NBA trade deadline: One player to watch on all 30 teams
The NBA trade deadline is one month away, and the buzz around the league will likely be centered on whether the Miami Heat trade Jimmy Butler amid a standoff with the six-time All-Star.
Butler won’t be the only notable player linked to a possible move ahead of the Feb. 6 deadline. The New Orleans Pelicans, stuck at the bottom of the Western Conference standings, still must figure out what to do with Brandon Ingram. And the busy Brooklyn Nets could be trading away yet another key contributor in Cameron Johnson if they find a team with bigger postseason ambitions.
Whether a team makes a move or stands pat ahead of the deadline, each has at least one player that could be used in a trade to either strengthen its playoff push or take further steps in a rebuilding process. ESPN Insiders Bobby Marks (Eastern Conference) and Kevin Pelton (Western Conference) provide a team-by-team look at one player on each roster who could be traded.
Jump to a conference:
East | West
Eastern Conference
Atlanta Hawks
Trade candidate: Larry Nance Jr., Forward
The Hawks are in a position where they can stay conservative at the deadline and still find themselves avoiding the play-in. If they do look to tweak their roster, Nance’s $11.2 million expiring contract has the most value. Before breaking his right hand on Dec. 28, Nance was playing his best basketball, averaging 11.2 points, 7.6 rebounds in the previous five games.
One trade that would improve the Hawks’ backcourt depth is flipping Nance for Spurs guard Tre Jones. The Hawks rank 24th in turnovers and have allowed the fourth-most points off turnovers per game.
Boston Celtics
Trade candidate: Jaden Springer, Guard
Trading Springer is contingent if Boston is willing to attach a second-round pick to shed his $4 million salary or if it can identify a rotational player earning less. Because the Celtics are over the apron, they are not allowed to send cash and take back more salary than what is sent out. The Wizards have a $12.4 million trade exception and are well below the luxury tax to take back his salary. A Springer trade saves the Celtics $16 million in luxury tax payments.
Brooklyn Nets
Trade candidate: Cameron Johnson, Forward
Expect the Nets to want more in a Johnson trade than the combined six second-round picks Brooklyn received for trading Dennis Schroder and Dorian Finney-Smith to the Warriors and the Lakers, respectively. Johnson checks three boxes for playoff teams. He plays a position of need, is on a team-friendly contract for the next three seasons ($22.5 million, $20.5 million and $22.5 million) and is averaging career highs in points (19.5), field goal percentage (49.6%) and 3-point percentage (43.6%).
One hiccup for teams hard capped against the first apron is Johnson’s $4.5 million in unlikely bonuses. For example, a trade with Golden State would involve Gary Payton II, Kevon Looney, Brandin Podziemski and a 2026 top-eight-protected first match in salary. However, because bonuses count toward the apron, the trade is not legal.
Charlotte Hornets
Trade candidate: Nick Richards, Center
Jeff Peterson had not been hired yet as general manager when the Hornets started the purge of veterans last deadline, trading Terry Rozier, P.J. Washington and Gordon Hayward. The three separate trades brought back two first-round picks and two seconds. Now a month from the deadline, does Peterson consider Richards expendable now that Mark Williams is healthy? Or does Williams’ lengthy injury history have Richards as an insurance policy at center? In nine starts this season, Richards averaged 11.3 points and 10.2 rebounds. Richards has one of the better value contracts — $5 million for both this season and 2025-26.
Chicago Bulls
Trade candidate: Nikola Vucevic, Center
The last time Chicago made an in-season trade was in 2021, when it acquired Vucevic from the Magic for Wendell Carter Jr. and two future firsts (Franz Wagner and Jett Howard). Four years later, the Bulls are faced with a decision. Should Chicago reset its roster, starting with trading its second-leading scorer if the return brings back a combination of a first-round pick, expiring contracts and a young player? Or is it best to wait until the summer, when Vucevic is set to enter the last year of his contract?
Vucevic is averaging 20.4 points and career highs in field goal percentage (55.8%) and 3-point percentage (43.6%). He is averaging double-digit rebounds for a seventh straight season. Chicago owes San Antonio its first-round pick this season if it falls outside of the top 11. The Bulls are in the last play-in spot, one game ahead of Philadelphia.
Cleveland Cavaliers
Trade candidate: None, but watch for guard Caris LeVert
How does a team with a league-best record make an in-season trade? It doesn’t. But the Cavaliers could duck under the luxury tax (they are $1.9 million over) or look to explore trading their 2031 first-round pick with LeVert’s expiring $16.6 million salary.
