With a couple of weeks already in the books for the 2024-25 NBA season, teams are starting to diagnose their needs.

That makes this a good (though admittedly early) time to scan the league for trade targets who could address those deficiencies.

Here, we'll suggest one dream target and one realistic option for all 30 teams. Dream targets are inherently ambitious. If your first reaction to most of them is something like, "that's hard to imagine," then we've nailed it. The realistic ones are much easier to envision but still designed to fill a key need on the acquiring team's roster.

It's easy to forget because the February deadline is so far away, but we're in open season for trades. Don't be surprised if some of the names and hypothetical deals we discuss start showing up in the rumor mill.

Atlanta Hawks

Dream Target: Their Own 2025 and 2027 First-Round Picks

Forget the 2026 first-round swap rights the San Antonio Spurs own. There's a good chance Victor Wembanyama is good enough to vault San Antonio ahead of the Atlanta Hawks in the 2025-26 standings, rendering an exchange valueless. What the Hawks really need are their own unprotected 2025 and 2027 first-rounders back.

Those went to the Spurs in the deal for Dejounte Murray, and their absence from Atlanta's war chest makes sensible planning difficult. The Hawks just landed Zaccharie Risacher after lucking into the top overall pick, and the way forward under normal circumstances would involve big minutes for the rookie, lots of losses and another lottery payoff.

Without control of those picks, the Hawks have no incentive or ability to truly rebuild. Maybe that's not an issue if Trae Young uses this season to prove he's still a viable cornerstone. But it's worth mentioning that sending Young to the Spurs is one of the most realistic ways to get those picks back.

Realistic Target: D'Angelo Russell

This isn't about Russell and his expiring salary, specifically. He's just a logical part of the return Atlanta might hope to get from the Los Angeles Lakers if they trade Young. Ideally, Russell would come aboard in a package that also includes first-round assets and some matching salary.

Maybe you don't think Young belongs in any trade scenario, let alone realistic ones. But the last few years of intermittent speculation and the Hawks' current "caught in the middle" predicament say otherwise.

Boston Celtics

Dream Target: Ousmane Dieng

This is more like a fever-dream target for the wildly inflexible Boston Celtics, and you're right to point out that the Oklahoma City Thunder should have no interest in giving up their third-year project who's only just now, at 21, showing signs of the potential that got him drafted at No. 11 in 2022.

But just as a thought exercise, Dieng and his $5 million salary is about the best the Celtics can hope for if we're assuming Payton Pritchard and his $6.7 million figure are heading out in a one-for-one swap. Boston can't aggregate players or take back more than it sends out, so the options are limited. Dieng, a 6'10" forward who looks like he might be a spacing threat and off-the dribble weapon, feels sufficiently dreamy.

Realistic Target: Second-Round Picks

If the Celtics can figure out how to move off Jaden Springer's $4 million salary, it'll save them much more than that number in tax payments. Springer is an athletic defensive guard who was impressive enough in college to convince the Philadelphia 76ers he was worth the 28th pick in 2021, but it's hard to find a team pining to add a player with a career average of 3.1 points per game.

Boston should still see if anyone is willing to give up a spare second-rounder for the 22-year-old who doesn't figure to see much action in a repeat title bid.

Brooklyn Nets

Dream Target: Jonathan Kuminga

Kuminga and the Golden State Warriors were far apart on extension negotiations, and while it's too early to say there's enough bad blood there to trigger a breakup, this is a situation the Brooklyn Nets need to monitor. Sure, the Warriors have match rights if Kuminga finishes the season with them and heads into restricted free agency, but it's possible there's a fracture large enough in the relationship to make an in-season trade the cleanest solution.

An elite athlete who could develop into an All-Star, the 22-year-old could immediately become a cornerstone in Brooklyn.

Realistic Target: First-Round Picks

The Nets regained control of their own 2025 and 2026 first-rounders in a trade with the Houston Rockets, but this team needs as many shots at the lottery as possible. Between Dorian Finney-Smith, Cam Johnson and Bojan Bogdanović, Brooklyn has the veteran trade chips necessary to extract at least one more future first-rounder from win-now suitors.

Charlotte Hornets

Dream Target: Brandon Ingram

LaMelo Ball's return to health should make last year's 28th-place finish in offensive efficiency impossible to repeat, but the Charlotte Hornets could still use a little more punch on that end.

