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Imagining Every NBA Team's Top 3 Trade Targets Right Now

Greg Swartz

Trade season has officially begun in the NBA now that most players who signed a free-agent contract are eligible to be dealt.

We have a new potential star to watch in Jimmy Butler, as ESPN's Shams Charania reported that the Miami Heat "are open to dealing Butler if the trade proposal is right."

The Milwaukee Bucks' recent strong play should take Giannis Antetokounmpo and Damian Lillard off other teams' trade wish lists, and for New Orleans, an ankle injury to Brandon Ingram may have further hurt his trade value.

With all these recent developments, it's time to take another spin around the league to try and predict every team's top trade target list right now.

Atlanta Hawks

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The Atlanta Hawks have played excellent basketball over the past two weeks and shouldn't be looking to make any major changes to this roster right now.

Finding a backup point guard to help spell Trae Young (36.0 minutes a game, 15th-highest in the NBA) should be the goal, preferably a veteran with some playoff experience.

Brogdon should be extremely available from the lowly Wizards. Clarkson isn't a true floor general but averages 4.6 assists over his last three seasons. Micić, 30, is putting up 12.3 points and 7.2 assists on 48.1 percent shooting from three in his six starts with the Hornets this year.

Boston Celtics

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An uber-expensive roster won't bring in any high-priced talent given all of the second-apron trade restrictions, so the Boston Celtics will need to go bargain hunting instead.

Green is an athletic, versatile wing who could fill minutes when Jayson Tatum or Jaylen Brown miss a game or need a night off. Craig is making 38.9 percent of his threes for the Bulls this season and Theis is a former Celtic who should be available from an injury-ravaged Pelicans team.

At 20-5, Boston doesn't need a lot of help through the trade market and should only be buying if the price is right.

Brooklyn Nets

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The Brooklyn Nets have somehow stayed in the playoff picture, which says more about the state of the East than it does the talent on this team. The Nets should still be exploring deals for high-upside prospects at the deadline with the goal of improving this roster for the future.

Kuminga, 22, averages 15.2 points for a Golden State team that didn't get an extension done with him this past offseason. His athleticism is already off the charts, with All-Star potential to follow if Kuminga can improve his outside shot and passing.

Walker was the No. 8 overall pick in 2023 yet hasn't received big minutes in Indiana yet (18.2 per game) and Jović has good size (6'10") and passing chops for a forward his age (21).

Charlotte Hornets

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At 7-17 overall and with injury issues popping up once again for LaMelo Ball, it's time for the Charlotte Hornets to seriously consider shopping their franchise point guard and building around Brandon Miller and their 2025 first-round pick.

Herro, 24, is having the best season of his career (24.2 points, 5.3 rebounds, 5.0 assists, 42.7 percent from three) and hasn't missed a game all year for Miami.

Vassell, 24, has come off the bench this season for the Spurs and should be the first player Charlotte asks for if San Antonio shows interest in Ball. The 6'5" wing is averaging 16.6 points and 2.8 assists in just 24.0 minutes a game while connecting on 42.3 percent of his threes.

Reaves is a little older at 26, but he's on one of the best contracts in the NBA and averaging a career-high 16.7 points a game. He'd carry a lot of value if the Hornets shopped him following a LaMelo-Lakers trade.

Chicago Bulls

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Nikola Vučević is 34 years old, an age that no longer fits a Chicago Bulls team that got much younger this past offseason. Chicago needs to look for its next franchise center through the trade market.

Ayton should be available from a Blazers team looking to carve a path for rookie Donovan Clingan. Ayton, 26, is averaging 14.2 points, 10.0 rebounds and shooting 55.4 percent overall this season.

Okongwu is still coming off the bench for Atlanta behind Clint Capela but is ready for a starting job. He's putting up 17.2 points, 10.2 rebounds, 2.2 assists, 1.1 steals and 1.1 blocks per 36 minutes.

Stewart, 23, has thrived as a rim protector this season despite his 6'8" stature. Among players who have contested more than Stewart's 4.2 shots per game at the basket this season, only Chet Holmgren (42.9 percent) has allowed a stingier opponent field goal percentage (43.6 percent).

Cleveland Cavaliers

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The Cleveland Cavaliers don't have a lot of weaknesses at 21-4 overall, yet could still use a backup center upgrade over Tristan Thompson and can always add more shooting from the wing between their stars.

Nance is a former Cavalier who's too good of a player to be out of the Hawks (or any team's) rotation right now. He'd likely welcome a return home to Northeast Ohio and regular playing time.

Kispert is a career 38.1 percent shooter from three, and Martin is a solid two-way wing that should be available from a lowly Hornets team.

