A Trade Deadline Guide for the Bottom of the NBA

The Wizards currently have the fewest wins in the NBA midway through the season. They are very young, and have a lot of promising players to build around for the future. They traded their way into having three first round picks in the last draft: Alex Sarr, Bub Carrington, and Kyshawn George, who have all made solid impacts on their team. They also have Jordan Poole and Bilal Coulibaly, two young blooming stars who are taking advantage of their open opportunities in Washington.  The top trade assets for the Wizards are Malcom Brogdon, Kyle Kuzma, and Jonas Valančiūnas. They could potentially gain a handful of picks and a solid young player in return for Kuzma. Valančiūnas is one of the best bigs on the market, and the asking price for him is reportedly 2 second round picks and a salary filler. Brogdon has been dealing with an injury lately, but he could be moved to a contender for one or two second round picks. The main goal for the Wizards should be to accumulate draft picks, and trading these players that do not fit their timeline makes sense to get more picks. 

It is hard to make a definite statement for the future of the Hornets because this season has been so injury ridden, but there are definitely some bright spots looking forward. Lamelo Ball has made a case to be an All-Star starter, Brandon Miller has continued to play well in his sophomore season, and Mark Williams is hitting his stride after returning from injury. They recently traded Nick Richards and a second round pick in return for Josh Okogie and three second round picks, adding to the large collection of picks that new GM Jeff Peterson has acquired. Their top trade options are Cody Martin, Vasilije Micic, Josh Green, and Miles Bridges. Cody Martin is a solid wing that could be traded for a one or two second round picks. Vasa Micic has made it clear that he does not want to be on the Hornets, but teams should be cautious in trading for him as he has also mentioned he would heavily consider playing in Europe after his contract expires this summer. Josh Green was brought to the Hornets in a six-team trade this summer. His fit with the Hornets has been evidently poor. The Hornets will look to shop him and will probably be content with very little in return. Miles Bridges is interesting: he is the Hornets longest tenured player, has been solid every season that he has played, and is a great fit with the players the Hornets are building around. However, the Hornets will not be making a serious playoff run any time soon, so it makes sense to move on from Miles Bridges in order to build on their future. The Hornets goal will be to continue to gain draft picks, while also developing their future in the games they have left.

The Pelicans entered the season with high hopes, bolstered by the summer acquisition of Dejounte Murray to solidify their point guard position alongside their promising young core. However, injuries quickly derailed their plans, with key players like Murray, Zion Williamson, Herb Jones, Brandon Ingram, Trey Murphy, and CJ McCollum missing significant portions of the season due to long-term injuries. These players are the backbone of the Pelicans’ roster, but their ongoing health issues have left the team in a tough position. Rumors of potential trades involving Zion Williamson and Brandon Ingram, both former All-Stars, have persisted for years, and this season might finally push the Pelicans to explore those options. While these players have undeniable talent, their injury concerns make other teams wary, though the Pelicans could still command at least two first-round picks for each of them. Trey Murphy and Herb Jones, valued as versatile 3-and-D wings, have also drawn interest from around the league. However, with Murphy having an impressive season, New Orleans is more likely to hold onto him as a key piece of their future. Herb Jones, on the other hand, could be shopped in exchange for solid players and draft assets—perhaps a late first-round pick or a couple of second-round picks. For now, the Pelicans should focus on salvaging what they can from this season. By continuing to develop their young talent and evaluating their core, they can position themselves for improvement while keeping an eye on the upcoming draft lottery this spring. The future isn’t set, but with strategic decisions, the Pelicans can still build toward long-term success.

The Brooklyn Nets are in full rebuild mode, and no one on the roster is untouchable. After trading away their draft picks last year, the Nets were left with the players they received in return for Kevin Durant, James Harden, and Kyrie Irving. However, before this season began, they made another bold move—trading Mikal Bridges to the Knicks for a hefty package of draft picks. Over the past couple of years, Cam Thomas has emerged as the team’s standout player, with solid contributions from Cam Johnson and Nic Claxton. Despite this, the Nets have actively placed their key players on the trade market and continue to do so. Their objective is clear: maximize their lottery odds for this year’s highly anticipated draft class while stockpiling even more future picks. This strategy is part of a bigger plan to prepare for a run at a superstar in the near future. By trading away current assets, the Nets are freeing up cap space and acquiring the draft capital needed to rebuild their roster. With several first-round picks already lined up for the upcoming draft, the Nets are committed to tearing it all down and setting the stage for a brighter future.

