The NBA trade deadline in 2024 is about 11 weeks away, but each team has already started thinking about what they will do.
Every team will have a different trade deadline plan. They will have to figure out what positions they need to fill and decide whether to buy or sell star players.
While it’s still early, here’s what each team would do if today were the trade deadline.
Atlanta Hawks: Look for a Third-Star
Before the 2023–24 season, the Hawks had an overall record of 41–41. They are now 6–6 to start the new season.
The sample size is big enough to tell us that Atlanta will again be in the play-in game for the East. Trae Young, Dejounte Murray, and other great role players can only take the Hawks so far.
This is the team that needs a third star more than any other.
The Hawks can still trade more than one first-round pick, including their own or a pick in the 2024 draft via the Sacramento Kings, plus one in 2029 or 2030. They also have some interesting young players to give.
With the trade deadline, this could be a place for Karl-Anthony Towns, Pascal Siakam, OG Anunoby, or Jerami Grant to go.
Boston Celtics: Leave a spot on the roster open for the buyout market
The Celtics are the best basketball team, with a 10-2 record and a league-high plus-12.7 net rating. They shouldn’t feel rushed to make a move by the deadline. Instead, they should let this new squad with Jrue Holiday and Kristaps Porzingis continue to develop.
Having another wing player on the bench would be nice, but Boston can wait. They have filled 14-15 available roster spots so far, leaving one open for a possible sale candidate after the trade deadline.
If veterans want to win a title, the Celtics should be at the top of the teams they could sign with.
Since Boston’s big deals have already been made, they should feel free to do something at the deadline.
Brooklyn Nets: Give it your all for the playoffs
This season, the Nets are one of the most interesting teams because they have a lot of talented players who have been hurt early on.
A core of Mikal Bridges, Cam Thomas, Nic Claxton, and Cam Johnson is a good place to start, even though the four have only had three plays together. Brooklyn has no reason to end the season early, even though there are health worries.
Because of the James Harden move (the 2021 version, not the 2022 or 2023 versions), the Nets owe the Houston Rockets their unprotected first-round pick. This means any deal made before the deadline should bring in talent, not send any away.
Since Thomas, Claxton, Johnson, and Ben Simmons have missed 25 games, it’s hard to say what this team needs. However, Brooklyn should still try to buy at the deadline.
Charlotte Hornets: Buy Gordon Hayward, Terry Rozier, and Other Veterans
There was hope that LaMelo Ball’s healthy season and the arrival of No. 2 overall pick Brandon Miller would help the Hornets forget about their terrible 2022–23 season, but they still have a 3–9 record and are stuck at the bottom of the East.
Adding another top draft pick to the Ball, Miller, Mark Williams, and P.J. Washington group would be best for the team as a whole, but that can only happen if the Hornets win the lottery again. The San Antonio Spurs own their 2024 pick and will keep it in the top 14 for the next two years.
It’s time for Charlotte to be honest with itself and quickly reset the team by trading leaders like Gordon Hayward and Terry Rozier for whatever will come back. Getting back some draft picks and defensive help would be great. Their defensive ranking is the worst in the NBA at 121.4.
The plan should give Miller enough time to show what he can do while trying to add another top young player from the 2024 draft.
Chicago Bulls: Begin the Unavoidable Rebuild
It shouldn’t be a surprise that the Bulls are 5-9 to start the season.
There’s more pressure than ever to choose the team’s future now that DeMar DeRozan is about to become a free agent. We knew this group could only work with a high-level point guard like Lonzo Ball leading the way.
You can count on Chicago to do what it needs to do and start rebuilding gradually.
Alex Caruso is a great defensive player with less than a $10 million deal. Every contender should call him. At least one team should be ready to trade real players for Zach LaVine, and DeRozan is still a living bucket at 34 years old.
The Bulls need to be better to be in the running for the playoffs. The garage sale sign must be in front of the United Center. Let’s see what people offer.
Cleveland Cavaliers: Identify a Point Guard Reserve
The Cavs have had a hard time finding someone who can both move and pass because Darius Garland, Donovan Mitchell, and Ty Jerome have been hurt and have missed 17 games. Ricky Rubio, who was meant to be Garland’s main backup, is still not with the team because he needs to take care of his mental health.
