We're just weeks away from the 2025 NBA trade deadline and should see plenty of action between now and February 6.
There's going to be a lot of buyers at the deadline, as only seven (at most) of the 30 NBA teams appear to be tanking.
Let's take a spin around the league and look at trades that would make sense for every franchise, no matter what direction they're headed.
Stats accurate before the start of play on Sunday, Jan. 12.
Atlanta Hawks
Atlanta Hawks Receive: G Collin Sexton
Utah Jazz Receive: SG Kobe Bufkin, F/C Larry Nance Jr., 2025 second-round pick (via Minnesota Timberwolves), 2030 second-round pick
Trae Young carries an extremely heavy offensive load, with his 12.1 assists per game leading the NBA. This team could use added playmaking off the bench to help it solidify a playoff spot in the Eastern Conference.
Sexton, 26, has been really good as a starter in Utah this season. The combo guard is averaging 18.0 points and 3.9 assists per game while shooting 43.0 percent from three.
The Georgia native should be happy to return home and play for a team with playoff aspirations again.
Boston Celtics
Boston Celtics Receive: G/F Javonte Green
New Orleans Pelicans Receive: G Jaden Springer
The Celtics don't have a lot of trade assets or salary available to move in a deal. They don't have a lot of glaring needs, either, so simply adding a veteran depth piece off the bench is likely the only action we'll see out of Boston.
Green has played a larger role than expected for an injury-ravaged Pelicans team this season and has been quite good when called upon.
In 21 games off the bench, the 31-year-old wing has shot 51.7 percent from three while chipping in 5.1 points and 2.9 rebounds in 18.4 minutes.
Brooklyn Nets
Brooklyn Nets Receive: F Jarace Walker, SF Aaron Nesmith, C Isaiah Jackson, 2025 second-round pick, 2027 second-round pick
Indiana Pacers Receive: F Cameron Johnson
Selling high on Johnson should be the priority for the Nets at the deadline after already parting with Dorian Finney-Smith. Johnson has been excellent this season and should fetch at least a good first-round pick or some high-upside young talent.
Walker, 21, was the No. 8 overall pick in the 2023 draft but hasn't broken out in Indiana with the addition of Pascal Siakam. He's a career 40.0 percent marksman and should thrive in a starting role in Brooklyn.
Nesmith, 25, has missed most of this season with an ankle injury but is an excellent defender on a good contract (three years, $33 million) and the Nets pick up some additional draft capital in the process.
Charlotte Hornets
Charlotte Hornets Receive: F/C Isaiah Stewart, G/F Tim Hardaway Jr., 2025 second-round pick (via Toronto Raptors)
Detroit Pistons Receive: F Miles Bridges
If the Hornets plan on keeping LaMelo Ball but still want to do a mini reset around him in what's become a lost season, moving Bridges for some young talent, expiring money and a draft pick would be a huge win.
Stewart, 23, gives Charlotte some frontcourt depth given all the injuries we've seen from Mark Williams and Nick Richards in recent years.
Hardaway is on an expiring $16.2 million contract and the Raptors' pick is currently slated for No. 33 overall.
Chicago Bulls
Chicago Bulls Receive: F Kyle Anderson, G Gary Payton II, C Kevon Looney
Golden State Warriors Receive: C Nikola Vučević
The Bulls shouldn't feel as much pressure to trade Zach LaVine since he's having a borderline All-Star season and is still in his 20s. Finding a new home for the 34-year-old Vučević and clearing future cap space should be a priority, however.
Golden State should be in the market for a center and could use Vučević's versatile scoring, rebounding and passing.
In turn, Chicago gets over $17 million in expiring contracts from Payton and Looney and can use Anderson as a versatile glue guy off the bench behind LaVine.
Cleveland Cavaliers
Cleveland Cavaliers Receive: C Nick Richards
Charlotte Hornets Receive: F Dean Wade, 2025 second-round pick (via Milwaukee Bucks)
At 33-4 overall, there's no reason for the red-hot Cavs to do anything crazy at the deadline. The only potential roster weakness is backup center, where veteran Tristan Thompson would have to be thrust in duty should Jarrett Allen or Evan Mobley have to miss any time.
Richards, 27, is a good backup center, averaging 9.2 points, 7.7 rebounds and 1.3 blocks in his 21.2 minutes a game this season.
