By NBA insiders | ESPN, 2025-11-20 20:00:00
NBA交易截止日虽然还有近三个月，但现在开始诊断争冠球队最需要什么，以及他们的管理层在2月5日之前能完成哪些操作，永远不算太早。
底特律活塞队 (Detroit Pistons) 凭借一波11连胜的强势表现，已经跃居东部榜首，他们能做出什么样的交易来补强以球星凯德·坎宁安 (Cade Cunningham) 和新星杰伦·杜伦 (Jalen Duren) 为核心的阵容呢？密尔沃基雄鹿队 (Milwaukee Bucks) 在应对扬尼斯·阿德托昆博 (Giannis Antetokounmpo) 的早期缺阵时，是否应考虑增强他们的进攻火力？而像洛杉矶湖人队 (Los Angeles Lakers) 和金州勇士队 (Golden State Warriors) 这样星光熠熠的西部劲旅，在未来几个月里又该关注哪些举动，以增加他们季后赛深入角逐的机会？
我们的NBA内部专家正在分析联盟中八支季后赛竞争者所缺乏的环节，他们在考虑交易选项时面临的限制，以及在各队逐步进入2025-26赛季后，下一步可能会发生什么。
跳转至球队：
DET | GS | LAL | MIL
MIN | NYK | ORL | SA
底特律活塞
他们缺少什么： 活塞以一种身体对抗激烈、风格复古的方式取得成功，这也恰如其分地体现在他们对待三分线的态度上，同样采取了老派的方式，三分命中数排名联盟第27，出手数第28，命中率第20。上赛季活塞阵中场均命中超过1.2记三分的四名球员里，马利克·比斯利 (Malik Beasley) 和小蒂姆·哈达威 (Tim Hardaway Jr.) 已不在队中，杰登·艾维 (Jaden Ivey) 因膝盖手术本赛季尚未出战；只有坎宁安仍然健康地留在这里。新援邓肯·罗宾逊 (Duncan Robinson) 成为了一位宝贵的远程火力补充，他场均能以41.8%的命中率投进3.1记三分，双向合同后卫丹尼斯·詹金斯 (Daniss Jenkins) 也已成为一名重要的贡献者。但活塞仍需要另一位可靠的射手，来为针对坎宁安和杜伦低位进攻的季后赛防守拉开空间。 – 扎克·克拉姆 (Zach Kram)
他们能完成什么操作： 东部没有哪支季后赛球队比活塞处境更有利。自2020年11月以来，活塞首次在未来七年里都掌控着自己的首轮选秀权，并被允许交易其中的至多四个，且每年都可以进行选秀权互换。底特律还有14个次轮签可用于交易。在财务方面，活塞的薪金总额比第一奢侈税线低了2620万美元，可以在交易中积极接纳可观的薪水和合同。底特律拥有托拜厄斯·哈里斯 (Tobias Harris) 价值2630万美元的到期合同，以及罗宾逊（1680万美元）、以赛亚·斯图尔特 (Isaiah Stewart)（1500万美元）和卡里斯·勒韦尔 (Caris LeVert)（1410万美元）的短期合同。 – 鲍比·马克斯 (Bobby Marks)
活塞的下一步是什么？ 因左腓骨骨折缺阵近一整年的艾维，刚刚被下放至G联赛，这意味着他即将重返赛场。他将如何融入一支已经学会在没有他时正常运转、但又确实需要他的天赋、速度和投射能力的球队，这将是值得关注的看点。据消息人士告诉ESPN，球队内部希望在按下快进键之前，先看看这套阵容在一起磨合的效果，但老板并不害怕在管理层提出方案时做出重大投入。观察艾维是否能像杜伦那样实现明星级的飞跃将非常有趣，尤其是在2025年剩余时间里，活塞将对自己有更清晰的认识，他们将在12月底迎来一次艰难的西海岸客场之旅。 – 文森特·古德威尔 (Vincent Goodwill)
金州勇士
他们缺少什么： 得到吉米·巴特勒三世 (Jimmy Butler III) 帮助勇士在斯蒂芬·库里 (Stephen Curry) 休息时取得了成功。但当巴特勒和库里都不在场时，创造进攻机会对金州勇士队来说仍然是个挑战。在库里因病缺席的三场比赛中，勇士1胜2负，其中一场巴特勒也未出战。
考虑到他们的年龄和伤病史，巴特勒和库里不可避免地会有更长的缺阵时间，这要求勇士找到更多的组织者。理想情况下，布兰丁·波杰姆斯基 (Brandin Podziemski) 会扮演这个角色，但随着巴特勒的到来，他的使用率实际上比上赛季有所下降。在库里缺阵时，波杰姆斯基场均仅得11.7分，不过在巴特勒休战的那场比赛里，他险些拿到三双。
与此同时，乔纳森·库明加 (Jonathan Kuminga) 在输给萨克拉门托国王队的比赛中得到24分，但在接下来的两场比赛中仅19投4中得到11分。这种不稳定的表现让金州勇士队很难依赖他。 – 凯文·佩尔顿 (Kevin Pelton)
他们能完成什么操作： 去年二月，总经理小迈克·邓利维 (Mike Dunleavy Jr.) 成功地将一份合同和选秀资产打包，换来了巴特勒。尽管将2025年的首轮签送到了迈阿密，勇士仍然有四个可交易的首轮选秀权。训练营初期签下库明加，为金州勇士队提供了一个价值2250万美元的宝贵交易筹码，并且库明加从1月15日开始具备交易资格。由于他们被硬工资帽限制在第二奢侈税线，金州勇士队在交易中不能接纳比送出薪水更多的薪水。除了库明加，勇士还有约2450万美元的薪金，包括后卫摩西·穆迪 (Moses Moody)（1160万美元）、巴迪·希尔德 (Buddy Hield)（920万美元）和波杰姆斯基（370万美元）。他们只有一个可用的次轮签。 – 马克斯 (Marks)
勇士的下一步是什么？ 两个月的内外部信息搜集。库明加合同中那个1月15日的交易资格生效日，为他们的交易季开启了非官方的倒计时。在此之前，勇士需要回答一些关于自身和联盟的问题。当德安东尼·梅尔顿 (De’Anthony Melton) 从前十字韧带撕裂康复中回归时（预计在12月），他看起来会是一个合理的后场答案吗？艾尔·霍福德 (Al Horford) 能否找到节奏，并加强他们不稳固的中锋深度？随着赛季的深入，库明加的打法和融入情况如何？
