Whether it be adding a star like Jimmy Butler or a role player like Quentin Grimes, each NBA team could greatly benefit from making a trade before the NBA trade deadline. Many teams are looking to make a playoff push, while others are buying into the idea of tanking, as their season has gotten off to a disastrous start. Below is a potential trade target for each NBA team:
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Boston Celtics – Jakob Poeltl
If the Celtics were to move before the deadline, it would probably be for a backup center. Jakob Poeltl is averaging 15/10.5/3 with 1.2 BLK and 1.2 STL a game for the Raptors this season. He is an elite in the middle, blocking shots, finishing at the rim, and grabbing rebounds. Any contender would be lucky to have this guy as a backup center, and if the young Raptors look to move on from the 29-year-old center, look for the reigning NBA Champions to pick him up.
Brooklyn Nets – Cam Whitmore
The Nets’ primary goal for the 2024-25 season is to win the Cooper Flagg sweepstakes. Even if they don’t get Flagg, this class is loaded so they should come out with a future star if they play their cards correctly. The Nets have nearly 15 first-round picks through 2030 and can potentially have four this upcoming draft, so the future looks bright in Brooklyn.
With some of those picks, they should acquire a young undervalued star before the all-star break so they can develop in the coming years with this new-look Nets team, and that should be Cam Whitmore. Whitmore has tons of offensive potential and is bouncing between the G League and NBA due to a lack of available minutes, but if Whitmore were to be traded to Brooklyn his usage would go way up and he will be able to break out into a star.
New York Knicks – Quentin Grimes
The Knicks need bench help, and they need it now. Grimes played his first three seasons in New York after being drafted by the Knicks in the 2021 NBA Draft. Grimes was inconsistent in shooting the ball but showed flashes of potential and was a great defender. The Knicks are bottom five in bench points per game this season and need help. Deuce McBride was hurt and Mitchell Robinson still hasn’t returned from injury but if the Knicks want to make a splash in the East and finish off games strong during the regular season, they need to add Quentin Grimes and extend their bench.
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Philadelphia 76ers – Bennedict Mathurin
The 76ers are currently 15-22, sitting 11th in the East and just out of the playoff picture. They have dealt with injuries to numerous key players like Jared McCain, Paul George, and Joel Embiid. Trading for Benedict Mathurin will give the 76ers a consistent scorer, which they are in dire need of. Mathurin is in his third year in the NBA and averaging 16.5 PTS on pretty efficient shooting numbers. The 76ers sit at 27th in the NBA in points per game and need a consistent offensive threat due to all the injuries on the roster.
Toronto Raptors – DeAndre Ayton
The Raptors need center help, as Jakob Poeltl is the weak link in the starting lineup. Although Ayton has a hefty contract, he is only 26 and a significant step up from Poeltl. Through 28 games this season Ayton is averaging 14/10, he is the same type of player as Jakob, just stronger in every asset of the game, and would fit better with this young developing core.
Chicago Bulls – Cam Johnson
The Bulls play extremely fast and offensive-minded basketball, and Cam Johnson is a perfect fit for their system. Johnson is a tremendous three-and-d player, averaging 19.5 PTS on 43.6% from three. The Bulls’ defense isn’t good at all, so Johnson brings in wing defense. The Nets are supposed to be tanking, so dumping a stud like Johnson off to a team for future assets is a no-brainer.
Cleveland Cavaliers – Brandon Ingram
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Brandon Ingram is set to be an unrestricted free agent after the 2024-25 season and likely will look elsewhere. The Pelicans should trade him to a contender to get value out of him before he walks away from this disastrous franchise. The Cavs are currently 33-5 and Ingram would fit perfectly at the three, moving Dean Wade to the bench. Ingram is averaging 22/5.5/5 this season and would be the perfect addition to a contender, and in this case, the Cavs should scoop him up.
Detroit Pistons – Michael Porter Jr.
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The Pistons have been on a heater as of late, winning 10 of their last 12 games. Cade Cunningham has looked like a full-blown superstar, and they must add a star to put alongside him. MPJ has a championship under his belt and is an elite scorer, averaging 18.8 PTS on 40.6% from three. Putting Cade next to a lethal scorer would put the league on notice, and speed up the Pistons contender process greatly.
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Indiana Pacers – Zach LaVine
The Pacers are in the top 12 in almost every single transition statistic and Zach LaVine is one of the best transition players in the NBA. Pairing an athletic, transition freak like Zach LaVine next to one of the best passers in the NBA Tyrese Haliburton is a match made in heaven. LaVine is top five in transition points per game and top 10 in transition possessions per game, so LaVine would fit right in with this fast-paced Pacers team looking to make a playoff push.
Milwaukee Bucks – Miles McBride
The key to the Bucks season is filling out their roster with shooters around Giannis, and it has been working as of late. Every Buck that shoots over three 3s a game is shooting over 37%, including AJ Green, Taurean Prince, and Gary Trent Jr. who are all shooting above 40% from three. Adding another bench threat like Deuce McBride, who is averaging 9 PTS on 39% from three this season off the bench for the Knicks would be lethal for the Bucks. McBride also brings elite guard defense to the table, something the Bucks don’t have.
