By Law Murray | The Athletic, 2026-02-02 16:04:26
本周推荐专辑：《Ghetto Fabolous》，法博勒斯 (Fabolous) (2001)
梭哈一切！
去年此时，随着达龙·福克斯 (De’Aaron Fox) 的交易，重磅交易的门槛被拉得极高。（开个玩笑，我知道马基夫·莫里斯 (Markieff Morris) 去年也被交易了。）到目前为止，进展还比较平淡，但我们都知道，如果尼科·哈里森 (Nico Harrison) 在掌管密尔沃基雄鹿，他恐怕早就把扬尼斯·阿德托昆博 (Giannis Antetokounmpo) 交易到纽约尼克斯了，而且绝不会泄露任何风声。毕竟不可能每年都有这种惊世骇俗的结果。
这是一年里我最喜欢的几周之一。倒不是因为那些即将发生的交易，而是因为周五过后，那些最终随落选分部冠军纪念品一起付诸东流的荒谬交易构想，将彻底翻篇。
金州勇士队的“键盘侠”们已经连续数周抛出各种招摇的交易方案而未受惩罚。这周，我将为每支球队提供一名交易候选人，从短期来看，他们会是理想的补强人选。对某些球队来说，是指本赛季；而对于像交易得到特雷·杨 (Trae Young) 的那支球队来说，或许并非本赛季。（郑重声明：我们并不是在报道这些交易即将发生或已摆上桌面。这只是在强调一些具有可能性且感觉适配的场景！）
补充说明：本份实力榜不仅仅是排名。我们将保留球队升降级的层级。每周分为五个层级：
- 顶级争冠球队 (Top Contenders) —— 固定为五支，联盟的佼佼者
- 处境优越 (In a Good Place) —— 可能是一支，也可能是七支
- 季后赛边缘 (The Bubble) —— 别和华特迪士尼世界 (Walt Disney World) 混淆。指中游球队
- 暂无威胁 (Not the Tier to Fear) —— 虽然不是表现最差的，但仍有大量工作要做
- 垫底梯队 (Basement Floor) —— 敬陪末座
关于实力榜的预期：
- 这是我的主观排名。我会参考各种客观指标，但最终由我定夺。
- 这些排名不仅是对过去一周的回顾——我们也会前瞻未来，所以是两者的结合。
- 排名是主观的，但并非心存偏见。实力榜不设预设立场，我们力求建立一个包容的精英评价体系。
- 这份排名具备的一个特质：“残酷的侵略性”。
- 请享受比赛，享受排名！
在第16周的《The Athletic》NBA实力榜中，我们将探索每支球队的梦想交易目标。胜负记录及其他统计数据截至上周日的比赛。
第一层级：顶级争冠球队
1. 俄克拉荷马城雷霆 (39胜11负)
上期排名： 1
过去一周： 胜新奥尔良，负明尼苏达，胜丹佛
进攻效率： 117.9 (第4) 防守效率： 105.8 (第1)
交易截止日假想目标 (Photoshop)： 大前锋 盖尔雄·亚布塞莱 (Guerschon Yabusele)
显然，有些球队并不需要大动作。俄克拉荷马城就是其中之一，尽管再次被其西决宿敌明尼苏达森林狼痛击，他们依然保持着联盟最佳战绩。雷霆在丹佛拿下一场胜利实现了反弹，接下来赛程中的圣安东尼奥和火箭将为他们提供更多证明实力的机会。我把亚布塞莱列为潜在目标，是因为他很容易得到，并且在雷霆罕见地开始在意进攻篮板的情况下（他们之所以快攻失分全联盟最少是有原因的），能为雷霆提供一个进攻篮板的选项。
2. 底特律活塞 (36胜12负)
上期排名： 2
过去一周： 胜丹佛，负菲尼克斯，胜金州，胜布鲁克林
进攻效率： 116.1 (第11) 防守效率： 108.3 (第2)
交易截止日假想目标 (Photoshop)： 得分后卫 马利克·蒙克 (Malik Monk)
祝贺 J.B. 比克斯塔夫 (J.B. Bickerstaff)，他从被克利夫兰解雇，到接替克利夫兰主帅肯尼·阿特金森 (Kenny Atkinson) 成为东部全明星主教练。比克斯塔夫还拥有两名全明星球员，中锋杰伦·杜伦 (Jalen Duren) 加入了 MVP 候选人凯德·坎宁安 (Cade Cunningham) 的行列。现在，我在想活塞是否会为后场增加火力。蒙克是个不错的目标，他可以分担持球压力。如果活塞愿意送出卡里斯·勒韦尔 (Caris LeVert) 或杰登·艾维 (Jaden Ivey)，他将成为坎宁安的得力搭档。
3. 圣安东尼奥马刺 (33胜16负)
上期排名： 4
过去一周： 胜休斯顿，负夏洛特，胜奥兰多
进攻效率： 116.2 (第10) 防守效率： 111.1 (第3)
交易截止日假想目标 (Photoshop)： 大前锋 萨姆·豪瑟 (Sam Hauser)
马刺在榜单中排名的提升主要源于在休斯顿的一场逆转胜，而主教练米奇·约翰逊 (Mitch Johnson) 将随维克托·文班亚马 (Victor Wembanyama) 一同前往全明星赛。马刺有很多有趣的方案，但我确实好奇大前锋位置会发生什么。投射永远不嫌多，所以我在这里设想了一个杰里米·索汉 (Jeremy Sochan) 交换豪瑟的方案；我确信圣安东尼奥需要送出一些选秀权才能完成这样的交易。总之，请关注马刺的大前锋位置，无论是索汉还是首发球员哈里森·巴恩斯 (Harrison Barnes)。
4. 丹佛掘金 (33胜17负)
上期排名： 6
过去一周： 负底特律，胜布鲁克林，胜快船，负俄克拉荷马城
进攻效率： 120.8 (第1) 防守效率： 116.5 (第22)
交易截止日假想目标 (Photoshop)： 控球后卫 豪塞·阿尔瓦拉多 (Jose Alvarado)
球队总喜欢把伤病名单上的回归者称为“交易截止日引援”。就掘金而言，尼古拉·约基奇 (Nikola Jokić) 在二月底前回归绝对算得上是中期补强。而现在，约基奇终于可以说他拥有一位全明星队友了——贾马尔·穆雷 (Jamal Murray) 职业生涯首次入选。穆雷需要一个更好的替补，一个能在防守端像牛皮糖一样纠缠对手的人。如果丹佛能弄来阿尔瓦拉多这样的人，掘金在季后赛的威胁会更大。
5. 休斯顿火箭 (30胜17负)
上期排名： 3
过去一周： 胜孟菲斯，负圣安东尼奥，胜亚特兰大，胜达拉斯
进攻效率： 117.8 (第5) 防守效率： 111.9 (第5)
交易截止日假想目标 (Photoshop)： 控球后卫 贾·莫兰特 (Ja Morant)
来点惊人之语。休斯顿可以将本赛季报销的弗雷德·范弗利特 (Fred VanVleet) 和史蒂文·亚当斯 (Steven Adams) 送往孟菲斯灰熊，后者可以顺势摆烂。我意识到这笔交易出于多种原因不会发生（放弃范弗利特这样的文化领袖去换取莫兰特这个变数，风险极大），但另一种选择是什么都不做，眼睁睁看着火箭在关键时刻难以组织进攻。火箭是一支强大的球队，但如果必须打高强度的第四节比赛，他们表现得极其不稳定。
