The NBA trade deadline is approaching in one month, and there will likely be a lot of attention on whether the Miami Heat will trade Jimmy Butler, especially after the ongoing situation with the six-time All-Star.
However, Butler won’t be the only big name potentially on the move before the February 6 deadline. The New Orleans Pelicans, who are currently at the bottom of the Western Conference standings, need to decide what to do with Brandon Ingram. Additionally, the Brooklyn Nets may trade another key player, Cameron Johnson, if they find a team that has higher playoff ambitions.
Whether a team makes a trade or not, every team has at least one player who could be involved in a trade to either improve their chances for the playoffs or take steps in their rebuilding process. ESPN insiders Bobby Marks (Eastern Conference) and Kevin Pelton (Western Conference) offer a look at one trade candidate for each team.
Eastern Conference
Atlanta Hawks
Trade candidate: Larry Nance Jr., Forward
The Hawks don’t need to make a move to avoid the play-in tournament, but they might consider changing their roster. Nance’s $11.2 million expiring contract is valuable. Before he broke his right hand on December 28, Nance had been playing his best basketball, averaging 11.2 points and 7.6 rebounds in the previous five games. One trade that could help the Hawks improve their backcourt depth is swapping Nance for Spurs guard Tre Jones. The Hawks have struggled with turnovers, ranking 24th in the league, and have allowed the fourth-most points off turnovers.
Boston Celtics
Trade candidate: Jaden Springer, Guard
Trading Springer depends on whether the Celtics are willing to add a second-round pick to move his $4 million salary or find another player making less money. Since the Celtics are over the salary cap, they can’t send cash and take on more salary than they give away. The Wizards, with a $12.4 million trade exception and space under the luxury tax, could help by taking on his salary. A trade involving Springer would save the Celtics $16 million in luxury tax payments.
Brooklyn Nets
Trade candidate: Cameron Johnson, Forward
The Nets will likely want more in a trade for Johnson than they received when they traded Dennis Schroder and Dorian Finney-Smith. Johnson fills three key needs for playoff teams: he plays a needed position, is on a team-friendly contract for the next three seasons, and is having career-high numbers in points (19.5), field goal percentage (49.6%), and 3-point percentage (43.6%). One issue is his $4.5 million in unlikely bonuses, which could complicate trades, such as one with Golden State, making the deal illegal.
Charlotte Hornets
Trade candidate: Nick Richards, Center
Last season, the Hornets made several veteran trades and received valuable picks. Now, with Mark Williams healthy, the team may consider moving Richards, especially if Williams’ injury history makes Richards an important backup. Richards has had a strong season, averaging 11.3 points and 10.2 rebounds in nine starts. His contract, worth $5 million this season and next, is considered a good deal.
Chicago Bulls
Trade candidate: Nikola Vucevic, Center
The Bulls face a tough decision regarding Vucevic, their second-leading scorer. Should they trade him now and get a mix of a first-round pick, expiring contracts, and a young player? Or should they wait until the summer when Vucevic enters the final year of his contract? Vucevic is playing well, averaging 20.4 points, shooting a career-high 55.8% from the field, and also shooting 43.6% from 3-point range. He has averaged double-digit rebounds for the seventh season in a row. The Bulls currently hold the last play-in spot, just ahead of Philadelphia.
Cleveland Cavaliers
Trade candidate: None, but watch for guard Caris LeVert
The Cavaliers, with the best record in the league, likely won’t make an in-season trade. However, they could move under the luxury tax by trading LeVert, whose $16.6 million expiring contract could be included in a deal. LeVert is having a great season, shooting career-highs from the field (50.4%) and 3-point range (45.9%).
Detroit Pistons
Trade candidate: None, but watch for cap space
Detroit is in an interesting position with $14.1 million in cap space. They also have an $8 million midlevel exception available to acquire a player once they use up the cap space. Many teams can’t take on extra salary due to salary cap restrictions, so Detroit could serve as a third team in trades, taking on contracts in exchange for draft picks.