这位五年级侧翼球员在受限制自由球员市场上只从国王队和菲尼克斯太阳队那里获得了实质性的报价，但勇士队不喜欢这两队在先签后换方案中提供的筹码。随着情况的变化，以及邓利维摆脱了底薪补偿问题的束缚，他能找到一个愿意为库明加提供老板乔·拉科布 (Joe Lacob) 所要求的同等回报的球队吗？交易中是否会出现一个足以带来质变的球员？ – 安东尼·斯莱特 (Anthony Slater)
奥兰多魔术
他们缺少什么： 尽管交易来了德斯蒙德·贝恩 (Desmond Bane) 并签下了泰厄斯·琼斯 (Tyus Jones) 来重塑后场，魔术队仍然严重依赖首发控卫杰伦·萨格斯 (Jalen Suggs) 的健康。当萨格斯在场时，奥兰多队的表现正如球队所希望的那样出色，每百回合净胜对手17.2分。而根据NBA官网高阶数据，当萨格斯下场时，这一数据骤降至-6.2。琼斯一直难以适应魔术队。他的三分球表现糟糕，场均1.4投仅0.3中（命中率19.0%），每36分钟的助攻数也创下生涯新低的4.3次。这尤其成问题，因为使用身高6英尺1英寸的琼斯会削弱奥兰多队在防守端的优势。安东尼·布莱克 (Anthony Black) 已经取代了琼斯的部分上场时间，但他无法提供魔术队希望从替补控卫那里得到的组织能力。 – 佩尔顿 (Pelton)
他们能完成什么操作： 魔术队在这个休赛期全力以赴，包括与球星保罗·班凯罗 (Paolo Banchero) 签下了一份为期五年、从下赛季开始的续约合同。这些举动使得奥兰多队在未来七年里只剩下2032年的一个可交易首轮签——不过球队确实有八个次轮签可用于潜在交易——并且财务状况岌岌可危。
琼斯的签约以及萨格斯和弗朗茨·瓦格纳 (Franz Wagner) 的续约合同进入第一年，使得奥兰多队的薪金总额距离第一奢侈税硬帽线仅差120万美元。他们在任何交易中都不得超过这一门槛。瓦格纳、萨格斯和贝恩的年薪都超过3500万美元，奥兰多队还有11名球员的薪水在130万到1500万美元之间，其中包括将于7月成为自由球员、目前场均上场时间创生涯新低12.9分钟的琼斯。交易方面的一个担忧是，魔术队是否愿意接纳延续到未来赛季的薪水，包括乔纳森·艾萨克 (Jonathan Isaac) 1450万美元的非保障合同。奥兰多队预计将在2026-27赛季成为一支触发第二奢侈税线的球队。 – 马克斯 (Marks)
魔术的下一步是什么？ 魔术队开局慢热，但贝恩在11月10日压哨绝杀波特兰开拓者队的进球激发了一波三连胜。甚至在班凯罗因腹股沟伤势连续缺阵三场之前，奥兰多队的管理层就在观察魔术队在拥有贝恩的情况下如何比赛，同时也在帮助3月份接受了膝盖关节镜手术的萨格斯逐步恢复状态。
魔术队需要时间来观察这个团队的磨合情况，然后再寻求外部补强。“我们希望将这段时间看作一个窗口期，我们可以不断进步，边打边看我们需要什么，”篮球运营总裁杰夫·韦尔特曼 (Jeff Weltman) 在本赛季早些时候告诉ESPN。“希望未来还可能有更多的升级。谁知道呢？我们必须先看看它是什么样子。但显然，我们为了得到贝恩付出了很多，因为他是一位非常有才华的球员，非常适合我们的阵容，我们对自己下了赌注。” – 奥姆·扬米苏克 (Ohm Youngmisuk)
纽约尼克斯
他们缺少什么： 尼克斯队阵容相当全面，没有明显的漏洞。但考虑到中锋米切尔·罗宾逊 (Mitchell Robinson) 的伤病史，纽约队可能需要另一位经过验证的中锋，作为季后赛的保障。延续2024-25赛季季后赛的趋势，罗宾逊本赛季对尼克斯队的表现至关重要：根据Cleaning the Glass的数据，当他是球队中锋时，纽约队的净效率值为+15.2，而当卡尔-安东尼·唐斯 (Karl-Anthony Towns) 是唯一的大个子时，净效率为+7.0，当盖尔雄·亚布塞莱 (Guerschon Yabusele) 打小球中锋时为+3.2，而当鲜有上场机会的阿里尔·胡克波尔蒂 (Ariel Hukporti) 镇守内线时，则为-11.6。
理论上，亚布塞莱应该能够胜任纽约队在罗宾逊和唐斯之后所需的额外大个子角色。但实际上，这位备受赞誉的自由球员签约在纽约并未达到预期，场均仅在10.2分钟内得到2.6分。 – 克拉姆 (Kram)
他们能完成什么操作： 尼克斯队目前的处境与去年11月相似：合同结构头重脚轻，没有首轮签可交易，以及罗宾逊未来的不确定性。纽约队84%的薪金空间被唐斯、OG·阿奴诺比 (OG Anunoby)、杰伦·布伦森 (Jalen Brunson)、米卡尔·布里奇斯 (Mikal Bridges) 和约什·哈特 (Josh Hart) 的合同占据。同时，他们的薪金总额距离第二奢侈税线仅差148,358美元，并且在交易中不允许接纳更多薪水。
罗宾逊价值1290万美元的到期合同、在三个年份（2026、2030和2032）进行首轮签互换的权利以及八个次轮签，是纽约队最具吸引力的交易资产。如果尼克斯队用罗宾逊换来一个薪水相当但在2026-27赛季仍有合同在身的球员，他们可能会在阵容填满后成为一支触发第二奢侈税线的球队。一个潜在的操作是：交易帕科姆·达迪耶 (Pacome Dadiet) 和现金——尼克斯队有790万美元可用于交易——这将为纽约队在第二奢侈税线下提供足够的缓冲空间来签下两名球员。 – 马克斯 (Marks)
尼克斯的下一步是什么？ 可能不会有什么太激动人心的事情发生。正如鲍比所阐述的，由于缺乏选秀资产且紧贴第二奢侈税线，尼克斯队几乎没有操作灵活性。由于他们所有的高薪合同都来自排名前六的球员，任何重大举动都将需要送走他们中的一个或多个，才能引进其他人。在去年二月卢卡·东契奇 (Luka Doncic) 的交易之后，NBA永远不要说不可能，但纽约队从现在到交易截止日期间做出重大调整的可能性微乎其微。 – 蒂姆·邦坦普斯 (Tim Bontemps)
密尔沃基雄鹿
