Spurs’ rotation and is on an expiring $14MM+ contract. He has reportedly generated interest from Minnesota and Phoenix, and I imagine the Spurs would be eager to move him if they can get a second-round pick without taking back any multiyear money. If that sort of offer doesn’t emerge, Young will be a post-deadline buyout candidate.

Poeltl has reportedly generated interest from at least the Raptors, Bulls, and Hornets, but he’s having a very good season and is on an extremely team-friendly contract. It would likely take a pretty strong offer for the Spurs to seriously consider a deal — one report stated they’d want a first-round pick and a quality young player, which sounds about right.

I also wouldn’t expect the Spurs to move White during the season, but he at least seems more attainable than Murray, who was named to his first All-Star Game this week. Veteran sharpshooter Doug McDermott, who is hitting 43.5% of his three-point attempts, would likely be a popular target if San Antonio makes him available, but there has been no indication that he’s on the trade block.

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2022 NBA Trade Deadline Preview: Pacific Division

February 7th, 2022 at 4:05pm CST by Luke Adams

With the NBA’s February 10 trade deadline around the corner, we’re taking a closer look at all 30 teams, breaking down their potential plans for the deadline and identifying their most likely trade candidates. We’re focusing today on the Pacific Division.

Golden State Warriors

Trade deadline goals:

Few, if any, NBA teams should feel less urgency to make a move at the trade deadline than Golden State.

The Warriors already benefited from one major in-season “addition” when Klay Thompson returned to action last month for the first time since 2019. James Wiseman could be a second one if he’s able to make it back in the second half from a pair of knee surgeries.

While rival teams may try to pry away young Warriors prospects like Wiseman, Jonathan Kuminga, or Moses Moody, the Dubs have shown no inclination to mortgage their future for short-term gains. They’ve gone 40-13 this season without ever really being fully healthy — as long as they have all their guys available heading into the postseason, there’s no obvious weak spot on the roster.

Having said that, health is certainly a wild card worth considering. If they’re at all nervous about Draymond Green‘s ability to be back to 100% this spring, the Warriors could peruse the market for a frontcourt fill-in.

Top trade candidates:

One reason why the Warriors seem unlikely to make a trade is that their roster lacks expendable players. A team with the NBA’s second-best record won’t feel compelled to break up its starting lineup, and many of Golden State’s low-priced role players – such as Otto Porter, Damion Lee, and Gary Payton II – are outplaying their contracts and will be retained.

Perhaps a player like Juan Toscano-Anderson or Nemanja Bjelica could be moved in the right deal, but even those guys are probably more valuable the Warriors could get back for them on their own.

For what it’s worth, the Warriors’ success this season means they could safely move their unprotected 2022 second-round pick without worrying about losing a top-20 selection. I’m skeptical they’ll feel compelled to do so, but it’s an option.

Los Angeles Clippers

Trade deadline goals:

Entering February, we didn’t have a clear picture of what the Clippers would try to do at the trade deadline. Kawhi Leonard and Paul George were out indefinitely, but there was no incentive for the team to tank this season, since Oklahoma City owns L.A.’s first-round pick.

We got our answer on the Clippers’ deadline plans on Friday, when they traded Eric Bledsoe, Justise Winslow, Keon Johnson, and a second-round pick to Portland for Norman Powell and Robert Covington. Powell is under contract for several years beyond this one, but Covington is on an expiring deal, so Los Angeles isn’t just looking to the future — the team wants to stay competitive this season, whether or not Leonard and George return.

Having already made one big move, the Clippers may be content to stand pat this week, but I expect them to remain engaged in trade talks for the next few days. They’re still in the market for a play-maker who can set up their stars and who is also comfortable playing off the ball and making open shots.

Top trade candidates:

Serge Ibaka is on an expiring contract, he has battled injury problems, and his playing time has been inconsistent this season even when he’s been healthy. The big man, who has a $9.7MM cap hit, looks like the Clippers’ best remaining candidate to be dealt.

