By NBA Insiders | ESPN, 2025-01-06 21:00:00
由生成式人工智能翻译，译文内容可能不准确或不完整，以原文为准。
NBA 交易截止日还有一个月的时间，联盟的焦点很可能集中在迈阿密热火是否会在与这位六届全明星球员的僵局中交易吉米·巴特勒。
巴特勒不会是唯一一位在 2 月 6 日截止日期前可能被交易的知名球员。新奥尔良鹈鹕队目前位列西部垫底，仍然需要决定如何处理布兰登·英格拉姆。而忙碌的布鲁克林篮网队如果能找到一支季后赛雄心更大的球队，可能会再次交易掉他们的关键球员卡梅隆·约翰逊。
无论一支球队是在截止日期前进行交易还是按兵不动，每支球队都至少有一名球员可以被用来交易，以加强季后赛的冲刺或在重建过程中迈出更远的一步。ESPN 内部人士鲍比·马克斯（东部联盟）和凯文·佩尔顿（西部联盟）逐队分析了每支球队中可能被交易的一名球员。
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东部 | 西部
东部联盟
亚特兰大老鹰
交易候选人： 小拉里·南斯(Larry Nance Jr.)，前锋
老鹰队目前的情况是，他们可以在截止日期前保持保守，并且仍然能够避免附加赛。如果他们确实想要调整阵容，那么南斯 1120 万美元的到期合同是最有价值的。在 12 月 28 日右手骨折之前，南斯打出了他最好的篮球，在之前的五场比赛中场均得到 11.2 分和 7.6 个篮板。
一个可以提升老鹰队后场深度的交易是用南斯换马刺队后卫特雷·琼斯。老鹰队的失误排名联盟第 24 位，并且场均失分由失误转化得分排名第四。
波士顿凯尔特人
交易候选人： 杰登·斯普林格(Jaden Springer)，后卫
交易斯普林格取决于波士顿是否愿意附加一个次轮签来摆脱他 400 万美元的薪水，或者是否能找到一个薪水更低的轮换球员。由于凯尔特人队超过了工资帽线，他们不允许送出现金并收回比送出更多的薪水。奇才队有一个 1240 万美元的交易特例，并且远低于奢侈税线，可以收回他的薪水。交易斯普林格可以为凯尔特人节省 1600 万美元的奢侈税。
布鲁克林篮网
交易候选人： 卡梅隆·约翰逊(Cameron Johnson)，前锋
预计篮网在约翰逊的交易中想要的回报会比布鲁克林将丹尼斯·施罗德和多里安·芬尼-史密斯分别交易到勇士和湖人所获得的总共六个次轮签更多。约翰逊满足了季后赛球队的三个条件。他打的是一个需要的位置，未来三个赛季的合同对球队很友好（2250 万美元、2050 万美元和 2250 万美元），并且场均得分（19.5）、投篮命中率（49.6%）和三分命中率（43.6%）均创下职业生涯新高。
对于受限于第一工资帽线的球队来说，约翰逊 450 万美元的不太可能获得的奖金是一个障碍。例如，与金州勇士队的交易将涉及加里·佩顿二世、凯文·卢尼、布兰丁·波杰姆斯基和一个 2026 年受前八保护的首轮签来匹配薪资。然而，由于奖金计入工资帽线，这笔交易是不合法的。
夏洛特黄蜂
交易候选人： 尼克·理查兹(Nick Richards)，中锋
去年交易截止日，黄蜂队开始清洗老将，交易了特里·罗齐尔、P.J.·华盛顿和戈登·海沃德，当时杰夫·彼得森(Jeff Peterson)还没有被聘为总经理。这三笔单独的交易带来了两个首轮签和两个次轮签。距离截止日期还有一个月，现在马克·威廉姆斯已经健康，彼得森是否会认为理查兹是可有可无的？或者，鉴于威廉姆斯漫长的伤病史，理查兹是否会成为中锋位置的保险？本赛季的九场首发中，理查兹场均得到 11.3 分和 10.2 个篮板。理查兹的合同是性价比更高的合同之一——本赛季和 2025-26 赛季都是 500 万美元。
芝加哥公牛
交易候选人： 尼古拉·武切维奇(Nikola Vucevic)，中锋