他们缺少什么： 毫不意外，随着达米安·利拉德 (Damian Lillard) 的离开和新援迈尔斯·特纳 (Myles Turner) 更像是一位全能贡献者，密尔沃基队在扬尼斯·阿德托昆博之外，急需第二得分点和组织者。这一点甚至在这位两届MVP周一因腹股沟受伤离场之前就已经很明显了。
根据Cleaning the Glass的数据，当阿德托昆博在场时，雄鹿队的进攻效率为125.2，排在联盟所有阵容中的第95百分位。而当阿德托昆博下场时，他们的进攻效率骤降至104.2，仅排在第4百分位。
随着阿德托昆博将缺阵长达两周，这一需求变得更加紧迫。雄鹿队的战绩仅比五成胜率高出一场，净胜分为负数，如果他们在比赛的全部48分钟里都只能依赖目前没有扬尼斯的进攻体系，情况可能会迅速恶化。 – 克拉姆 (Kram)
他们能完成什么操作： 密尔沃基队已不再处于财务困境中，并且有灵活性在交易中打包送出合同或接纳更多薪水。但雄鹿队只有一个首轮签可供交易（2031年或2032年），没有次轮签，并且很难凑出足够的薪水送出去。尽管雄鹿队有三名球员（特纳、凯尔·库兹马 (Kyle Kuzma) 和鲍比·波蒂斯 (Bobby Portis)）合计年薪达6100万美元，但他们还有九名球员的薪水在220万到510万美元之间。由于今年夏天阵容变动较大，九名球员在12月15日之前不具备交易资格。后卫AJ·格林 (AJ Green) 因签下续约合同而没有交易资格。 – 马克斯 (Marks)
雄鹿的下一步是什么？ 首先，他们必须在阿德托昆博养伤期间渡过难关。但在寻求外部升级之前，雄鹿队将寄望于小凯文·波特 (Kevin Porter Jr.) 的回归，他本是球队的赛季首发控卫，但在本月早些时候接受了膝盖小手术。波特自揭幕战第一节后就再未出场，但如果他能按最初的时间表恢复，雄鹿队希望他能在12月的某个时候回归。波特的得分能力——他在2022-23赛季为休斯顿火箭队出战的59场比赛中场均得到生涯新高的19.2分——可能会为他们在阿德托昆博身后的进攻提供急需的推动力。
然后，密尔沃基队应该能更好地评估他们的后卫需求有多迫切，以及是否需要打包他们为数不多的剩余资产来寻求升级。 – 贾马尔·科利尔 (Jamal Collier)
洛杉矶湖人
他们缺少什么： 有趣的是，勒布朗·詹姆斯 (LeBron James) 的回归可能在投射方面对湖人队的帮助最大。由于球星东契奇和奥斯汀·里夫斯 (Austin Reaves) 在三分线外都手感低迷（分别为31.7%和32.6%，远低于他们的生涯平均水平），湖人队的三分命中率排在联盟第23位。更令一支试图为东契奇拉开空间的球队担忧的是，他们的三分出手数排在第27位。
詹姆斯在周二的比赛中回归应该会有所帮助，因为他过去两个赛季的三分命中率高达39%。而道尔顿·克内克特 (Dalton Knecht) 和杰克·拉拉维亚 (Jake LaRavia) 也应该能分别提高他们32.6%和34.0%的命中率。尽管如此，湖人队仍然可以考虑升级他们目前给予防守专家马库斯·斯马特 (Marcus Smart) 和贾里德·范德比尔特 (Jarred Vanderbilt) 的上场时间，这两人的三分命中率都低于30%。一位既能自保防守、又是顶尖射手的球员将有助于湖人队在本赛季争夺冠军。 – 佩尔顿 (Pelton)
他们能完成什么操作： 湖人队如何优先考虑明年休赛期的薪金空间灵活性，可能会影响他们在交易谈判中的活跃程度。凭借超过1亿美元的到期合同（詹姆斯、八村垒 (Rui Hachimura)、加布·文森特 (Gabe Vincent) 和马克西·克勒贝尔 (Maxi Kleber)），湖人队可能拥有近5000万美元的薪金空间。由于他们被硬工资帽限制在第一奢侈税线，洛杉矶队不能在交易中接纳超过100万美元的额外薪水。东契奇和多里安·芬尼-史密斯 (Dorian Finney-Smith) 的交易使得洛杉矶队在未来七年里只剩下一个可交易的首轮签（2031年或2032年）和一个次轮签。不过他们拥有五个年份的首轮签互换权（2026、2028、2030、2031和2032）。 – 马克斯 (Marks)
湖人的下一步是什么？ 看看他们在詹姆斯赛季首秀中打出的那种篮球是否可持续——他乐于传球，而东契奇和里夫斯在进攻端的表现就像詹姆斯缺阵时一样出色。尽管湖人队开局10胜4负的战绩很重要，但在许多方面，周二以140-126战胜犹他爵士队的比赛感觉像是本赛季真正的开始。这是他们第一次所有14名注册球员都保持健康，现在教练组的真正工作将开始，即找到最佳轮换阵容，并明确在赛季后半段需要加强的地方。“现在有很多数据是我们还没有掌握的，”一位球队消息人士告诉ESPN。 – 戴夫·麦克梅纳明 (Dave McMenamin)
圣安东尼奥马刺
他们缺少什么： 马刺队本赛季的三分投射处于平均水平，但在出手数和命中数上仍然分别排在第17和第18位。圣安东尼奥队拥有多名能够为维克托·文班亚马 (Victor Wembanyama) 以及组织者斯蒂芬·卡斯尔、德阿隆·福克斯 (De’Aaron Fox) 和迪伦·哈珀 (Dylan Harper) 拉开空间的球员，但没有一个让对手在防守时不敢放空的恐怖射手。
当然，圣安东尼奥队希望德文·瓦塞尔 (Devin Vassell) 能成为那样的球员。瓦塞尔生涯三分命中率为36.7%，曾单场命中多达2.7记三分，这表明他很可能会提高目前34.7%的准度。但在瓦塞尔身边再增加一个更出色的射手，会让对手在对文班亚马采取非常规防守时三思而后行，因为这会让他们在外线暴露无遗。
根据GeniusIQ的追踪数据，本赛季到目前为止，只有三支球队比马刺队面对了更多回合的联防。 – 佩尔顿 (Pelton)
他们能完成什么操作： 为了得到福克斯而交易掉四个首轮签，本应让圣安东尼奥队远离交易讨论。但凭借未来七年内的六个首轮签（其中两个可交易）、未来两年亚特兰大首轮签的控制权（2026年互换权和2027年无保护签）、三个未来的选秀权互换以及15个次轮签，圣安东尼奥队拥有再次升级的选秀资本。马刺队还拥有4000万美元的到期合同，包括前首轮秀杰里米·索汉。 – 马克斯 (Marks)