LeVert could be a cap casualty in the offseason (the Cavaliers are right at the tax threshold this summer), but that is a conversation for June. LeVert is the Cavaliers’ most consistent reserve, shooting a career-high 50.4% from the field and 45.9% on 3-pointers.
Detroit Pistons
Trade candidate: None, but watch for cap space
As we reported in December, team executives have circled Detroit and its $14.1 million in cap space as the wild-card team at the deadline. The Pistons also have the $8 million room midlevel exception available to acquire a player once room is used.
With nearly a third of the league not allowed to take back additional salary in a trade because of apron restrictions, Detroit is in an ideal position to act as a third team, taking back contracts but with the caveat of draft picks attached.
Indiana Pacers
Trade candidate: Obi Toppin, Forward
Trading Toppin for an expiring contract does not help the Pacers on the court but gives them more flexibility this offseason to sign free agent Myles Turner and extend Bennedict Mathurin. With Toppin’s $14 million salary on the books next season, Indiana is $20 million below the luxury tax before it addresses the future of Turner. Toppin is averaging double-digit points for a second consecutive season.
Miami Heat
Trade candidate: Jimmy Butler, Forward
Heat president Pat Riley issued a statement on Dec. 26 that the team was not trading Butler. Things changed on Friday when Riley made a second statement that Butler was suspended seven games for conduct detrimental to the team and Miami would explore trading the disgruntled former All-Star.
What happens now is in the hands of the Heat and whether they can find a suitable trade package that keeps the current roster (minus Butler) competitive while maintaining financial flexibility in the future.
Milwaukee Bucks
Trade candidate: Bobby Portis, Forward
The reason a player who is averaging 16.4 points and shooting 38.6% from 3 in his past 10 games is listed is because the Bucks are top heavy in salary (80% of their payroll is tied up in four players) — making Portis’ $12.6 million salary and their 2031 first-round pick their biggest trade chips.
The Bucks will need to be creative upgrading the roster using Portis’ salary. They are not allowed to take back more salary because they are $6.5 million over the first apron and cannot aggregate Portis’ salary with another player if the Bucks’ post-transactional salary goes over the second apron. Portis can be 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 in a game this season but is the Knicks’ most valuable trade asset. While his contract is appealing for a team in need of frontcourt depth and rebounding, Robinson is still rehabbing from two surgeries on his left ankle. Coach Tom Thibodeau said that Robinson should be cleared for practice sometime in January.
If Robinson can return before the trade deadline, New York will be faced with the question of whether he has more value playing with the current roster or in a trade to bolster New York’s bench. The Knicks’ reserves average the fewest minutes and points of any team.
Because of the second apron, New York cannot take back more than $14.8 million in salary, but a swap for the Wizards’ Jonas Valanciunas works. New York also has one first-round pick available, interestingly a protected first from Washington.
Trade candidate: Cole Anthony, Guard
The Magic rank last in the league in 3-point shooting, and it would make sense to explore trades involving Jonathan Isaac and a future first. But Isaac is an insurance policy for a Magic frontcourt that has been hit hard by injuries (Franz Wagner, Paolo Banchero, Moritz Wagner and Wendell Carter Jr.). His $25 million contract declines to $15 million next season, making him more valuable in a future trade. The remaining two years are non-guaranteed.
Anthony has found it hard to crack the rotation this season, despite scoring 35 points in a comeback win against Miami. He is averaging the fourth-fewest minutes among all players and is averaging career lows in points and field goal percentage.
Anthony and two seconds for Jazz guard Jordan Clarkson would give the Magic much-needed help from the perimeter.
Philadelphia 76ers
Trade candidate: KJ Martin, Forward
Martin’s contract (two years, $16 million) in the offseason raised eyebrows. On the surface, the $6 million pay increase from last season looked like an overpay, especially when you consider Martin averaged 3.7 points per game last season and his $8 million salary put Philadelphia deeper into the luxury tax.
But the Martin balloon payment is less about rewarding a player on the court and more about giving the 76ers a trade asset. With the injury to rookie guard Jared McCain, Philadelphia is in need of another shot creator.
Toronto Raptors
Trade candidate: Chris Boucher, Forward
Boucher, and not Bruce Brown Jr., is on the list for several reasons. His length and ability to guard multiple positions is of value to playoff teams. Boucher is also having one of his more efficient seasons, averaging 9.9 points in 17.5 minutes.
More importantly, Boucher’s $11.7 million salary this season is half of what is owed to Brown, who had offseason knee surgery and has played only three games.
Washington Wizards
Trade candidate: Jonas Valanciunas, Center
Valanciunas stands out among the list of Wizards veterans (Malcolm Brogdon, Kyle Kuzma, Marvin Bagley III and Richaun Holmes) who could be traded by the deadline.