第二层级：处境优越
6. 纽约尼克斯 (31胜18负)
上期排名： 7
过去一周： 胜萨克拉门托，胜多伦多，胜波特兰，胜湖人
进攻效率： 118.9 (第3) 防守效率： 113.5 (第12)
交易截止日假想目标 (Photoshop)： 小前锋 乌斯曼·吉昂 (Ousmane Dieng)
纽约这周重回正轨，所以潜在的卡尔-安东尼·唐斯 (Karl-Anthony Towns) 交易构想可以收起来了。相反，重点将放在调整板凳碎片上，比如亚布塞莱或乔丹·克拉克森 (Jordan Clarkson)。吉昂实际上最初是尼克斯用自己的选秀权选中的，只不过和 2020 年代 NBA 的绝大多数选秀权一样，最终落到了俄克拉荷马城手里。吉昂是雷霆 2022 届乐透秀中唯一没有成为“新秀合同全明星”的人，不像去年的杰伦·威廉姆斯 (Jalen Williams) 或今年的切特·霍姆格伦 (Chet Holmgren)，考虑到他的臂展和天赋，他会是纽约替代亚布塞莱的一个有趣的低价购入候选人。
7. 明尼苏达森林狼 (31胜19负)
上期排名： 13
过去一周： 胜金州，胜达拉斯，胜俄克拉荷马城，胜孟菲斯
进攻效率： 116.6 (第9) 防守效率： 111.8 (第4)
交易截止日假想目标 (Photoshop)： 控球后卫 科比·怀特 (Coby White)
森林狼以一周全胜的战绩回应了球队以及整座城市所经历的艰难时期。在遭遇五连败后，战胜雷霆开启了这一波四连胜。尽管如此，如果森林狼的进攻端能由 6 英尺 4 英寸、210 磅的怀特替代同样身高的丹特·迪文琴佐 (Donte DiVincenzo)，那场面一定会很有趣。怀特的下限比迪文琴佐低，尤其是在防守端，但明尼苏达拥有合适的体系来缓解这一点，并利用怀特的自主得分能力激活阵容的其他部分。
8. 波士顿凯尔特人 (31胜18负)
上期排名： 5
过去一周： 胜波特兰，负亚特兰大，胜萨克拉门托，胜密尔沃基
进攻效率： 120.7 (第2) 防守效率： 113.1 (第11)
交易截止日假想目标 (Photoshop)： 大前锋 杰里米·索汉 (Jeremy Sochan)
这对凯尔特人来说是重要的一周。波士顿在进入本赛季时承认了阵容的财务压力。但在杰森·塔图姆 (Jayson Tatum) 接受跟腱手术康复期间，即使失去了朱·霍勒迪 (Jrue Holiday)、克里斯塔普斯·波尔津吉斯 (Kristaps Porziņģis) 和阿尔·霍福德 (Al Horford)，他们依然像往常一样在争夺前二种子。安芬尼·西蒙斯 (Anfernee Simons) 被认为是“租借球员”，而萨姆·豪瑟的时间似乎也不多了。这套阵容一直非常团结。如果他们真的要做出改变，一位富有活力的前锋（且合同即将到期）很有意义，而索汉会非常契合乔·马祖拉 (Joe Mazzulla) 的体系。
第三层级：季后赛边缘
9. 菲尼克斯太阳 (30胜20负)
上期排名： 9
过去一周： 胜布鲁克林，胜底特律，胜克利夫兰，负快船
进攻效率： 114.3 (第15) 防守效率： 112.0 (第7)
交易截止日假想目标 (Photoshop)： 小前锋 本内迪克特·马图林 (Bennedict Mathurin)
太阳队本周表现出色，在全明星后卫德文·布克 (Devin Booker) 缺阵的情况下大胜活塞和骑士。别忘了，太阳上赛季在布克缺阵时一共只赢了一场，而杰伦·格林 (Jalen Green) 本赛季也仅出战了五场。我确实在想他们是否需要在季后赛中为替补席找一位像马图林这样的罚球高手，尤其是如果代价只是乔丹·古德温 (Jordan Goodwin) 和鲜有上场机会的中锋卡曼·马卢阿奇 (Khaman Maluach) 的话。格林和布克的健康回归将挤压小个后卫的出场时间，而马克·威廉姆斯 (Mark Williams) 的表现已经足以被视为球队未来的中锋；这会改变太阳对待截止日的态度吗？
国王是否会回到家乡再战一个赛季？ David Richard / Imagn Images
10. 克利夫兰骑士 (30胜21负)
上期排名： 8
过去一周： 胜奥兰多，胜湖人，负菲尼克斯，胜波特兰
进攻效率： 116.8 (第7) 防守效率： 113.6 (第13)
交易截止日假想目标 (Photoshop)： 小前锋 勒布朗·詹姆斯 (LeBron James)
重头戏来了。我无法想象詹姆斯会在这次截止日前同意回到克利夫兰，而且骑士已经通过拆解德安德烈·亨特 (De’Andre Hunter) 的合同换来了丹尼斯·施罗德 (Dennis Schröder) 和基翁·埃利斯 (Keon Ellis)。引进詹姆斯更像是休赛期的谈资。在本周骑士让他感动落泪之后，如果他在 2026 年的某个时间点重回克利夫兰，我一点也不会感到惊讶。
11. 洛杉矶湖人 (29胜19负)
上期排名： 10
过去一周： 胜芝加哥，负克利夫兰，胜华盛顿，负纽约
进攻效率： 116.7 (第8) 防守效率： 117.1 (第25)
交易截止日假想目标 (Photoshop)： 中锋 贾勒特·阿伦 (Jarrett Allen)
如果说湖人真的能从骑士队挖走谁，那非阿伦莫属。德安德烈·艾顿 (Deandre Ayton) 是一名不错的终结者，也能打出精彩的篮板表现，但湖人在艾顿在场时的防守非常吃力。阿伦的移动能力和无私的护筐将是完美补充。送出艾顿和贾里德·范德比尔特 (Jarred Vanderbilt) 或许能达成这笔交易。
12. 多伦多猛龙 (30胜21负)
上期排名： 11
过去一周： 负纽约，负奥兰多，胜犹他
进攻效率： 113.4 (第20) 防守效率： 112.1 (第8)
交易截止日假想目标 (Photoshop)： 得分后卫 卡姆·托马斯 (Cam Thomas)
托马斯拥有交易否决权，但他在布鲁克林的处境太糟糕了，搬到加拿大应该也不赖。多伦多可以通过送出奥查伊·阿巴吉 (Ochai Agbaji) 来换取托马斯的到期合同，后者的防守很稳健，但进攻端已经彻底迷失。如果托马斯能融入达科·拉亚科维奇 (Darko Rajaković) 的体系，他将为猛龙提供另一个进攻选择；如果不行，他也只是另一个即将在自由市场走人的替补后卫。对于一支在 RJ·巴雷特 (RJ Barrett)、布兰登·英格拉姆 (Brandon Ingram) 或全明星斯科蒂·巴恩斯 (Scottie Barnes) 下场后进攻吃力的多伦多球队来说，增加一名得分创造者是值得的。