Ingram, a North Carolina product, would add to an exciting core that already includes Ball and second-year wing Brandon Miller, giving the Hornets a dangerous scorer and adding to an already long and rangy roster. As long as Charlotte is willing to consider meeting Ingram's contract demands after his current deal expires, it'd be easy enough to use Miles Bridges' salary as the primary matching tool for the one-time All-Star.

Realistic Target: Jonas Valančiūnas

Starting center Mark Williams played only 19 games last year and is already out to start this season with a strained tendon in his left foot. That's a discouraging sign for a player who's been effective (12.7 points, 9.7 rebounds and 64.9 percent shooting last year) when healthy but who has missed more than half of his games since entering the league in 2022-23.

Valančiūnas left the New Orleans Pelicans in free agency and inked a three-year deal with the Washington Wizards, who clearly signed him with the intention of moving him at some point this season. He'll come cheap at $10 million per year and could help Ball and Miller by setting screens, rebounding and keeping the offense flowing.

Chicago Bulls

Dream Target: Two First-Round Picks

To be more specific, we're talking about two first-round picks from the Los Angeles Lakers in a hypothetical Zach LaVine deal. It wasn't so long ago that it seemed like the Chicago Bulls would have to give up one of their own firsts to move LaVine, so a pair of picks (perhaps with a swap thrown in if you want to dream bigger) is a sufficiently optimistic package.

LaVine has a chance to rehabilitate his value and show suitors he's still the multi-time All-Star and scoring force he was from 2018-19 to 2022-23, when he put up at least 23.7 points per game every year. If the Lakers' offense flounders, they could determine it's worth putting their 2029 and 2031 firsts on the table.

Realistic Target: Jaden Ivey

Time is running out for Ivey to prove he's Cade Cunningham's ideal backcourt partner in Detroit, and the Bulls can afford to be more patient with the athletic guard's struggles to shoot and defend. Chicago is in talent-accumulation mode and might value landing a player whose future is easier to control than those of Coby White or Ayo Dosunmu, whose current deals are too cheap to realistically extend, bringing unrestricted free agency into the picture in 2026.

Ivey would give Chicago a more controllable prospect—one who still might have higher upside than any backcourt player on the current roster.

Cleveland Cavaliers

Dream Target: Jerami Grant

Never mind that the Cleveland Cavaliers would have to part with Darius Garland or Jarrett Allen, two players the Portland Trail Blazers probably wouldn't want, to even get a conversation started about Grant. We're approaching this strictly from the perspective of the Cavs' needs, and they could use a big wing (Grant is more of a 4 than a 3, but close enough) who can defend multiple positions and bury threes.

Grant, 30, has averaged at least 19.0 points per game in each of the last four years and hit 40.1 percent of his threes across the last two seasons. He'd add size, shot-creation and rangy defense to the Cavs' closing units, nudging them further up the East food chain.

Realistic Target: Cody Martin

Martin has battled injuries over the last two seasons, playing a total of just 35 games. He's shipshape now and should be expected to handily beat the numbers he produced when he was last healthy. Even if he only gave the Cavs the 7.7 points on a 48.2/38.4/70.1 shooting split he managed in 2021-22, they'd take it.

Dallas Mavericks

Dream Target: Dorian Finney-Smith

Klay Thompson and Naji Marshall will make up for the free-agency departure of Derrick Jones Jr., but the Dallas Mavericks should still be looking to hoard as many big wings and two-way combo forwards as possible if they want to make a better showing in a hypothetical Finals rematch against the Celtics.

Finney-Smith established himself as a valuable starter during his six seasons in Dallas, making a fan of Luka Dončić in the process. The Brooklyn Nets probably hope to get a first-rounder for DFS, which might be steep for the Mavs. But hey, we're dreaming here.

Thompson might struggle to be his best self consistently at his age and with his injury history, and Marshall is getting his first taste of a major role on a contending team. Finney-Smith is durable and showed in Dallas' 2021-22 Western Conference Finals appearance that he's dependable in big moments.

Realistic Target: Gary Payton II

The Golden State Warriors can't realistically expect to field a 12-man rotation all year, and Payton might be one of their more expendable pieces.

For the Mavs, GPII's chaotic defense and disruption could add a new element, creating turnovers and triggering more transition attacks from Dončić and Kyrie Irving. At present, the Mavericks don't really have a high-energy guard who can muck up the game (in a good way).