Valanciunas is averaging a career-low 20 minutes per game but has still managed to average 11.7 points and 8 rebounds. He has two years and $21.4 million owed to him after this season. Both years are non-guaranteed.
Valanciunas’ $9.9 million salary this season fits with teams like the Lakers who are over the first apron and cannot take back more salary in a trade.
Western Conference
Dallas Mavericks
Trade candidate: Maxi Kleber, Forward
After finding two starters at last year’s trade deadline, the Mavericks are not likely to be nearly so active this year. They could look to move guard Quentin Grimes, likely due a raise as a restricted free agent this summer, but Grimes has been a key reserve.
Kleber has been pushed to the fringes of Dallas’ rotation, and shedding his $11 million salary could help the Mavericks slide under the luxury tax line. That would create more flexibility to re-sign Grimes this summer without pushing into the tax.
Denver Nuggets
Trade candidate: Michael Porter Jr., Forward
If the Nuggets are going to swing a big deal, Porter’s $35.9 million salary almost has to be included. However, Porter’s recent play might give Denver pause. He’s shooting a career-high 52% from the field, including 42% from 3, and his size allowed the Nuggets to slide guard Russell Westbrook into injured forward Aaron Gordon’s spot in the starting five.
Also, with Jamal Murray returning to form in December, adding shot creation no longer seems as urgent for Denver as improving a below-average defense — something a rumored swap for Chicago’s Zach LaVine would not accomplish.
Golden State Warriors
Trade candidate: Jonathan Kuminga, Forward
With Golden State having made one move already by trading for Dennis Schroder for depth behind Stephen Curry, Kuminga’s future remains the biggest question for the Warriors as he approaches restricted free agency this summer. Kuminga is averaging a career-high 16.8 PPG, but he’s shooting a career-low 50% on 2s, tanking his efficiency in a critical campaign.
Kuminga lost his starting job and is currently sidelined for at least three weeks with an ankle injury, making him less appealing as part of the kind of blockbuster deal Golden State hopes to make. At the same time, Kuminga is still just 22, and another team might believe he’ll fit better in its system than with the win-now Warriors.
Houston Rockets
Trade candidate: Cam Whitmore, Forward
With the Rockets battling for home-court advantage, a blockbuster trade seems unlikely before the deadline. Perhaps, however, they’d consider moving Whitmore to a team with more need for young talent. Over the five games from Dec. 23 through New Year’s Day, Whitmore averaged 14.6 PPG on near-50/40/90 shooting splits.
Yet Whitmore, who might be the best prospect on several rosters but is merely one of many for Houston, projects out of the team’s rotation at full strength. That could net the Rockets a better pick than the 20th overall in 2023 used to take Whitmore.
LA Clippers
Trade candidate: P.J. Tucker, Forward
Tucker has spent the season in limbo. The deep Clippers haven’t needed Tucker in a major role, but they didn’t want to cut him loose before seeing whether he could offer value at the deadline. So, Tucker has been at home all season after playing just 420 minutes with the Clippers in 2023-24 following his addition in the James Harden trade.
At 39, Tucker is no longer as reliable a contributor as during his 3-and-D heyday, and his $11.5 million salary could make him an easier fit as a buyout candidate than a trade acquisition.
Los Angeles Lakers
Trade candidate: Christian Wood, Forward
The Lakers surely already took their biggest trade swing by acquiring Dorian Finney-Smith and Shake Milton from the Nets last week, though they could still make a smaller deal before the deadline. Wood hasn’t played all season since September knee surgery, and trading his $3 million salary to a team with an open roster spot is one of the most likely moves before the deadline, as it would also save the Lakers about $11 million in luxury tax.
If the Lakers were to entertain another notable move, they could consider Wizards center Jonas Valanciunas. The Lakers have Gabe Vincent’s $11 million salary, two firsts (2029 and 2030), the right to swap firsts in five seasons (2026, 2028, 2029, 2030, 2031) and two seconds to possibly use.
Memphis Grizzlies
Trade candidate: Luke Kennard, Guard
Kennard was part of Memphis’ reported offer for Finney-Smith before the Nets chose the Lakers’ deal instead. Making $9.25 million on a one-year deal, Kennard has the ability to block any trade but might find more playing time elsewhere.
The NBA’s leader in 3-point percentage during both 2021-22 and 2022-23, Kennard is still making them at a 45% clip but hasn’t seen as much playing time with younger players Jaylen Wells and Jake LaRavia stepping into larger roles.