So, Cleveland is only ranked 20th overall in offense (110.8 rating) and 24th in assist rate (58.6 percent), which has helped them get off to a dull 6-6 start.
The Cavs could use another ball-handler in the backcourt to pass to Evan Mobley, Jarrett Allen, Max Strus, and others if Rubio doesn’t come back this season, or even if he does.
By the deadline, the Cavaliers could be a sneaky place for Malcolm Brogdon to go.
Dallas Mavericks: Get a better wing player
Four starters for the Mavericks have already been signed. Luka Doncic and Kyrie Irving are All-Stars in the backcourt, and Grant Williams and Dereck Lively II are two young, hopeful players in the frontcourt.
The small forward spot has been taken by Derrick Jones Jr., who has been on five teams in eight years and is now on his fifth. Even though he’s been fine so far (8.9 points, 3.8 rebounds, 35.3% from three), Dallas should still be looking to improve this spot.
With a defense ranked 25th, the Mavericks should be looking for athletic wings like OG Anunoby or Jerami Grant at the trade deadline. These players can defend multiple spots and add some offensive spark.
The Mavs should be able to make one more big trade before the playoffs start since they still have some valuable assets to give, like a first-round pick in 2027, Jaden Hardy, Josh Green, and others.
Denver Nuggets: Find One More Vet Who Has Playoff Experience
They don’t need much to win again because Denver (9-3) hasn’t been hurt that much, even though Jamal Murray hurt his knee.
In the normal season, the Nuggets can get by with young wings like Peyton Watson and Julian Strawther playing a mix of minutes. But in the playoffs, things will be very different. At times, Denver will need a veteran like Bruce Brown, who won’t be scared when the Heat is on.
Currently, the Denver Nuggets rank 25th in the NBA in bench points per game, averaging 28.7. They also ranked 20th in the league in negative plus-minus. This would give Denver a huge boost in the playoffs if they could add one more solid veteran at the trade deadline or through the buyout market.
Detroit Pistons: Finalize deals for contracts that are about to expire
With a 2-11 record, the Pistons are still at the bottom of the East, even though Cade Cunningham has returned from surgery on his shin.
At the deadline and next summer, when players like Killian Hayes, James Wiseman, Joe Harris, Alec Burks, Monte Morris, Kevin Knox, and Isaiah Livers will all become free agents, Troy Weaver and the rest of Detroit’s front office will have to make a lot of tough choices.
Should the team try to re-sign Burks or sell him now while he’s still worth a lot? Hayes has started every game this season. Does the team still want him, or should they move on because he isn’t scoring?
Detroit needs to have a plan for all its contracts that are about to run out before the deadline.
Golden State Warriors: Incorporate a Vibrant Offense
Klay Thompson (14.0 points, 33.0% from three) has had a terrible start to the season, and the pool has started to dry up on one-half of the Splash twins.
Without Jordan Poole to help with offense, Stephen Curry has had to do way too much for a 35-year-old. He’s scoring more than twice as many points (30) per game as the next closest Warrior, Thompson.
Golden State’s offense used to be the best in the league, but now it’s only ranked 16th overall (112.2 rating) and 27th in minutes without Curry (110.0 rating).
Should Moses Moody and Jonathan Kuminga not be able to take on bigger offensive roles right away, the Warriors will need to find another proven scorer before the deadline. They need someone to help Curry stay healthy for the playoffs if Golden State makes it that far.
Houston Rockets: Obtain a Rim Protector
With a 6-4 start, the Rockets have been one of the best surprises in the league so far. They are in the running for the West playoff spot.
One of the main reasons is third-year center Alperen Sengun’s play. The 21-year-old leads Houston in scoring (19.8 points per game), rebounds (8.2), and assists (5.7), but Fred VanVleet has more.
However, Sengun‘s defense is not as strong as other big men in the league.
Houston has 3.5 blocked shots per game, which is the 28th-best rate in the league. On the other hand, Sengun is letting opponents make 69.0 percent of their shots at the basket, which is the worst mark of any player who has blocked 62 shots or more.
The Rockets should find a backup center who can guard the basket and grab rebounds. This would change the way the frontcourt plays without Sengun.