Denver Nuggets

Dream Target: Zach LaVine

The Denver Nuggets need three-point shooting and self-sufficient offensive creation if they hope to stick in the contender class. Jamal Murray's slippage and the departures of Bruce Brown Jr. and Kentavious Caldwell-Pope over the last two offseasons have left them wanting in both areas.

Unfortunately, apron restrictions mean moving Michael Porter Jr., the team's best shooter, is the only way to get what Denver needs.

LaVine makes about $7 million more than MPJ in 2024-25, so the Nuggets would have to dump Zeke Nnaji on a rebuilder without taking money back to make the deal work. The Bulls guard is a more complete offensive threat than Porter Jr. and nearly as deadly from deep.

Realistic Target: Cody Martin

Martin would definitely represent an upgrade on the role Justin Holiday filled a year ago, and he might even force Christian Braun and his nonexistent three-point shot out of the starting shooting guard spot.

If Martin could match his 38.4 percent three-point shooting from 2021-22, he could give the Nuggets more size on the wing without sacrificing the spacing this team can't afford to lose. Nnaji's salary matches up nicely here, so Denver might only need to add a little future draft equity to get a deal done.

Detroit Pistons

Dream Target: First-Round Picks

Don't let the veteran additions of Tobias Harris, Malik Beasley and Tim Hardaway Jr. fool you. The Detroit Pistons are still a rebuilding team that needs to pile up assets. No one on the current roster has done enough to prove he's a star-caliber running mate for Cade Cunningham.

If none of the above options yield first-round equity, the Pistons could also put Isaiah Stewart or Simone Fontecchio on the table. Those two could be ideal deadline additions for contenders.

Realistic Target: Cason Wallace

The Oklahoma City Thunder don't have to do anything consequential. They're already short-list title threats as it is. But if OKC wants to add a little more size and shooting on the wing, Fontecchio and sweeteners could be enough to land Wallace, who's in a bit of a minutes crunch on a deep roster that also has reserves Alex Caruso, Aaron Wiggins, Ousmane Dieng and Isaiah Joe vying for rotation minutes.

Wallace's spot-up shooting and dogged defense would make for a much better fit next to Cunningham than any of the prospects in Detroit's pipeline.

Golden State Warriors

Dream Target: Kevin Durant

The lack of an extension for Jonathan Kuminga suddenly makes the Golden State Warriors a fascinating trade partner. If that relationship has soured, or if the Warriors have a sense that Kuminga won't want them to match offer sheets in restricted free agency, it opens up the possibility of the tantalizing young forward headlining big-time trade packages.

If things go sideways in Phoenix, Golden State could pile its available first-rounders together with Kuminga and matching salary to make a reunion play for old pal Kevin Durant. The interpersonal dynamics would be tricky, but KD would give the Dubs the second star they currently lack.

Realistic Target: Brandon Ingram

The Warriors have more than enough assets to land Ingram, due to his contract expectations rendering him a potential rental and suppressing his value. They could probably even acquire him without surrendering Kuminga.

Whether that'd be a wise move or not, Golden State could absolutely make an offer the New Orleans Pelicans would accept.

Ingram is a free-agency flight risk, but the one thing this Warriors team lacks is a demonstrated shot-creator not named Stephen Curry. Ingram may specialize in pull-up twos, and the Warriors are a ball-movement, egalitarian operation these days. But his skill set would fill a need.

Houston Rockets

Dream Target: Devin Booker

This one's probably not happening until the 2025 offseason at the earliest, but Jalen Green's short-term extension seems designed to be traded. And the Houston Rockets also have picks the Phoenix Suns should desperately want: their own.

Houston has the additional young talent, plus Green, plus two of the Suns' unprotected firsts and two swaps to make a compelling offer for Booker. The viability of this approach depends on the Suns falling apart, but stranger things have happened.

Realistic Target: Jimmy Butler

On the last year of his deal and looking underwhelming in the early days of his age-35 season, Butler would come with real risks. That's also why he'd probably come cheap.

Houston has a glut of young players who need rotation minutes and may not be able to accommodate them this season. Butler could be had for two or three of them in a consolidation trade. The trick would be figuring out which combination of Amen Thompson, Reed Sheppard, Jabari Smith Jr., Tari Eason or Cam Whitmore would be outgoing.

The Rockets should probably take Thompson, Sheppard and Smith off the table. Eason or Whitmore could still have enough appeal to the Heat (if they have no future plans for Butler) to get Houston the veteran star it currently lacks.