13. 费城76人 (27胜21负)
上期排名： 14
过去一周： 负夏洛特，胜密尔沃基，胜萨克拉门托，胜新奥尔良
进攻效率： 115.0 (第13) 防守效率： 114.0 (第14)
交易截止日假想目标 (Photoshop)： 大前锋 凯文·乐福 (Kevin Love)
在保罗·乔治 (Paul George) 遭到 25 场禁赛之前，76人就已经需要腾出名额了。换来乐福只是为了给 76人提供一个可以裁掉的对象，以便他们至少能将多米尼克·巴洛 (Dominick Barlow) 转为正式合同。另一名双向合同球员贾巴里·沃克 (Jabari Walker) 自圣诞节以来就没有首发过，一月份也只有两次出场超过 15 分钟，因此他的情况并不紧迫。
14. 金州勇士 (27胜23负)
上期排名： 12
过去一周： 负明尼苏达，胜犹他，负底特律
进攻效率： 114.8 (第14) 防守效率： 112.1 (第9)
交易截止日假想目标 (Photoshop)： 小前锋 克里斯·米德尔顿 (Khris Middleton)
金州勇士需要一个能做出稳健传球决断的球员。将乔纳森·库明加 (Jonathan Kuminga) 和巴迪·希尔德 (Buddy Hield) 送往华盛顿换回米德尔顿，将为勇士提供一名擅长中距离的组织者，同时在赛季结束后为金州清理出一张干净的工资表。这虽然不完全等同于吉米·巴特勒 (Jimmy Butler) 级别的交易，但至少能让勇士部分找回巴特勒曾经作为持球侧翼所起到的作用。
15. 奥兰多魔术 (25胜23负)
上期排名： 15
过去一周： 负克利夫兰，胜迈阿密，胜多伦多，负圣安东尼奥
进攻效率： 113.9 (第16) 防守效率： 114.3 (第15)
交易截止日假想目标 (Photoshop)： 得分后卫 达尔顿·克内克特 (Dalton Knecht)
关于魔术，没什么可多说的。由于核心球员反复的伤病问题，他们的表现极其不稳定。杰伦·萨格斯 (Jalen Suggs) 开始打得更稳健了，但现在弗朗茨·瓦格纳 (Franz Wagner) 又伤了。持续稳定的投射仍是一个难题。想办法让杰特·霍华德 (Jett Howard) 回到洛杉矶会很有趣，毕竟他入选过全明星的父亲朱万·霍华德 (Juwan Howard) 曾与湖人篮球运营总裁罗伯·佩林卡 (Rob Pelinka) 在密歇根大学共事，也曾与詹姆斯在迈阿密并肩作战。
16. 迈阿密热火 (27胜24负)
上期排名： 16
过去一周： 负奥兰多，胜芝加哥，负芝加哥，胜芝加哥
进攻效率： 113.8 (第17) 防守效率： 112.0 (第6)
交易截止日假想目标 (Photoshop)： 中锋 伊夫·米西 (Yves Missi)
祝贺诺曼·鲍威尔 (Norman Powell)，32 岁的他在热火的第一个赛季首次入选全明星。他的下一份合同会非常有趣，尤其是对于一支胜率依然徘徊在五成左右，且在四月附加赛相遇前已经没机会再打芝加哥公牛的热火队来说。凯莱尔·韦尔 (Kel’el Ware) 似乎一直待在埃里克·斯波尔斯特拉 (Erik Spoelstra) 的“冷宫”里，或许热火换来 2024 届的另一位中锋米西会更好。
17. 洛杉矶快船 (23胜25负)
上期排名： 18
过去一周： 胜犹他，负丹佛，胜菲尼克斯
进攻效率： 115.9 (第12) 防守效率： 115.6 (第20)
交易截止日假想目标 (Photoshop)： 得分后卫 柯林·塞克斯顿 (Collin Sexton)
快船每年都会在丹佛似乎处于劣势的比赛中输给对方；这一次，约基奇回归，但掘金其他球员都是背靠背作战且阵容不整，而快船在丹佛的高原上休息了两天待命。唉，快船继续向平均水准大步倒退，并在西部排名中正式被波特兰开拓者超越。快船需要更多后场火力，而塞克斯顿的 NBA 生涯正是在泰伦·卢 (Tyronn Lue) 麾下开启的（虽然只打了六场比赛，但同样算数）。
18. 夏洛特黄蜂 (22胜28负)
上期排名： 20
过去一周： 胜费城，胜孟菲斯，胜达拉斯，胜圣安东尼奥
进攻效率： 117.1 (第6) 防守效率： 115.3 (第19)
交易截止日假想目标 (Photoshop)： 控球后卫 克里斯·保罗 (Chris Paul)
有 20 支球队的战绩优于夏洛特黄蜂，但只有 12 支球队的净胜分更高。虽然快船在一月份的战绩最佳，但黄蜂的净胜分达到了 187 分，比排名第二的球队多出 69 分。我一直在为保罗寻找一支球队来完成他大概率是最后的 NBA 赛季，为什么不是夏洛特呢？快船可以用保罗、博格丹·博格达诺维奇 (Bogdan Bogdanović) 和科比·布朗 (Kobe Brown) 的合同去换取塞克斯顿，塞克斯顿是个好用的球员，但最近两周他还没有连续两场出战超过 20 分钟。显然，黄蜂只需要一套完全健康的由拉梅洛·鲍尔 (LaMelo Ball)、肯·克内佩尔 (Kon Knueppel)、布兰登·米勒 (Brandon Miller)、迈尔斯·布里奇斯 (Miles Bridges) 和穆萨·调亚巴特 (Moussa Diabate) 组成的首发阵容。或许板凳席上多一点经验会对黄蜂更有帮助，而保罗也将得到在家乡州结束职业生涯的机会。
第四层级：暂无威胁
19. 芝加哥公牛 (24胜26负)
上期排名： 17
过去一周： 负湖人，负印第安纳，负迈阿密，胜迈阿密，负迈阿密
进攻效率： 113.7 (第18) 防守效率： 116.7 (第24)
交易截止日假想目标 (Photoshop)： 得分后卫 丹特·迪文琴佐 (Donte DiVincenzo)
公牛这周过得不顺，他们在五天内打了四场比赛，并在最后一场交锋中被热火击溃。在假设的怀特换迪文琴佐交易中，芝加哥将牺牲一些进攻活力，换取迪文琴佐这位强硬的防守者。公牛此前已经进行了一笔交易，换来了达里奥·萨里奇 (Dario Šarić)，同时裁掉了杰冯·卡特 (Jevon Carter)。
小迈克尔·波特对亚特兰大老鹰来说可能是一个有趣的引援。 (Wendell Cruz / Imagn Images)
20. 亚特兰大老鹰 (24胜27负)
上期排名： 22
过去一周： 胜印第安纳，胜波士顿，负休斯顿，负印第安纳
进攻效率： 113.4 (第21) 防守效率： 114.5 (第16)
交易截止日假想目标 (Photoshop)： 小前锋 小迈克尔·波特 (Michael Porter Jr.)
