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The 2025 NBA Trade Deadline is less than two weeks away. Things are heating up, and several players’ names throughout the league have been rumored to potentially be dealt to different teams. Whether teams are in sell mode, rebuild mode, or just trying to add the missing piece to a championship roster, there are bound to be several key trades throughout the league over this two week stretch. In this article I’m going to talk about one player from each team that I believe people should keep their eyes on possibly being traded over the next couple weeks.
1 HUGE Trade Target For All 32 NBA Teams Before The Trade Deadline
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Atlanta Hawks:
Player: Clint Capela
Capela isn’t near the peak of his career by any means, but is still playing efficient basketball at this point in his career. He’s a premier rebounder and still can block shots at a high rate. His minutes load has decreased, but he still can be a key rotational player in a system that is looking to compete come playoff time. Capela is currently making $22 Million and is in the last year of his contract. Atlanta should look to move him before the deadline, as the Hawks aren’t likely to re-sign him this summer.
Boston Celtics:
Player: Jaden Springer
Springer just had one of his best games as a Celtic, Wednesday night against the Clippers. He’s a defensive menace when he gets the chance to play. He picked up 4 steals and hit clutch threes in a step up role Wednesday night for an undermanned Celtics team. The simple reason Springer should be moved is that he has chances to show his intensity in games, but on such a deep roster he only gets 4.8 MPG. Springer will become an UFA this summer, and deserves a role where he can play more on another team. The Celtics don’t have to move on from anyone, but if I had to pick a player I believe Springer deserves a role elsewhere.
Brooklyn Nets:
Player: Cam Thomas
With names like Cam Johnson being rumored to have interest amongst contenders in the league, you may be wondering why I chose the other Cam instead. It’s no secret that the Nets are in rebuild mode, and have moved off many of the players that they got in return from Kyrie and Durant trades. Johnson is a great young talent that trading to accumulate more picks doesn’t really make a whole lot of sense. The Nets have already gotten many picks from other teams, and at some point you need to retain and continue to develop quality talent that you possess.
1 HUGE Trade Target For All 32 NBA Teams Before The Trade Deadline
Regarding Cam Thomas, he is a RFA this summer, and is bound to get a big pay day. When Thomas has it going, he can score like any other star player can on the offensive end. Thomas should be traded due to the state of the Nets’ rebuild, and the value that can be returned in a trade for what Thomas brings to the table. There’s no doubt Thomas is a talented young player, but he doesn’t feel like a long term piece to build around for a Nets squad that will need a few years to get back to being a serious playoff roster.
Charlotte Hornets:
Player: Tre Mann
The Hornets are another team currently in rebuild, with a lot of young players on their roster. Tre Mann has been a great role player in OKC and Charlotte in his young career, and can be a microwave in whatever situation you put him in. His contract is set to expire after this season, and he will become a RFA this summer. Mann can be a valuable piece to a playoff team’s rotation, and can give 8-10 PPG when needed, which can be valuable to teams looking to add some scoring and depth to their roster for cheap.
Chicago Bulls:
Player: Zach Lavine
The Bulls are currently in a weird situation where they have a solid roster and would make the play-in tournament if the season ended today, but aren’t all too competitive to make anything past a first round appearance. Lavine has been rumored for quite some time to go to different teams, and is one of the bigger names on the trade market that a team can acquire.
His $43 Million per year contract, that still has a couple years left, can make it hard for team’s to match salary in a deal, but the upside of the talent Lavine can provide can be worth it for a playoff push, and can open a window for a team to contend the next couple of years. Look for a Lavine trade to probably be part of a multi team deal if one were to happen.
Cleveland Cavaliers:
Player: Caris Levert
Levert has taken a step down in production this season, and has missed some time recently with injuries. He’s also on the final year of his contract, and can be moved as a piece in a trade for a rotational player that the Cavs may look to add soon. If a Cam Johnson trade were to happen with the Cavs, Levert would likely be a contract sent to Brooklyn or involved in another deal.
Dallas Mavericks:
Player: Quentin Grimes
Grimes has shown in his young career the potential he has. He’s currently on a cheap rookie deal that is expiring this summer, making him a RFA. Grimes should gain some interest from higher seeded teams, as he can average double figures off the bench on any trade suitor. Grimes can contribute right away with a higher usage load than he had on a Mavs team with solid backcourt depth already. The Mavs could look to use Grimes in a deal to get back a center, after Dereck Lively recently suffered an injury that will keep him out for several months.
Denver Nuggets:
Player: Michael Porter Jr.
Porter Jr. is currently on his third to last year on a long term deal where he will be paid up to $40 Million his final year. Porter is still a young player, and has been victim to several injuries dating back to before he was in the league. Porter has had an uptick in play the last couple seasons, as he is finally able to stay on the court. Porter can be streaky at times and is often scrutinized for his play on the defensive end. Look to see Porter potentially moved in a deal if the Nuggets get in the sweepstakes of a player the likes of Zach Lavine or any other big names that become available on the trade market.