Indiana Pacers

Dream Target: Jonathan Isaac

Jonathan Isaac could address the Indiana Pacers' shortage of defensive difference-makers without compromising their uptempo, free-flowing identity—mostly because he can't log long enough stretches of playing time to fundamentally alter Indy's makeup. He could just come in for a couple of stints per game, wreck the opposition's plans and head back to the bench—probably with the Pacers in the lead.

Isaac was an absolute defensive superstar when on the floor last year, logging the third-highest Defensive Estimated Plus/Minus in the league. But he averaged just 15.8 minutes per game. A fully switchable, shot-swatting, pass-deflecting force, Isaac can change games in a blink.

Realistic Target: Haywood Highsmith

Highsmith just signed a new deal with the Heat, rendering a trade somewhat unlikely. But with Jimmy Butler in a walk year and Miami perpetually in search of offensive punch, surprises could be on the way.

If the Heat want scoring upgrades, Bennedict Mathurin is sitting right there on Indy's bench. And if they want to take on a less-proven prospect as part of a soft rebuild, the Pacers could offer Jarace Walker for the defensive-minded Highsmith.

LA Clippers

Dream Target: Jonathan Kuminga

If the Golden State Warriors are willing to assume the risk of Kawhi Leonard's health and contract in a desperation push for one last title run, the LA Clippers should insist on Kuminga as the centerpiece of a deal.

The Warriors chose not to extend Kuminga, who subsequently pressed to start the season, resulting in awful production and long stretches during which he played a style difficult to distinguish from sabotage. The Clips and the Warriors know he's better than that, and a change of scenery could unlock a game that actually warrants the massive salary Kuminga wants.

Realistic Target: Bruce Brown Jr.

With things looking bleak in LA, Brown's expiring $23 million salary could offer a modicum of hope. A deal built around Norman Powell could likely land Brown and some draft equity, sending a useful wing scorer to the Toronto Raptors in the process.

At 28, Brown could even return from offseason knee surgery and play well enough for the Clippers to flip him again.

Los Angeles Lakers

Dream Target: Zach LaVine

D'Angelo Russell gives the Los Angeles Lakers a secondary pick-and-roll ball-handler to keep the offense flowing, but LaVine's more dynamic game and dangerous shooting could haul L.A.'s attack to an even higher level.

Between LeBron James, a more involved Anthony Davis and Austin Reaves, the Lakers would still have more than enough playmaking.

LaVine was the only player in the league to average over 24.0 points per game and make more than 38.0 percent of his threes across at least 250 games from 2019-20 to 2022-23. Though the price for LaVine might have been even lower a couple of months ago, the remaining three years and $138 million on his contract should still make him gettable for relatively little.

Realistic Target: Kyle Kuzma

Kuzma wouldn't bring the offensive upside of LaVine, but it might be easier to imagine him holding up through the rigors of a deep playoff run. The forward's superior size and defense (when engaged) make him harder to exploit when the competition gets serious.

With a contract that declines annually to bottom out at $19.4 million in 2026-27, Kuzma is also the easier player to fit into Los Angeles' books. Come to think of it, all those positives might actually make him nearly as dreamy of a target as LaVine.

Memphis Grizzlies

Dream Target: Isaiah Stewart

Everyone was worried about how Zach Edey would look against the pace and space of modern NBA offenses, but it turns out the bigger concern should have been his inability to stay on the floor. The game looks a bit too fast for Edey in the early going, and he averaged an incredible 9.9 personal fouls per 36 minutes through his first three games.

Even if everyone is healthy, the Grizzlies might need another big.

Stewart plays hard enough to appease holdovers from Memphis' Grit 'n Grind era, shot 38.3 percent from deep last year and could help create dangerous two-big, five-out configurations.

Realistic Target: Robert Williams III

Injury risks make Williams easy enough to acquire without sacrificing major assets, and the ceiling on his potential impact with Memphis is probably even higher than that of Stewart. RWIII was a top-10 finisher in DPOY voting 2021-22 and has shown he can perform near that level whenever his body allows him to.

Currently out with a hamstring injury, Williams costs just $12.4 million this year and $13.3 million the following season—a low price that makes him a worthy gamble.

