Thursday’s NBA trade deadline is looming (3 p.m. ET). At that time, trade negotiations will cease and teams will proceed with the rosters they have.
Huge deals already have been made, with Luka Doncic (to Los Angeles Lakers) and Anthony Davis (to Dallas Mavericks) swapping places to give LeBron James a new superstar teammate. Plus, Zach LaVine went to the Sacramento Kings and De’Aaron Fox went to the San Antonio Spurs. The Chicago Bulls helped facilitate that deal.
Still, there’s plenty of time for other big moves. Here’s a look at players on the trade block and teams that could be buyers and sellers.
(Records are through Tuesday’s games.)
Players on the trade block
Jimmy Butler, Miami Heat: Butler, who has submitted a trade request to the Heat, is serving an indefinite suspension for consistently breaching team policy. Butler has a player option for next season, so he has some control over his immediate future. His desired destination apparently is Phoenix.
Kevin Durant, Phoenix Suns: Durant’s name entered the rumor mill Tuesday, but according to ESPN’s Shams Charania and Ohm Youngmisuk, he has no interest in a reunion with the Warriors.
Nikola Vucevic, Chicago Bulls: Vucevic is having an All-Star-level season. The veteran big man has another year left on his three-year $60M deal. Multiple contenders will likely be interested in adding Vucevic, whose perimeter shooting and high-level rebounding are enticing skills.
Brandon Ingram, New Orleans Pelicans: Ingram never signed a contract extension with the Pelicans, so he will become an unrestricted free agent in the summer. The one-time All-Star can be a valuable secondary or tertiary star. However, his limited production on the perimeter is likely hindering his trade market.
Buyers
Los Angeles Lakers (29-19): The Lakers need a starting-caliber big man and backup point guard. The addition of Doncic has positioned head coach JJ Redick’s team to make a push for a deep playoff run. GM Rob Pelinka will likely want to help facilitate that by rounding out the current roster.
Golden State Warriors (25-24): Golden State is in the hunt for an All-Star-level talent, per ESPN’s Shams Charania. Any All-Star-level talent to be exact. They’ve been linked with Phoenix’s Kevin Durant (who reportedly doesn’t want to go there, per ESPN), Philadelphia’s Paul George and Butler. However, their unwillingness to include Jonathan Kuminga in trade talks apparently is holding them back.
Orlando Magic (24-27): Despite injuries to Paolo Banchero and Franz Wagner, the Magic remained competitive. They’re not far off from being a postseason threat. However, their lack of perimeter shooting is holding them back. Finding an additional sharpshooter must be a priority before they head into the stretch run.
Detroit Pistons (24-24): Detroit, one of the few teams with cap space, is enjoying a massive turnaround from last season, when it went 14-68. Adding another shooter or slasher is important, and a defensive-minded wing would be good, too.
Sellers
Philadelphia 76ers: The Sixers have already traded Caleb Martin to the Mavericks, and Guerschon Yabusele is apparently drawing interest. HC Nick Nurse’s team is 11th in the Eastern Conference, so GM Daryl Morey’s veteran-led experiment appears to have failed. Expect the Sixers to shop their rotational talent over the next 24 hours.
Chicago Bulls (22-29): The Bulls have been bordering on a complete rebuild for the past 18 months. Moving LaVine was undoubtedly their biggest obstacle. Now, with LaVine and DeMar DeRozan both in Sacramento, Chicago will likely push to relocate Vucevic. They’ve also waived Torrey Craig, who was viewed as a trade candidate.
New Orleans Pelicans (12-38): Daniel Theis has already been traded to the Oklahoma City Thunder. Brandon Ingram and C.J. McCollum are also likely to be available. Javonte Green could also emerge as a name on the trade block. Of course, there’s still no telling what happens with Zion Williamson, but that feels like a decision for the summer.
Portland Trail Blazers (22-29): Robert Williams, Deandre Ayton, Jerami Grant and Anfernee Simons are veteran talents who don’t fit Portland’s timeline. As such, each of those players could be available. It’s highly unlikely they all get traded by Thursday’s deadline, but Portland would undoubtedly like to move at least one of them. Expect the Trail Blazers to prioritize draft picks and young players as returns.
