We’re just one month away from the NBA trade deadline, an important event that not only excites fans but also teams and players.
Predicting how active the trade deadline will be can be difficult since unexpected events often change the market. However, one thing is clear: by early January, teams that think they are contenders have already identified weaknesses in their rosters and are actively seeking solutions.
This year, the trade market is complicated by new salary cap “aprons,” which means bigger trades will likely need third teams to help make them possible. But it’s hard enough to get two teams to agree on a deal, let alone three or more.
With that in mind, here’s a look at the trade market for 15 teams, their needs, what they can trade, and the likelihood of making a major deal.
Eastern Conference
Boston Celtics
Roster need: Depth
What they can trade: The Celtics have three tradable first-round picks and six second-round picks. Guard Jaden Springer, who earns $4 million in the final year of his contract, is also a potential trade candidate.
Chances of a significant trade: Unlikely. Due to a $65 million luxury tax bill, any deals would likely focus on reducing salary to open up roster spots in case there’s a buyout candidate they want to pursue.
Cleveland Cavaliers
Roster need: Defensive wing
What they can trade: One first-round pick and eight second-round picks. They also have valuable bench players in the final years of their contracts, such as Caris LeVert ($16.6 million), Ty Jerome ($2.5 million), and Sam Merrill ($2.1 million).
Chances of a significant trade: Unlikely.
The team is playing well, with a 31-4 record and great chemistry. While they may consider their expiring contracts and picks, any deal would likely be small. They are also just $1.9 million into the luxury tax and might prefer to avoid it.
Milwaukee Bucks
Roster need: Perimeter defense
What they can trade: They have one tradable first-round pick and one second-round pick. Brook Lopez is on a $23 million expiring contract, and Khris Middleton ($32 million) and Bobby Portis ($12.5 million) both have player options for next summer.
Chances of a significant trade: Possible. Bucks GM Jon Horst has been active in looking for deals, though they face second apron restrictions. However, they are trying to make a deal.
New York Knicks
Roster need: Size and depth
What they can trade: One tradable first-round pick, eight second-round picks. Expiring contracts include Precious Achiuwa ($6 million), Cam Payne ($2 million), and Jericho Sims ($2 million). Mitchell Robinson ($14 million) has value but has been out this season.
Chances of a significant trade: Unlikely. The Knicks are close to the second apron and are hard-capped. Their main hope is getting Robinson back after his foot surgery.
Orlando Magic
Roster need: Shooting and offense
What they can trade: They have five tradable first-round picks and 12 second-round picks. They also have an $8 million trade exception and $21 million in space under the luxury tax. Expiring contracts include Gary Harris ($7.5 million) and Cory Joseph ($3.3 million).
Chances of a significant trade: Possible. The Magic have plenty of assets and space but need offensive talent. However, their front office is known to be conservative. Their last major trade for a rotation player was in 2019, when they acquired Markelle Fultz.
Philadelphia 76ers
Roster need: Frontcourt size
What they can trade: The 76ers have four tradable first-round picks and six second-round picks. They signed KJ Martin ($8 million) partly for use in a potential trade.
Chances of a significant trade: Possible. Daryl Morey is known for being active in trades, and he didn’t acquire those picks just to draft players. The 76ers are about $6 million below the second apron, giving Morey some flexibility to structure a trade. If no deal happens, it won’t be because they didn’t try.
Eastern Conference
Dallas Mavericks
Roster need: Defensive wing
What they can trade: They have two tradable first-round picks and two second-round picks. Maxi Kleber ($11 million) and Quentin Grimes ($4 million) are potential trade targets.
Chances of a significant trade: Possible. GM Nico Harrison has been aggressive with trades in the past, and last year’s acquisitions helped the Mavericks reach the Finals. Dallas has been very active in trade talks this season.
Denver Nuggets
Roster need: Shooting and depth
What they can trade: The Nuggets can’t trade any first-round picks, but they have one second-round pick. Michael Porter Jr. ($36 million) might be available for the right deal, and Zeke Nnaji ($9 million) has been available for some time.