Dallas Mavericks

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The Dallas Mavericks made the list as one of the four franchises that Butler's agent Bernie Lee "expressed in league circles" that he was open to joining, according to ESPN's Shams Charania.

The Mavs don't have a lot of trade assets assuming they want to keep a core of Luka Dončić, Kyrie Irving, Klay Thompson and Dereck Lively II together. If the Heat value P.J. Washington, Naji Marshall, Jaden Hardy and a 2031 first-round pick, however, a deal isn't impossible.

Kuzma would come at a discount given his down year (15.8 points, 27.6 percent from three) but should be far better playing alongside stars in Dallas than rookies in Washington. A reunion with Finney-Smith needs to be on the table as well.

Denver Nuggets

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The search continues for a reliable backup center behind Nikola Jokić, as free agent Dario Šarić has either been hurt or ineffective (3.4 points on 30.0 percent shooting overall).

Valančiūnas brings a ton of muscle to the position and will be available by a 3-19 Wizards team. Bogdanović is a Serbian Olympic Basketball teammate of Jokić who does a little bit of everything on the court.

Theis is a low-cost ($2 million) backup center option that would allow Denver to keep DeAndre Jordan (minus-15.2 swing rating) off the floor.

Detroit Pistons

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At 10-16 overall, the Detroit Pistons are just a half-game out of the play-in tournament in the Eastern Conference and only four games out of the sixth seed and final guaranteed playoff spot. With a young, cost-controlled roster, now is the time to roll the dice on some higher-priced talent via trade.

LaVine is having a good year for the Bulls (22.1 points, 4.4 rebounds, 4.2 assists, 43.2 percent from three) and would help improve a Pistons' offense that ranks just 24th overall this season.

Simons is another three-level scorer who can put the ball in the basket or facilitate for others while Johnson would be a major upgrade as a floor-spacer over Tim Hardaway Jr. in the starting lineup (18.8 points, 43.4 percent from three).

Golden State Warriors

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A hot start to the season has since cooled for the Golden State Warriors, who are still on the search for a second scorer to support 36-year-old Stephen Curry.

ESPN's Brian Windhorst named both Butler and James as players on the Warriors' "list" and said the team is making its final decision on whether to keep Jonathan Kuminga or dangle him in a trade.

If blockbuster trades for James or Butler fall short, Grant is still a strong option. The 30-year-old forward is averaging 16.1 points on 38.4 percent shooting from three this season.

Houston Rockets

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How much do the Houston Rockets want to meddle with a young roster that's off to a 17-8 start to the season? The next two months will certainly give us this answer, as the Rockets may want to add another vet if they want to make any sort of playoff run.

The Rockets made Butler's reported list of potential destinations, and a homecoming would make sense for the Texas native. He fits the hard-nosed culture that head coach Ime Udoka has built.

Marcus Smart is a favorite of Udoka from their time together with the Boston Celtics, and Randle is another Texas guy who would be an upgrade at power forward over Jabari Smith Jr.

Indiana Pacers

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The Indiana Pacers are reportedly trading for Thomas Bryant from the Miami Heat to add some center depth given the season-ending injuries to both Isaiah Jackson and James Wiseman. This still puts Indiana one big behind their original total, however, and the team faces the uncertain future of Myles Turner, a free agent in 2025.

Williams, 27, is under contract next season at a reasonable $13.3 million and is one of the best rim protectors in the NBA when healthy.

Nance can play both power forward or center with his shooting ability and athleticism and Richards ($10 million combined over the next two years) is a low-cost insurance option.

Los Angeles Clippers

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Even if Kawhi Leonard can make a relatively quick return to the court, the Los Angeles Clippers could use another offensive boost to a roster that ranks just 23rd overall in the NBA right now.

Kuzma, 29, should be revived with a return to Los Angeles, giving the Clippers a multi-dimensional scorer and gifted passer to play alongside Leonard, James Harden, Norm Powell and Ivica Zubac.

Johnson could fill this role as well with his 6'8" frame and elite shooting ability. Clarkson would become the next great sixth man for the Clippers, roles once held by Lou Williams and Jamal Crawford.

Los Angeles Lakers

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The New Orleans Pelicans are the most interesting team to watch this trade season. Not just to see what they do with oft-injured stars like Zion Williamson and Brandon Ingram, but with other starters that carry value as well.

If the Pels are willing to listen to offers for Murray just months after trading for him, the Lakers should be the first team to make a call. Los Angeles tried to get Murray from the Atlanta Hawks last year, and the two-way point guard would dramatically help the Lakers' 26th-ranked defense.