Indiana Pacers
Trade candidate: Obi Toppin, Forward
Trading Toppin for an expiring contract wouldn’t help the Pacers on the court but would give them more flexibility for the offseason to re-sign Myles Turner and extend Bennedict Mathurin. With Toppin’s $14 million salary next season, Indiana is $20 million under the luxury tax before deciding on Turner’s future. Toppin is averaging double-digit points for the second year in a row.
Miami Heat
Trade candidate: Jimmy Butler, Forward
On December 26, Heat president Pat Riley said the team would not trade Butler. However, things changed when Riley announced on Friday that Butler was suspended for seven games due to conduct harmful to the team, and Miami would look into trading him. The Heat now need to figure out if they can find a trade that keeps the team competitive while also maintaining financial flexibility for the future.
Milwaukee Bucks
Trade candidate: Bobby Portis, Forward
Portis is averaging 16.4 points and shooting 38.6% from 3-point range in his last 10 games, but he’s listed because the Bucks have a high payroll with 80% of their salary going to four players. Portis’ $12.6 million salary and their 2031 first-round pick are the biggest assets the Bucks could use in a trade. Since the Bucks are $6.5 million over the salary cap, they can’t take back more salary than they send out in a trade. Portis could also become a free agent next season if he declines his $13.4 million player option.
New York Knicks
Trade candidate: Mitchell Robinson, Center
Robinson has not played yet this season, but he is the Knicks’ most valuable trade asset. His contract is attractive for teams needing frontcourt depth and rebounding, but Robinson is still recovering from two surgeries on his left ankle. Coach Tom Thibodeau said Robinson should be ready for practice in January. If Robinson is cleared before the trade deadline, the Knicks will have to decide if he has more value on their roster or as part of a trade to strengthen their bench. The Knicks’ bench has been the least productive in the league in terms of minutes and points. Because of salary restrictions, New York can’t take back more than $14.8 million in a trade, but a deal for the Wizards’ Jonas Valanciunas could work.
Orlando Magic
Trade candidate: Cole Anthony, Guard
The Magic are last in the league in 3-point shooting, so it makes sense to explore trades involving Jonathan Isaac and a future first-round pick. However, Isaac is important as insurance for the injury-prone frontcourt. Isaac’s contract drops from $25 million to $15 million next season, making him more valuable for a trade in the future. Anthony has struggled to find playing time this season, despite scoring 35 points in a win against Miami. He is averaging a career-low in points and field goal percentage and is getting limited minutes. Trading Anthony and two second-round picks for Utah’s Jordan Clarkson could help the Magic with their perimeter shooting.
Philadelphia 76ers
Trade candidate: KJ Martin, Forward
Martin’s contract, which was raised to $16 million over two years, seemed like an overpay, especially after he averaged only 3.7 points per game last season. However, this increase is less about rewarding his on-court performance and more about giving the 76ers a valuable trade asset. With rookie guard Jared McCain injured, Philadelphia is looking for another shot-creator.
Toronto Raptors
Trade candidate: Chris Boucher, Forward
Boucher, not Bruce Brown Jr., is a trade candidate for a few reasons. His length and ability to guard multiple positions are valuable to playoff teams. Boucher is also having one of his best seasons, averaging 9.9 points in 17.5 minutes per game. More importantly, Boucher’s $11.7 million salary this season is half of what is owed to Brown, who had knee surgery in the offseason and has only played three games.
Washington Wizards
Trade candidate: Jonas Valanciunas, Center
Valanciunas is one of the Wizards’ veterans (along with Malcolm Brogdon, Kyle Kuzma, Marvin Bagley III, and Richaun Holmes) who could be traded before the deadline. He is playing a career-low 20 minutes per game but is still averaging 11.7 points and 8 rebounds.
Valanciunas has two years and $21.4 million left on his contract, with both years being non-guaranteed. His $9.9 million salary this season fits with teams like the Lakers, who are over the salary cap and can’t take on more salary in a trade.