芝加哥上一次进行赛季中期交易是在 2021 年，当时他们用温德尔·卡特和两个未来的首轮签（弗朗茨·瓦格纳和杰特·霍华德）从魔术队换来了武切维奇。四年后，公牛队面临一个抉择。如果能换来首轮签、到期合同和年轻球员的组合，芝加哥是否应该从交易他们的第二得分点开始重组阵容？或者最好等到夏天，届时武切维奇将进入合同的最后一年？
武切维奇场均得到 20.4 分，投篮命中率（55.8%）和三分命中率（43.6%）均创职业生涯新高。他连续第七个赛季场均篮板数上双。如果芝加哥的顺位跌出前 11，他们将把今年的首轮签送给圣安东尼奥马刺。公牛目前处于最后一个附加赛名额，领先费城76人队一场。
克利夫兰骑士
交易候选人： 无，但请关注后卫卡里斯·勒韦尔(Caris LeVert)
一支拥有联盟最佳战绩的球队如何在赛季中期进行交易？他们不会。但骑士队可以想办法避开奢侈税（他们超过了 190 万美元），或者考虑用勒韦尔 1660 万美元的到期合同来交易他们的 2031 年首轮签。
勒韦尔可能会在休赛期成为牺牲品（骑士队今年夏天正好处于奢侈税线），但那是六月份要讨论的事情。勒韦尔是骑士队最稳定的替补球员，投篮命中率达到职业生涯最高的 50.4%，三分命中率为 45.9%。
底特律活塞
交易候选人： 无，但请关注薪资空间
正如我们在 12 月报道的那样，球队管理层已经将拥有 1410 万美元薪资空间的底特律视为交易截止日的百搭牌。活塞队还有 800 万美元的中产特例，可以在使用薪资空间后用来获得一名球员。
由于大约三分之一的联盟因为工资帽线的限制而无法在交易中收回额外的薪水，底特律处于一个理想的位置，可以充当第三方球队，收回合同，但附加条件是必须附带选秀权。
印第安纳步行者
交易候选人： 奥比·托平(Obi Toppin)，前锋
用托平交易到期合同并不能帮助步行者在球场上有所提升，但却能让他们在休赛期有更大的灵活性来签下自由球员迈尔斯·特纳并续约本内迪克特·马瑟林。下赛季托平的薪水为 1400 万美元，在处理特纳的未来之前，步行者距离奢侈税线还有 2000 万美元的空间。托平连续第二个赛季场均得分上双。
迈阿密热火
交易候选人： 吉米·巴特勒(Jimmy Butler)，前锋
热火总裁帕特·莱利在 12 月 26 日发表声明称球队不会交易巴特勒。周五情况发生了变化，莱利发表了第二份声明，称巴特勒因损害球队利益的行为被禁赛七场，并且迈阿密将探索交易这位心怀不满的前全明星球员。
现在的情况取决于热火队，以及他们是否能够找到一个合适的交易方案，在保持现有阵容（巴特勒除外）的竞争力的同时，保持未来的财务灵活性。
密尔沃基雄鹿
交易候选人： 鲍比·波蒂斯(Bobby Portis)，前锋
一位在过去 10 场比赛中场均得到 16.4 分并且三分球命中率为 38.6% 的球员之所以被列入名单，是因为雄鹿队的薪资结构过于头重（80% 的薪资都集中在四名球员身上）——这使得波蒂斯 1260 万美元的薪水和他们的 2031 年首轮签成为了他们最大的交易筹码。
雄鹿队需要在使用波蒂斯的薪水来升级阵容方面发挥创造性。由于他们超过了第一工资帽线 650 万美元，并且如果雄鹿队在交易后的薪水超过第二工资帽线，他们就不能将波蒂斯的薪水与另一名球员的薪水合并，因此他们不能收回更多的薪水。如果波蒂斯拒绝执行他 1340 万美元的球员选项，他可以在下赛季成为自由球员。
纽约尼克斯
交易候选人： 米切尔·罗宾逊(Mitchell Robinson)，中锋
罗宾逊本赛季还没有参加过比赛，但他是尼克斯队最有价值的交易资产。虽然他的合同对于需要加强前场深度和篮板球的球队很有吸引力，但罗宾逊仍在从左脚踝两次手术中恢复。主教练汤姆·锡伯杜说罗宾逊应该在一月份的某个时候被允许参加训练。
如果罗宾逊能够在截止日期前回归，纽约将面临一个问题，即他是留在现有阵容中更有价值，还是通过交易来加强纽约的替补阵容。尼克斯队的替补球员的平均上场时间和得分都是所有球队中最少的。