I’ll be curious to see to what extent the Clippers shop Marcus Morris and/or Luke Kennard in the coming days. They overlap to some extent with the skills Powell and Covington bring to the roster, so if the Clippers plan to re-sign Covington in the offseason, it’s hard to imagine all four players sticking with the team long-term, given their price tags. Morris and Kennard each have two guaranteed seasons beyond this one at about $15-17MM per year.

Nicolas Batum could also be a player to watch. He has acquitted himself nicely since arriving in Los Angeles and I doubt the Clippers will want to move him, but he’s a solid two-way contributor at a very team-friendly price ($3.2MM). He’d certainly draw interest, and if he’s the piece the Clips need to give up to get the play-maker they want, they’d probably do it. Batum would need to approve any deal, however.

Los Angeles Lakers

Trade deadline goals:

The Lakers’ big move of the 2021 offseason was to send out Kyle Kuzma, Kentavious Caldwell-Pope, Montrezl Harrell, and a first-round pick (which became Isaiah Jackson) in exchange for Russell Westbrook and a handful of future second-round picks.

The move, which received its share of criticism at the time, looks even worse six months later. Westbrook has struggled mightily in Los Angeles, and with Kuzma, Caldwell-Pope, and Harrell out of the picture, the Lakers hardly have any players left who are earning between the minimum and maximum and could be shopped in trade talks for an impact player.

The Lakers will still be on the lookout for deals that improve their defense and shooting around stars LeBron James and Anthony Davis, but it won’t be easy to make something happen. The Lakers just don’t have many appealing assets, and potential trade partners won’t exactly be lining up to help bail them out.

Top trade candidates:

While the Lakers would probably love to find a taker for Westbrook, his contract will make it virtually impossible. The former MVP is making $44.2MM this season and has a $47MM player option for 2022/23 that looks like a virtual lock to be exercised.

Given Westbrook’s recent play, no team will want to take on that sort of money unless it comes with draft assets, such as L.A.’s 2027 first-round pick (which is the next first-rounder the club can trade). For their part, the Lakers are better off hoping Westbrook can turn things around and preserving their limited assets for something besides a salary dump.

If Westbrook is off the table, that leaves Talen Horton-Tucker and Kendrick Nunn as Los Angeles’ most logical trade chips. They’re the only players on the roster earning more than the minimum salary and less than the max. Together, Horton-Tucker ($9.5MM) and Nunn ($5MM) could bring back a player earning a little over $18MM.

A year ago, attaching a future first-round pick to those two players would’ve made for a pretty tantalizing package. But the shine has come off Horton-Tucker now that he’s on a more expensive contract and hasn’t taken a step forward in his third NBA season. Nunn, meanwhile, has yet to play at all this season due to a knee injury.

Horton-Tucker is still just 21 years old, Nunn is a solid player when he’s healthy, and that 2027 first-rounder holds intrigue because no one knows what the Lakers will look like five years from now. However, L.A. will be competing with other buyers who will be able to offer stronger packages for higher-end trade candidates.

Whether or not they can make a bigger deal, I’d expect the Lakers to try to at least make a smaller trade or two, moving off minimum-salary players such as DeAndre Jordan and/or Kent Bazemore.

Phoenix Suns

Trade deadline goals:

Like the Warriors, the Suns aren’t under any real pressure to make a move at the deadline. Their 42-10 record so far this season is the NBA’s best, and there are no obvious holes in their regular rotation.

Still, the Suns will likely be on the lookout for one more wing who can knock down three-pointers. Offseason acquisition Landry Shamet is shooting a career-worst 35.3% on threes and there’s no guarantee that stretch four Dario Saric will return from his ACL tear in time to provide any help this spring. Shoring up the rotation with one more shooter would give Phoenix some added peace of mind entering the postseason.

Top trade candidates:

Saric’s injury makes him a trade candidate for salary-matching purposes. Among Phoenix’s highest-paid players, the Croatian forward and his $8.5MM cap hit are the most expendable. Of course, it’s worth noting that Saric is also under contract for $9.2MM next season, which may turn off some teams, especially since there’s no guarantee he’ll be back to 100% following his ACL tear.