He's good enough to be in Cleveland's rotation immediately or could serve as an insurance policy. With Max Strus now back from an ankle injury, the Cavs have many wings and can afford to part with Wade.
Dallas Mavericks
Dallas Mavericks Receive: F Jimmy Butler
Miami Heat Receive: F P.J. Washington, SF Naji Marshall, C Daniel Gafford, F/C Maxi Kleber, 2025 first-round pick (unprotected), 2031 first-round pick (unprotected)
Dallas has never been afraid to take risks, so taking one on a talented-yet-aging Butler seems like a gamble that Dallas would make.
The Mavs can also cobble enough salary together to reach Butler's near $50 million number without giving up Luka Dončić, Kyrie Irving, Klay Thompson or Dereck Lively II.
Adding Butler to this core would make Dallas an extremely dangerous team, especially come playoff time.
Denver Nuggets
Denver Nuggets Receive: F Kyle Kuzma, C Jonas Valančiūnas, F Saddiq Bey
Washington Wizards Receive: F Michael Porter Jr., PF Zeke Nnaji
Nikola Jokić leading the NBA in scoring probably wasn't the plan coming into the season for these Nuggets, who have needed their three-time MVP to put up points to have a chance to win on most nights.
Losing Porter hurts, although parting with him would help improve Denver's overall depth while adding two proven scorers to the rotation.
Kuzma's declining salary year-over-year would help with the Nuggets' ever-increasing payroll and Valančiūnas finally solves Denver's backup center issues.
Bey, 25, could still return from a torn ACL at some point this season and will only make $12.5 million total over the following two years. Trading for him now would be a smart long-term play by the Nuggets.
Detroit Pistons
Detroit Pistons Receive: SF Brandon Ingram
New Orleans Pelicans Receive: F/C Isaiah Stewart, G/F Tim Hardaway Jr., 2025 second-round pick
With Jaden Ivey likely missing the remainder of the season with a broken leg, the Pistons could use another scoring threat to help them maintain their position as a playoff threat in the East.
Ingram will hopefully return soon from an ankle injury and would be an immediate starter on a Detroit team that's been a pleasant surprise this season.
The Pistons would then hold Ingram's bird rights heading into his free agency this summer, giving them the best chance of any team at signing the 22.2 point-per-gamer scorer.
Golden State Warriors
Golden State Warriors Receive: F LeBron James
Los Angeles Lakers Receive: F Jonathan Kuminga, SF Andrew Wiggins, SG Buddy Hield, G Gary Payton II, 2025 first-round pick (top-five unprotected)
Will the Lakers actually trade James? Probably not. But that shouldn't stop the Warriors from at least making another phone call.
The idea of pairing James with Stephen Curry and Draymond Green could lead to one last championship for all three, only adding to the legacies of the three future Hall of Famers.
With the Lakers hovering in mediocrity once again, James should at least consider spending the remainder of his career with Curry by his side.
Houston Rockets
Houston Rockets Receive: PG De'Aaron Fox, G/F Kevin Huerter
Sacramento Kings Receive: PG Fred VanVleet, G Reed Sheppard, SF Cam Whitmore, 2025 first-round pick (top-5 protected), 2027 first-round pick (unprotected via Phoenix Suns)
Armed with draft picks and a ton of young talent, the 21-12 Rockets should be aggressive when shopping this deadline.
Adding an All-Star point guard in his prime in Fox would be a big-time move and nudge the Rockets closer to becoming a true title contender.
A core of Fox, Jalen Green, Dillon Brooks, Jabari Smith Jr., Alperen Şengün, Amen Thompson, Tari Eason and others would be a powerhouse in the West for a long time.
Indiana Pacers
Indiana Pacers Receive: F Rui Hachimura, C Jaxson Hayes, G/F Cam Reddish, 2029 first-round pick (top-5 protected)
Los Angeles Lakers Receive: C Myles Turner
The Pacers may be forced to shop Turner at the deadline if they don't feel like they can afford to re-sign him this summer. Trading him now would help to solidify the roster around Tyrese Haliburton, Pascal Siakam and others.
Hachimura, 26, is averaging 11.9 points and shooting 41.4 percent from three this season. Hayes gives the Pacers some additional size with Turner gone, and Reddish, 25, still has some potential left.
Indiana also adds a future first after giving up three in the deal for Siakam last year.
