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0 With the NBA trade deadline approaching, teams are gearing up to make moves that will either improve their chances of success this season or set them up for future seasons. This is the final opportunity for teams to make trades for the season, and there are some teams that are worth watching. In this article, we will take a closer look at five teams that could be making moves, and which players might be on the move.
The Chicago Bulls are one team that could be looking to make a move, as they are caught in a tricky situation. They are not quite good enough to contend, yet not bad enough to bottom out and get a high draft pick. Therefore, it may be time for a shakeup. The Bulls could potentially shop DeMar DeRozan or Zach LaVine. DeRozan is on an expiring deal, while LaVine’s value may be lower due to his contract and injury history. Alex Caruso has the highest trade value, and his contract is team-friendly.
The Atlanta Hawks are another team to watch, as they are currently in the process of a reset. They will be reloading around star player Trae Young, so they may be looking for a proven swingman to help them out. Alternatively, they may be looking to recoup some of the three first-round picks they sent to the San Antonio Spurs for Dejounte Murray. Murray and Young have been playing together for two seasons, but it hasn’t resulted in winning. Clint Capela’s deal has one season remaining and could help teams looking for size, such as the Oklahoma City Thunder.
The Charlotte Hornets are in a similar situation, as they are under new ownership and looking to reinvent themselves. They have a bright future with LaMelo Ball, but they need a running mate for him. They have decent young bigs and rookie Brandon Miller on board, but they require a veteran presence to help them win. Gordon Hayward is more trade-friendly due to his expiring contract, while Miles Bridges’ expiring deal hasn’t generated much interest from the Hornets in terms of extending it.
The Golden State Warriors were once a proud dynasty, but they are getting old, expensive, and fragile. They are desperate to make the playoffs, but they need proven veterans who are ready to win. They can’t do a rebuild with Steph Curry, so they need to act fast. Andrew Wiggins and Chris Paul are players who might move. The Warriors may take whatever they can get, but they could also make a gutsier move and trade Klay Thompson, who hasn’t signed an extension. He could walk this summer, and the Warriors would risk getting nothing.
Finally, the Portland Trail Blazers are regrouping in Year One, A.D. (After Damian). They are a team that belongs to the young and developing, so any veteran Blazers are susceptible to being moved if Portland gets an offer it can’t refuse. They could roll the dice on a player who needs a change of scenery, but they may also need to consider the fact that Malcolm Brogdon and Jerami Grant might be on the move. It’s a mild surprise that Brogdon is still a Blazer, especially with Scoot Henderson needing minutes. Contending teams would love him as a backup, but Grant’s contract may make some teams hesitant.
In addition to these five teams, it’s worth considering what low-payroll teams can serve as “third teams” to absorb big contracts and help facilitate trades. In that sense, the Orlando Magic, Utah Jazz, Detroit Pistons, and Toronto Raptors could be valuable middlemen. Some teams may also wait for the buyout market to grab talent on the cheap. Regardless, the NBA trade deadline is always an exciting time, and we’ll just have to wait and see who makes the most impactful moves.
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