Second-year center Jalen Smith would be a more interesting trade candidate if the Suns had exercised his $4.7MM option for 2022/23. Because they turned it down, whichever team has Smith on its roster at the end of the season won’t be able to offer him a starting salary higher than $4.7MM when he reaches free agency. In other words, there’s little incentive for a club to take a flier on him, since if he plays well down the stretch, he might price himself off that club’s roster.

Other veterans who aren’t vital rotation pieces, such as Elfrid Payton, Frank Kaminsky, or Abdel Nader, would presumably be available. The Suns also have a fair amount of draft-pick flexibility — they own all their own second-round picks and could offer any future first-rounders starting in 2024.

Sacramento Kings

Trade deadline goals:

There have been mixed messages out of Sacramento in the weeks leading up to this year’s trade deadline. After signaling last summer that they weren’t interested in moving De’Aaron Fox or Tyrese Haliburton, the Kings seemed to become more receptive to the idea after getting off to a terrible start this season, with multiple reports indicating no one was off-limits.

However, last month, the Kings reportedly recommitted to the idea of building around Fox and Haliburton and told Fox they don’t want to move him.

While Haliburton may legitimately be off the table, rival teams are skeptical that Fox is actually untouchable. And it’s safe to assume anyone else on the roster could be had. The Kings badly want to end a playoff drought that has lasted a decade-and-a-half (and counting) and appear prepared to shake up their roster this week to try to make it happen.

Even at 20-35, Sacramento is just two games out of a play-in spot, so we shouldn’t necessarily assume the team is focused on next season quite yet. I expect the front office will be focused on making adjustments to the mix of players on the roster, not simply selling off veterans for draft assets.

Top trade candidates:

Even if the Kings ultimately decide not to move Haliburton and Fox, there are a ton of trade candidates on the roster.

Buddy Hield, Harrison Barnes, Richaun Holmes, and Marvin Bagley III are a few of the players whose names have frequently popped up in trade rumors this season. Barnes and Holmes, in particular, should be intriguing targets for rival teams. Barnes is a solid defensive player who is making over 40% of his three-pointers this season, while Holmes is the kind of rim-running center who would look good in Charlotte or Toronto — both players are on very reasonable multiyear contracts.

It will be more challenging for the Kings to get a positive return for Hield or Bagley. Hield’s ability to stretch the floor is his calling card, but his 36.8% mark on three-pointers this season is easily the worst of his career and he’s owed another $40MM for the next two years after earning $23MM this season. Bagley, meanwhile, still hasn’t delivered on the promise that made him the No. 2 overall pick in 2018 and he’ll be a free agent this summer.

Tristan Thompson, Alex Len, Damian Jones, and Maurice Harkless are among the other veterans the Kings could move, though some will have more value – both to Sacramento and to trade partners – than others. Youngsters Robert Woodard and Jahmi’us Ramsey also haven’t shown much yet and should be available, but they may not generate much interest.

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2022 NBA Trade Deadline Preview: Southeast Division

February 6th, 2022 at 3:05pm CST by Luke Adams

With the NBA’s February 10 trade deadline around the corner, we’re taking a closer look at all 30 teams, breaking down their potential plans for the deadline and identifying their most likely trade candidates. We’re focusing today on the Southeast Division.

Atlanta Hawks

Trade deadline goals:

Following a second-half run that took them all the way to the Eastern Conference Finals last season, the Hawks have been up and down so far in 2021/22.

Injuries and COVID-19 absences have hurt the team, but there’s also a sense that Atlanta could benefit from a consolidation trade, sending out two or three players – and possibly a draft pick or two – for an impact player who would complement Trae Young for years to come.

The Hawks may have kick-started that process by sending Cam Reddish to the Knicks for a protected first-round pick. As president of basketball operations Travis Schlenk observed after making that deal, Reddish wasn’t a player who would’ve appealed to every one of Atlanta’s potential trade partners, but any team would value an extra first-rounder. That pick from Charlotte (via New York) could be useful as a sweetener in a bigger subsequent move.