Los Angeles Clippers
Los Angeles Clippers Receive: SF Brandon Ingram
New Orleans Pelicans Receive: G/F Terrance Mann, SF Derrick Jones Jr., F/C P.J. Tucker, 2031 second-round pick
At 20-17, the Clippers are still hovering in the West play-in picture but should add another scoring threat to help improve a 23rd-ranked offense.
If healthy, a roster with Kawhi Leonard, Ingram, James Harden, Norman Powell, Ivica Zubac and others suddenly looks dangerous, especially come playoff time.
Ingram would help take playmaking pressure off of Harden, helping the veteran guard to improve his own scoring efficiency (career-low 47.7 effective field goal percentage).
Los Angeles Lakers
Los Angeles Lakers Receive: PG LaMelo Ball
Charlotte Hornets Receive: G Austin Reaves, F Rui Hachimura, SG Max Christie, 2029 first-round pick (unprotected), 2031 first-round pick (unprotected), 2025 second-round pick, 2025 second-round pick (via Los Angeles Clippers)
The Lakers are just 20th in net rating this season (minus-2.4) and don't look anywhere close to being a title contender even with LeBron James and Anthony Davis. This franchise needs to hook up some jumper cables and look for an impact trade for a star who would mesh well with the ones already on the roster.
Simply put, Ball's game was made for the bright lights of Hollywood.
Averaging a career-high 29.9 points per game to go along with his electric playmaking, inserting Ball as the starting point guard into a starting five with Dalton Knecht, Dorian Finney-Smith, James and Davis would move the Lakers toward the top of the West once again.
Memphis Grizzlies
Memphis Grizzlies Receive: G/F Bruce Brown Jr., PG Davion Mitchell
Toronto Raptors Receive: G/F Luke Kennard, F/C Brandon Clarke, SG John Konchar, 2026 second-round pick (via Los Angeles Clippers)
At 24-14 the Grizzlies could grab home-court advantage in the first round of the West playoffs. There's not a lot of weaknesses on this roster, although some additional wing and point guard depth plus added playoff experience would certainly help.
Brown is healthy once again and back in the Raptors rotation. He brings 40 games of postseason scars including playing a key role on the 2023 champion Denver Nuggets.
Mitchell is another talented defender who can fill point guard minutes if Ja Morant continues to suffer various injuries.
Miami Heat
Miami Heat Receive: F Jonathan Kuminga, F Andrew Wiggins, F Kyle Anderson, G Gary Payton II
Golden State Warriors Receive: F Jimmy Butler
Ending the Butler era with something to show for it before he potentially leaves in free agency should be the priority for Miami.
Getting an exciting young wing like Kuminga to pair with Tyler Herro and Bam Adebayo creates a new timeline for the Heat. Wiggins has been good this season (16.4 points, 39.4 percent from three) and Anderson is a rotation-caliber player in the playoffs.
This may be the best haul the Heat could get for the 35-year-old Butler, as Miami looks to shop him to teams desperate to keep its championship windows open.
Milwaukee Bucks
Milwaukee Bucks Receive: F Jerami Grant
Portland Trail Blazers Receive: F Khris Middleton, 2031 first-round pick (unprotected)
Middleton was recently benched by the Bucks, as the veteran forward is clearly still trying to regain his form after ankle surgeries this past offseason.
As rocky as this season has gone for Milwaukee, this is still a team that could secure home-court advantage with a top-four seed in the East with some additional help.
Grant is a former teammate of Damian Lillard and is averaging 15.0 points and shooting 38.2 percent from three this season. He'd be a strong third scoring option with the Bucks behind Giannis Antetokounmpo and Lillard.
Minnesota Timberwolves
Minnesota Timberwolves Receive: PG Tre Jones, F Keldon Johnson, SG Malaki Branham
San Antonio Spurs Receive: PF Julius Randle
If the Wolves aren't sold on Randle becoming a franchise centerpiece before he heads into free agency this summer, shopping him now may be the best choice.
Johnson, 25, has averaged 17.2 points, 5.8 rebounds, 2.4 assists and shot 35.6 percent from three in 232 career games as a starter. He could slide into Randle's spot at power forward or come off the bench if the Wolves want to promote Naz Reid instead.
Jones, 25, gives Minnesota another point guard option now with Mike Conley Jr. showing his age and Branham, 21, brings three-level scoring ability.