马刺的下一步是什么？ 当圣安东尼奥队选中了他们认为是围绕文班亚马重建的最后几块拼图之一时，他们的心态是先弄清楚球队现有阵容的实力，再做任何重大调整。这一点至今没有改变。事实上，球队通过选秀增加了他们认为与文班亚马适配的天赋（卡斯尔、哈珀和卡特·布莱恩特 (Carter Bryant)）。马刺队也喜欢他们在交易和自由球员市场中得到的球员：速度型后卫福克斯、卢克·科内特 (Luke Kornet) 和凯利·奥利尼克 (Kelly Olynyk)。圣安东尼奥队不太可能在交易截止日四处寻觅，但别排除马刺队会寻求增加一名能提升投射能力的角色球员的可能性。 – 迈克尔·C·莱特 (Michael C. Wright)
明尼苏达森林狼
他们缺少什么： 控球后卫。球队将38岁的迈克·康利 (Mike Conley) 从首发阵容中移出，转而采用一种更偏向集体分担的方式来处理这个位置。安东尼·爱德华兹 (Anthony Edwards) 的触球次数全队最多，朱利叶斯·兰德尔 (Julius Randle) 助攻数领先，康利在替补出场的20分钟里负责组织，丹特·迪文琴佐 (Donte DiVincenzo) 也能提供帮助。
值得注意的是，这份名单上没有罗伯特·迪林厄姆 (Rob Dillingham) 的名字，他本应是森林狼未来的控卫人选，球队在2024年选秀中用一个2030年的选秀权互换和一个2031年的无保护首轮签换来了他。但迪林厄姆尚未赢得主教练克里斯·芬奇 (Chris Finch) 的信任：本赛季他只有一次上场时间达到20分钟和得分达到10分——分别是在大胜篮网和国王的比赛中。 – 克拉姆 (Kram)
他们能完成什么操作： 上一次明尼苏达队交易阵中球员，还是将唐斯送到纽约换来兰德尔和迪文琴佐。那次交易以及最终与兰德尔的续约，使得明尼苏达队目前的薪金总额低于第二奢侈税线，并且有灵活性在交易中打包送出合同。但由于他们超过了第一奢侈税线，仍然不被允许接纳更多的薪水。由于鲁迪·戈贝尔 (Rudy Gobert) 和迪林厄姆的交易，明尼苏达队没有可用的首轮签可以送出。他们唯一可以进行首轮签互换的年份是2028年。 – 马克斯 (Marks)
森林狼的下一步是什么？ 预计森林狼会与任何可能进入市场的首发控卫联系在一起，就像贾·莫兰特 (Ja Morant) 的情况一样，外界纷纷猜测灰熊队是否会考虑交易这位前全明星球员。但由于森林狼未来选秀资产受限，他们很难完成一笔能带来重要影响的交易。明尼苏达队若想实现重大升级，很可能需要收购一名被认为是价值受损的资产（distressed asset）的球员。 – 蒂姆·麦克马洪 (Tim MacMahon)
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。
点击查看原文：Early trade questions for the Lakers, Bucks, Warriors and other top contenders
Early trade questions for the Lakers, Bucks, Warriors and other top contenders
The NBA trade deadline is nearly three months away, but it’s never too early to diagnose what contending teams need most and what their front offices can pull off between now and Feb. 5.
What trades can the Detroit Pistons, who have soared to the Eastern Conference lead on the strength of an 11-game win streak, make to supplement their roster around star Cade Cunningham and rising standout Jalen Duren? Should the Milwaukee Bucks think about bolstering their offense as they navigate an early absence for Giannis Antetokounmpo? And what moves should star-studded Western Conference powers such as the Los Angeles Lakers and Golden State Warriors be eyeing over the next few months to improve their chances at a deep playoff run?
Our NBA insiders are examining what eight playoff contenders across the league are lacking, what restrictions they face when considering their trade options and what could come next as each settles into the 2025-26 campaign.
Jump to a team:
DET | GS | LAL | MIL
MIN | NYK | ORL | SA
Detroit Pistons