Miami Heat

Dream Target: Trae Young

A Miami Heat team with bottom-10 offensive ratings in each of the last two years could use a singular shot-generating force more than most. That's Young's specialty. Career averages of 25.5 points and 9.5 assists mark the Hawks guard as one of the most reliably productive offensive hubs around, and he'd make sense as either a running mate for Jimmy Butler and Bam Adebayo or as the central figure of the team's next era.

The appeal of Young commandeering the offense while Adebayo holds things down on the other end is strong, and the Heat should consider a big acquisition like this if it's clear Butler's time as a focal point is over.

Realistic Target: Brandon Ingram

A common name throughout this exercise, Ingram is an intriguing scorer whose expiring contract brings risks—while also suppressing his cost. The Heat should have faith they can indoctrinate Ingram into their culture and get the most out of him. The only question is whether it's worth spending upwards of $200 million on Ingram's next deal.

It's possible he'll be worth that if Miami rehabilitates his value and reputation like it has with other players in the past.

Milwaukee Bucks

Dream Target: Cody Martin

The Bucks can't combine salaries or bring back more money than they send out in a trade. They also have little beyond their 2031 first- and second-round picks to throw into deals as sweeteners. That Martin, who played just 35 games across the last two seasons due to injury and has never been a regular starter, counts as a dream target tells you everything you need to know about Milwaukee's lack of flexibility.

A 29-year-old forward making $8.1 million who can defend but has shot 31.7 percent from deep for his career is probably the best the Bucks can do.

Realistic Target: Javonte Green

He may be too important to the injury-depleted New Orleans Pelicans at the moment, but the 31-year-old wing on a minimum salary could eventually become expendable. If that happens, the Bucks should pounce.

They're regularly playing Taurean Prince 30-plus minutes and could use another capable two-way option for whenever they realize that's not a viable strategy. Green shot 37.0 percent from deep in 2023-24 and 37.1 percent in 2022-23. He's still reasonably athletic for being on the wrong side of 30 and even spent most of his time as a starter as recently as 2021-22 with the Bulls.

Minnesota Timberwolves

Dream Target: Jerami Grant

Thought exercise: What's the best thing the Minnesota Timberwolves could turn Julius Randle's expiring $33 million salary (player option for 2025-26) into?

The answer might just be cap relief, but it's hard to do better than Jerami Grant if you're thinking along the lines of a trade. He's on the books through 2027-28, which might be an issue for the already costly Wolves, but Grant's versatile defense and reliable three-point shooting (40.1 percent combined over the last two years) make him a much cleaner fit in Minnesota's frontcourt rotation.

The Wolves are bereft of picks and might need to involve a third team to make a Grant acquisition even semi-plausible.

Realistic Target: Jared McCain

The long-term thinking behind the offseason trade that landed Rob Dillingham in Minnesota could persist here, with the Wolves swapping out Nickeil Alexander-Walker's expiring $4.6 million figure for the Philadelphia 76ers rookie shooter.

NAW is a grossly underpaid two-way contributor, so Minnesota would probably need to find itself desperate for perimeter shooting in order to consider a move that would probably make the rotation worse overall. Either that, or the appeal of McCain's cost-controlled rookie-scale deal might be a priority with so many other expensive contracts on the books.

New Orleans Pelicans

Dream Target: Brook Lopez

Rookie Yves Missi has had several impressive moments in the early going, but the New Orleans Pelicans can't realistically expect a first-year big man to play a major role on what they hope is a deep postseason run.

Lopez is in his age-36 season and could be on borrowed time as a reliable starter, but he's managed to maintain stellar shot-blocking and three-point shooting numbers at an age when they (and everything else about his game) should be declining. There still aren't many better options at center who can protect the rim and space the floor.

If the Bucks fall apart, maybe the Pelicans can send them a couple of young wings in a deal to land the veteran big man.

Realistic Target: Duop Reath

As a 27-year-old rookie last year, Reath hit 35.9 percent of his triples and got up 10.0 three-point tries per 100 possessions. Lauri Markkanen was the only other player listed at 6'11" or taller who was that accurate on similar volume, so Reath is obviously ticketed for All-Star nods.

OK, maybe not. But he's definitely a gettable spacing big man, something New Orleans could use. It also doesn't hurt that the Portland Trail Blazers have a glut of centers and need to clear some of them out so rookie Donovan Clingan can get on the floor for longer stretches.

New York Knicks

Dream Target: Coby White

A rotation thinned by injuries to Mitchell Robinson, the consolidation trade for Karl-Anthony Towns and the departure of Isaiah Hartenstein in free agency has only added weight to the burden Jalen Brunson carries every night. Anyone who can take some of the pressure off, particularly as a reserve next to Deuce McBride, would be welcome.