Finding a logical trade target is trickier. The Hawks have been linked to Ben Simmons and Jerami Grant, so it appears they’re focused on finding a player who can capably guard bigger forwards. But acquiring a player of that caliber – especially Simmons – could mean parting with John Collins. Atlanta may prefer to wait until that offseason to make a move that significant.

Top trade candidates:

Collins has been increasingly mentioned in trade rumors in recent weeks, though reports within the last few days have suggested that the Hawks are more likely to hang onto him through the deadline than to trade him in the next few days. Even if he stays put for the time being, Collins will probably continue to be the subject of trade rumors in the 2022 offseason and beyond, since Atlanta may prefer a more versatile, switchable power forward to pair with centers Clint Capela and Onyeka Okongwu.

If the Hawks want to bring back a player earning more than the mid-level without including Collins in the deal, Danilo Gallinari ($20.5MM) and Bogdan Bogdanovic ($18MM) are the most logical trade candidates. Their production has dipped since last season and both veterans have dealt with injuries.

Delon Wright ($8.5MM) and Lou Williams ($5MM) are on expiring contracts that could be useful for salary matching, though Wright has played an important role in the Hawks’ backcourt and Williams has the ability to veto a trade. Gorgui Dieng ($4MM) also has an expiring deal and has fallen out of the rotation since Christmas.

I’d count on Atlanta hanging onto Okongwu and De’Andre Hunter. Kevin Huerter could be included in certain deals, but his looming rookie scale extension will complicate the team’s ability to trade him due to the poison pill provision.

Charlotte Hornets

Trade deadline goals:

After having Cody Zeller and Bismack Biyombo man the middle for multiple seasons, the Hornets let both players go in the 2021 offseason and made a trade to bring in Mason Plumlee.

As Charlotte’s new starting center, Plumlee hasn’t been bad, but the position still represents the weak link for a lineup that’s pretty solid in the backcourt and on the wing. Upgrading the center spot will be the Hornets’ top priority heading into the deadline.

Myles Turner has long been considered a top target for Charlotte and now might be the time for the team to make a serious play for him. The Pacers appear more willing than ever to break up their frontcourt duo of Turner and Domantas Sabonis, and Turner’s foot injury may scare away other potential suitors who are more focused on this season than on 2022/23 and beyond.

If the asking price for Turner is too high or the Hornets are wary about the status of his foot, there are plenty of other options the team could pursue, including Christian Wood, Jusuf Nurkic, Richaun Holmes, Daniel Theis, and Nic Claxton.

Top trade candidates:

P.J. Washington‘s name has come up in trade rumors this season, which is interesting. He’s a really solid player, but he’ll be entering a contract year in 2022/23 and is playing a reduced role this season in Charlotte — after averaging 30+ minutes per game in his first two years in the NBA, Washington has averaged just 24.1 MPG in 2021/22.

If the Hornets are really willing to move Washington, that could open the door for them to make a meaningful upgrade at center. But even if they’re not, they’d have some intriguing young players to put in their offers. 2021 first-round picks James Bouknight and Kai Jones haven’t emerged as regular rotation players yet and shouldn’t be untouchable. JT Thor, Nick Richards, and Vernon Carey would have less value, but could also be in play.

Plumlee, who is earning about $9.2MM, would be a logical salary-matching piece in any deal involving a center. His $9.1MM salary for next season is only partially guaranteed for about $4.3MM.

The Hornets have already traded away their 2022 first-round pick, which is protected through 2025, so if they put a first-rounder in an offer, it will have to be one that’s still a few years out. Technically, they control the Pelicans’ lottery-protected 2022 first-rounder and could trade it, but that pick will turn into a pair of second-rounders if New Orleans doesn’t make the playoffs this spring.