Indiana Pacers: It's time to buy, buy, buy with an offense that works well together
We thought the Pacers would be the surprise trade deadline buys, and their 7–4 start to the season has only proven us right.
At the start of play on Sunday, Indiana had the best offense in NBA history (122.0 rating). As long as Tyrese Haliburton is on the court, Indiana should be considered a real playoff threat.
The Pacers have two first-round picks in 2024, all of their picks going forward, and a lot of young talent. They should be in the running for a star at the trade deadline, especially if the Toronto Raptors decide to let Pascal Siakam or OG Anunoby go.
Let’s put an end to any trade reports about Myles Turner for good. These Pacers are ready to buy.
L.A. Clippers: Make a time machine, and don't trade for James Harden
James Harden still needs to be in better shape! They’re still getting used to each other! Allow them more time!
Spray some lighter fluid for any reason, and light a match. In the end, trading for Harden was a terrible idea for the Clippers, just like it was for the 76ers and Nets in the past.
Harden was getting a younger, better version of himself on those teams that fit in better with their other players. Harden is now another old-wing player who likes to handle the ball on a team that needs to get younger and move the ball around more.
Harden, Kawhi Leonard, Paul George, and Russell Westbrook have had 162 possessions together so far and have a net rating of -16.5. Their attack is ranked in the top 1% (98.1 rating). Leonard, George, and Westbrook were beating opponents by 31.5 points per 100 possessions before Harden was traded for. This was a 48-point-per-100-possession (!!!) change.
The Clippers can only be saved if Westbrook agrees to come off the bench.
Los Angeles Lakers: LeBron James Can Get What He Wants
LeBron James is still a wonder of modern times. Every night, he scores 25.5 points, grabs 8.3 rebounds, gives 6.3 assists, and steals 1.6 balls while hitting a career-high 57.2 percent. He is only a few weeks away from his 39th birthday.
Every time he’s had the chance to hand the ball off to Anthony Davis, the skilled but inconsistent center has turned it down. Even though James can become an independent free agent this summer, the Lakers still have to give him what he wants.
This could mean trying to trade for Zach LaVine, a Klutch agent, or DeMar DeRozan, who used to play against them in the playoffs. Either of these players could step in and score on nights when James is tired, and Davis is asleep.
Even though James is old, the Lakers still need him to play at an All-NBA level. So, they made him happy and convinced him to stay in L.A., which will depend on what this team does before the deal deadline.
Memphis Grizzlies: Look for a New Starting Center
Memphis’s loss of Steven Adams to knee surgery was terrible. The team is now holding it together with duct tape and string while they wait for Ja Morant to come back from suspension.
Finding someone to replace Adams is also important, even if it’s just for this season. Not to put Bismack Biyombo or Xavier Tillman Sr. down, but at this point in their careers, they would be better as backups than leaders.
They might have to try to get Clint Capela or Nikola Vučević to do this. Getting Vučević would help the 28th-ranked attack come alive.
The Grizzlies might only be able to make a move in February. They should be in trade talks with the rest of the league to keep this season from ending too soon.
Miami Heat: Keep looking for a star guard
Miami got off to a good 8-5 start, even though their starting point guard was 37-year-old Kyle Lowry, and Tyler Herro only played eight times before hurting his ankle.
Even so, the Heat should still be looking for a better backcourt player before the deadline. Lowry should be put back on the bench, where he was during last year’s Finals run.
They might try to get Zach LaVine or DeMar DeRozan or settle for Malcolm Brogdon or Tyus Jones instead. Lowry can’t play 30 minutes every night at his age and still be fresh for another long playoff run.
In the last few days, Miami should call up any available all-star guards.
Milwaukee Bucks: Recruit a Point-of-Attack Defender
No NBA general manager would have thought to trade Jrue Holiday for Damian Lillard, even though it has worsened the Bucks‘ defense.
Milwaukee’s defense has gone from being ranked No. 4 last season (110.9 rating) to No. 23 now (114.6 rating) because they don’t have a point-of-attack defender to slow down rival ball-handlers. Lillard and Malik Beasley can score many points, but neither can stop anyone else from making shots outside the line.
The Bucks could still use an extra top-level defender in the backcourt, especially when the playoffs come around. Giannis Antetokounmpo and Brook Lopez can still hold down the back line.