What they’re missing: As befits a team succeeding with a physical, throwback style, the Pistons are also taking an old-school approach to the 3-point line, ranking 27th in makes, 28th in attempts and 20th in percentage. Of the four Pistons who made more than 1.2 3-pointers per game last season, Malik Beasley and Tim Hardaway Jr. are no longer on the team, and Jaden Ivey hasn’t played yet this season because of knee surgery; only Cade Cunningham is still here and healthy. New addition Duncan Robinson has been a valuable long-range replacement, making 3.1 3s per game on 41.8% shooting, and two-way guard Daniss Jenkins has emerged as a meaningful contributor. But the Pistons could still use another reliable shooter to stretch playoff defenses that target Cunningham and Jalen Duren down low. – Zach Kram
What they can pull off: No East playoff team is better positioned than the Pistons. For the first time since November 2020, the Pistons control their own first-round pick in each of the next seven years, are allowed to trade up to four of them and can swap in each year. Detroit also has 14 second-rounders to use in deals. Financially, the Pistons are $26.2 million below the salary cap’s first apron and can be aggressive in taking back considerable salary and contracts. Detroit has the $26.3 million expiring contract of Tobias Harris and short-term salaries of Robinson ($16.8 million), Isaiah Stewart ($15 million) and Caris LeVert ($14.1 million). – Bobby Marks
What’s next for Detroit? Ivey, who has been out nearly a full calendar year because of a broken left fibula, was just assigned to the G League, meaning his return to action is imminent. How he fits with a team that has learned to function without him, but one that can certainly use his talents, speed and shooting, will be interesting to watch. There’s an internal desire to see this group together before pressing the fast-forward button, but ownership, sources told ESPN, isn’t afraid of making a large commitment should the front office come with a proposal. Seeing if Ivey makes a star leap similar to Duren’s will be fascinating, especially as the Pistons will know more about themselves through the remainder of 2025, with a difficult West Coast trip coming at the end of December. – Vincent Goodwill
Golden State Warriors
What they’re missing: Adding Jimmy Butler III helped the Warriors succeed with Stephen Curry on the bench. Creating offense when both Butler and Curry are out remains a challenge for Golden State, which went 1-2 in the three games Curry missed because of illness, one of which Butler also sat out.