Miami Heat

Trade deadline goals:

It could be a quiet deadline for the Heat, who will likely prioritize keeping all their stars healthy rather than on adding anyone new to their group. When Miami played in San Antonio on Thursday, it was the first time since November 27 that Jimmy Butler, Bam Adebayo, and Kyle Lowry were all on the court at the same time. Despite being plagued by the injury bug, the club remains firmly in the mix for the top seed in the East.

It’s not inconceivable that the Heat could make a significant move — they’ve been linked to Rockets big man Christian Wood and have reportedly explored a package centered around Duncan Robinson. However, Robinson’s three-point percentage has slipped this year and while his long-term contract is reasonable, it’s not especially team-friendly. It’ll be difficult for Miami to get an impact player back without attaching other assets to him — Houston would certainly want multiple additional pieces in any swap involving Wood.

Robinson is the only higher-salaried Heat player who can realistically be included in a deal, since Butler, Adebayo, Lowry, P.J. Tucker, and Tyler Herro are the only others earning more than the minimum.

With Markieff Morris‘ status up in the air, the Heat may try to acquire a backup power forward, but it won’t be a surprise if eventually promoting two-way player Caleb Martin to the 15-man roster is their most impactful roster move the rest of the way.

Top trade candidates:

Although Robinson’s 36.0% three-point rate is well below his career mark, his ability to stretch the floor and spread out opposing defenses is still an important part of Miami’s offensive attack. The Heat wouldn’t want to rely solely on Max Strus to fill that role on the wing, so if they do move Robinson, they’d want a reliable shooter in return.

If Robinson stays put, one or two minimum-salary players could be on the move in smaller deals. It wouldn’t take much for the Heat to part with KZ Okpala, who is in a contract year and still hasn’t become a regular. Rival clubs may also try to pry away Omer Yurtseven, who had some big games when Adebayo and Dewayne Dedmon were unavailable, but has fallen out of the rotation since Miami’s top centers got healthy.

Miami has traded away its 2023 first-rounder, which is protected through 2025 before becoming unprotected in 2026. That means the Heat could conditionally offer their ’25 first-rounder in a trade, but there’s no guarantee it would actually change hands before 2028.

Orlando Magic

Trade deadline goals:

The Magic were the big seller at the 2021 trade deadline, acquiring a series of young prospects and draft picks in separate trades involving Nikola Vucevic, Aaron Gordon, and Evan Fournier.

Orlando’s trade chips this season aren’t as intriguing as they were last March, but the team’s goal will be the same. With no urgency to push for a playoff spot in the next year or two, the Magic will focus on the future, trying to pick up a few extra assets in exchange for veterans who aren’t in their long-term plans.

At 12-42, the Magic are in a tight race with the Pistons for the top spot in this year’s draft lottery standings, so they’ll be motivated to make moves that may hurt their on-court results in the short term.

Top trade candidates:

Veteran wings Terrence Ross and Gary Harris are the Magic’s top trade chips. Unfortunately, neither player is without his warts.

Ross’ $12.5MM cap hit this season and his $11.5MM salary for 2022/23 make him affordable and controllable, but his .311 3PT% this season is the worst of his career, dinging his value. Conversely, Harris is having a pretty solid bounce-back year, increasing his 3PT% to .385, but he’s a rental and his $20.5MM salary will be trickier for some teams to accommodate.

If the Magic can get a first-round pick for either Ross or Harris, it’d be a major win. They’ll likely have to settle for a return closer to what they got for Fournier (two second-rounders).

Besides Ross and Harris, there aren’t a ton of obvious trade candidates on Orlando’s roster. Robin Lopez has reportedly drawn a little interest, but the Magic may see more value in his locker-room leadership than in the late second-round pick they could potentially get for him. Michael Carter-Williams and E’Twaun Moore would be the types of veterans that could help a playoff team in a reserve role, but neither one has been healthy in months.

Mohamed Bamba is a wild card. The team’s rookie scale extension with Wendell Carter Jr. in the fall seemed to signal that Bamba’s days in Orlando were numbered, but he’s enjoyed a nice breakout year ahead of restricted free agency. He’ll probably draw trade interest, but the Magic may hang onto him until the offseason and then determine at that point whether they want to keep him. If they decide not to re-sign him, they still might be able to get something back in a sign-and-trade.