Western Conference
Dallas Mavericks
Trade candidate: Maxi Kleber, Forward
After making two starter trades last season, the Mavericks are not expected to be as active this time. They may consider trading guard Quentin Grimes, who is likely to get a raise as a restricted free agent this summer, but Grimes has been an important backup player. Kleber has been moved to a smaller role, and trading his $11 million salary could help the Mavericks get under the luxury tax. This would give them more flexibility to re-sign Grimes in the summer without going over the tax limit.
Denver Nuggets
Trade candidate: Michael Porter Jr., Forward
If the Nuggets decide to make a big trade, Porter’s $35.9 million salary will probably need to be included. However, his recent performance might make the Nuggets think twice. He’s shooting a career-high 52% from the field, including 42% from three-point range, and his size has allowed the Nuggets to move guard Russell Westbrook into the starting lineup for the injured Aaron Gordon. With Jamal Murray playing better in December, adding a shot creator doesn’t seem as necessary for Denver, and improving their defense looks like a bigger priority.
Golden State Warriors
Trade candidate: Jonathan Kuminga, Forward
Golden State already made one move by trading for Dennis Schroder to add depth behind Stephen Curry. Kuminga’s future with the team is now the main question, as he is set to become a restricted free agent this summer. Kuminga is averaging a career-high 16.8 points per game but is shooting a career-low 50% on two-point shots, which lowers his efficiency. Kuminga lost his starting position and is out for at least three weeks due to an ankle injury, which makes him less attractive for a big trade. However, he is only 22 years old, and another team might think he would do better in their system than with the Warriors, who focus on winning now.
Houston Rockets
Trade candidate: Cam Whitmore, Forward
Since the Rockets are competing for home-court advantage, it seems unlikely they will make a major trade before the deadline. However, they might consider trading Whitmore to a team that needs more young talent. During five games from Dec. 23 to New Year’s Day, Whitmore averaged 14.6 points per game and had shooting splits near 50/40/90. Despite being a top prospect on many teams, Whitmore is just one of many players on Houston’s roster. He might not have a regular role with the team when they are fully healthy, so trading him could help the Rockets get a better pick than the 20th overall pick they used to select him in 2023.
LA Clippers
Trade candidate: P.J. Tucker, Forward
Tucker has been in limbo this season. The deep Clippers haven’t needed him in a big role, but they haven’t let him go yet to see if he could still contribute at the trade deadline. Tucker has been at home all season after playing just 420 minutes with the Clippers in 2023-24, following his trade to the team as part of the James Harden deal. At 39, Tucker isn’t as reliable as he used to be as a 3-and-D player, and his $11.5 million salary might make him a better candidate for a buyout than a trade.
Los Angeles Lakers
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Trade candidate: Christian Wood, Forward
The Lakers probably already made their biggest trade by acquiring Dorian Finney-Smith and Shake Milton from the Nets last week. However, they could still make a smaller move before the deadline. Wood hasn’t played yet this season due to knee surgery in September, and trading his $3 million salary to a team with an open roster spot is one of the most likely moves before the deadline. This would also help the Lakers save about $11 million in luxury tax.
If the Lakers decide to make another significant move, they could think about acquiring Wizards center Jonas Valanciunas. The Lakers have Gabe Vincent’s $11 million salary, two future first-round picks (2029 and 2030), the option to swap first-round picks in five seasons (2026, 2028, 2029, 2030, 2031), and two second-round picks that they might use.
Memphis Grizzlies
Trade candidate: Luke Kennard, Guard
Kennard was part of Memphis’ reported offer for Finney-Smith before the Nets accepted the Lakers’ deal instead. Kennard is making $9.25 million on a one-year contract and has the ability to block any trade but might get more playing time elsewhere. He led the NBA in 3-point shooting percentage during both the 2021-22 and 2022-23 seasons and is still shooting 45% from 3, but he hasn’t played as much because younger players Jaylen Wells and Jake LaRavia have taken on bigger roles.