Minnesota Timberwolves
Trade candidate: None, but watch for Joe Ingles
The Timberwolves already made their big move before the season when they sent Karl-Anthony Towns to the Knicks in the deal that brought Donte DiVincenzo and Julius Randle to Minnesota. Though that move hasn’t paid off exactly as the Timberwolves hoped, another trade isn’t likely to provide the solution.
Minnesota doesn’t even have an obvious candidate to shed salary and cut the team’s massive luxury tax bill. Ingles has played sparingly, but the veteran’s locker room presence was always more likely to pay dividends than his on-court contributions.
New Orleans Pelicans
Trade candidate: Brandon Ingram, Forward
Less than six months away from hitting unrestricted free agency, Ingram is one of the most interesting trade candidates before the deadline. If another team had been motivated to offer equivalent talent that better fits the Pelicans’ roster and payroll, they would have already made that trade.
New Orleans (which also faces a looming decision on Zion Williamson’s future) might have to count on another team deciding Ingram is the biggest upgrade possible before the deadline. If that doesn’t happen, what’s the least value the Pelicans would accept in return during a lost season? Or would they consider keeping Ingram for a possible sign-and-trade next summer? We’ll know soon.
Oklahoma City Thunder
Trade candidate: Ousmane Dieng, Forward
At the 2024 trade deadline, Oklahoma City dealt away former first-round pick Tre Mann in a move that both added a veteran for the stretch run (Gordon Hayward) and cleared roster space going forward. A similar move might make sense this year. Dieng, taken No. 11 by the Thunder in 2022, has been unable to carve out a larger role despite Oklahoma City’s frontcourt injuries.
Still just 21, Dieng might find more opportunity on a rebuilding team, much like Mann’s emergence with the Charlotte Hornets.
Phoenix Suns
Trade candidate: Jusuf Nurkic, Center
If the Suns are going to pull off an unlikely blockbuster move for Jimmy Butler, it will require trading Bradley Beal. Otherwise, Nurkic is the most likely trade candidate for a team handcuffed by second-apron restrictions. Nurkic’s 24.3 MPG are his fewest since 2016-17, which he spent backing up Nikola Jokic prior to a midseason trade to Portland.
Getting another team to send back a more versatile player who fits better in coach Mike Budenholzer’s system might require Phoenix to take back additional years of salary beyond Nurkic’s contract, which expires in 2026.
Portland Trail Blazers
Trade candidate: Jerami Grant, Forward
The Blazers might already have waited too long to make a move with Grant, who re-signed with the team just as Damian Lillard was requesting a trade and officially sending Portland into a rebuild. Grant thrived in 2023-24, averaging 21.0 PPG, but hasn’t been as aggressive or as efficient so far in 2024-25. Grant’s 15.0 PPG are his fewest since the 2019-20 season in Detroit, where he emerged as a go-to option on offense. Getting out of the three years remaining on Grant’s contract might be the best return for the Blazers.
Sacramento Kings
Trade candidate: Kevin Huerter, Guard
ESPN’s Ramona Shelburne reported last week that, before firing Mike Brown as coach, the Kings looked into trading for a group of players elsewhere on this list: Ingram, Johnson, LaVine and Kyle Kuzma. With a $16.8 million salary and one year remaining on his contract, Huerter is likely to be part of those offers.
Once, Huerter was Sacramento’s big trade addition, averaging a career-high 15.2 PPG on 40% 3-point shooting in 2022-23 as the Kings returned to the playoffs under Brown. Since then, his shooting percentages and scoring average have plummeted, suggesting Huerter could benefit from a change of scenery.
San Antonio Spurs
Trade candidate: Keldon Johnson, Guard
As the Spurs’ fortunes have risen with Victor Wembanyama’s arrival, Johnson’s production has trended in the wrong direction. A 22.0 PPG scorer in 2022-23, prior to Wembanyama, Johnson is barely averaging half that figure this season (12.2 PPG).
Johnson’s decline from a career 35% 3-point shooter to 27% this season is especially mysterious. Given Johnson’s foul shooting (76%) is unchanged, he’s likely to bounce back beyond the arc and at age 25 could be an interesting candidate for a team looking to execute a low-cost trade.
Utah Jazz
Trade candidate: Jordan Clarkson, Guard
At 32, Clarkson is unlikely to be part of the next great Jazz team as an extended rebuild continues. The former Sixth Man Award winner remains one of the league’s most prolific bench scorers, ranking third among players who have started fewer than half their games at 16.7 PPG.
At $14.1 million this year and $14.3 million in 2025-26, Clarkson’s salary should be workable for a playoff team in need of upgraded depth. He could help a scoring-starved Orlando team, for example.
Source: espn.com