Detroit Pistons:
Player: Isaiah Stewart
The Pistons are having one of their best years since the Blake Griffin era, and are rapidly progressing past a rebuild to a playoff team. Much of the youth in their core has continued to develop well, and the Pistons could be a couple years out of being respected once again. Stewart is a player I think they should look to move on from due to the emergence of Jalen Duren. Stewart can be used to add another key piece to this roster that can be vital moving forward. Stewart paired with another young player and some picks would be an intriguing deal to attain a player like Nikola Vucevic from the Bulls if they chose to part ways.
Golden State Warriors:
Player: Andrew Wiggins
Just three years after winning a 4th championship in the Curry era, the Warriors have been struggling lately to stay in the top 10 in the West. Curry is having one of his lowest PPG since his early 20s. Curry only has so much time left in his career, and if Golden State wants to retain him, they likely will have to make a move to try and remain competitive. They already went out and got Dennis Schroder after a hot start to the year, but since then have struggled. Wiggins is still putting up a solid 17 PPG for Golden State, but it seems like his time in Golden State may soon come to an end, with the recent struggle they have been enduring.
Houston Rockets:
Player: Steven Adams
The Rockets have been one of the more surprising teams this year, currently towards the top of the West. The Rockets have many young players that make up their core, but veteran Steven Adams might find his time as a Rocket ending soon. Adams has only averaged around 11 MPG this year, and is playing behind young stars like Alperen Sengun. Adams is set to become a free agent this summer, and can be valuable to a team looking for an elite rebounder, especially on the offensive end, down the stretch in the second half of the season.
Indiana Pacers:
Player: N/A
The Pacers have been heating up recently, in the mix for playoff seeding similar to last year. Indiana needs to focus on remaining healthy after dealing with some injuries and inconsistency in play earlier this season. At the moment, there are no urgent trades or players that I think they should move on from, and should focus on continuing to gel the personnel that they have right now.
Los Angeles Clippers:
Player: Bones Hyland
Hyland was traded a couple of seasons ago, where he has since been buried on the bench behind many of the other guards on the Clippers. Hyland is another player that can catch fire at times, and can be a spark off the bench. With his contract set to expire, look for a team needing end of the rotation scoring to possibly pick him up in a deal.
Los Angeles Lakers:
Player: Gabe Vincent
With a short tenure in Los Angeles, Vincent hasn’t exactly played to his highest caliber like he did in previous years with Miami. Vincent seems like he needs a change of scenery to try and blossom back into the player he once was.
1 HUGE Trade Target For All 32 NBA Teams Before The Trade Deadline
Memphis Grizzlies:
Player: Marcus Smart
Smart has been on and off the court in his two years in Memphis so far, and doesn’t seem to be too in line with the Grizzlies current timeline. Smart has had short spurts of what we saw from his days in Boston, but he is another player that needs to be moved to try and reset himself. Smart is shooting very poorly from the field and is averaging the fewest MPG in his career.
Miami Heat:
Player: Jimmy Butler
This is probably the easiest pick amongst all the teams going into this deadline. Butler clearly is done with the Heat, picking up several suspensions, and having many unprofessional interactions with his franchise. Whether trading for Butler is a smart move or not, the Heat need to get him away while they can get something back, before he likely opts out of the final year of his deal this summer, and is lost for nothing in free agency.
Milwaukee Bucks:
Player: Pat Connaughton
Connaughton has struggled this year after excelling as a role player with the Bucks over the past several seasons, including their 2021 championship run. Pat has a player option on his contract next season, and can become a free agent if he chooses to decline it. Pat’s numbers in the box score aren’t mind blowing, but in the past he has served as a key player in the Bucks’ system of the bench and can provide a similar role on another team.
Minnesota Timberwolves:
Player: Donte DiVincenzo
DiVincenzo was recently acquired in the trade this past offseason that sent Karl-Anthony Towns to the Knicks. The Knicks seem to have won that trade by a landslide, as Donte has struggled in the new system in Minnesota. The Timberwolves as a whole have been playing well below the level they produced last year, currently 23-2 (as of 1/22/24). Donte, similarly to Marcus Smart, can be very valuable in a new system and find himself back in a rhythm on a new roster.
New Orleans Pelicans:
Player: Anyone
Realistically, I don’t mean anyone, but there have been rumors around mainly Brandon Ingram, Dejonte Murray, and Zion Williamson. Zion isn’t likely to be dealt, but the patience around him can only last so long before you just have to move on. Ingram has missed a long time period recently with injury, and with the struggling year the Pelicans are having, he could very well also be traded. Lastly, Murray has been playing much better over the last few weeks, as can be moved with the potential interest he has, as one of the bigger guards on a potential selling team as we approach the deadline.
New York Knicks:
Player: Mitchell Robinson
The Knicks are having one of their best years in the last decade, and have positioned themselves comfortably in the top 3 in the East. Although they still have to improve their bench if they can, there is no particular player that I think they have to move at the deadline. Mitchell Robinson is still working to come back and make his season debut soon, but if I were the Knicks, I would maybe hear out calls on him if they got back something of value for their bench since they have played so well without him already. If not, I would mostly keep their core intact as there’s no reason to disrupt their success.