The Raptors find themselves at a crossroads. With an exciting young core featuring RJ Barrett, Scottie Barnes, and Gradey Dick, the team has immense potential, but the results just aren’t translating into wins. Currently sitting near the bottom of the league standings, they’re positioned for a top pick in this year’s draft and could build on that by shopping some players. Unfortunately, their tradable assets are unlikely to yield significant returns. Veterans Bruce Brown and Chris Boucher are on expiring contracts and could be moved, while Jakob Poeltl remains a valuable backup center who has drawn interest for years. However, the chances of securing a first-round pick for any of these players appear slim. The Raptors have recently expressed interest in going after a big name on the trade market such as Brandon Ingram or De'aaron Fox. While this would be intruiging, it is very unlikely that the Raptors get much done with their minimal assets. The Raptors’ best course of action is to maximize what they can gain from these assets, continue building around their young stars, and focus on securing the best possible position in the upcoming draft. With patience and strategic moves, their future remains bright.

The Jazz are building a promising young core that sets the foundation for their future. Over the past two drafts, they’ve done an excellent job selecting impactful players like Keyonte George, Taylor Hendricks, Cody Williams, Brice Sensabaugh, Isaiah Collier, and Kyle Filipowski—all of whom are integral to the team's long-term vision. Meanwhile, the veterans who preceded them: Lauri Markkanen, Walker Kessler, Collin Sexton, John Collins, and Jordan Clarkson, could be critical trade pieces as the deadline approaches. These players were primarily acquired through the blockbuster trades of Donovan Mitchell and Rudy Gobert, and this season presents the Jazz with a prime opportunity to maximize their return. Lauri Markkanen, for instance, could command at least one or two first-round picks, given his talent and production. Walker Kessler, still very young and highly coveted, has already drawn significant interest from teams willing to offer draft capital, including first-round picks. As for Jordan Clarkson and Collin Sexton, both have one year remaining on their contracts after this season, making them attractive options for teams seeking scoring depth in the backcourt. The Jazz could reasonably expect solid players or one to two second-round picks in exchange for either guard. John Collins holds similar trade value. With one year left on his contract after this season, his athleticism and versatility make him appealing to teams in need of a dynamic forward. The Jazz could likely secure a solid player and a couple of lower-tier draft picks in return. By leveraging these assets, the Jazz have a great opportunity to further strengthen their future with additional draft picks and promising young talent.

The Trail Blazers may not be performing at a high level this season, but there are already some promising signs for the future. Last year’s first-round pick, Scoot Henderson, is beginning to hit his stride. After facing criticism and being prematurely labeled a bust, Henderson has shown significant improvement midway through this season. Additionally, Shaedon Sharpe, drafted two years ago, continues to impress with his consistent performances, while this year’s first-rounder, Donovan Clingan, has been solid in the limited opportunities he’s had so far. Together, these three young players give Portland a strong foundation to build upon. To accelerate their rebuild, the Blazers are in a position to trade several veterans and retool their roster around Henderson, Sharpe, and Clingan. Players like Jerami Grant, Matisse Thybulle, Deandre Ayton, and Robert Williams are potential trade candidates. Among them, Robert Williams stands out as a high-value asset, drawing considerable interest across the league. His skillset and manageable contract make him an easy trade target, likely bringing Portland a quality player and a couple of second-round picks in return. Similarly, Matisse Thybulle, known for his elite wing defense and affordable contract, could bring back a solid player and one or two second-round picks. However, moving bigger contracts will be more challenging. Jerami Grant is owed $96 million over this season and the next two, while Deandre Ayton’s contract totals $70 million through this season and the next. Both are talented players who would be valuable additions for other teams, but their hefty salaries could complicate trade negotiations. Anfernee Simons, who is owed $53 million over the next two seasons, represents a more manageable trade piece. His smaller contract and shorter duration make him an easier asset to move, and the Blazers could likely acquire a good player and at least one first-round pick in exchange for him. By carefully navigating these potential trades, Portland has a real opportunity to reshape its roster while focusing on the development of its young core.