老鹰在交易小前锋维特·克雷伊奇 (Vit Krejčí) 的同时，从波特兰换来了处于伤病中的杜普·里斯 (Duop Reath)。这是一个为后续动作做铺垫的举动，我提议一项重磅交易，让波特从布鲁克林篮网空降亚特兰大。老鹰需要送出 CJ·麦科勒姆 (CJ McCollum)，他的合同不能被配平交易。但老鹰将得到一个更适配的得分手，而篮网得到了一份到期合同。老鹰再次在波士顿的胜利中展现了极高的上限，虽然那场比赛让奥涅卡·奥孔古 (Onyeka Okongwu) 掉了牙齿，紧接着他们就在周末输给印第安纳结束了这一周。
21. 波特兰开拓者 (23胜27负)
上期排名： 19
过去一周： 负波士顿，负华盛顿，负纽约，负克利夫兰
进攻效率： 112.5 (第23) 防守效率： 115.2 (第18)
交易截止日假想目标 (Photoshop)： 控球后卫 朗佐·鲍尔 (Lonzo Ball)
开拓者从老鹰引进了克雷伊奇，但他们需要一些优秀的组织者。鲍尔本赛季在克利夫兰得分艰难，但如果开拓者愿意送出罗伯特·威廉姆斯 (Robert Williams)，他在攻防两端都会是波特兰稳健的组织者。开拓者真正需要的是斯科特·亨德森 (Scoot Henderson) 回归，他因为腿筋撕裂错过了整个赛季。
22. 孟菲斯灰熊 (18胜29负)
上期排名： 23
过去一周： 负休斯顿，负夏洛特，负新奥尔良，负明尼苏达
进攻效率： 112.5 (第22) 防守效率： 114.6 (第17)
交易截止日假想目标 (Photoshop)： 中锋 多曼塔斯·萨博尼斯 (Domantas Sabonis)
泰·杰罗姆 (Ty Jerome) 回归了，这解决了孟菲斯的中期补强问题。但既然我们之前已经把莫兰特交易走了，干脆在孟菲斯彻底推倒重来，连小贾伦·杰克逊 (Jaren Jackson Jr.) 也送走吧。萨博尼斯将加入这支伤病满营且可能想启动温和重建的孟菲斯球队。全联盟只有三支球队的投篮命中率比灰熊更差，虽然扎克·伊迪 (Zach Edey) 的缺阵是主因，但如果灰熊选择转型，萨博尼斯在孟菲斯会是一个稳定且高效的得分点。
23. 达拉斯独行侠 (19胜30负)
上期排名： 24
过去一周： 负明尼苏达，负夏洛特，负休斯顿
进攻效率： 110.3 (第27) 防守效率： 112.6 (第10)
交易截止日假想目标 (Photoshop)： 大前锋 扬尼斯·阿德托昆博 (Giannis Antetokounmpo)
杰森·基德 (Jason Kidd) 每一季都会因为球队面临的离谱处境而陷入一种冷静的崩溃。虽然库珀·弗拉格 (Cooper Flagg) 的个人表现正在提升，但很明显，达拉斯的其他阵容完全不合逻辑。所以，干脆在截止日来一场阿德托昆博和安东尼·戴维斯 (Anthony Davis) 的单换交易吧。
24. 密尔沃基雄鹿 (18胜29负)
上期排名： 21
过去一周： 负费城，负华盛顿，负波士顿
进攻效率： 112.1 (第24) 防守效率： 116.6 (第23)
交易截止日假想目标 (Photoshop)： 大前锋 安东尼·戴维斯 (Anthony Davis)
……虽然没人要求这么做。但听听戴维斯去雄鹿的理由。密尔沃基离他的家乡芝加哥只有很短的车程（这在贾巴里·帕克 (Jabari Parker) 身上灵验过），而且戴维斯也是绿湾包装工队的铁杆粉丝。迈尔斯·特纳 (Myles Turner) 也在那里，这客观上很有趣，因为湖人球迷这些年一直在 P 特纳穿湖人球衣的图，想让他和戴维斯搭档。达尔文·哈姆 (Darvin Ham) 也在那！凯尔·库兹马 (Kyle Kuzma) 也在那！让老伙计们重聚吧。雄鹿在交易扬尼斯时可能有更好的选择，他们甚至可能效仿戴维斯离开新奥尔良时的做法，等到选秀抽签后再推进最佳交易。但如果看到戴维斯空降密尔沃基，我会觉得很有看头。
25. 印第安纳步行者 (13胜36负)
上期排名： 26
过去一周： 负亚特兰大，胜芝加哥，胜亚特兰大
进攻效率： 108.4 (第30) 防守效率： 115.9 (第21)
交易截止日假想目标 (Photoshop)： 中锋 卡曼·马卢阿奇 (Khaman Maluach)
你们中有些人认为步行者应该得到入选全明星的帕斯卡尔·西亚卡姆 (Pascal Siakam)，祝贺西亚卡姆在这个令人遗忘的赛季中至少有所收获。西亚卡姆最近开始担任首发中锋，我建议马图林去太阳的交易，这能让步行者试用乐透秀中锋马卢阿奇，他本赛季总共只打了 95 分钟。马卢阿奇本赛季无法帮助步行者赢球，而这正是这里的考量之一。印第安纳需要一位未来的中锋，这将是确定马卢阿奇是否符合要求的手段。
第五层级：垫底梯队
26. 华盛顿奇才 (13胜35负)
上期排名： 30
过去一周： 胜波特兰，胜密尔沃基，负湖人，胜萨克拉门托
进攻效率： 109.5 (第29) 防守效率： 119.8 (第29)
交易截止日假想目标 (Photoshop)： 大前锋 乔纳森·库明加 (Jonathan Kuminga)
奇才本周击败了三支一场未胜的球队。是时候交易老将了，因为上一次华盛顿取得这么连胜时，麦科勒姆就被送走了。库明加将为奇才提供潜在的球星级得分火力，让他和杨搭档可以减轻华盛顿乐透探索的压力，同时最终为米德尔顿找到新家。
27. 布鲁克林篮网 (13胜35负)
上期排名： 28
过去一周： 负菲尼克斯，负丹佛，胜犹他，负底特律
进攻效率： 110.5 (第26) 防守效率： 118.0 (第26)
交易截止日假想目标 (Photoshop)： 得分后卫 CJ·麦科勒姆 (CJ McCollum)
布鲁克林的现状真的很糟。你永远不知道篮网什么时候会突然崩盘输掉几十分。波特也是全明星的一个遗珠。是时候在他这份合同贬值前将其转手了。
28. 新奥尔良鹈鹕 (13胜38负)
上期排名： 25
过去一周： 负俄克拉荷马城，胜孟菲斯，负费城
进攻效率： 112.0 (第25) 防守效率： 118.3 (第27)
交易截止日假想目标 (Photoshop)： 中锋 凯莱尔·韦尔 (Kel’el Ware)
鹈鹕在大个子蔡恩·威廉森 (Zion Williamson) 和德里克·奎因 (Derik Queen) 身边需要更多拼图。用米西换韦尔能给鹈鹕带来更大的影响力，尤其是在进攻端。韦尔本赛季投中的三分球比米西、威廉森和奎因整个职业生涯加起来投中的还要多。
29. 犹他爵士 (15胜35负)
上期排名： 27
过去一周： 负快船，负金州，负布鲁克林，负多伦多
进攻效率： 113.5 (第19) 防守效率： 122.1 (第30)
交易截止日假想目标 (Photoshop)： 中锋 安德烈·德拉蒙德 (Andre Drummond)
没什么看头。爵士开始增加全明星遗珠劳里·马尔卡宁 (Lauri Markkanen) 的上场时间，但即便他也无法拯救犹他的现状。换来德拉蒙德只会为 76人腾出出场时间和名额，而爵士则在更高的层次寻求天赋。
30. 萨克拉门托国王 (12胜39负)
上期排名： 29
过去一周： 负纽约，负费城，负波士顿，负华盛顿
进攻效率： 109.6 (第28) 防守效率： 119.6 (第28)
交易截止日假想目标 (Photoshop)： 大前锋 小贾伦·杰克逊 (Jaren Jackson Jr.)
谢天谢地我们终于写到了末尾，国王理应排在这一位，51 场比赛已经输掉了联盟最高的 39 场。亨特现在来到了这里，或许能和基根·穆雷 (Keegan Murray) 搭档。扎克·拉文 (Zach LaVine)、德玛尔·德罗赞 (DeMar DeRozan) 和萨博尼斯这三个人下周几乎不可能全都在这里。引进杰克逊纯粹是为了给国王一个重建的核心。但请记住，这支球队真的很糟糕。如果杰克逊被交易到州首府，他可能会像进入“证人保护计划”一样销声匿迹，但萨克拉门托确实需要重新构思其阵容。
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：NBA Power Rankings: Nikola Jokić's return lifts Nuggets; Knicks, Hornets, Wolves rise
NBA Power Rankings: Nikola Jokić’s return lifts Nuggets; Knicks, Hornets, Wolves rise
Album of the Week: “Ghetto Fabolous,” Fabolous (2001)
Trade it all!