Atlanta Hawks – C.J. McCollum
McCollum flourishes while playing next to elite guards at the two, as seen in Portland when he played alongside Damian Lillard for most of his career. The same thing would happen if he went to the Hawks, as Trae Young has transformed his game to pass first, and isn’t too much of a shot-chucker anymore. A core with Trae Young, Jalen Johnson, and C.J. McCollum would make noise in the East. McCollum is averaging 22.4 PTS on 37.4% from three, but those numbers could certainly skyrocket if he was put next to a star like Trae Young.
Charlotte Hornets – Anfernee Simons
The Hornets need offensive help, and they need it badly. They average the 29th most points per game and are 26th in 3pt %. Adding an offensive threat like Anfernee Simons could easily improve this offense. Simons is only 25 and in his 7th season in the NBA already, and is averaging 19 points and five assists per game. The Blazers are currently one of the worst teams in the NBA, while the Hornets have a solid young core with LaMelo Ball and Brandon Miller, so adding a young vet like Anfernee Simons to the roster would give the Hornets hope for years to come.
Miami Heat – Bradley Beal
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The Heat have needed to build around Tyler Herro and Bam Adebayo for the last few seasons, but Jimmy Butler is preventing that. Bam is one of the best young centers in the NBA, being a 3x all-star, finishing top five in DPOY five times in his career, and averaging 17/10/5 this season. Alongside him is Tyler Herro, who is an A+ scorer, averaging 24/5/5 this season, his best one yet. Bradley Beal has never been the 1A on a successful NBA team, and won’t need to be on this Heat team to make an impact. Adebayo and Herro are in the prime of their careers and have a solid supporting cast in Terry Rozier, Duncan Robinson, and Jaime Jaquez. All Beal needs to do is be an efficient scorer, which he has been for most of his career, and stay healthy. With Adebayo and Herro leading the charge and Beal leading the supporting cast, the Heat should find more success within the next few years.
Orlando Magic – Dejounte Murray
The Magic’s backcourt is very inconsistent when it comes to offense, and Dejountae Murray can change that. Although Murray is having a down-season shooting, he is a lethal scorer when put in the right system, and the Pelicans just don’t seem to be a fit for him. Murray averaged 20+ PPG the last three seasons and would wreak havoc paired up with Jalen Suggs in the backcourt. Not to mention KCP and Cole Anthony would add great depth off the bench for defense and scoring.
Washington Wizards – Mitchell Robinson
The Wizards drafted Alexandre Sarr with the 2nd overall pick in last year’s draft, and pairing him alongside Knicks’ center Mitchell Robinson would give the Wizards an elite interior defense and rebounding for years to come. Mitch is currently out with an injury and has yet to play this season, which will make his trade value less than what it should be, and he is one of if not the best offensive rebounders and shot blockers in the NBA. The Knicks need bench help badly and the Wizards have players such as Malcolm Brogdon or Corey Kispert that could help with that.
Denver Nuggets- Kentavious Caldwell-Pope
Kentavious Caldwell-Pope was the unsung hero of the Nuggets 2023 Championship team where he had 10.6 PTS on 38% from three while making his presence known on defense. Although the Nuggets now have Christian Braun and Russell Westbrook, giving up KCP was a mistake and they must trade back for him if they want another chance at a playoff push. Same scenario with Jrue Holiday being traded from Milwaukee after the 2021 Championship.
Minnesota Timberwolves- Tyus Jones
The Timberwolves have no true offensive identity, and they need a playmaking guard to make it happen. Conley is 37 years old, so trading for a younger guy will help fit their system better, and that is Tyus Jones. Jones is averaging 11.6 PTS and 6 AST while shooting 42.1% from three. Instead of Julius Randle and Anthony Edwards playing iso-hero ball, a dynamic point guard who is a solid playmaker would certainly help the fluidity of this offense, and make it thrive as a unit.
Oklahoma City Thunder- Jordan Poole
The Thunder are towards the bottom of the league when it comes to bench points, so adding a scorer to come off the bench would be most helpful. The Thunder have one of the most well-rounded squads in the NBA, but picking up a scorer who averages nearly 22 PPG on one of the worst teams in the NBA would help them come playoff time.
Portland Trail Blazers- Payton Pritchard
If Payton Pritchard was on a different team than the Celtics he would be a superstar. If traded to the Trail Blazers, he would be the best player on this team and thrive alongside Anfernee Simons. Pritchard is averaging nearly 15 PTS this season on 41.3% from three and has shown how high his ceiling truly is in the NBA. Pritchard is under contract until 2028 so if the Blazers gave up a haul of picks they would have him for at least the next three years, where he will become a superstar in the NBA.
Utah Jazz- De’Aaron Fox
The Jazz have a solid young core, John Collins, and a superstar in Lauri Markkanen. If the Jazz were able to get a star point guard they may just be a solid team, and De’Aaron Fox should be their guy. There have been rumors of Fox wanting out of Sacramento, where he has spent his first eight seasons and is averaging 27/6/5 so far this season. Fox is one of the most clutch players in the NBA, and the young talent on this roster would thrive under his leadership.