Given their ages and track records, Butler and Curry will inevitably sit out longer stretches, requiring the Warriors to find more playmaking. Ideally, Brandin Podziemski would step into that role, but his usage rate is actually down from last season with Butler’s arrival. Podziemski averaged only 11.7 points with Curry out, though he nearly had a triple-double when Butler was sidelined.
Jonathan Kuminga, meanwhile, scored 24 points in a loss at the Sacramento Kings but had just 11 on 4-of-19 shooting in the next two games. That kind of inconsistent performance has made it hard for Golden State to rely on him. – Kevin Pelton
What they can pull off: Last February, GM Mike Dunleavy Jr. was able to put together a package of contract and draft assets to acquire Butler. Despite sending their 2025 first-rounder to Miami, the Warriors still have access to four first-round picks to trade. The Kuminga signing at the onset of training camp gives Golden State a valuable $22.5 million trade option, and Kuminga is trade-eligible starting Jan. 15. Because they are hard-capped at the second apron, Golden State is not allowed to take back more salary sent out in a trade. Besides Kuminga, the Warriors have about $24.5 million in salary consisting of guards Moses Moody ($11.6 million), Buddy Hield ($9.2 million) and Podziemski ($3.7 million). They have only one second-round pick available. – Marks
What’s next for Golden State? Two months of internal and external information gathering. That Jan. 15 eligibility date on Kuminga’s contract gives them an unofficial starting clock on trade season. Until then, the Warriors have questions to answer about themselves and the league. Does De’Anthony Melton look like a reasonable backcourt answer when he comes back from ACL rehab (expected in December)? Can Al Horford find a rhythm and bolster their shaky center depth? How is Kuminga playing and fitting as the season develops?
The fifth-year wing generated legitimate bites from only the Kings and Phoenix Suns in restricted free agency, but the Warriors didn’t like what either offered in sign-and-trade packages. As situations change and Dunleavy is freed from the base year compensation issue, can he find an organization willing to give the type of return for Kuminga that owner Joe Lacob would require to green light? Will there be a player in a trade who will move the needle enough? – Anthony Slater
Orlando Magic
What they’re missing: Despite trading for Desmond Bane and signing Tyus Jones to remake their backcourt, the Magic remain heavily dependent on the health of starting point guard Jalen Suggs. Orlando has been as good as the team hoped with Suggs on the court, outscoring opponents by 17.2 points per 100 possessions. That sinks to minus-6.2 when Suggs sits, per NBA Advanced Stats. Jones has struggled to adapt to the Magic. He’s shooting an abysmal 0.3-of-1.4 (19.0%) on 3s and is handing out a career-low 4.3 assists per 36 minutes. That’s particularly problematic because playing the 6-foot-1 Jones compromises Orlando’s strength on defense. Anthony Black has supplanted Jones’ minutes but doesn’t supply the kind of playmaking the Magic hoped to get from their backup point guard. – Pelton
What they can pull off: The Magic went all-in this offseason, which included signing star Paolo Banchero to a five-year extension that begins next season. The moves have left Orlando with 2032 as its lone tradable first-round pick in the next seven years – the franchise does have eight second-rounders to use in potential deals – and in a precarious financial position.
The Jones signing and first year of extensions kicking in for Suggs and Franz Wagner have left Orlando $1.2 million below the first apron hard cap. They are not allowed to exceed that threshold in any trade. With Wagner, Suggs and Bane each making more than $35 million, Orlando has 11 players earning between $1.3 to $15 million, including Jones, who is a free agent in July and is averaging a career-low 12.9 minutes. One area of concern with a trade is the Magic’s willingness to take back salary stretched into future seasons, including the non-guaranteed $14.5 million salary of Jonathan Isaac. Orlando is a projected second-apron team in 2026-27. – Marks
What’s next for Orlando? The Magic got off to a slow start, but Bane’s buzzer-beater to down the Portland Trail Blazers on Nov. 10 sparked a three-game win streak. Even before Banchero sat out three straight games because of a groin injury, the Orlando front office was looking to see how the Magic would play with Bane while also ramping up Suggs after arthroscopic knee surgery in March.