The bar for blockbusters was set extra high at this time last year with the De’Aaron Fox trade. (I’m just playing; I know Markieff Morris was also traded last year.) We have underwhelmed so far, but we all know that Nico Harrison would have already traded Giannis Antetokounmpo to the New York Knicks if he were running the Milwaukee Bucks, and he would not have leaked anything either. Can’t have outrageous outcomes every year.
This is one of my favorite weeks of the season. Not because of the trades that will happen, but because Friday will reset the clock on the ridiculous trade ideas that ultimately went on a boat with the rest of the failed conference championship merchandise.
Keyboard (Golden State) warriors have been making ostentatious trade ideas for weeks with no reprimand. This week, I’m giving every team a trade candidate that would be an ideal fit in the short-term future. For some teams, that’s this season. For teams like the one that traded for Trae Young, perhaps that’s not this season. (And to be clear, we’re not reporting that these deals are likely or even on the table. Just highlight scenarios and potential fits that feel possible!)
Fine print: These Power Rankings won’t just rank every team. We’ll retain the tiers that teams will be promoted into and relegated out of. There will be five tiers each week:
- Top Contenders – Locked at five, these are the class of the league
- In a Good Place – Could be one team, could be seven teams
- The Bubble – Not to be confused with Walt Disney World. The middle of the pack
- Not the Tier to Fear – Not playing the worst ball in the league, but with a lot of work to do
- Basement Floor – Bringing up the rear
What to expect from Power Rankings:
- These are my subjective rankings. I will consider a variety of objective measures, but it’s my final call.
- These rankings are not just a review of the past week — we are projecting forward as well, so it is a balance of the two.
- These are subjective, but not biased. There are no agendas in the Power Rankings, and we strive for an inclusive meritocracy
- The one quality that these rankings possess: “Ruthless aggression.”
- Enjoy the games, and enjoy the rankings, please!
For Week 16 of The Athletic NBA Power Rankings, we will explore dream trade targets for each team. Win-loss records and other statistical data are through Sunday’s action.
Tier 1: Top Contenders
1. Oklahoma City Thunder (39-11)
Last ranking: 1
In the last week: W vs NO, L at MIN, W at DEN
Offensive rating: 117.9 (fourth place)Defensive rating: 105.8 (first place)
Trade deadline Photoshop: PF Guerschon Yabusele
Obviously, some teams don’t need to do much of anything. Oklahoma City is one of those teams, and it still has the best record in the league despite another beatdown at the hands of its Western Conference finals foe, the Minnesota Timberwolves. The Thunder did well to bounce back with a win at Denver, and they’ll have another statement win opportunity with San Antonio and the Rockets on the schedule. I’ve included Yabusele as a potential trade target since he’s attainable and could give the Thunder an offensive rebounding option in the unlikely event the Thunder ever care about offensive rebounds (they allow the fewest fast-break points in the league for a reason).
2. Detroit Pistons (36-12)
Last ranking: 2
In the last week: W at DEN, L at PHO, W at GS, W vs BRK
Offensive rating: 116.1 (11th place)Defensive rating: 108.3 (second place)
Trade deadline Photoshop: SG Malik Monk
Congratulations to J.B. Bickerstaff, who went from being fired by Cleveland to succeeding Cleveland head coach Kenny Atkinson as Eastern Conference All-Stars head coach. Bickerstaff also has two All-Stars, with center Jalen Duren joining MVP candidate Cade Cunningham. Now, I wonder if the Pistons add some firepower to the backcourt. Monk could be a good target who could handle extra ballhandling opportunity and be a solid complement to Cunningham if the Pistons were willing to part with Caris LeVert or Jaden Ivey.
