The NBA trade deadline is approaching quickly, which means it’s time for all 30 teams to do some serious reflection on the season. Every organization needs to have its priorities set. This time of the season, it’s either starting the rebuilding process or trying to become a contender.
Contenders like the Cleveland Cavaliers, Boston Celtics, Houston Rockets, and Oklahoma City Thunder must decide whether to stand pat or chase one last piece of a potential championship puzzle.
Meanwhile, the tankers need to have their vets lined up and available for trade to start the rebuilding process. The teams in between have to establish and act on plans to either chase a playoff spot or call this season a wrap.
NBA Buyers or Sellers Ahead of the Trade Deadline
Note: All stats are accurate as of Feb. 1, 2025
Atlanta Hawks: Buyers
Currently, the Atlanta Hawks are ninth in the Eastern Conference with a 22-26 record. In the last 10 games, the Hawks are 3-7 and looking to make a roster move to start climbing the standings before the playoffs.
Atlanta gave control of their 2025, 2026, and 2027 first-round picks to the San Antonio Spurs in the Dejounte Murray trade, which should rule out the option of selling at the deadline. Tanking is out of the question.
The Hawks are ranked 16th on both offense and defense, so help of any type is worth pursuing. The only issue is money. Both Trae Young and De’Andre Hunter can add years to their current deals this summer. Atlanta could turn the expiring contracts of Clint Capela and Larry Nance Jr. into a player who makes close to $40 million this season, with more money guaranteed in future years.
As tempting as that might seem, the Hawks need to be careful.
Charlotte Hornets: Sellers
The Charlotte Hornets are on pace to have another down season, holding a 12-33 record and the 14th spot in the Eastern Conference. The Hornets already made a move with the Suns, reeling in Josh Okogie and three second-round picks for center Nick Richards and a 2025 second-rounder in a trade.
Heading toward the trade deadline, Charlotte will be actively trying to trade Vasilije Micić or Cody Martin. Martin would likely be easier to move for positive value considering his track record as a high-intensity defender who proved to be a capable spacer on offense. Martin and Micić would offer buyers financial flexibility, as their contracts have no guaranteed money after this season.
The Hornets should exercise some caution when taking back salaries, but they’re still early enough in their rebuild to justify absorbing bad money.
Chicago Bulls Trade Rumors: Zach LaVine Deal Heating Up Before NBA Deadline! https://t.co/fAeNr7rkBA
— Chicago Sports Podcast (@ChiSportsTracks) February 1, 2025
Chicago Bulls: Sellers
Currently, the Chicago Bulls are in a position to make the play-in tournament with a 21-28 record and the 10th spot in the Eastern Conference.
The Bulls need to face reality, rip the bandage off, and pursue a rebuild. Contenders around the league will show massive interest in Zach LaVine and Nikola Vučević. Chicago has been on the treadmill of mediocrity for years and has to make roster moves.
The goal: ship out Vučević for second-rounders and shop LaVine as hard as possible, settling for a single first-rounder if necessary. Also, don’t forget about point guard Coby White. White is averaging 18.3 points per game and can help a team lacking scoring off their bench.
Los Angeles Clippers: Buyers
The Los Angeles Clippers are 28-20 and are 7-3 over their last 10 games. The Clippers are sixth in the Western Conference and will look to become a contender come playoff time.
As the trade deadline approaches, L.A. will be in search of a frontcourt player who can stretch the floor. With Ivica Zubac attempting exactly two 3-pointers across the last four seasons combined, the Clippers need a big man who can shoot outside the paint.
The Clips could put in a call to the Toronto Raptors on Chris Boucher or Kelly Olynyk. If they include a small draft asset or Terance Mann or Kobe Brown, it shouldn’t be that hard to get Toronto to bite.
With a lineup that includes James Harden and Kawhi Leonard, the Clippers need some big man who can spread the floor to open lanes for these guys to drive to the hoop.
Memphis Grizzlies: Buyers
The Memphis Grizzlies are third in the Western Conference with a 32-16 record heading into the trade deadline. The Grizzlies have an active roster with 14 players averaging at least 14 minutes per game, and nobody is logging more than 30 per night. It’s proof that Memphis has the deepest team in the NBA.
Rookie Jaylen Wells has been a legitimate starter who can hit open 3s, make good decisions, and defend tough assignments on the other end, but he’s not a true wing and is undersized for the position. Marcus Smart, who was supposed to fill that role, has been injured and ineffective since coming aboard last season.
With Smart not fully healthy, Jimmy Butler might be the piece to put the Grizzlies over the edge. Butler is the biggest name on the market, and the Grizzlies are one of the few teams where his fit makes actual sense. It’d take more than Smart to land Butler and his $48.8 million salary, but Memphis could match the money.