Golden State Warriors- Zion Williamson
The Warriors only have a few years left with Steph Curry, and if they want to push for another NBA Finals they must make a blockbuster trade for a player like Zion. Williamson is a former #1 overall pick who is averaging 24.5 PTS, 6.6 REB, and 4.2 AST over his career, and is an instant impact whenever he is healthy. Curry’s supporting cast this season is by far his worst one yet, so acquiring another star to play beside him is a must if they want to get the job done.
Los Angeles Clippers- Luke Kennard
Normal Powell and Ivica Zubac have become huge pieces to this Clippers organization, and if James Harden and Kawhi Leonard can stay healthy, this team is one small piece away from being a serious contender in the West. The Clippers need another scorer. The defense and playmaking are there, but another scoring guard to play alongside Harden and Powell is a must. That player should be former Clipper Luke Kennard. Kennard played in Los Angeles for three years and is a career 44% 3pt shooter, which one be a huge addition playing next to the new playmaking version of James Harden.
Los Angeles Lakers- Walker Kessler
Although Anthony Davis has been playing the five for the Lakers for a few years, he is not a true center. He is an elite shot blocker and rebounder, but he would benefit greatly on offense having another big man on the floor. Walker Kessler is averaging career highs in points, rebounds, and blocks, and the Jazz have been shopping him since before the season started. Kessler’s trade value is at an all-time high but he is a must acquire for the Lakers if they want to make a push for the NBA Finals this year.
Phoenix Suns- Jimmy Butler
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Jimmy Butler is a winner and one of the best playoff players in the last decade. He carried the Heat to two NBA finals, although they came up short in both. In the 2020 NBA Finals Jimmy averaged 26/10/8 on 55% FG and in the 2023 NBA Finals Butler averaged 22/6/4 on 37% from three. Butler plays on another level in the playoffs and being on an expiring contract, will be traded to a contender that will be able to re-sign him during the offseason after this season. The Suns have all the tools to make a playoff run, but Butler would be a clear upgrade from Bradley Beal. Beal hasn’t been playing great for the Suns and has almost no playoff experience.
Not to mention Beal hasn’t played in 60+ games since 2021, so his health may also be a liability come playoff time. If the Suns don’t win soon they may lose Kevin Durant and Devin Booker, and the Suns won’t be able to win with Bradley Beal, but they will be able to with Jimmy Butler.
Sacramento Kings- Jericho Sims
The Kings have so much talent on their roster but need a true rim protector. Jericho Sims has developed greatly this season on defense and would be the perfect fit for the Kings. Sims have been taken out of the rotation and haven’t seen much playing time, but would be valuable to this Kings team. Sims struggled on offense, but the Kings have so much talent they won’t need him offensively. Sims is also an athletic freak, which superstar Domontas Sabonis is not.
Dallas Mavericks- Jerami Grant
Due to the added talent to the Blazers roster over the last year or so, Jerami Grant’s stats have gone down, and he just doesn’t fit the team’s new identity anymore. Grant is averaging 15 PTS and 3.6 REB on 38% from three, and would help a contender out greatly. The Mavericks are dealing with injuries right now, so Grant would have an immediate impact on Dallas, but once they are fully healthy he would be the perfect 6th man. He can create shots and score from all three levels, something that would help the Mavericks en route to another NBA Finals appearance.
Houston Rockets- Cam Johnson
Cam Johnson would be the perfect fit for this Rockets team. They have an elite defense but struggle with efficiency on the offensive end, something that Johnson, a 43.6% three-point shooter can help with. Johnson is one of the elite 3&D players in the NBA, and adding him to the two seed in the West with loads of young talent may just be the move to put the Rockets in serious contender talks as soon as this year.
Memphis Grizzlies- Zion Williamson
Zion’s trade value is at an all-time low, and the Grizzlies should take advantage of that. The former #1 overall pick has only played in 8 games this season, averaging 22/7.5/5 with a block and 1.2 STL per game. After all the injuries the Grizzlies have had this season, they sit in third place in the loaded Western Conference, so adding another star to play with Ja Morant and JJJ would make this team an auto-contender.
New Orleans Pelicans- Nick Richards
Although rookie Yves Missi has stepped up and exceeded expectations for the Pelicans so far this season, New Orleans still lacks big-man depth. Nick Richards is averaging 8.9 PTS, 7.5 REB, and 1.2 BLK a game off the bench for the Hornets, and would be a great option for the Pelicans. Richards is very athletic and a solid shot blocker. Although the Pelicans season has been a complete disaster, they still have most of their core under contract for next year, so adding a needed piece at the deadline isn’t a bad idea.
San Antonio Spurs- Jonas Valenciunas
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The Spurs’ main need right now is a backup center. Wemby can’t play 48 minutes a night and Zach Collins and Charles Bassey just aren’t good enough options to push the Spurs into contention. Jonas Valenciunas has started just eight of the 37 games the Wizards have played so far this season and is averaging 11.7 points and 8.1 REB a game. Jonas is a much more reliable backup big man option for the Spurs, and they could probably take him off the rebuilding Wizards’ hands for cheap.