3. San Antonio Spurs (33-16)
Last ranking: 4
In the last week: W at HOU, L at CHA, W vs ORL
Offensive rating: 116.2 (10th place)Defensive rating: 111.1 (third place)
Trade deadline Photoshop: PF Sam Hauser
The Spurs earned an elevated trip in these standings mostly on the strength of a comeback win in Houston, and head coach Mitch Johnson will join Victor Wembanyama at the All-Star Game. The Spurs have a lot of interesting scenarios, but I do wonder what happens at power forward. You can never have too much shooting, so I have a Jeremy Sochan for Hauser swap here; I’m sure there would be some outgoing picks from San Antonio to complete a deal like this. Just keep an eye on the power forward spot for the Spurs, whether that’s Sochan or even starter Harrison Barnes.
4. Denver Nuggets (33-17)
Last ranking: 6
In the last week: L vs DET, W vs BRK, W vs LAC, L vs OKC
Offensive rating: 120.8 (first place)Defensive rating: 116.5 (22nd place)
Trade deadline Photoshop: PG Jose Alvarado
Teams love to refer to their own injured reserve as trade deadline acquisitions. In the case of the Nuggets, getting Nikola Jokić back before the end of February qualifies as a midseason addition. And now, Jokić can finally say he has an All-Star teammate, with Jamal Murray being a first-time selection. Murray could use a better backup who can be a pest defensively. If Denver could acquire someone like Alvarado, it would make the Nuggets that much more of a factor come playoff time.
5. Houston Rockets (30-17)
Last ranking: 3
In the last week: W vs MEM, L vs SA, W at ATL, W vs DAL
Offensive rating: 117.8 (fifth place)Defensive rating: 111.9 (fifth place)
Trade deadline Photoshop: PG Ja Morant
Let’s get blasphemous. Houston could trade Fred VanVleet and Steven Adams, both out for the season, to a Memphis Grizzlies team that could tank accordingly. I realize this trade would not happen for a variety of reasons (moving on from a culture guy like VanVleet for the wild card that is Morant would be nasty work), but the alternative is doing nothing while the Rockets struggle to run offense in clutch time. The Rockets are a powerful basketball team, but they are as shaky as it gets if they have to play relevant fourth-quarter minutes.
Tier 2: In a Good Place
6. New York Knicks (31-18)
Last ranking: 7
In the last week: W vs SAC, W at TOR, W vs POR, W vs LAL
Offensive rating: 118.9 (third place)Defensive rating: 113.5 (12th place)
Trade deadline Photoshop: SF Ousmane Dieng
New York got its act together this week, so potential Karl-Anthony Towns trades can be put away. Instead, the focus will be on shuffling bench pieces such as Yabusele or Jordan Clarkson. Dieng was actually drafted with a Knicks pick technically before it fell into the hands of Oklahoma City, just like every draft pick in the NBA in the 2020s. Dieng was the one Thunder lottery pick from 2022 that didn’t become a rookie contract All-Star, unlike Jalen Williams last year or Chet Holmgren this year, and he would be an intriguing buy-low candidate for New York in place of Yabusele due to his length and tools.
7. Minnesota Timberwolves (31-19)
Last ranking: 13
In the last week: W vs GS, W at DAL, W vs OKC, W at MEM
Offensive rating: 116.6 (ninth place)Defensive rating: 111.8 (fourth place)
Trade deadline Photoshop: PG Coby White
The Timberwolves answered a very difficult stretch, both for the basketball team and the city, by sweeping the week of games. The win over the Thunder highlighted a four-game win streak after the Timberwolves lost five straight games. Still, it would be interesting to see how Minnesota’s offense could work with 6-foot-4, 210-pound White in place of 6-foot-4, 203-pound Donte DiVincenzo. White has a lower floor than DiVincenzo, especially defensively, but Minnesota has the right kind of infrastructure to mitigate that and unlock the rest of the lineup because of White’s brand of shot creation.
8. Boston Celtics (31-18)
Last ranking: 5
In the last week: W vs POR, L vs ATL, W vs SAC, W vs MIL
Offensive rating: 120.7 (second place)Defensive rating: 113.1 (11th place)
Trade deadline Photoshop: PF Jeremy Sochan
It’s a big week for the Celtics. Boston went into this season acknowledging the financial considerations of the roster. But here it is battling for a top-two seed, as usual, even after parting ways with Jrue Holiday, Kristaps Porziņģis and Al Horford while Jayson Tatum recovers from Achilles surgery. Anfernee Simons was thought of as a rental, while Sam Hauser looked to be on borrowed time. This roster has been quite connected. If they do shake things up, an activity forward (on an expiring contract) makes sense, and Sochan would be an intriguing fit with Joe Mazzulla.
Tier 3: The Bubble
9. Phoenix Suns (30-20)
Last ranking: 9
In the last week: W vs BRK, W vs DET, W vs CLE, L vs LAC
Offensive rating: 114.3 (15th place)Defensive rating: 112.0 (seventh place)
Trade deadline Photoshop: SF Bennedict Mathurin
The Suns had an impressive week of wins, blowing out both the Pistons and Cavaliers without All-Star Devin Booker. Keep in mind, this is a Suns team that won one game all of last season without Booker in the lineup, and Jalen Green has only played five games this season. I do wonder if they could use a free-throw merchant like Mathurin for the bench in the playoffs, especially if it would only cost them Jordan Goodwin and seldom-used center Khaman Maluach. Green’s and Booker’s returns to health are going to squeeze small guard minutes, and Mark Williams has played well enough to be considered the team’s center of the future; would that change how the Suns approach the deadline?
Would The King return home for one final season? David Richard / Imagn Images
10. Cleveland Cavaliers (30-21)
Last ranking: 8
In the last week: W vs ORL, W vs LAL, L at PHO, W at POR
Offensive rating: 116.8 (seventh place)Defensive rating: 113.6 (13th place)
Trade deadline Photoshop: SF LeBron James
Now we’re cooking. I can’t see James agreeing to go back to Cleveland by this deadline, and Cleveland has already made its move, breaking up De’Andre Hunter’s contract to acquire guards Dennis Schröder and Keon Ellis. A James acquisition is something that would probably be a better conversation for the offseason. Finding a legal trade doesn’t really work either, to say nothing about James’ no-trade clause. But I would not be surprised if James is back in Cleveland at some point in 2026 after the Cavs made him tear up this week.
11. Los Angeles Lakers (29-19)
Last ranking: 10
In the last week: W at CHI, L at CLE, W at WAS, L at NY
Offensive rating: 116.7 (eighth place)Defensive rating: 117.1 (25th place)
Trade deadline Photoshop: C Jarrett Allen
If there’s a player the Lakers could really use from the Cavaliers, it’s Allen. Deandre Ayton is a solid finisher who is capable of great rebounding games, but the Lakers have had a whale of a time trying to defend with Ayton on the floor. Allen’s mobility and selfless rim protection would be a perfect fit. Trading Ayton and Jarred Vanderbilt would get this done.