The Magic need time to see how this group meshes before looking to add from outside. “We’re looking at this as hopefully a window of time where we can improve, see what we need as we go,” Jeff Weltman, president of basketball operations, told ESPN earlier in the season. “Hopefully, maybe there are more upgrades in the offing. Who knows? We have to see what it looks like first. But obviously we gave up a lot [to get Bane] because he’s a highly talented player who fits our roster very well and we’re betting on ourselves.” – Ohm Youngmisuk
New York Knicks
What they’re missing: The Knicks are rather well-rounded without any gaping roster holes. But given center Mitchell Robinson’s injury history, New York could use another proven center as insurance for the postseason. Continuing a trend from the 2024-25 playoffs, Robinson has been crucial to the Knicks’ performance this season: New York has a plus-15.2 net rating when he’s their center, according to Cleaning the Glass, compared with a plus-7.0 when Karl-Anthony Towns is the lone big, a plus-3.2 when Guerschon Yabusele plays small-ball center, and a minus-11.6 when little-used Ariel Hukporti mans the middle.
In theory, Yabusele should be able to function as the extra big New York needs behind Robinson and Towns. In practice, the celebrated free agent signing hasn’t lived up to expectations in New York, averaging just 2.6 points in 10.2 minutes. – Kram
What they can pull off: The Knicks are in a similar position as last November: top-heavy in contracts with no first-round picks to trade and the uncertain future of Robinson. New York has 84% of its salary cap tied up in contracts for Towns, OG Anunoby, Jalen Brunson, Mikal Bridges and Josh Hart. They are also $148,358 below the second apron and are not allowed to take on salary in a trade.
The $12.9 million expiring contract of Robinson, the ability to swap first-round picks in three years (2026, 2030 and 2032) and eight seconds represent New York’s most appealing trade assets. If the Knicks traded Robinson for a comparable salary but money owed in 2026-27, they could be a second apron team after their roster fills out. One potential move: trading Pacome Dadiet and cash – the Knicks have $7.9 million to include – would give New York enough breathing room below the second apron to sign two players. – Marks
What’s next for New York? Probably nothing too exciting. The Knicks, as Bobby laid out, have very little flexibility due to their lack of draft assets and being snug against the second apron. With all their significant salaries coming from their top six players, any major move would need to involve subtracting one or more of them to bring in others. In the wake of the Luka Doncic trade last February, never rule anything out in the NBA, but the chances of New York making significant moves from now until the deadline feel remote. – Tim Bontemps
Milwaukee Bucks
What they’re missing: Unsurprisingly, with Damian Lillard gone and new Buck Myles Turner more of an all-around contributor, Milwaukee is in dire need of secondary scoring and playmaking beyond Giannis Antetokounmpo. This was true even before the two-time MVP left Monday’s game because of a groin injury.
According to Cleaning the Glass, the Bucks have a 125.2 offensive rating with Antetokounmpo on the court, which ranks in the 95th percentile of all lineups leaguewide. When Antetokounmpo sits, their offensive rating falls to 104.2, which ranks in the 4th percentile.
With Antetokounmpo sidelined for up to two weeks, this need is even more pressing. The Bucks are just a game over .500 with a negative point differential, and their situation could get ugly in a hurry if they’re stuck with their current no-Giannis offense for all 48 minutes of games. – Kram
What they can pull off: Milwaukee is no longer in financial purgatory and has the flexibility to either aggregate contracts sent out or take back more money in a deal. But the Bucks have only one first-rounder to trade (either in 2031 or 2032), no seconds and would be challenged to cobble together enough salary to send out. Though the Bucks have three players (Turner, Kyle Kuzma and Bobby Portis) earning a combined $61 million, they also have nine with salaries between $2.2 to $5.1 million. Because of their high roster turnover this summer, nine players are not eligible to be traded until Dec. 15. Guard AJ Green is ineligible because he signed an extension. – Marks
What’s next for Milwaukee? It will first have to weather the storm during Antetokounmpo’s injury recovery. But before they search for an outside upgrade, the Bucks will look to the return of Kevin Porter Jr., who began the season as the team’s starting point guard but needed minor knee surgery earlier this month. Porter hasn’t played since the first quarter of the opener, but if he stays on his initial timeline, the Bucks are hopeful he can return at some point in December. Porter’s scoring – he averaged a career-high 19.2 points across in 59 games for the Houston Rockets in 2022-23 – could give their offense a much-needed boost behind Antetokounmpo.
Then, Milwaukee should have a better assessment of how dire their guard needs are and whether they will package together one of their few remaining assets to find an upgrade. – Jamal Collier
Los Angeles Lakers
What they’re missing: Amusingly, LeBron James’ return might help the Lakers most in terms of his shooting. With stars Luka Doncic and Austin Reaves both slumping beyond the arc (31.7 % and 32.6%, respectively, well below their career marks), the Lakers are 23rd in 3-point percentage. More troubling for a team trying to give Doncic space to operate, they’re 27th in attempts beyond the arc.