Washington Wizards

Trade deadline goals:

Things in D.C. looked pretty rosy less than three months ago — on November 16, the 10-3 Wizards controlled the top seed in the Eastern Conference. Since then, Washington has lost 25 of 39 games. The team now sits at 11th in the East, a game out of a play-in spot.

General manager Tommy Sheppard received a promotion and an extension on November 17, but he and his front office suddenly face a significant amount of pressure to make the right roster moves at the deadline to help the Wizards salvage their season.

It doesn’t appear that trading Bradley Beal, who can opt out of his contract this summer, is an option the Wizards are seriously considering, so the goal at the deadline will be to acquire players who fit nicely alongside the star guard and can perhaps help convince him that signing a long-term contract with the franchise this summer is the best course of action.

Domantas Sabonis and Jerami Grant have been among the players most frequently mentioned as the top targets on Washington’s wish list.

Top trade candidates:

If the Wizards really want to land a player like Sabonis or Grant, they’ll have to be willing to part with some of their young talent to make it happen. I’d expect that any deal for Grant would have to involve at least one of Deni Avdija, Rui Hachimura, or Corey Kispert. More than one of those three prospects would likely have to be included in a package for Sabonis.

Even if the Wizards would prefer to trade draft picks, their next few first-round selections are off the table — Washington owes its 2023 first-rounder to Houston, and that pick is protected through 2026, meaning the 2028 pick is the only one the team could unconditionally offer at this point.

A number of Wizards veterans are reportedly available via trade, including Montrezl Harrell, Thomas Bryant, Spencer Dinwiddie, and Davis Bertans. None of them would have much value on their own though. Dinwiddie and Bertans, in particular, could be tricky to move — they’re on pricey multiyear deals and haven’t played well this season.

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2022 NBA Trade Deadline Preview: Central Division

February 4th, 2022 at 5:32pm CST by Luke Adams

With the NBA’s February 10 trade deadline around the corner, we’re taking a closer look at all 30 teams, breaking down their potential plans for the deadline and identifying their most likely trade candidates. We’re focusing today on the Central Division.

Chicago Bulls

Trade deadline goals:

After acquiring Nikola Vucevic at last season’s deadline, the Bulls completed sign-and-trade deals for DeMar DeRozan and Lonzo Ball in the offseason, signaling they were prepared to go all-in to contend. Those moves have paid off, as Chicago currently controls the No. 1 seed in the East with a 32-19 record.

However, injuries have put a damper on the Bulls’ success. Young forward Patrick Williams will miss most, if not all, of the season after undergoing wrist surgery in October. And Ball, Alex Caruso, and Derrick Jones are all sidelined with various ailments that have projected recovery timelines of at least six-to-eight weeks.

Chicago’s health problems have complicated the team’s plans at the deadline. Does it make sense to continue the all-in push this season with no guarantee that the rotation will be 100% healthy this spring? If so, what’s the greatest area of need? Do the Bulls need a forward to help make up for the losses of Williams and Jones, or has the backcourt become a more pressing concern with Ball and Caruso unavailable?

For now, there’s no reason to believe Ball and Caruso won’t be back for the playoffs, but the same can’t necessarily be said of Williams, whose relative inexperience is another factor that must be considered as the team weighs its top deadline priorities. While the Bulls could certainly look to add another guard (they’ve been linked to Dennis Schröder), I expect power forward to be the prime position of concern.

Top trade candidates:

Coby White was drafted by the Bulls’ previous front office regime and hadn’t established himself as a foundational player entering this season, so he was viewed a couple months ago as one of the team’s clearest trade candidates.

However, White has taken advantage of a series of backcourt absences and has played some of the best basketball in his career in recent weeks, raising doubts about whether Chicago can actually afford to part with him. I think he could still be on the move in the right deal, but the odds of him being dealt have decreased significantly.