New Orleans Pelicans
New Orleans Pelicans Receive: F/C Jonathan Isaac, SG Gary Harris, 2025 second-round pick
Orlando Magic Receive: CJ McCollum
At 7-31 the Pelicans should salvage what's left of this season by shopping veterans like McCollum and Brandon Ingram for younger players or future picks.
Isaac, 27, is a talented defender that New Orleans could play alongside Zion Williamson in the frontcourt. Harris has a $7.5 million team option for next season and the Pels collect another pick in the 2025 draft.
The trade also takes McCollum's $30.7 million salary for 2025-26 off the books.
New York Knicks
New York Receive: F Torrey Craig, G Jevon Carter, F Chris Duarte, 2025 second-round pick (via Sacramento Kings)
Chicago Bulls Receive: C Mitchell Robinson
The Knicks should use the salary of the injured Robinson to try to collect some additional depth before head coach Tom Thibodeau runs his starters into the ground.
Craig is a 6'7" forward who's making 42.9 percent of his threes for the Bulls this season. Carter is a solid defender, and Duarte, 27, also shoots 42.9 percent from deep.
After giving up a motherload of picks for Mikal Bridges, the Knicks at least get one second-rounder back for Robinson.
Oklahoma City Thunder
Oklahoma City Thunder Receive: F Cameron Johnson
Brooklyn Nets Receive: SG Isaiah Joe, F Dillon Jones, F Ousmane Dieng, 2025 first-round pick (top-6 protected via Philadelphia 76ers)
With Chet Holmgren still out nursing a hip injury, the Thunder have been without a reliable third scorer behind Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and Jalen Williams.
Johnson would become this missing piece, as his 19.5 points on 43.6 percent shooting from three this season have both been career highs.
At 6'8" he's versatile enough to play either forward position, allowing the Thunder to go big or small depending on what the situation calls for.
Orlando Magic
Orlando Magic Receive: PG De'Aaron Fox
Sacramento Kings Receive: PG Cole Anthony, SG Kentavious Caldwell-Pope, 2025 first-round pick (top-5 protected via Denver Nuggets), 2027 first-round pick (unprotected), 2029 first-round pick (unprotected)
At 22-17 overall and sitting in the No. 4 seed in the East, you'd never know the Magic have been one of the teams hardest hit by injury. With Paolo Banchero now back for Orlando for the first time since October, it's time for the Magic to make a big swing and establish themselves as a title contender.
A 27th-ranked offense would quickly be fixed by adding Fox and his 26.7 points and 6.2 assists per game to a core with Banchero, Franz Wagner, Jalen Suggs and others.
Much like the young Cleveland Cavaliers did with their risky trade for Donovan Mitchell (one that's easily paid off already), it's time for the Magic to go all-in for Fox.
Philadelphia 76ers
Philadelphia 76ers Receive: PF Santi Aldama
Memphis Grizzlies Receive: F KJ Martin, 2027 second-round pick, 2027 second-round pick (via Milwaukee Bucks), 2028 second-round pick
One of the most underrated players in the entire NBA, Aldama is quietly having a really good season for Memphis (13.0 points, 7.3 rebounds, 2.9 assists, 38.6 percent from three).
At 6'11" he'd bring some much-needed size to the power forward position in Philly and instantly become a glue guy who fills all the gaps from the stars already in town.
If the small-market Grizzlies don't feel like they'll be able to afford to re-sign Aldama this summer, the 76ers should call and make an offer for his services.
Phoenix Suns
Phoenix Suns Receive: F Jimmy Butler
Orlando Magic Receive: SG Bradley Beal, 2031 first-round pick (via Phoenix Suns)
Miami Heat Receive: SG Kentavious Caldwell-Pope, G Cole Anthony, SG Gary Harris, 2026 second-round pick (via Denver Nuggets), 2031 second-round pick (via Denver Nuggets)
Butler going to the Suns in a deal that sends Beal out remains highly unlikely, although Phoenix should still be working the phones to explore any and every potential opportunity to make it happen.
Orlando is one potential destination. The Magic rank just 27th in offense this season and could actually use Beal (18.0 points, 39.2 percent from three) in the starting backcourt alongside Jalen Suggs. Given his contract, however, Orlando should ask for the Suns' unprotected 2031 pick for helping to facilitate the deal.
Beal should be happy to waive his no-trade clause and move from the bench of a 17-19 Suns team sitting at 12th in the West to a Magic team that's fourth in the East.
