As we inch closer to the NBA trade deadline, will NBA fans see any blockbuster moves? Or will it all amount to fake hustle?
That uncertainty encapsulates what always makes the NBA trade deadline both intriguing and aggravating.
Teams might become inspired to find ways to set themselves up for short-term playoff success or long-term flexibility. Yet, they might become frustrated that they can’t find a trade partner to meet those needs. Players might feel stressed with the uncertainty on whether they need to bring their family and belongings to a new city. Yet, they then might feel either relieved they can stay put or disappointed they couldn’t join a contending team.
Inevitably, front office executives will make plenty of calls and texts this week. But there is a growing sense that the NBA trade deadline won’t yield many seismic moves. Here are a few reasons why.
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Most of the major deals have already happened
NBA teams made significant moves well before the trade deadline.
Before the 2023-24 season started, the Portland Trail Blazers traded Damian Lillard to the Milwaukee Bucks before flipping the Bucks’ prized defender (Jrue Holiday) to the Boston Celtics for more long-term assets. That essentially set up two main Eastern Conference contenders, one featuring the NBA’s best starting lineup (Celtics) and the other showing mixed progress with their talent managing a learning curve (Bucks).
Shortly into the season, Philadelphia dealt a frustrated star guard and pending contract (James Harden) to the LA Clippers for a handful of role players and draft picks. Before center Joel Embiid suffered various injuries, the Sixers stayed in the mix with Embiid’s MVP performances and Tyrese Maxey seamlessly assuming Harden’s role. Following an 0-5 start with Harden, the Clippers have since become one of the Western Conference contenders thanks to their four stars (Harden, Kawhi Leonard, Paul George, Russell Westbrook) all maintaining strong health and chemistry.
Since then, the Toronto Raptors have finally pivoted to a rebuild. They traded a proven two-way player (OG Anunoby) to the New York Knicks for two young players (RJ Barrett, Immanuel Quickley) and assets (second-round draft pick). The Raptors then dealt another dependable two-way player (Pascal Siakam) to the Indiana Pacers for two players (Bruce Brown and Jordan Nwora) plus three first-round draft picks.
Lastly, the Miami Heat acquired an athletic guard (Terry Rozier) from the Charlotte Hornets while shipping off a multi-year All-Star facing the end of his career (Kyle Lowry). Time will tell whether that move can stop the Heat’s recent sluggish play.
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It doesn’t seem likely teams will deal any of their stars
Los Angeles Lakers star LeBron James has expressed his displeasure with the team’s inconsistency through clipped answers and cryptic tweets. Rich Paul, James’ agent, told ESPN, however, that James will neither ask for a trade and the Lakers won’t trade him, anyway. Technically, the Golden State Warriors would listen to offers that don’t involve Steph Curry. But don’t expect the Warriors to part ways with their two other stars (Klay Thompson and Draymond Green). Both face a depressed market because of either inconsistency (Thompson) or recent suspensions (Green). It makes more sense, though, for the Warriors to wait on possible hard decisions this summer when Thompson becomes a free agent and/or a Green trade could land more assets should he finish out the season strong.
The Chicago Bulls were expected to make dramatic moves before or at least leading into the trade deadline after All-Star guard Zach LaVine made a soft trade request earlier in the season. Before he underwent season-ending surgery, the Bulls had expected a strong return both to account for LaVine’s value and to ensure they could remain a playoff contender with Alex Caruso and DeMar DeRozan. Teams seem more interested in those players, but they don’t want to sacrifice roster depth. All of which suggests the Bulls might just stand pat.
So, where does that leave the rest of the market?
The Atlanta Hawks will entertain deals for Dejounte Murray, whose defense and scoring ability still haven’t yielded enough quality wins, considering he and Trae Young have struggled sharing ball-handling duties. The Wizards want to collect young players and draft picks but plan to build around Kyle Kuzma, Tyus Jones, and Jordan Poole. Maybe, the Brooklyn Nets dangle Royce O’Neal and/or Spencer Dinwiddie for other rotation players and additional draft picks. Expect plenty of teams to show interest in Lowry on the buyout market, presuming the Hornets waive him.
None of these moves will dramatically change a team’s playoff or championship fortunes, though.
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Teams have various reasons to stand pat at NBA trade deadline
Technically the Boston Celtics and Oklahoma City Thunder have plenty of draft picks to upgrade their roster. Boston has first-round picks through the 2027 NBA Draft. The Thunder have 14 first-round picks and 22 second-round selections through 2030. But neither team needs to make any moves now. They already are contending, and why potentially disrupt any team chemistry?
The Minnesota Timberwolves, LA Clippers, and Cleveland Cavaliers don’t have as much draft capital, but no worries. They already can be in the mix, too. Meanwhile, the Bulls, Hawks, Nets, Lakers, and Warriors all have plenty of roster needs. They just don’t have enough assets to make a significant deal. The Bulls, Hawks and Nets could make deals if they want to just start a full-fledged rebuild. Yet, those teams don’t appear inclined to do so.
The Lakers and Warriors could surely upgrade their roster to relieve pressure off of their star players. Because of their limited assets, both teams consider it more realistic that they will improve from within with better health and player development. Though the Lakers will surely entertain D’Angelo Russell in trade talks, he doesn’t have a robust market, and his recent strong play shows how critical he is to fuel the Lakers’ offense.
The Lakers could make deals if they included Austin Reaves and/or Rui Hachimura, but they are skeptical of such moves because of optimism in their long-term development. The Lakers have a first-round pick to include in trades, but they arguably could wait until the offseason, when they’ll have three first-round picks on the day of the actual draft. The Lakers face plenty of challenges, especially with ESPN reporting that Jarred Vanderbilt is expected to miss several weeks with a right foot injury. Yet, they fear they may create more problems if they sacrifice their depth.
As for the Warriors, they have other reasons to have a quiet trade deadline. They have become encouraged with Jonathan Kuminga’s growth in this third season. They believe Thompson, Green, and Andrew Wiggins will return to championship form. They expect positive health news on Chris Paul (fractured left hand) and Gary Payton II (left hamstring) soon. The Warriors may have struggled with consistency all season. But for better or for worse, they are still maintaining optimism they can bank on their championship equity.
Mark Medina is an NBA insider for Sportsnaut. Follow him on X, Instagram, Facebook, and Threads.