This is a great place for Alex Caruso to go, but Milwaukee might need more trade chips left to get him.
Minnesota Timberwolves: Look at the trade offers for Karl-Anthony Towns
There shouldn’t be any deal talk about Karl-Anthony Towns now that the team is 9-3 and tied for first place in the West.
It shouldn’t happen at all.
The Timberwolves are about to get hit with a big luxury tax bill, and Towns has a huge four-year, $222.7 million deal starting next season. Minnesota has to be sure that Towns is making this team much better.
The facts show that this isn’t true, just like they did last season.
It’s a plus-2.1 for the Wolves when Anthony Edwards, Karl Towns, and Rudy Gobert are all on the court together. This number goes up to plus-27.3 when Edwards, Gobert, and Towns are all on the bench.
The Timberwolves should at least try to trade Towns and see what offers come in while he’s still making $36 million a year, which makes him much easier to trade.
New Orleans Pelicans: Spend more without paying more in taxes
The Pelicans have been a mess this season on both ends of the court. This is in part because CJ McCollum collapsed his lung, and Trey Murphy III is still healing from the knee surgery we did in the summer.
If the New Orleans team is healthy, they should still be good and not try to make any big changes.
Also, the Pelicans are one of the few teams just over the luxury tax line—they’re only $2.9 million.
This is the most likely way to go, especially if New Orleans can get a useful minimum-salary player in exchange. Kira Lewis Jr.’s deal is worth $5.7 million.
New York Knicks: Use Evan Fournier's contract to match his salary in a trade
Evan Fournier does not play for the Knicks but still watches. He should be a great trade target at the trade deadline.
His deal, up at $18.9 million (with a $19.0 million team option), could be useful as a salary-matcher while keeping the rest of this core together.
It looks like this number goes with OG Anunoby, Bojan Bogdanović, Kelly Olynyk, or a package of Doug McDermott and Cedi Osman.
There are extra first-round picks that could be used to trade Fournier for draft capital and get another player for the New York rotation.
Oklahoma City Thunder: Include Rebound Assistance
It shouldn’t be surprising that the Thunder are 9-4 this season.
This young basketball team is one of the most exciting in the league. They might already be ready to win a playoff round or two.
This group’s weakness is needing more inside strength and rebounding. Chet Holmgren is one of the best big men in the NBA because he can handle the ball, shoot, and protect the rim. But he will need more time to beat the league’s bigger and stronger centers.
Only the 2-10 Washington Wizards are better than OKC in terms of overall rebound rate this season (46.9 percent).
Adding a standard big man who can clean the glass a lot would help the Thunder get more second-chance shots and take away more chances for their opponents.
Orlando Magic: Get some more shooters
The Orlando Magic have started the season 7-5, relying heavily on their league-best defense to compensate for their struggling offense.
Orlando is ranked 29th in the country in three-point shooting (32.9%) and 27th in made threes per game (10.3).
Only Gary Harris and Paolo Banchero are making more than 34.7 percent of their three-point shots for the Magic. They are two of the top ten players in terms of tries. Even Joe Ingles, a key free agent signing, has had a rough start (32.4%).
Markelle Fultz is the only non-shooter in the backcourt; he has gone 0-for-3 in five games. This team needs more floor-spacers who can make shots.
Philadelphia 76ers: Cash in on James Harden Trade Chips
The 76ers must be happy with the trade for James Harden, even if they don’t use the draft picks they got from the Clippers.
Robert Covington and Nicolas Batum have immediately started or stepped into rotational roles. The 76ers also have two extra first-round picks in the future and a first-round pick swap that they can use in a trade.
They don’t need another All-Star guard because Tyrese Maxey is playing so well. Instead, they should be happy to add a high-level player.
At least this trade put Philadelphia in a position to sign a star player if one comes up for free, which they were far from a few weeks ago.
Phoenix Suns: Look into Center Improvements
The Suns made the right choice when they traded Deandre Ayton, but that doesn’t mean that Jusuf Nurkic is the answer.
His passing has been good for a Phoenix team that doesn’t have a standard point guard and has only played three games with Bradley Beal healthy. His flaws can’t be overlooked, particularly on a championship team.