Minnesota Timberwolves
Trade candidate: None, but watch for Joe Ingles
The Timberwolves made their big move before the season when they traded Karl-Anthony Towns to the Knicks and brought Donte DiVincenzo and Julius Randle to Minnesota. Although that trade hasn’t worked out exactly as they hoped, another trade isn’t expected to fix things. Minnesota doesn’t have a clear player to trade in order to cut the team’s high luxury tax bill. Ingles has played only a limited role, but his value is more about his experience in the locker room than his on-court play.
New Orleans Pelicans
Trade candidate: Brandon Ingram, Forward
With Ingram about to become an unrestricted free agent in less than six months, he is one of the most interesting players who could be traded before the deadline. If another team had been willing to offer a player who fits better with the Pelicans’ roster and salary, the trade would have already happened. New Orleans, which is also facing a decision on Zion Williamson’s future, may have to wait for another team to believe Ingram is the biggest upgrade they can make before the deadline. If that doesn’t happen, will the Pelicans accept a lower offer for him during a lost season, or will they keep Ingram for a potential sign-and-trade next summer? We’ll find out soon.
Oklahoma City Thunder
Trade candidate: Ousmane Dieng, Forward
At the 2024 trade deadline, Oklahoma City traded former first-round pick Tre Mann to add a veteran player (Gordon Hayward) and clear space for future moves. A similar deal could happen this year. Dieng, picked 11th overall by the Thunder in 2022, has not been able to get more playing time despite Oklahoma City’s injuries in the frontcourt. Still only 21, Dieng might find more chances with a rebuilding team, just like Mann did with the Charlotte Hornets.
Phoenix Suns
Trade candidate: Jusuf Nurkic, Center
If the Suns want to make a big trade for Jimmy Butler, they would need to trade Bradley Beal. Otherwise, Nurkic is the most likely player to be traded due to the team’s second-apron restrictions. Nurkic is playing only 24.3 minutes per game, the least since the 2016-17 season, when he backed up Nikola Jokic before being traded to Portland. If Phoenix wants to get a more versatile player that fits better with coach Mike Budenholzer’s system, they might have to take on more years of salary than Nurkic’s contract, which ends in 2026.
Portland Trail Blazers
Trade candidate: Jerami Grant, Forward
The Blazers might have waited too long to trade Grant, who re-signed with the team right before Damian Lillard asked to be traded, starting Portland’s rebuild. Grant had a great 2023-24 season, averaging 21.0 points per game, but he has been less effective in 2024-25, scoring only 15.0 points per game, his lowest since 2019-20. With three years left on his contract, it might be best for the Blazers to move on from Grant to get the best return.
Sacramento Kings
Trade candidate: Kevin Huerter, Guard
ESPN’s Ramona Shelburne reported that before firing coach Mike Brown, the Kings considered trading for several players on this list, such as Ingram, Johnson, LaVine, and Kyle Kuzma. With a salary of $16.8 million and one year left on his contract, Huerter could be part of those trade talks. Huerter was a key addition for Sacramento, averaging a career-high 15.2 points per game and shooting 40% from 3-point range in 2022-23 when the Kings made the playoffs. Since then, his shooting and scoring have decreased, suggesting that a change of scenery could benefit him.
San Antonio Spurs
Trade candidate: Keldon Johnson, Guard
With the arrival of Victor Wembanyama, the Spurs’ performance has improved, but Johnson’s numbers have gone down. Johnson averaged 22.0 points per game in 2022-23 but is only scoring 12.2 points per game this season. His drop in 3-point shooting from 35% to 27% is especially surprising. Since his free-throw shooting has stayed consistent at 76%, it is possible that Johnson will improve his 3-point shooting again. At 25 years old, he could be an appealing trade target for a team looking for a low-cost deal.
Utah Jazz
Trade candidate: Jordan Clarkson, Guard
At 32 years old, Clarkson is unlikely to be part of the Jazz’s future as they continue rebuilding. He won the 2021 Sixth Man Award and is still one of the best bench scorers in the league, ranking third among players who have started fewer than half their games, with 16.7 points per game. With a salary of $14.1 million this year and $14.3 million in 2025-26, Clarkson’s salary should work for a playoff team needing depth. He could be a good addition to a team like Orlando, which needs more scoring.