A team laser-focused on winning a championship in the short term would likely be open to trading Williams for a healthier and more playoff-tested veteran, but the Bulls have signaled they’re not eager to discuss the former No. 4 overall pick, who was the first player drafted by president of basketball operations Arturas Karnisovas. Even if Williams doesn’t end up contributing much this season, the Bulls still love his long-term potential and won’t sacrifice him in any deal that doesn’t substantially improve their title chances.

If White and Williams are off the table, the Bulls may be limited to shopping the likes of Jones, Troy Brown, Marko Simonovic, and a handful of reserves. The team has traded away two of its future first-round picks, reducing the number of draft assets it could use to sweeten its offers, but does control Portland’s lottery-protected 2022 first-rounder. That’s probably the pick trade partners will be after in any negotiations with the Bulls.

Cleveland Cavaliers

Trade deadline goals:

For the first time since LeBron James was a Cavalier, we’re approaching a trade deadline wondering what moves Cleveland can make to increase its odds of making a deep playoff run that spring, rather than what moves the club will make to improve its long-term outlook.

The Cavaliers’ jumbo frontcourt has been a massive success, and with Jarrett Allen, Evan Mobley, and Lauri Markkanen locked into their respective roles, the team doesn’t need to add reinforcements up front. However, Cleveland has been in the market for help on the wing since last summer, and season-ending injuries to Ricky Rubio and Collin Sexton have the club eyeing potential backcourt upgrades as well.

Caris LeVert, Terrence Ross, Eric Gordon, and Dennis Schröder are among the players who have been cited as possible deadline targets for the Cavs.

While Cleveland will do its best to add one of those players or another veteran who can play a rotation role, it doesn’t sound like the team is eager to sacrifice valuable assets for the future. According to one recent report, the Cavs are trying to upgrade their roster using a couple second-round picks instead of parting with a first-rounder.

Top trade candidates:

Until he tore his ACL, Rubio looked like a candidate for a contract extension, not a trade. But his $17.8MM expiring contract now makes him Cleveland’s best salary-matching piece in a bigger deal.

While it’s obvious the Cavs are willing to move Rubio, it remains unclear what the plan is for their other injured guard. Sexton will be a restricted free agent this summer, and his knee surgery means the Cavs may be able to sign him to a much more team-friendly deal than they initially expected. He’d have value as a trade chip, but I expect Cleveland will try to avoid moving him if possible.

Kevin Love had been on the trade block for years entering this season, but was never dealt because no other teams wanted his oversized contract. I expect another trade deadline to come and go without Love changing teams, but his situation has changed — he’s having a nice bounce-back season and is thriving in a reserve role, providing far more value to the Cavs in that role than he would in a trade.

Dylan Windler, Kevin Pangos, and a handful of other bench players could be had, but won’t have much value. Unless they’re willing to move Sexton or Cedi Osman, the Cavs’ ability to upgrade their roster may ultimately come down to what kinds of draft picks they put in their offers. Second-round picks will be enough for certain trade targets, but a first-rounder would open up more doors.

Detroit Pistons

Trade deadline goals:

The Pistons’ 12-39 record is the NBA’s second-worst mark. They’re not contending for a playoff spot this season, and given how competitive the East has gotten, they may not be in the mix for a postseason berth in 2023 either.

With that in mind, Detroit will be taking the long view as the February 10 deadline approaches. I expect the club to focus on adding more draft picks and taking fliers on young players who may have fallen out of favor with their current teams, such as Marvin Bagley III.

While it’s possible the Pistons could make a move for someone who could contribute right away, it would only make sense to do so if that player is controllable for several years — either on a long-term contract or as a pending restricted free agent whose Bird rights Detroit would acquire in any trade.

Top trade candidates:

Jerami Grant is one of this winter’s top trade candidates, and the Pistons appear to be in good position to extract a significant return for the veteran forward. There are several contending teams in the market for an impact two-way player, and Grant is under contract beyond this season, making him an appealing target.