Grant and Finney-Smith are big, versatile wings who can guard multiple positions—a weakness for the Lakers right now.

Memphis Grizzlies

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The Memphis Grizzlies have quietly been one of the NBA's best teams this season despite suffering a collection of missed games by a number of starters.

Rookie Jaylen Wells is a big reason why, although adding a veteran like Finney-Smith would give Memphis more depth and some protection against the second-rounder hitting a rookie wall.

Nance and Eubanks give the Grizzlies more size in the middle to help counter an injury-plagued season from rookie Zach Edey.

Miami Heat

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Recent strong play from the Miami Heat has them just a game away from having home-court advantage in the first-round of the East playoffs. If Miami falls back into the play-in picture, we could see some big changes coming, however.

If the Heat keep Jimmy Butler (or maybe even if they don't), Ball is an intriguing talent to go after. Adding in Ball's elite playmaking and scoring skills would help boost Miami's offense closer to that of the Cleveland Cavaliers, Boston Celtics and New York Knicks, the top-three in the NBA.

Kuzma and Johnson give Miami an answer at power forward, an area they've tried plugging Haywood Highsmith, Nikola Jović and Kevin Love in at this season.

Milwaukee Bucks

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An 8-2 record over their last 10 games has erased any thoughts of the Milwaukee Bucks being sellers at the deadline. The focus should be on flipping a struggling Khris Middleton along with some sweeteners to improve this roster around Giannis Antetokounmpo and Damian Lillard.

Smart is still a high-level defender who would help a Bucks team that only ranks 14th overall this season. Few players could provide more intel on the Boston Celtics in a potential playoff series as well.

Grant would give the Bucks a reliable third scorer in the starting lineup and someone who can defend multiple positions while Johnson brings elite shooting off the catch (43.2 percent) or in pull-up opportunities (44.0 percent).

Minnesota Timberwolves

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Being a second-apron team, the Minnesota Timberwolves cannot combine salaries in a potential trade and cannot take in any extra money. Assuming this core stays intact, the Wolves may be looking at Nickeil Alexander-Walker's $4.3 million salary as the biggest deal they'd have to fit other contracts into.

This doesn't leave a lot of options, although a few names pop up around the league.

Green, Ellis and Champagnie are all wings who make less than $4.3 million and could help fill rotation minutes for Minnesota with their defense, shooting and versatility.

New Orleans Pelicans

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At 5-21, the New Orleans Pelicans have the second-worst record in the NBA (thanks, Washington Wizards!) and have a lot of decisions to make before February 6.

Injuries have killed this season, although Dejounte Murray, CJ McCollum, Herb Jones and Trey Murphy III have all made their return to the court. New Orleans doesn't have to completely punt on the season and should be looking for young players who can contribute this season and for years to come.

Stewart would be an immediate starter at center for this group while Green, 24, is shooting 45.2 percent from three this season.

The Pelicans need to cut ties with Ingram and get the best return possible, whether that means a draft pick or player-heavy trade package. Re-signing him to a big deal will handicap this team's financial future, especially if Williamson, McCollum, Murray and Murphy are all staying put.

New York Knicks

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ESPN's Shams Charania reported that Mitchell Robinson is unlikely to return from ankle surgery until the end of January or even into February. This news means that the Knicks should still be pursuing backup center options behind Karl-Anthony Towns.

Williams has his own injury history, but would be an ideal defensive complement to Towns and could even play next to him in big lineups.

Nance brings more versatility to the position and allows the team to play five-out with Towns resting, and Theis is a low-cost option who should be available.

Oklahoma City Thunder

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With Chet Holmgren sidelined due to a pelvic fracture, the Oklahoma City Thunder don't have a reliable third scorer behind Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and Jalen Williams. This team could also use another offensive creator off the bench and another big to help spell Isaiah Hartenstein.

Huerter is a 6'7" wing who can operate with or without the ball in his hands. He'd be a spark of offense off this Thunder bench who can knock down open shots.

A reunion with Paul gives this roster another playmaker while Valančiūnas provides OKC with a low-post offensive option.

Orlando Magic

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The Orlando Magic are going to find points hard to come by as they wait for both Paolo Banchero and Franz Wagner to return from torn oblique muscles.

Ball would help solve Orlando scoring and playmaking woes and fix an offense that ranks just 22nd overall despite the Magic's 17-10 record.

Simons and Clarkson would both be more affordable options, yet still bring some spark to an Orlando team down its two leading scorers.

Philadelphia 76ers

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At 7-16 overall, the Philadelphia 76ers need a lot of help to climb back into the playoff picture. Everything revolves around the health of Joel Embiid, but Philly has some other roster construction issues to deal with.