Chances of a significant trade: Possible. The Nuggets discussed trading Porter for Zach LaVine earlier this season. While those talks have paused, their openness to trade Porter suggests the team may consider changes to their core, which has not performed as expected this season.
Golden State Warriors
Roster need: Star to pair with Steph Curry
What they can trade: The Warriors have three tradable first-round picks and two second-round picks. They have depth, with players like Gary Payton II ($9 million) and Kevon Looney ($7 million) on expiring contracts. Any major trade would likely involve Andrew Wiggins ($26 million).
Other teams might be interested in prospects like Jonathan Kuminga and Brandin Podziemski. Kuminga’s recent ankle injury complicates matters but isn’t as concerning as his restricted free agency in July.
Chances of a significant trade: Possible. The Warriors have considered trades for LeBron James, Paul George, and Lauri Markkanen in the past year. They already made one trade this season for Dennis Schroder.
Houston Rockets
Roster need: Shooting
What they can trade: The Rockets have four tradable first-round picks and five second-round picks. They also have valuable young players and some expiring contracts, like Steven Adams ($13 million), Jae’Sean Tate ($7 million), and Jeff Green ($8 million).
Chances of a significant trade: Unlikely. The Rockets are focused on building for the future and want their young players to grow together. They are in a position to pursue a superstar, but there doesn’t seem to be one available that they are ready to go all-in for, at least for now.
Los Angeles Lakers
Roster need: Perimeter defense, size
What they can trade: The Lakers have three tradable first-round picks and two second-round picks. They also have some mid-range salaries, such as Gabe Vincent’s ($11 million), Rui Hachimura’s ($17 million), and the injured Jarred Vanderbilt’s ($12 million), which could be combined in a trade.
Chances of a significant trade: Possible. They already made a deal for Dorian Finney-Smith, their first major trade in nearly two years. The Lakers still have first-round picks to use, but any teams willing to trade a big-name player may want Austin Reaves in return. The Lakers have shown no interest in moving him.
Memphis Grizzlies
Roster need: Wing defense
What they can trade: The Grizzlies own all of their first-round picks and can trade up to four of them, plus five second-round picks.
Chances of a significant trade: Possible. The Grizzlies feel they are close to making a serious playoff push and are acting accordingly. They were in talks to acquire Dorian Finney-Smith but lost out to the Lakers. They also have some expiring contracts, like Luke Kennard ($9 million, with trade veto power) and Jake LaRavia ($3 million), which could be used in a trade.
Minnesota Timberwolves
Roster need: Backup point guard
What they can trade: They can trade one first-round pick and three second-round picks.
Chances of a significant trade: Unlikely. Minnesota already made a big move by trading Karl-Anthony Towns for Julius Randle and Donte DiVincenzo.
With rookie Rob Dillingham still developing and dealing with an injury, the Timberwolves could use a backup guard for Mike Conley. However, the real question is whether they would trade Randle ($33 million), who doesn’t quite fit, in a big move. Right now, that doesn’t seem likely.
Oklahoma City Thunder
Roster need: Size, shot creation
What they can trade: They have up to 10 tradable first-round picks and 16 second-round picks. They also have many young players and some players on mid-range contracts. They have an $8 million trade exception and are $9.5 million below the luxury tax.
Chances of a significant trade: Possible. The Thunder have plenty of assets to make a trade, but they’ve said they prefer not to make midseason changes after last year’s deal for Gordon Hayward didn’t work out. They haven’t yet had their full roster together, which is one reason to delay making a trade. However, they have positioned themselves to outbid other teams if they find a player they want.
Phoenix Suns
Roster need: Stretch big man
What they can trade: They have one tradable first-round pick and three second-round picks. Jusuf Nurkic ($18 million) is available. Any big deal would likely involve Bradley Beal ($50 million), who has a no-trade clause. The Suns’ decision to remove both Beal and Nurkic from their starting lineup starting Monday sends a clear message about their potential trade plans.
Chances of a significant trade: Possible. While it’s hard to believe because the Suns have many trade restrictions and limited assets, they are still trying. They have been looking for a way to trade Beal, possibly for Jimmy Butler. A key point to remember is that Kevin Durant has one year left on his contract after this season and didn’t sign a short extension last summer.