White is a quality starter who'd immediately rate as the second-best playmaker on the Knicks. Though he wouldn't replicate last year's 19.1 points and 5.1 assists in a bench role, he'd likely improve on last year's 44.7/37.6/83.8 shooting split if given more reps against backups.

Robinson's salary and every last shred of draft equity in the Knicks' war chest might be enough to get a deal done.

Realistic Target: Marcus Sasser

Sasser enjoyed some hot streaks as a rookie last year but looks to have lost out on a major role with the Pistons, who have several higher-upside, lottery-pedigree prospects who need to play. The second-year guard could provide some of the spot-up shooting the departed DiVincenzo offered in New York, but he wouldn't come anywhere close to matching White's potential impact—or McBride's for that matter.

Oklahoma City Thunder

Dream Target: Kawhi Leonard

There's nothing the Oklahoma City Thunder can't do—both transactionally and, so far this season, on the floor. Leonard would be a marquee addition, one who'd come with a ton of health risks and a daunting $150 million left on a deal that runs through 2026-27.

In what might be the best illustration of OKC's strength, you could even ask whether the Thunder need Leonard at all.

We're dreaming, though, and adding Kawhi to a deep, youthful, hungry roster might be the final step toward giving the indomitable Boston Celtics a run in June. Oklahoma City's win-now window is open, and adding a veteran with championship experience who could legitimately still be the best player on the floor in any playoff series is the kind of big swing many have been waiting for the Thunder to take.

Realistic Target: Cam Johnson

Perhaps a bit of a letdown after Leonard, Johnson would fill OKC's need for knockdown shooting and serviceable defense at the combo forward spot. Oklahoma City can stymie guards with Alex Caruso, Lu Dort and Cason Wallace, but a little more size and length to throw at frontcourt opponents wouldn't hurt.

Johnson is an unambitious target, but he'll be available if the Thunder put one of their many extra first-rounders and matching salary on the table. Brooklyn is in a position where accumulating picks and clearing cash should be priorities.

Orlando Magic

Dream Target: LaMelo Ball

Now is no longer the best time for the Orlando Magic to make a play for Ball, who's draining deep threes, finishing better than ever around the basket and right back on track to become one of the top offensive guards in the game. If the Magic had made a big offer when Ball was on the sidelines with persistent ankle injuries at some point during the last two seasons, they might have had a better shot at him.

Still, Ball remains a dream target because he provides what Orlando lacks: a legitimate playmaker in the backcourt who can make others better and terrify defenses as a three-point shooter.

Realistic Target: Anfernee Simons

Anfernee Simons was the obvious, ideal target for the Magic a year ago...and six months ago...and over the summer...and, still, right now.

A consistently accurate high-volume three-point shooter over the last half-decade, Simons can space the floor off the ball and do just enough as a setup man to make sense next to fellow hybrid guard Jalen Suggs.

Suggs, of course, is a defensive ace. He'd cover for Simons, a good athlete (remember that dunk contest?) who's never really turned his natural skills into impactful play on D.

With Scoot Henderson looking much improved in his second-season bench role so far, the Blazers should be comfortable moving on from Simons, collecting assets and turning things over to the guy they spent the No. 3 pick on in the 2023 draft.

Philadelphia 76ers

Dream Target: Bogdan Bogdanović

You can never have too many shooters and facilitators, particularly with the Philadelphia 76ers in line for many nights without Joel Embiid and Paul George. Tyrese Maxey is already overtaxed and struggling to score efficiently in the early season, and Bogdanović would allow for more of a two-handed lift when the Sixers are without their two most established stars—so long as his new team is willing to wait a month until he's healthy.

Last year's fifth-place finish in Sixth Man of the Year voting actually undersold Bogdanović's impact. He started 33 games and finished 2023-24 with averages of 16.9 points and 3.1 assists while hitting at least 37.0 percent of his threes for the fourth time in five seasons.

Perhaps most importantly, few players are as accustomed to shuttling between the bench and first unit. That's a quality any Sixers acquisition will need during a season that won't have much night-to-night lineup consistency.

Realistic Target: Tari Eason

We'll go in a different direction positionally with Eason, who wouldn't add anything close to the playmaking and shooting Bogdanović would bring. Instead, he'd offer some of the league's best defense and hustle at the power forward spot, a position of relative need in Philly.