The Sixers rank 27th overall in three-point accuracy this season (32.1 percent) and could use some more floor-spacers. Kispert lost his starting job with the Wizards this year and has struggled in a bench role yet shot 40.2 percent from three in the two seasons before that.

Fontecchio is another dead-eye shooter who's experienced a drop in usage after a big season (15.4 points, 42.6 percent from three with the Pistons last year), while Ellis is making 42.1 percent of his threes for the Kings now.

Phoenix Suns

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Jimmy Butler going to the Suns is extremely complicated, highly unlikely and probably a bad fit, which makes it more likely that ownership in Phoenix will push to get a deal done.

Being a second apron team, the Suns can only take on Butler's $48.8 million if they give up one of Kevin Durant, Devin Booker or Bradley Beal, all of whom make more than the Heat star. Assuming it would be Beal, Phoenix may not have enough draft pick sweeteners for Miami (or a third team) to complete a trade.

Trent and Champagnie both make $3 million or less, are good enough to be in a playoff rotation and could be available. The Suns might sniff around a Butler trade but will almost certainly have to lower their trade aspirations.

Portland Trail Blazers

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With some potential franchise guards and a center already in place, the Portland Trail Blazers will be on the hunt for young wings to build around.

Walker, 21, could be the new power forward of the future if Jerami Grant gets traded at the deadline, providing some good outside shooting (39.3 percent from three) already in his young career.

Dieng is still just 21 despite playing in his third season. He's not going to see enough court time on a championship-hopeful OKC squad to fully develop and could thrive in a larger role with the Blazers. The same could be said for Howard, another former lottery pick who's struggled to find minutes on a good team.

Sacramento Kings

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Defense has once again plagued a Sacramento Kings team that boasts a lethal scoring attack. Finding rotation players who don't need the ball on offense but can defend at a high level should be the goal.

Smart is technically a guard but can defend power forwards with his size and strength. He gives the Kings a reliable backup point guard to play behind De'Aaron Fox now with Malik Monk moving to a starting role.

Finney-Smith (10.6 points, 43.2 percent from three) would be the perfect wing between the stars on this roster and Williams (1.1 steals, 1.9 blocks in 18.7 minutes a game) could serve as a defensive anchor behind Domantas Sabonis.

San Antonio Spurs

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If the 12-12 San Antonio Spurs want to stay in the Western Conference playoff race, they may need to cash in a few chips for it to happen.

A Ball-Victor Wembanyama pairing would be must-watch basketball on both ends of the court. The best pick-and-roll combo in the NBA would instantly be born.

LaVine only has two years remaining on his big contract after this year, money that will expire the same summer Wembanyama is due for a raise. He'd be a reliable second scorer next to Wembanyama and help space the floor.

Sexton is a more affordable option yet gives the Spurs some more scoring and playmaking in a reserve role.

Toronto Raptors

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We didn't expect the Toronto Raptors to be good this season, although injuries to Scottie Barnes and Immanuel Quickley have made sure this team is pretty bad.

As the Raptors wait for healthy bodies to return, finding a new, younger franchise center to replace Jakob Poeltl is a good idea.

Claxton is a proven rim protector and rebounder, Okongwu is only allowing opponents to shoot 56.8 percent at the basket and Josh Green brings more outside shooting to a Toronto team that ranks just 23rd overall in three-point accuracy (34.1 percent).

Utah Jazz

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The Utah Jazz should be open to collecting any and all young talent at the deadline while moving on from veterans like Jordan Clarkson and John Collins.

Whitmore, 20, has spent most of the season in the G League, averaging 19.3 points on 40.7 percent shooting from three. He's a big wing who would find more playing time on a rebuilding Utah squad.

Jović would be an intriguing fit next to Lauri Markkanen and Walker Kessler with his size, passing and three-point shooting. Hood-Schifino isn't going to return to a Los Angeles Lakers team that declined his third-year team option. The sophomore shooting guard still carries potential in the right situation.

Washington Wizards

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At 3-20 overall, the Washington Wizards are the worst team in basketball. Any young player with a pulse should be on their trade target list in an attempt to bring this franchise back from the dead.

Smith deserves a bigger role, one that he's not going to get with a contending Houston Rockets team now. In Washington he would become an All-Star given his 6'11" size, scoring chops and defensive potential.

Bol, 25, has long teased us with his potential and 7'3" frame. He's not in the Suns rotation and should be traded or released in an attempt to latch on with a team that can offer him minutes. Dieng is another interesting prospect with size who needs a change of scenery.

   

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