由于第二工资帽线的限制，纽约不能收回超过 1480 万美元的薪水，但与奇才队的约纳斯·瓦兰丘纳斯进行交换是可行的。纽约还有一个首轮签可用，有趣的是，这是一个来自华盛顿的受保护首轮签。
奥兰多魔术
交易候选人： 科尔·安东尼(Cole Anthony)，后卫
魔术队的三分球命中率排名联盟垫底，探索涉及乔纳森·艾萨克和一个未来首轮签的交易是有意义的。但艾萨克是前场的保险，而前场已经受到了严重的伤病打击（弗朗茨·瓦格纳、保罗·班凯罗、莫里茨·瓦格纳和小温德尔·卡特）。艾萨克 2500 万美元的合同在下赛季将降至 1500 万美元，这使得他在未来的交易中更有价值。剩下的两年是非保障的。
尽管在对阵迈阿密的逆转胜中得到 35 分，但安东尼本赛季很难进入轮换阵容。他的平均上场时间在所有球员中排名第四少，并且场均得分和投篮命中率都创下了职业生涯新低。
用安东尼和两个次轮签换爵士队后卫乔丹·克拉克森将给魔术队带来急需的外线帮助。
费城76人
交易候选人： KJ·马丁(KJ Martin)，前锋
马丁在休赛期的合同（两年 1600 万美元）令人惊讶。从表面上看，比上赛季增加 600 万美元的薪水似乎是溢价合同，特别是考虑到马丁上赛季场均只得到 3.7 分，而且他 800 万美元的薪水让费城队陷入了更深的奢侈税。
但是马丁的薪水暴涨与其说是对球员在球场上的表现的奖励，不如说是给了 76 人队一个交易资产。由于新秀后卫杰瑞德·麦凯恩受伤，费城需要另一个能够创造投篮机会的球员。
多伦多猛龙
交易候选人： 克里斯·布歇(Chris Boucher)，前锋
布歇，而不是小布鲁斯·布朗，出现在这份名单上有几个原因。他的身高和防守多个位置的能力对季后赛球队来说很有价值。布歇也在经历他更高效的赛季之一，场均 17.5 分钟内得到 9.9 分。
更重要的是，布歇本赛季 1170 万美元的薪水是布朗的一半，后者在休赛期接受了膝盖手术，只打了三场比赛。
华盛顿奇才
交易候选人： 约纳斯·瓦兰丘纳斯(Jonas Valanciunas)，中锋
在奇才队可能在截止日期前被交易的老将名单（马尔科姆·布罗格登、凯尔·库兹马、马文·巴格利三世和里乔恩·霍姆斯）中，瓦兰丘纳斯显得格外突出。
瓦兰丘纳斯场均上场时间只有 20 分钟，创职业生涯新低，但他仍然场均得到 11.7 分和 8 个篮板。本赛季结束后，他还有两年 2140 万美元的合同。这两年都是非保障的。
瓦兰丘纳斯本赛季 990 万美元的薪水适合像湖人这样的球队，他们超过了第一工资帽线，并且在交易中不能收回更多的薪水。
西部联盟
达拉斯独行侠
交易候选人： 马克西·克莱伯(Maxi Kleber)，前锋
在去年的交易截止日找到了两名首发球员之后，独行侠今年不太可能像去年那样活跃。他们可能会考虑交易后卫昆汀·格莱姆斯，他今年夏天可能会以受限制自由球员的身份获得加薪，但格莱姆斯一直是一名关键的替补球员。
克莱伯已经被挤到了达拉斯轮换阵容的边缘，削减他 1100 万美元的薪水可以帮助独行侠队降到奢侈税线以下。这将为他们在今年夏天重新签下格莱姆斯时不超过奢侈税创造更大的灵活性。
丹佛掘金
交易候选人： 小迈克尔·波特(Michael Porter Jr.)，前锋
如果掘金要进行一笔大交易，波特 3590 万美元的薪水几乎必须包括在内。然而，波特最近的表现可能会让丹佛队犹豫不决。他的投篮命中率达到职业生涯最高的 52%，其中三分球命中率为 42%，他的身材让掘金队能够将后卫拉塞尔·威斯布鲁克安排到受伤的前锋阿隆·戈登的首发位置。
此外，随着贾马尔·穆雷在 12 月恢复状态，增加得分创造力对丹佛来说似乎不再像改善低于平均水平的防守那样紧迫——传闻中与芝加哥的扎克·拉文交换的交易并不能做到这一点。
金州勇士
交易候选人： 乔纳森·库明加(Jonathan Kuminga)，前锋