Nurkic isn’t a good blocker, so this season, opponents have been able to shoot 62% at the basket. At 40.4 percent overall, the 29-year-old is shooting worse than ever before in his career, and he has been terrible from three-point range, making only 25.8 percent of his 2.6 tries per game.
The Suns don’t need an All-Star center. What they need is a center who can defend, make open threes, and set screens for the other stars on the team. Nurkic doesn’t work well with them.
Portland Trail Blazers: Buy Jerami Grant
Right where they should be, the Blazers are 3-9 and near the bottom of the West. They are also in great shape to get a top pick in the 2024 draft.
Getting Grant, who scores 22.7 points per game, is the next thing that needs to be done to help them get there.
Since Grant is a veteran forward who got paid $160 million over five years this summer, moving him to a contender would be good for everyone. He can help a lot of teams with his two-way skills. The Blazers should get a first-round pick in return and get more cap space in the future.
The best thing for Portland to do is trade Grant and Malcolm Brogdon for the best return possible.
Sacramento Kings: Bring in a Catch-and-Shoot Shooter
The Kings have 27.5 assists per game, which is fourth in the NBA. However, this number could be much higher if Sacramento was even average at hitting after the catch.
Even though Kevin Huerter and Harrison Barnes are on the team, the Kings are dead last in both catch-and-shoot field goal percentage (47.8 percent) and three-point percentage (32.3 percent).
De’Aaron Fox, Domantas Sabonis, and Malik Monk are all good at handling the ball and making plays, but the reserve group could use one more dead-eye shooter who can move the ball around and get a shot up quickly.
Sacramento doesn’t have to make any big moves before the deadline, but it should keep an eye out for a cheap shooter in case one comes up.
San Antonio Spurs: Keep reshaping the roster around Victor Wembanyama
Not even Victor Wembanyama can save the Spurs this season. San Antonio is ranked 29th in both attack and defense. They need more top-level young players and a real point guard to even have a chance of making the playoffs next year.
To buy or sell, the Spurs should always keep Wembanyama in mind when they make a move at the deadline.
It’s important to keep potential cap space open, especially if players from other teams are interested in playing with Wembanyama under Gregg Popovich. Even though Jeremy Sochan and Tre Jones are officially point guards, it would be smart to try out another young floor general if one comes up.
There is now only Wemby in the company. The only goal is to make the most of his skills.
Toronto Raptors: Evaluate the Market for Every Player, Including Scottie Barnes
The Raptors could still be buyers or sellers at the end of the season with a record of 5-7.
Dennis Schroder, OG Anunoby, Scottie Barnes, Pascal Siakam, and Jakob Poeltl have been a good starting five, but they’ve only been good enough to beat teams by 2.5 points per 100 plays.
The front office should answer the phone when it rings, even if Toronto doesn’t trade away any key players.
Siakam and Anunoby are set to become free agents next year, a year after Fred VanVleet left for no reason. At least the Raptors need to find out what other teams are interested in their stars.
Utah Jazz: Transfer Jordan Clarkson to a Contender status
The Jazz could offer skill and future draft picks in exchange for a team, but this one is still being prepared for the playoffs.
Utah should do the right thing by Jordan Clarkson at the trade deadline and send the 31-year-old to a team that wants to make the playoffs, where he can start or fill in as a sixth man. Clarkson is having another good year (19.3 points, 3.3 rebounds, and 4.8 assists in 31.8 minutes), but the younger guards would have more chances if he were moved.
It would be better for Utah if Clarkson weren’t there because players like Keyonte George, Collin Sexton, Talen Horton-Tucker, and Ochai Agbaji would get more touches and shots.
Clarkson will likely be good enough to get this team another first-round pick.
Washington Wizards: Complete the Reconstruction
Calling the 202 area code should be the first thing that teams in the running for the playoffs do to improve their teams.
Before the end of February, the Wizards should be fully open for business, eager to finish a yard sale that started in the summer.
Everyone but Bilal Coulibaly, Deni Avdija, and Corey Kispert should be at the table, as Washington is completely taken apart. Kyle Kuzma and Tyus Jones should bring in a good amount of money, but getting out of Jordan Poole’s deal might cost a lot in draft picks.
The main goal here is to tank the season in order to get the first pick in the 2024 NBA draft.