12. Toronto Raptors (30-21)
Last ranking: 11
In the last week: L vs NY, L at ORL, W vs UTA
Offensive rating: 113.4 (20th place)Defensive rating: 112.1 (eighth place)
Trade deadline Photoshop: SG Cam Thomas
Thomas can veto trades, but he’s in such a bad situation in Brooklyn that a move to Canada can’t be too bad. Toronto could acquire Thomas’ expiring contract by trading Ochai Agbaji, a solid defender whose offense has completely abandoned him. Thomas would give the Raptors another offensive option if he clicks with Darko Rajaković’s system, and another benchable guard headed to free agency if he doesn’t. For a Toronto team that has struggled offensively with RJ Barrett, Brandon Ingram or All-Star Scottie Barnes off the floor, adding another shot creator would be worth it.
13. Philadelphia 76ers (27-21)
Last ranking: 14
In the last week: L at CHA, W vs MIL, W vs SAC, W vs NO
Offensive rating: 115.0 (13th place)Defensive rating: 114.0 (14th place)
Trade deadline Photoshop: PF Kevin Love
The 76ers already needed to make some maneuvers to create roster spots before Paul George caught a 25-game suspension. Acquiring Love would simply give the 76ers a player to waive so that they can promote at least Dominick Barlow to a standard contract. Fellow two-way contract Jabari Walker hasn’t started a game since Christmas and only played 15 minutes or more twice in January, so his status would not be as pressing.
14. Golden State Warriors (27-23)
Last ranking: 12
In the last week: L at MIN, W at UTA, L vs DET
Offensive rating: 114.8 (14th place)Defensive rating: 112.1 (ninth place)
Trade deadline Photoshop: SF Khris Middleton
Golden State needs a player who can make solid passing decisions. Trading Jonathan Kuminga and Buddy Hield to Washington for Middleton would give the Warriors a solid decision-maker who can work in the midrange while giving Golden State a clean cap sheet after the season. It’s not exactly the Jimmy Butler trade, but at least the Warriors could approximate a bit of what Butler did for them as a ball-in-hand wing.
15. Orlando Magic (25-23)
Last ranking: 15
In the last week: L at CLE, W at MIA, W vs TOR, L at SA
Offensive rating: 113.9 (16th place)Defensive rating: 114.3 (15th place)
Trade deadline Photoshop: SG Dalton Knecht
There’s not much that needs to be said about the Magic. They are as uneven as it gets because of the recurring injury issues of their best players. Jalen Suggs is starting to play more consistently, but now Franz Wagner is out. Consistently good shooting remains a problem. Finding a way to get Jett Howard back to Los Angeles would be intriguing, as Howard’s All-Star father, Juwan, played with Lakers basketball president Rob Pelinka at Michigan and with LeBron James in Miami.
16. Miami Heat (27-24)
Last ranking: 16
In the last week: L vs ORL, W at CHI, L vs CHI, W vs CHI
Offensive rating: 113.8 (17th place)Defensive rating: 112.0 (sixth place)
Trade deadline Photoshop: C Yves Missi
Congratulations to Norman Powell, a first-time All-Star at age 32 and in his first season with Miami. His next contract is going to be very interesting, particularly for a Heat team still floating just above .500 and out of games against the Chicago Bulls until they inevitably meet in April’s Play-In Tournament. Kel’el Ware seems to have a permanent residence in Erik Spoelstra’s doghouse, and perhaps the Heat would be better off with another center from the 2024 draft class, Missi.
17. LA Clippers (23-25)
Last ranking: 18
In the last week: W at UTA, L at DEN, W at PHO
Offensive rating: 115.9 (12th place)Defensive rating: 115.6 (20th place)
Trade deadline Photoshop: SG Collin Sexton
The Clippers lose to the Nuggets on an annual basis in games where Denver seems to be at a logistical disadvantage; in this case, Nikola Jokić returned, but the rest of the Nuggets were on zero days’ rest and short-handed while the Clippers had two days off in the mountains to get ready. Alas, the Clippers continued their extreme regression to the mean and formally passed the Portland Trail Blazers in the West standings. LA needs more guard firepower, and Sexton began his NBA career under Tyronn Lue (for six games, but it counts all the same).
18. Charlotte Hornets (22-28)
Last ranking: 20
In the last week: W vs PHI, W at MEM, W at DAL, W vs SA
Offensive rating: 117.1 (sixth place)Defensive rating: 115.3 (19th place)
Trade deadline Photoshop: PG Chris Paul
Twenty teams have a better record than the Charlotte Hornets, but only 12 have a better point differential. And while the Clippers had the best record of any team in January, the Hornets outscored foes by 187 points, 69 more than the next best team. I’ve been trying to find a team for Paul to complete what is presumed to be his final NBA season, and why not Charlotte? The Clippers could trade Paul, Bogdan Bogdanović and the contract of Kobe Brown for Sexton, a useful player who hasn’t played 20 minutes in back-to-back games in two weeks. All the Hornets need apparently is a fully healthy starting lineup of LaMelo Ball, Kon Knueppel, Brandon Miller, Miles Bridges and Moussa Diabate. Perhaps a little more experience on the bench would help Charlotte that much more, with Paul being given a chance to finish his career in his home state.
Tier 4: Not the Tier to Fear
19. Chicago Bulls (24-26)
Last ranking: 17
In the last week: L vs LAL, L at IND, L vs MIA, W at MIA, L at MIA
Offensive rating: 113.7 (18th place)Defensive rating: 116.7 (24th place)
Trade deadline Photoshop: SG Donte DiVincenzo
Not a good week for the Bulls, as they had to play four games in five nights and were pummeled by the Heat in their final meeting of the season. In a hypothetical Coby White for Donte DiVincenzo trade, Chicago would be sacrificing some offensive juice for a tough defender in DiVincenzo. The Bulls have already been involved in one trade, acquiring Dario Šarić while waiving Jevon Carter.
Michael Porter Jr. could be an intriguing acquisition for the Atlanta Hawks. (Wendell Cruz / Imagn Images)
20. Atlanta Hawks (24-27)
Last ranking: 22
In the last week: W vs IND, W at BOS, L vs HOU, L at IND
Offensive rating: 113.4 (21st place)Defensive rating: 114.5 (16th place)
Trade deadline Photoshop: SF Michael Porter Jr.
The Hawks acquired the injured Duop Reath from Portland while trading small forward Vit Krejčí. It’s a move that sets up another, and I am proposing a blockbuster that would land Porter in Atlanta from the Brooklyn Nets. It would cost the Hawks CJ McCollum, whose deal can’t be aggregated. But the Hawks would get a scorer who fits better, while the Nets get an expiring contract. Atlanta once again showed a high ceiling with a win at Boston that cost Onyeka Okongwu his teeth, only to turn around and lose at Indiana to end the week.