Portland Trail Blazers
Portland Trail Blazers Receive: G Aaron Wiggins, G Isaiah Joe, F Ousmane Dieng
Oklahoma City Thunder Receive: F Jerami Grant
The Blazers need to be shopping Deandre Ayton and Grant at the deadline in an attempt to open up more minutes for the young core and future salary-cap space.
Finding a home for Ayton is going to be extremely difficult, although Grant would fit in well with a Thunder team in need of a third scoring option with Chet Holmgren sidelined.
Portland would get a collection of young players in return and vastly improve the team's 27th-ranked three-point accuracy (34.0 percent) with Wiggins and Joe.
Sacramento Kings
Sacramento Kings Receive: F Jimmy Butler
Miami Heat Receive: F DeMar DeRozan, G/F Kevin Huerter, PF Trey Lyles, 2028 first-round pick (top-5 protected)
When looking for stability the Kings should make a trade for…Jimmy Butler?
Butler would be a far better fit for this group over DeRozan given his defensive ability and should be extremely motivated to get a playoff-starved Sacramento franchise back into the postseason.
A starting five of De'Aaron Fox, Keon Ellis, Butler, Keegan Murray and Domantas Sabonis with Malik Monk, Devin Carter, Jae Crowder, Doug McDermott, Alex Len and others off the bench could get Sacramento back in the playoff picture.
San Antonio Spurs
San Antonio Spurs Receive: PG De'Aaron Fox
Sacramento Kings Receive: F Keldon Johnson, PG Tre Jones, SG Malaki Branham, 2025 first-round pick (via Atlanta Hawks), 2027 first-round pick (unprotected), 2029 first-round pick (unprotected)
Hovering around .500 and in the West play-in tournament for essentially the entire season thus far, the Spurs shouldn't be afraid to explore star player trades at the deadline and get some playoff experience for Victor Wembanyama and company now.
Fox gives the Spurs their franchise point guard to pair alongside Stephon Castle in the backcourt for years to come while allowing 39-year-old Chris Paul to move to a sixth man role.
A core of Wembanyama, Fox, Castle, Devin Vassell, Jeremy Sochan, Harrison Barnes, Paul and Julian Champagnie would be dangerous both now and into the future.
Toronto Raptors
Toronto Raptors Receive: SG Moses Moody, C Kevon Looney, G Gary Payton II
Golden State Warriors Receive: C Jakob Poeltl, F Garrett Temple
The lottery-bound Raptors should try to sell high on Poeltl at the deadline, as the 29-year-old is having a solid year (15.1 points, 10.5 rebounds, 2.7 assists, 1.2 steals, 1.2 blocks).
Moving him to the Warriors for some young talent and expiring contracts would help with Toronto's rebuild. Moody, 22, just hasn't found the minutes to blossom on a veteran Golden State team yet is shooting a career-high 39.0 percent from three and putting up 17.7 points per 36 minutes of play.
Both Looney and Payton are on expiring deals and could be re-routed to a third team or just used to take money off the books this summer.
Utah Jazz
Utah Jazz Receive: F Patrick Williams, G Jevon Carter
Chicago Bulls Receive: PF John Collins
Collins is quietly having a good year in Utah (19.0 points, 8.7 rebounds, 2.5 assists, 47.6 percent shooting from three in 18 starts), meaning the rebuilding Jazz would be smart to shop the 27-year-old power forward now.
The breakout for Williams has never come now five years into his promising career. Still just 23, this is the type of player a franchise like Utah should take a chance on.
Williams is a career 40.2 percent shooter from three with a 7-foot wingspan that could be molded into a good two-way player with time and in the right system. The Jazz have a terrific coaching staff and should be able to bring the best out of Williams.
Washington Wizards
Washington Wizards Receive: G/F Tim Hardaway Jr., SF Simone Fontecchio, 2025 second-round pick (via Toronto Raptors), 2027 second-round pick, 2028 second-round pick (via Miami Heat)
Detroit Pistons Receive: F Kyle Kuzma
It would make sense for all parties involved to move Kuzma, a Flint, Michigan native, back to his hometown to help the Pistons in their playoff hunt.
The Wizards are hunting the No. 1 overall pick and would help solidify their spot as the worst team in basketball by trading Kuzma as soon as possible.
Getting three second-round picks in return along with an expiring salary in Hardaway and a floor-spacer with Fontecchio would help out Washington's rebuilding efforts.
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