The NBA’s trade deadline is closing in, as teams must have deals completed by 3:00 p.m. ET on Thursday afternoon. The deadline has seen fireworks recently, such as the Dallas Mavericks trading Luka Dončić to the Los Angeles Lakers in a deal that brought them Anthony Davis just last season.
With the deadline continuing to dominate conversations around the league, here’s a look at 13 players rumored to be on the market and landing spots that make the most sense based on roster construction, scheme fit, market value, or simply because it seems like the most likely scenario, which trumps all in this exercise.
Giannis Antetokounmpo: Golden State Warriors
Obviously, the Bucks’ star is the prize this season, and any team in the league would be happy to have him. However, in terms of matching salaries and not having to get one or two (or more) teams involved to complete a trade, there aren’t too many teams that can make that move.
The Heat and Knicks have reportedly made inquiries (and perhaps more attempts to deal for the Greek Freak), but the one team that seems to have the assets to really make a go at Giannis Antetokounmpo is the Warriors.
The Bucks are intrigued by the thought of collecting first-round picks from the Warriors, and if Antetokounmpo is dealt, Golden State appears to be the favorite. Draymond Green’s expiring contract and disgruntled forward Jonathan Kuminga could be used in a deal.
Anthony Davis: Atlanta Hawks
Although Mavericks’ big man Anthony Davis is currently nursing an injured hand, he could return before the postseason and potentially provide a huge punch for any team that is in contention for a playoff spot.
One team that has consistently been tied to Davis is the Hawks.
The Hawks have already pulled off the biggest move of the season so far, dealing Trae Young to the Washington Wizards for CJ McCollum and Corey Kispert. The Hawks are now interested in Davis, according to ClutchPoints’ NBA insider Brett Siegel. The Hawks even picked up a couple more second-round picks this past week that they could use to pry Davis away from Dallas.
Despite his injuries and struggles, Davis is still averaging 20.4 points, 11.1 rebounds, 2.8 assists, 1.7 blocks, and 1.1 steals per game.
One issue with any deal with the Mavericks is that they’d reportedly like to unload Klay Thompson’s contract. He’s making $16,666,667 this season and will make $17,460,317 next season.
Ja Morant: Miami Heat
It’s been quite the fall from grace for Ja Morant, who looked like he could become one of the preeminent faces of the league just a few seasons ago. Injuries and off-court issues have derailed his career, but when healthy, he’s still an excellent player.
The Heat are itching to make a move and would obviously love to land Antetokounmpo, but that may not be a realistic option. Morant could provide them with a legitimate starting point guard and give them a new top option alongside Norman Powell and Bam Adebayo, affording the Heat a major boost in what seems to be a wide-open East.
Morant has even recently bought a home in Miami.
Michael Porter Jr: Detroit Pistons
At 36-12, the Pistons have the East’s best record, and with the deadline looming, they may want to make a move and shore up their roster for the stretch run.
The Pistons already have a pair of All-Stars in Cade Cunningham and Jalen Duren, and they could add another scorer in Michael Porter Jr. Porter was dealt from the Nuggets to the Nets in the offseason and has flourished, averaging 25.6 points, 7.3 rebounds, and 3.2 assists per game while shooting 48.2% from the field going into Feb. 2 action.
Porter would afford the Pistons an outstanding second scoring option and even give Detroit its own version a Big 3. Porter would also bring championship experience to the Pistons as they try to make a run in the East.
Jonathan Kuminga: Milwaukee Bucks
Jonathan Kuminga looked as if he’d be leaving the Warriors this offseason, but instead, he ultimately re-signed on a two-year deal. Kuminga has again expressed his displeasure, and it looks like the Warriors will at least be attempting to move on from him.
With the Warriors losing Jimmy Butler III to a torn ACL, it seemed as though they may pack it in for the season, but with Stephen Curry still playing well in his advanced age, the Warriors seem set on getting back to the postseason and reportedly have their sights set on Antetokounmpo.
A trade of Kuminga to Milwaukee would clearly be about Antetokounmpo’s acquisition, but it could give Kuminga a chance to get more shots up and potentially flourish on a new team.
Trey Murphy III: New Orleans Pelicans
Trey Murphy III is having a fantastic season, putting up 21.5 points, 5.9 rebounds, 3.6 assists and 1.6 steals per game while shooting 47.0% from the field and 36.0% from beyond the arc.