Eason could be expendable as Houston tries to sort out which of its many young players to keep around for the long haul. If the Sixers could snag him, they'd get a player who could legitimately transform their defense. Though he only played 22 games last season, Eason ranked in the 96th percentile in Defensive Estimated Plus/Minus.

Phoenix Suns

Dream Target: Toumani Camara

The Phoenix Suns had the right idea drafting Ryan Dunn, a defensive star in college who apparently learned how to shoot threes over the summer. Why not double down on the versatile-defense play and go after Camara, a switchable, high-energy forward whose shooting growth as a sophomore is almost as surprising as the leap Dunn made after the draft?

And why not remedy the mistake of trading Camara away in the first place?

Camara is a starter for Portland, and he's a good piece to have around if the Blazers eventually orient the roster around offense-first guards like Scoot Henderson (who's looked better so far!) and Shaedon Sharpe. Dream targets aren't supposed to be easy to acquire, but the Suns should be motivated to pursue Camara for reasons beyond his play.

His four-year, $7.6 million deal would barely register on Phoenix's bloated payroll.

Realistic Target: Jevon Carter

In 81 games with the Bucks during the 2022-23 season, Carter shot 42.1 percent and played rugged, physical defense against opposing guards. Last season didn't go so well, as the veteran hit just 32.9 percent of his threes with the Bulls and saw his role shrink to just 13.9 minutes per game.

If Carter can summon his form of two years ago, Phoenix could add a different type of guard to the remade rotation that includes offense-first setup men Tyus Jones and Monte Morris.

Portland Trail Blazers

Dream Target: Jonathan Kuminga

Talk about a buy-low opportunity!

After failing to reach an extension agreement, Kuminga found himself coming off the Warriors bench by the team's fourth game. Lackluster effort, gear-grinding offensive ball-stopping and all the typical defensive miscues that have come to define his promising but frustrating career were on full display as the rest of the Dubs embraced collective defense and quick decision-making.

Kuminga was better in back-to-back wins over the Pelicans, but he's otherwise stood out for the wrong reasons. Maybe he's pressing.

The star upside remains intact. If the Blazers could get ahold of Kuminga now, they'd land a potential cornerstone at a bargain rate.

Realistic Target: Anthony Black

Black underwhelmed as a rookie, struggling to shoot it from deep with any volume and missing all the typical beats you'd expect from a first-year player on a playoff team. He's appeared more decisive this season, to the point that he's moved ahead of Cole Anthony in the Magic's guard rotation.

The Blazers should still be able to get him in a deal headlined by Anfernee Simons, whom everyone's been trying to send to the Magic in fake trades for over a year. Black's length, defensive potential and connective passing fit better next to (and match the timeline of) Scoot Henderson and Donovan Clingan.

Sacramento Kings

Dream Target: Derrick Jones Jr.

The Sacramento Kings are short on two-way threats who don't need the ball to impact the game. That's a pretty good description of Jones, who landed with the LA Clippers after playing a major role for Mavericks team that reached last year's Finals. His length and athleticism would fit perfectly in what used to be (and could be again) a very dangerous transition attack in Sacramento.

A rangy defender who's shown the ability to hit open threes on the catch, Jones would bring valuable dimensions the Kings don't currently have.

Realistic Target: Larry Nance Jr.

An easy get who doesn't seem to be ticketed for much of a role with the Atlanta Hawks behind Clint Capela and Onyeka Okongwu, Nance could do a decent Domantas Sabonis impression as an offensive hub—only with more defensive versatility.

A decent three-point shooter who could stand to add some volume, Nance would give the Kings a different look than they currently have with the spot-up shooting of Trey Lyles and the lumbering screen-setting of Alex Len.

San Antonio Spurs

Dream Target: Trae Young

It's still not clear how Victor Wembanyama should be utilized on offense, and it's possible he might not even make sense as a focal point. If that's the case, it'll be a lot easier to onboard Young, who'd necessitate a thorough stylistic change for the Spurs.

Wemby might be the best defensive player in the league, which will also make covering for Young's deficiencies on that end relatively simple. Meanwhile San Antonio could rely on Young to run a quality offense that takes the pressure off Wembanyama until he's ready to be more of a primary threat.

Atlanta's could get serious about a deal if it falters and determines its best course for 2024-25 is getting back the first-rounders it sent away in the Dejounte Murray deal.