Still, there’s no guarantee the Pistons will move Grant. A number of his potential suitors – such as the Lakers and Jazz – aren’t armed with the sort of draft picks and young prospects Detroit would want, which may limit the team’s ability to create a bidding war.

Rumors that Grant will want a prominent offensive role and a four-year, $112MM extension (the maximum he could get prior to free agency) from his new team may also make some clubs nervous.

If Grant stays put, it could be a pretty quiet deadline for the Pistons. They have other players they’d certainly be open to dealing – Cory Joseph, Josh Jackson, and Rodney McGruder, among others – but none of them are nearly as valuable as Grant.

Indiana Pacers

Trade deadline goals:

The 2021/22 trade rumor season unofficially got underway when a report nearly two months ago stated the Pacers were open to a roster shakeup and were making Domantas Sabonis, Myles Turner, and Caris LeVert available with the intent to be active.

While that story made it sound like there could be a fire sale in Indiana, subsequent reporting made it clear that’s probably not in the cards.

Pacers owner Herb Simon, who is 87 years old, has never been on board with a full-scale rebuild and is unlikely to sign off on one now, even though the case could be made that the time is right — at 19-34, the club seems to be bottoming out this season without intentionally tanking.

Unless Simon has a change of heart, our working assumption is that Indiana will be open to making a big deal or two that reshapes the roster without significantly pushing back the timeline for contention. The 2017 Paul George trade is a good point of reference — when they dealt George, the Pacers got back Sabonis and Victor Oladipo, not a collection of draft picks. That blueprint is the one they’ll probably want to follow if they move Sabonis, Turner, and/or LeVert.

Top trade candidates:

Sabonis and Turner are the most exciting trade candidates on the block for the Pacers, but LeVert and Justin Holiday are probably the ones who are more likely to be dealt.

Indiana’s asking price for Sabonis is said to be very high, and Turner’s lingering foot injury muddles his trade value. It’s certainly not out of the question that one of the centers will be on the move, but I don’t get the sense the odds are better than 50/50 at this point.

Outside of Sabonis, Turner, LeVert, and Holiday, the Pacers don’t really have any trade candidates that will move the needle for teams. Malcolm Brogdon isn’t eligible to be traded this season, T.J. McConnell and T.J. Warren are injured, and rookies Chris Duarte and Isaiah Jackson are believed to be off the table.

Milwaukee Bucks

Trade deadline goals:

The Bucks brought back most of their key contributors from last season’s championship roster, but they’ve clearly missed a pair of veterans this season: P.J. Tucker and Brook Lopez.

Milwaukee let Tucker walk in free agency, bringing in Semi Ojeleye on a minimum-salary contract in the hopes that he could play a similar role at a much lower price. That gamble hasn’t paid off. Ojeleye isn’t enough of a threat from beyond the three-point line to warrant much defensive attention, and while Ojeleye is a solid enough defender, Tucker was better. If the Bucks can find a way to acquire a versatile, defensive-minded forward who can be this year’s Tucker, they’ll jump at the opportunity.

As for Lopez, he’s still on the roster, but hasn’t played since the season opener due to back problems. He’s an important rim-protector for Milwaukee on defense and – like Tucker – hits just enough three-pointers to create problems for defenses that want to focus on the Bucks’ stars. Lopez’s return timeline remains unclear, but the Bucks will likely try to acquire at least a backup for him, if not an outright replacement.

Top trade candidates:

With Pat Connaughton and Grayson Allen playing well on the wing, it will be interesting to see if the Bucks move Donte DiVincenzo at the deadline. They got by without him in last year’s postseason and for most of the first half this season, and he’ll be a restricted free agent at season’s end.

DiVincenzo has reportedly drawn “considerable” trade interest and looks like the best and most obvious trade chip for a Milwaukee team that has traded away several future draft picks.

Jordan Nwora is another restricted-free-agent-to-be who would have positive value if the Bucks made him available. Veterans like Ojeleye, George Hill, and Rodney Hood could also be attached to certain deals, but won’t draw much – if any – interest on their own.

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