Oklahoma City Thunder:
Player: No One
The Thunder have been the best team in the league in my opinion, and their record supports that. The Thunder have so much depth and talent that it’s not worth making any major moves or moving anyone when they’re playing so well. Chet Holmgren, who’s already a top 10 big in the league in his second year, has missed much of this season after a great start, due to injury. The Thunder will be very dangerous come playoff time when he is back and ready to go.
Orlando Magic:
Player: Jonathan Isaac
Isaac has unfortunately been known more for the times he has had injuries rather than what he can provide for his team. After a strong start to his career, where he is known for his elite defensive abilities, he has only played 244 games since being drafted in 2017. The Magic have been rumored around names like Dejonte Murray, and Isaac is certainly a contract that can be used in a deal to acquire a player to elevate the Magic to a team that can make it past the first round of the playoffs for the first time since 2010. Isaac, when healthy, could be a valuable rotational piece, but would be more of a trade piece than a desired player for other teams to specifically go out and acquire.
Philadelphia 76ers:
Player: Reggie Jackson
The Sixers have been extremely underwhelming this season so far, and already feel like a team that should wait till the offseason to make any major moves to put themselves back in contention. Injuries have plagued them, but either way when healthy, their stars haven’t performed to par.
Jackson was acquired this past offseason after signing a one year contract with the 76ers. Playing just 11.8 MPG in 24 games this season, Jackson has seen a dip in his role with Philly compared to the production he provided in Denver and for the Clippers over the past few seasons. Jackson is yet again another player that is a low risk, high reward player, for a team trying to close the lid on the bottom of their rotation. He is a great veteran presence on any team, and can be a great stay ready player that’s on a cheap one year deal.
Phoenix Suns:
Player: Bradley Beal
The Bradley Beal experiment did not go to plan in Phoenix, and will likely end in the next few months. Beal has struggled to stay on the court and put up the numbers people expected, after playing great ball in DC as their #1 option. A decline in numbers was expected, as he would be the third option behind Durant and Booker, but things never leveled the way fans and the organization hoped for, as the Suns have struggled as a team this season and in the playoffs last year.
Portland Trail Blazers:
Player: Robert Williams III
Timelord, as he was given the nickname in Boston, has struggled to stay healthy in his career, and has missed a lot of action in his two seasons with Portland. Williams was traded away to acquire Jrue Holiday, and missed most of last season due to injury. Rob has shown in the small windows of action when healthy, that he still has the drive to block shots, be all over the offensive glass, and be a high flyer around the rim. Portland has a lot of rotational bigs at the moment, with second year Uconn standout Donovan Clingan, and Deandre Ayton getting minutes ahead of Rob. Williams should be moved to a team that can use him and get him the proper minutes he deserves now that he’s healthy. There are many teams that will likely be calling GM Joe Cronin about Williams, to try and add him going into the second half of the season.
Sacramento Kings:
Player: Doug McDermott
The Kings are one of the hottest teams in the NBA right now, and have been on a heater since firing Mike Brown and replacing him with Doug Christie. There were rumors of players like De’Aaron Fox being moved earlier in the season, but now that the Kings are quickly ascending the standings, they can look to make a playoff push and upset some teams. There are no players I feel like they have to trade, but McDermott has been on a small minute load this year, and can be valued as a “stay ready” player on some playoff teams. He’s currently on a $2 Million, one year deal that is an easy move in a trade if a team has interest.
The Sacramento Kings Are a Darkhorse Finals Contender In The West
San Antonio Spurs:
Player: Tre Jones
Jones is currently on the final year of his contract, and is set to become a free agent this offseason. With the emergence of Stephon Castle, and the free agent signing of Chris Paul, Tre’s minutes have dropped significantly, after playing well as mainly a starter his last two seasons. The Spurs are currently out of the top 10 in the West, but in a very tight Western conference, a win streak can boost them back into the postseason. Jones could be another young player that a contender/playoff team should look to add to strengthen their roster.
Toronto Raptors:
Player: Bruce Brown
Brown left the Nuggets just weeks after they won the 2023 NBA Finals. That same season, he was dealt to Toronto for Pascal Siakam, as Toronto clearly has entered a rebuild. The Raptors have dealt with some injuries, but still have a lot of youth and talent that can be a great core in the approaching years. Brown’s deal expires this summer, and doesn’t seem as a likely candidate to re-sign. Brown is a valuable defender that is a bigger rotational name, potentially on the trade block for teams to acquire while they can.
Utah Jazz:
Player: John Collins
There are a few players on the Jazz that they might get calls on, but John Collins is currently having a pretty solid year, averaging an efficient 18.1 PPG. The Jazz are currently last in the West, and still have some ways to go to get back to being a playoff team. Don’t be surprised to see a name like Collin Sexton or Walker Kessler go, as teams see players like these as players they can insert into their rotation right away.
Washington Wizards:
Player: Malcolm Brogdon
Just a few years off of a 6MOY award, Brogdon can still provide a team with great production as a scorer and playmaker. A team like the Magic could be a potential suitor that is looking for veteran guard reliability and added depth for a playoff run this spring.