随着金州勇士已经进行了一笔交易，用丹尼斯·施罗德来加强斯蒂芬·库里身后的阵容深度，库明加的未来仍然是勇士队最大的问题，因为他今年夏天将成为受限制自由球员。库明加场均得分 16.8 分，创职业生涯新高，但他的两分球命中率创职业生涯新低，仅为 50%，这在这个关键的赛季降低了他的效率。
库明加失去了首发位置，目前因为脚踝受伤至少要缺席三周，这使得他作为金州勇士希望进行的那种重磅交易的一部分的吸引力降低了。与此同时，库明加仍然只有 22 岁，另一支球队可能会相信他比在志在夺冠的勇士队更适合他们的体系。
休斯顿火箭
交易候选人： 卡姆·惠特摩尔(Cam Whitmore)，前锋
随着火箭队争夺季后赛席位，在截止日期前进行一笔重磅交易似乎不太可能。然而，也许他们会考虑将惠特摩尔交易到一支更需要年轻球员的球队。从 12 月 23 日到元旦的五场比赛中，惠特摩尔场均得到 14.6 分，投篮命中率接近 50/40/90。
然而，惠特摩尔，在其他一些球队的阵容中可能是最好的新秀，但在火箭队只是众多新秀中的一个，预计在球队阵容完整的情况下他将无法进入轮换阵容。这可能会为火箭队换来一个比 2023 年用第 20 顺位选中惠特摩尔更好的选秀权。
洛杉矶快船
交易候选人： P.J. 塔克(P.J. Tucker)，前锋
塔克整个赛季都处于不确定状态。阵容深厚的快船队并不需要塔克担任重要角色，但他们不想在看到他是否能在截止日期前提供价值之前就放走他。因此，在詹姆斯·哈登交易中被加入快船队之后，塔克在 2023-24 赛季只打了 420 分钟，整个赛季都待在家里。
39 岁的塔克不再像他巅峰时期的 3D 球员那样可靠，他 1150 万美元的薪水可能会让他更容易成为买断候选人，而不是交易对象。
洛杉矶湖人
交易候选人： 克里斯蒂安·伍德(Christian Wood)，前锋
湖人队肯定已经通过上周从篮网队获得多里安·芬尼-史密斯和谢克·米尔顿完成了他们最大的交易，尽管他们仍然可以在截止日期前进行一笔小交易。自从 9 月份接受膝盖手术以来，伍德整个赛季都没有上场，将他的 300 万美元薪水交易到一支有空缺阵容位置的球队是截止日期前最有可能的举动之一，因为这也能为湖人节省大约 1100 万美元的奢侈税。
如果湖人要考虑另一笔引人注目的交易，他们可以考虑奇才队中锋约纳斯·瓦兰丘纳斯。湖人队拥有加布·文森特 1100 万美元的薪水，两个首轮签（2029 年和 2030 年），在五个赛季（2026、2028、2029、2030、2031）交换首轮签的权利，以及两个次轮签可能可以使用。
孟菲斯灰熊
交易候选人： 卢克·肯纳德(Luke Kennard)，后卫
在篮网队选择湖人队的交易之前，肯纳德是孟菲斯对芬尼-史密斯的报价的一部分。肯纳德签下了一份一年 925 万美元的合同，他有权否决任何交易，但在其他地方可能会找到更多的上场时间。
肯纳德在 2021-22 赛季和 2022-23 赛季都是 NBA 的三分球命中率之王，他仍然保持着 45% 的三分球命中率，但随着年轻球员杰伦·威尔斯和杰克·拉拉维亚扮演更重要的角色，他的上场时间减少了。
明尼苏达森林狼
交易候选人： 无，但请关注乔·英格尔斯(Joe Ingles)
森林狼队在本赛季之前就已经完成了他们的大动作，他们将卡尔-安东尼·唐斯送到了尼克斯队，换来了丹特·迪温琴佐和朱利叶斯·兰德尔。尽管这笔交易并没有完全达到森林狼队的预期，但另一笔交易不太可能提供解决方案。
明尼苏达甚至没有一个明显的候选人可以削减薪水并减少球队巨额的奢侈税。英格尔斯很少上场，但这名老将更衣室的存在感总是比他在球场上的贡献更有价值。
新奥尔良鹈鹕
交易候选人： 布兰登·英格拉姆(Brandon Ingram)，前锋
距离成为完全自由球员不到六个月，英格拉姆是截止日期前最引人注目的交易候选人之一。如果另一支球队有动力提供与之相当的天赋，并且更适合鹈鹕队的阵容和薪资，他们早就已经完成了这笔交易。