The Warriors are the first team on this list that still has playoff hopes. They currently sit just outside the play-in, but they are only a few games back from jumping into the top half of the west. They have made it clear that they want to keep contending, and they do not want to waste any of the few years Steph Curry has left. That being said, they have shown interest in bringing in a second star next to Curry. The Warriors have been iffy with their interest in Jimmy Butler as a trade target, despite his potential fit with their roster. Their next best options include Zach LaVine and Bradley Beal, but the market demand for these players appears to be minimal across the league—and the Warriors likely share that sentiment. However, it seems almost certain that they will pursue a trade for a big man before the deadline. The top candidates on their radar are Daniel Gafford, Nikola Vučević, and Jonas Valančiūnas. Vučević, while the most skilled of the three, comes with a hefty price tag that would likely require trading Andrew Wiggins—something the Warriors have expressed reluctance to do. On the other hand, both Gafford and Valančiūnas have much more manageable contracts. Acquiring either of them could be feasible by packaging two of their lower-salaried players, such as Kyle Anderson, Buddy Hield, Gary Payton II, Moses Moody, or Kevon Looney. While Jonathan Kuminga could also be a trade piece, the Warriors likely prefer to hold onto the young forward for the foreseeable future. In reality, the Warriors aren't struggling enough to warrant a major shake-up at the deadline. Still, small, strategic adjustments are necessary if they hope to stay competitive in the stacked Western Conference.

The Chicago Bulls have lingered in mediocrity for years, but this could finally be the season they decide to hit the reset button. With Lonzo Ball's contract expiring at the end of the season and active efforts to trade Nikola Vučević, the team seems primed for significant changes. Zach LaVine, who has been rumored to be on the trade block for years, is having a career year, further boosting his trade value. These three players are the highest-paid on the roster this year, and moving on from them would mark a major step toward a full-scale rebuild. On the bright side, the Bulls already have promising young talent in Coby White, Josh Giddey, and Matas Buzelis—players they can build around for the future. The team’s top priority should be finding trade partners for LaVine and Vučević, allowing them to acquire new asstes and focus on developing their younger core. Patrick Williams, the 23-year-old forward who signed a new contract this summer, has been underwhelming but remains a tradable asset. While the Bulls are reportedly exploring trade options for him, they would likely be comfortable keeping him if the right deal doesn’t arise. Ultimately, Chicago must make a critical decision: continue chasing the bottom of the play-in tournament, or fully commit to a long-overdue rebuild. The latter may finally offer the franchise a clear path forward.

GET RID OF JIMMY BUTLER!!! This frenzy has gone on long enough, and a trade should be imminent by now. While the Heat still sit in the play-in, Jimmy's drama has distracted the team for too long. There have been countless rumors up to this point, but at the end of the day, whatever team Jimmy Butler ends up with is up to him. Right now it appears that his preferred destination is in Phoenix with the Suns, but he is open to other teams as long as he gets out of Miami. Beyond that, there isn’t much left for the Heat to address. Pat Riley has been clear about his intention to acquire "win-now" players in exchange for Butler. Given the latest rumors, potential candidates could include Bradley Beal, Zach LaVine, or Khris Middleton.Given Miami's current situation, bringing in quality talent while offloading a player unwilling to contribute can only strengthen their roster for a postseason run. Tyler Herro and Bam Adebayo have already established themselves as cornerstone players, demonstrating their ability to lead a top-tier team. Meanwhile, Miami's rising stars, Jaime Jaquez Jr. and Kel'El Ware, show promise, paving the way for a bright future for the Heat.