Realistic Target: Bilal Coulibaly

Presumably valued more highly by the Wizards than Deni Avdija, Coulibaly might still be gettable if the Spurs put enough picks on the table. Washington dealt Avdija away right after a breakout age-23 season, taking back a future first and the No. 14 pick from Portland. Maybe San Antonio could offer something even better than that to land Wemby's old Metropolitans 92 teammate.

Coulibaly, picked seventh in 2023, is just 20 but arrived as a rookie last year with much more polish than expected. It's early, but he might be a star-level two-way wing down the road. The Spurs have the draft assets to get him if they so choose.

Toronto Raptors

Dream Target: Zach Edey

Edey committed 15 personal fouls in his first 64 professional minutes, a rate of 8.4 per 36 minutes that simply can't continue for a Memphis Grizzlies team that already has hack-happy starters in Jaren Jackson Jr. and Marcus Smart.

Memphis won't give up on its lottery-selected center any time soon, but it's possible Edey's growing pains could make the Grizzlies amenable to swapping him for Jakob Poeltl and a pick. That'd land Toronto a younger center who'd fit right into the timeline of its core, with the added bonus of bringing a Canadian back to the only franchise in the country.

Realistic Target: Lonzo Ball

A major gamble because he's already out with a wrist injury, may be on a minutes restriction for the rest of his career and is playing on an expiring contract, Ball is still too perfect of a fit to leave off any list of Raptors targets.

A brilliant connective passer and spot-up shooter, Ball has also contributed disruptive and intelligent defense on the wing when healthy. The bet here for Toronto would be a return to health and a level of satisfaction on Ball's part that leads to him re-signing in free agency.

Worth noting: Ball's $21.4 million salary is a near match for Bruce Brown Jr.'s $23 million expiring deal.

Utah Jazz

Dream Target: Jaden Ivey

It's hard to find young players with upside who aren't maximally valued by their current teams, but those are the types of talents the Jazz should be pursuing. Ivey might be one such option, though his hot start to 2024-25 might result in the Detroit Pistons becoming convinced he actually is a viable long-term running mate for Cade Cunningham.

Shooting has always been the main question with Ivey, but he's been striping it to start his third season. That said, the Pistons have shown a penchant for surrounding Cunningham with more established talent (especially in the shooting department) in the past. Maybe Collin Sexton or Jordan Clarkson would appeal to Detroit.

If the Pistons intend to keep Ivey (he'll be extension-eligible after the season), Detroit may want to look elsewhere. But a 22-year-old guard with tremendous athleticism and a lottery pedigree is still worth targeting.

Realistic Target: Mitchell Robinson

If the Jazz are going to move Walker Kessler, the Knicks are a logical destination. They need rim protection, rebounding and cost-controlled deals as they contort to stay under the second apron. Robinson could come back with a pick if Utah sends Kessler and either Jordan Clarkson or John Collins to New York. Added bonus: Robinson won't return from injury for another couple of months, leaving a hole in Utah's rotation that would only further its tanking efforts.

The Knicks need depth and interior defense, Utah needs picks and Kessler, for some reason, keeps popping up in trade rumors.

Washington Wizards

Dream Target: Amen Thompson

Good luck prying Thompson away from the Rockets, who could conceivably view him as their point guard or power forward of the future—or anything in between. Still, Houston has a glut of young players who need minutes and, eventually, contract extensions. The Rockets might find themselves in need of some veteran scoring as the season progresses, which is where Kyle Kuzma comes in.

It'd certainly take much more than the Wizards' veteran forward to acquire Thompson, but maybe they could cobble something together enticing enough to snatch Thompson away, adding a positionally uncertain prospect with immense upside to their rebuild.

Realistic Target: Jarace Walker

Walker has yet to find a role with the Pacers, who can't really wait around for last year's lottery pick to figure things out. They're trying to repeat last year's run to the Eastern Conference Finals with an already expensive and vet-laden roster.

Washington, meanwhile, could happily wait years for the intriguing combo forward to settle in as, theoretically, a facilitating hub on offense who can guard multiple positions on the other end.

Stats courtesy of NBA.com, Basketball Reference and Cleaning the Glass. Salary info via Spotrac.

Grant Hughes covers the NBA for Bleacher Report. Follow him on Twitter (@gt_hughes), and subscribe to the Hardwood Knocks podcast, where he appears with Bleacher Report's Dan Favale.