新奥尔良（他们还面临着关于锡安·威廉姆森未来的迫在眉睫的决定）可能不得不指望另一支球队在截止日期前认为英格拉姆是最大的升级。如果这种情况没有发生，那么在一个失落的赛季中，鹈鹕队愿意接受的最低回报是什么？或者他们会考虑留下英格拉姆，以便在明年夏天进行可能的先签后换？我们很快就会知道。
俄克拉荷马城雷霆
交易候选人： 奥斯曼·迪昂(Ousmane Dieng)，前锋
在 2024 年的交易截止日，俄克拉荷马城交易了前首轮秀特雷·曼，这笔交易为冲刺阶段增加了一名老将（戈登·海沃德），并为未来腾出了阵容空间。今年类似的举动可能是有意义的。迪昂，2022 年被雷霆队以第 11 顺位选中，尽管俄克拉荷马城的前场遭遇伤病，但他仍然无法获得更大的角色。
迪昂只有 21 岁，他可能会在一支重建球队中找到更多的机会，就像曼在夏洛特黄蜂队的崛起一样。
菲尼克斯太阳
交易候选人： 优素福·努尔基奇(Jusuf Nurkic)，中锋
如果太阳队要为吉米·巴特勒完成一笔不太可能的重磅交易，就需要交易布拉德利·比尔。否则，努尔基奇是这支受第二工资帽线限制的球队最有可能的交易候选人。努尔基奇场均上场 24.3 分钟，这是他自 2016-17 赛季以来的最低值，那个赛季他在赛季中期被交易到波特兰之前一直是尼古拉·约基奇的替补。
要让另一支球队送回一个更全面的球员，并且更适合主教练迈克·布登霍尔泽的体系，可能需要菲尼克斯收回努尔基奇合同之外的更多年份的薪水，他的合同将于 2026 年到期。
波特兰开拓者
交易候选人： 杰拉米·格兰特(Jerami Grant)，前锋
开拓者队可能已经错过了交易格兰特的最佳时机，他在达米安·利拉德提出交易申请并将波特兰正式送入重建之际与球队续约。格兰特在 2023-24 赛季表现出色，场均得到 21.0 分，但在 2024-25 赛季没有那么积极，效率也没有那么高。格兰特场均得到 15.0 分，这是他自 2019-20 赛季在底特律以来的最低值，在那里他成为了球队的进攻核心。摆脱格兰特剩余三年合同的束缚可能是开拓者队能得到的最佳回报。
萨克拉门托国王
交易候选人： 凯文·赫尔特(Kevin Huerter)，后卫
ESPN 的拉莫纳·谢尔本上周报道，在解雇主教练迈克·布朗之前，国王队曾考虑交易这份名单上的其他几名球员：英格拉姆、约翰逊、拉文和凯尔·库兹马。赫尔特的薪水为 1680 万美元，合同还剩一年，他很可能成为这些报价的一部分。
赫尔特曾经是萨克拉门托的重要引援，在 2022-23 赛季，随着国王队在布朗的带领下重返季后赛，他场均得到职业生涯最高的 15.2 分，三分球命中率为 40%。从那以后，他的投篮命中率和场均得分都大幅下降，这表明赫尔特可能会从改变环境中受益。
圣安东尼奥马刺
交易候选人： 凯尔登·约翰逊(Keldon Johnson)，后卫
随着维克托·文班亚马的到来，马刺队的命运发生了改变，而约翰逊的表现却朝着错误的方向发展。在文班亚马到来之前，约翰逊在 2022-23 赛季场均得到 22.0 分，而本赛季他场均得分几乎只有一半（12.2 分）。
约翰逊的三分球命中率从职业生涯的 35% 下降到本赛季的 27%，这尤其令人费解。考虑到约翰逊的罚球命中率（76%）没有变化，他很可能在外线投篮方面反弹，并且在 25 岁的年纪，他可能会成为那些希望进行低成本交易的球队的理想人选。
犹他爵士
交易候选人： 乔丹·克拉克森(Jordan Clarkson)，后卫
32 岁的克拉克森不太可能作为一支长期重建的球队的一员成为下一支伟大的爵士队的一员。这位 2021 年的最佳第六人仍然是联盟中最高产的替补得分手之一，在场均得分方面排名首发次数少于一半的球员中的第三位，场均得到 16.7 分。
克拉克森今年的薪水为 1410 万美元，2025-26 赛季为 1430 万美元，他的薪水对于需要加强阵容深度的季后赛球队来说应该是可以接受的。例如，他可以帮助得分匮乏的奥兰多魔术队。
点击查看原文：NBA trade deadline: One player to watch on all 30 teams
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 Dec. 28, Nance was playing his best basketball, averaging 11.2 points and 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 on whether 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. 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 face 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 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 Dec. 26 that the team was not trading Butler. Things changed Friday when Riley made a second statement that Butler was suspended seven games for conduct detrimental to the team and that 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 Robinson should be cleared for practice sometime in January.
If Robinson can return before the 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.
Orlando Magic
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 frontcourt that has been hit hard by injuries (Franz Wagner, Paolo Banchero, Moritz Wagner and Wendell Carter Jr.). Isaac’s $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 that Martin averaged 3.7 points per game last season and that 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 that 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 likeliest 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 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 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).
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 2021 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.
By NBA Insiders | ESPN, via ESPN