Getting James back in the lineup Tuesday should help, given he has shot 39% from 3 the past two seasons. And Dalton Knecht and Jake LaRavia should improve on their 32.6% and 34.0% shooting, respectively. Still, the Lakers could stand to upgrade on the minutes they’re giving to defensive specialists Marcus Smart and Jarred Vanderbilt, who are both under 30% from beyond the arc. An ace shooter who can hold his own defensively would help the Lakers contend this season. – Pelton
What they can pull off: How the Lakers prioritize cap flexibility next offseason could play a role in how active they are in trade talks. With over $100 million in expiring contracts (James, Rui Hachimura, Gabe Vincent and Maxi Kleber), the Lakers could have nearly $50 million in cap space. Because they are hard capped at the first apron, Los Angeles cannot take back more than $1 million in additional salary. The Doncic and Dorian Finney-Smith trades left Los Angeles with one tradeable first-rounder (in either 2031 or 2032) and one second in the next seven years. They do have five years of first-round swaps (2026, 2028, 2030, 2031 and 2032). – Marks
What’s next for Los Angeles?: Seeing if the type of basketball they played in James’ season debut – he was a willing passer, and Doncic and Reaves thrived offensively the same way they did when he was out – is sustainable. Though the Lakers’ 10-4 record to start was important, in many ways Tuesday’s 140-126 win over the Utah Jazz felt like the true beginning to the season. It was the first game they had all 14 rostered players healthy, and now the real work will begin for the coaching staff to find the optimal rotation and what needs to be shored up for the second half of the season. “There’s just a lot of data right now that we just don’t have,” a team source told ESPN. – Dave McMenamin
San Antonio Spurs
What they’re missing: The Spurs have shot 3s at an average rate this season but still rank 17th in attempts and 18th in makes from beyond the arc. San Antonio has a variety of players who can capably space the court for Victor Wembanyama and playmakers Stephon Castle, De’Aaron Fox and Dylan Harper, but no feared shooter opponents are unwilling to leave on defense.
Certainly, San Antonio hopes Devin Vassell can be that kind of player. Vassell is a career 36.7 % 3-point shooter who has made as many as 2.7 per game, suggesting he’ll probably improve on his current 34.7% accuracy. But adding an even better shooter alongside Vassell would make opponents think twice about unconventional defenses against Wembanyama that leave them exposed on the perimeter.
So far this season, only three teams have faced zone defense on more possessions than the Spurs, according to GeniusIQ tracking. – Pelton
What they can pull off: Trading four first-round picks to acquire Fox should remove San Antonio from trade conversations. But with six first-round picks in the next seven years (two that can be traded), control of Atlanta’s first-rounder in the next two years (a swap in 2026 and unprotected in 2027), three future pick swaps and 15 second-rounders, San Antonio has the draft capital to upgrade again. The Spurs also have $40 million in expiring contracts, including former first-round pick Jeremy Sochan. – Marks
What’s next for San Antonio? When San Antonio drafted what it considered to be one of the final players of its Wembanyama-centered rebuild, the mindset was to first find out what the Spurs have on the roster before making any drastic moves. Nothing has changed from that standpoint. In fact, the club added talent through the draft that it believes fits with Wembanyama (Castle, Harper and Carter Bryant). The Spurs also like the players they’ve acquired in trades and in free agency: speedy guard Fox, Luke Kornet and Kelly Olynyk. It’s unlikely San Antonio will look around at the trade deadline, but don’t count out the Spurs looking to add a potential role player who adds shooting. – Michael C. Wright
Minnesota Timberwolves
What they’re missing: Point guard. The team demoted 38-year-old Mike Conley from the starting lineup and opted for more of a committee approach to the position. Anthony Edwards leads the team in touches, Julius Randle leads in assists, Conley creates in his 20 minutes per game off the bench and Donte DiVincenzo helps as well.
One player who’s notably not on that list is Rob Dillingham, ostensibly the Timberwolves’ point guard of the future, after they traded a 2030 pick swap and an unprotected 2031 first-rounder to acquire Dillingham in the 2024 draft. But Dillingham hasn’t gained coach Chris Finch’s trust yet: He has reached 20 minutes and 10 points only once this season – in blowout wins against the Nets and Kings, respectively. – Kram
What they can pull off: The last time Minnesota traded a player on their roster, Karl-Anthony Towns was sent to New York for Randle and DiVincenzo. The trade and eventual re-signing of Randle now have Minnesota below the second apron and flexibility to aggregate contracts sent out in a trade. They are still not allowed to take back more salary because they are over the first apron. As a result of the Rudy Gobert and Dillingham trades, Minnesota does not have a first-round pick available to send in a deal. Their lone year to swap a first is 2028. – Marks
What’s next for Minnesota? Expect the Timberwolves to be linked to any starting point guard who might be available, as has been the case with Ja Morant, as speculation swirls about whether the Grizzlies will consider trading the former All-Star. But it will be challenging for Minnesota to pull off a trade for an impact player because of the restrictions on the Timberwolves’ future draft capital. It would probably require acquiring a player considered a distressed asset for Minnesota to make a major upgrade. – Tim MacMahon
By NBA insiders | ESPN, via ESPN