Murphy would draw interest from several teams if he does indeed hit the market. However, early reports indicate the Pelicans would be looking for a massive haul, perhaps similar to the four first-round picks the Grizzlies received from the Magic in the Desmond Bane trade.
Although the Pistons and Spurs would be great fits for Murphy, it seems much more likely that he’ll be staying put.
Domantas Sabonis: Toronto Raptors
The Raptors are very clearly in the market for a big man. At 30-21, the Raptors have been another of the league’s surprises, but recent losses fellow contenders like the Magic and the Knicks following their huge victory over the Thunder show they still have a way to go.
Acquiring a big man like Domantas Sabonis could be exactly what the Raptors need. Sabonis, a former All-Star, has been limited to 18 games thus far this season due to multiple injuries.
Sabonis’ current back issue likely won’t hurt his value, and the Kings will certainly be looking for a pretty big return if they deal him. Mavericks center Daniel Gafford and Pelicans center Yves Missi could provide cheaper options.
Kel’el Ware: Memphis Grizzlies
Kel’el Ware has been a pleasant surprise for the Heat, putting up 11.4 points and 9.3 rebounds in just 22.6 minutes per game this season.
Although the Heat’s captain and veteran leader is a fellow big man in Adebayo, Ware is just 21 and is showing signs of a bright future. It seems more likely that the Heat will hang on to Ware, but if they can pull off a deal for Morant, the former could be a key asset for the Grizzlies as they continue to rebuild.
Zach LaVine: Sacramento Kings
Zach LaVine feels like he’s been in the league forever, but he’s still just 30 years old and can provide a scoring punch. He isn’t quite putting up the numbers he has in the past, but he’s still averaging 19.8 points per game on 48.3% shooting from the field and 39.5% from three.
LaVine was initially tied to the Bucks, but with Antetokounmpo already having one foot out the door in Milwaukee, that seems unlikely.
LaVine could really help several teams, but until other moves go down, the most likely scenario is LaVine remaining in Sacramento.
Jrue Holiday: Portland Trail Blazers
Jrue Holiday could help just about any team. In fact, each of the last two teams he joined (the Bucks and the Celtics) won a championship.
Holiday has been tied to both the Los Angeles Lakers and the New York Knicks, two teams with extremely high hopes for the season.
Holiday would provide toughness and perimeter defense that the Knicks could certainly use, but whether they have the assets to acquire him is a major question.
The Lakers could also use a defensive presence and leader like Holiday, but with Dončić and Austin Reaves already in the backcourt, that seems unlikely.
In the end, the Blazers would like to deal Holiday, but finding a deal they like will likely prove difficult.
Dejounte Murray: New Orleans Pelicans
It’s clear the Pelicans would like to clear out some of their veterans before the trade deadline, and dealing Dejounte Murray is very high on their list.
They have reportedly been trying to ‘create a market’ for him. The issue is that the Pelicans have been asking for multiple first-round picks for Murray and talented wing Herb Jones.
If the Pelicans are going to stand firm with those demands, it’s unlikely we see Murray — or Jones, for that matter — dealt away. If Murray is dealt, the Kings could have him on their radar.
Jordan Poole: Sacramento Kings
If the Pelicans are going to be involved in a trade, it’s beginning to look like veteran guard Jordan Poole may be the one who is actually dealt.
Poole has suited up in just 28 games this season for the Pelicans and hasn’t played since Jan. 23, despite being healthy. The run of DNPs shows the Pelicans don’t have any plans for him, and he can likely be had on the cheap.
Poole’s injuries and salary (he’s owed nearly $32 million this season and over $34 million next) could make things difficult.
The Kings were tied to Poole in the offseason before he was traded from Washington to New Orleans, and with Poole potentially available at a discount, the Kings may pull the trigger.
Anfernee Simons: Boston Celtics
When the Celtics acquired Simons in the Holiday deal, it didn’t seem like he was long for Boston.
The Celtics, despite trading Holiday and Kristaps Porzingis and being without star Jayson Tatum due to his torn Achilles, have impressed this season. At 31-18, the Celtics are tied for first in the Atlantic Division and third overall in the East and could have Tatum back before the season ends. That has obviously changed their priorities, and they are more apt to hang on to a player like Simons.
Simons has taken a step back scoring-wise, averaging just 14.2 points per game. Yet, as evidenced by a 27-point performance in a win over the Bucks on Sunday, he can still light up the scoreboard.
It seems like the Celtics will hang on to Simons, but his expiring contract of $27.7 million will certainly be tempting for some.