21. Portland Trail Blazers (23-27)
Last ranking: 19
In the last week: L at BOS, L at WAS, L at NY, L vs CLE
Offensive rating: 112.5 (23rd place)Defensive rating: 115.2 (18th place)
Trade deadline Photoshop: PG Lonzo Ball
The Trail Blazers acquired Krejčí from Atlanta, but they need some good decision-makers. Ball has struggled to put the ball in the basket this season in Cleveland, but he would fit as a solid playmaker on both ends of the floor for Portland if the Trail Blazers are willing to trade Robert Williams. What the Trail Blazers really need is a return to health for Scoot Henderson, who has missed the entire season due to a torn hamstring.
22. Memphis Grizzlies (18-29)
Last ranking: 23
In the last week: L at HOU, L vs CHA, L at NO, L vs MIN
Offensive rating: 112.5 (22nd place)Defensive rating: 114.6 (17th place)
Trade deadline Photoshop: C Domantas Sabonis
Ty Jerome is back, so that solves Memphis’ midseason acquisition question. But we already traded Ja Morant earlier in these Power Rankings, so let’s just blow it up in Memphis and trade Jaren Jackson Jr., too. In would come Domantas Sabonis, in the midst of an injury-riddled season for a Memphis team that may have an incentive to soft-launch a rebuild. Only three teams have a worse field goal percentage than the Grizzlies, and while the absence of Zach Edey has a lot to do with that, Sabonis would be a solid and efficient scorer in Memphis if the Grizzlies chose to pivot.
23. Dallas Mavericks (19-30)
Last ranking: 24
In the last week: L vs MIN, L vs CHA, L at HOU
Offensive rating: 110.3 (27th place)Defensive rating: 112.6 (10th place)
Trade deadline Photoshop: PF Giannis Antetokounmpo
Jason Kidd winds up calmly crashing out once a season because of the ridiculous circumstances his teams wind up in during his tenure. While Cooper Flagg is figuring things out individually, it is clear that the rest of Dallas’ roster makes no sense. So sure, let’s just do a Giannis Antetokounmpo-Anthony Davis straight-up trade and call it a deadline.
24. Milwaukee Bucks (18-29)
Last ranking: 21
In the last week: L at PHI, L at WAS, L at BOS
Offensive rating: 112.1 (24th place)Defensive rating: 116.6 (23rd place)
Trade deadline Photoshop: PF Anthony Davis
…Not that anyone asked for this. But hear me out on Davis to the Bucks. Davis is not only a short ride from his hometown of Chicago (this worked for Jabari Parker), but Davis is also a big Green Bay Packers fan. Myles Turner is there, which is objectively funny since Lakers fans definitely Photoshopped Turner in a Lakers jersey over multiple years so that he could play next to Davis. Darvin Ham is there! Kyle Kuzma is there! Get the gang all together. The Bucks may have better options to trade Giannis, and they may even take a cue from Davis’ exit from New Orleans, choosing to wait until the draft lottery to facilitate the best move. But I’d at least be entertained by Davis landing in Milwaukee with this version of the Bucks.
25. Indiana Pacers (13-36)
Last ranking: 26
In the last week: L at ATL, W vs CHI, W vs ATL
Offensive rating: 108.4 (30th place)Defensive rating: 115.9 (21st place)
Trade deadline Photoshop: C Khaman Maluach
Some of you thought that the Pacers should get an All-Star in Pascal Siakam, and congratulations to Siakam for getting at least a little something out of this forgettable season. Siakam has started to begin games at center lately, and I suggested a Bennedict Mathurin to Phoenix trade that would give the Pacers a trial run with lottery rookie center Maluach, who has played a total of 95 minutes this season. Maluach wouldn’t help the Pacers win games this season, which is part of the calculus here. Indiana needs a center of the future, though, and this would be one way to determine whether or not Maluach fits that bill.
Tier 5: Basement Floor
26. Washington Wizards (13-35)
Last ranking: 30
In the last week: W vs POR, W vs MIL, L vs LAL, W vs SAC
Offensive rating: 109.5 (29th place)Defensive rating: 119.8 (29th place)
Trade deadline Photoshop: PF Jonathan Kuminga
The Wizards knocked off three teams that failed to win a single game this week. It’s time for them to trade a veteran, because CJ McCollum had to go the last time Washington ripped off this many wins. Kuminga would give the Wizards an option for potential star power scoring, and pairing him with Trae Young could take pressure off Washington’s lottery endeavors while finally re-homing Khris Middleton.
27. Brooklyn Nets (13-35)
Last ranking: 28
In the last week: L at PHO, L at DEN, W at UTA, L at DET
Offensive rating: 110.5 (26th place)Defensive rating: 118.0 (26th place)
Trade deadline Photoshop: SG CJ McCollum
It is really bad in Brooklyn these days. You never know when the Nets are just going to get smacked by a terrible amount of points. Michael Porter Jr. was an All-Star snub as well. Time to flip his deal before it gets too late.
28. New Orleans Pelicans (13-38)
Last ranking: 25
In the last week: L at OKC, W vs MEM, L at PHI
Offensive rating: 112.0 (25th place)Defensive rating: 118.3 (27th place)
Trade deadline Photoshop: C Kel’el Ware
The Pelicans need more complementary pieces around bigs Zion Williamson and Derik Queen. A Ware-for-Missi swap gives the Pelicans more of an impact, especially offensively. Ware has made more 3s this season than Missi, Williamson, or Queen combined to make in their entire careers.
29. Utah Jazz (15-35)
Last ranking: 27
In the last week: L vs LAC, L vs GS, L vs BRK, L at TOR
Offensive rating: 113.5 (19th place)Defensive rating: 122.1 (30th place)
Trade deadline Photoshop: C Andre Drummond
Not much to see here. The Jazz have started playing All-Star snub Lauri Markkanen a little more often, but even he is no match for what Utah has become. Acquiring Drummond would just open up minutes and roster spots for the Sixers while the Jazz seek talent in higher places.
30. Sacramento Kings (12-39)
Last ranking: 29
In the last week: L at NY, L at PHI, L at BOS, L at WAS
Offensive rating: 109.6 (28th place)Defensive rating: 119.6 (28th place)
Trade deadline Photoshop: PF Jaren Jackson Jr.
We have mercifully come to an end, and the Kings have earned this placement, losing an NBA-high 39 of 51 games already. De’Andre Hunter is here now to maybe be able to suit up next to Keegan Murray. There’s little chance that all three of Zach LaVine, DeMar DeRozan and Domantas Sabonis are all still here next week. Bringing in Jackson would simply be intriguing for the Kings to build around. But keep in mind, this team is really bad. Jackson might go into witness protection if he gets traded to the state capital, but Sacramento needs a reimagination of its roster.
By Law Murray, via The Athletic