The Three Biggest Buyers & Sellers at the NBA Trade Deadline
With the trade deadline two weeks away, the rumors have continued to pour in. From Ben Simmons to De’Aaron Fox, a multitude of names have become mainstays in the predictive text of NBA reporters’ phones, and fans have patiently waited for all hell to break loose in the moments leading up to the big day.
Here are three of the biggest buyers and sellers (and two teams in between) leading up to the 2022 NBA Trade Deadline.
BUYERS
Los Angeles Lakers
The Lakers have been linked to numerous names, both big and small, in recent days. It appears GM Rob Pelinka is on the hunt for a solid wing player, one of LA’s biggest needs. Pistons forward Jerami Grant was at the top of the LakeShow’s wish list for a while, but according to Eric Pincus, that ship has sailed.
As Pelinka looks to upgrade the roster to better fit the big three of Westbrook, LeBron and AD, look for him to attempt to upgrade two particular positions: small forward and center. Aside from Grant, the Lakers could realistically acquire one of Kenrich Williams, Harrison Barnes or Torrey Craig to alleviate their need for wing depth. Improving their big man depth, however, will be a taller task (no pun intended), as one of their rumored main targets, Myles Turner, is currently out with a stress reaction in his left foot. With every potential rumor, expect a package of Talen Horton-Tucker, Kendrick Nunn and a draft pick to be in the mix, as the Lakers look to move their most tradable assets to continue their push for an 18th championship.
Oklahoma City Thunder
Thunder GM Sam Presti continues to seek out first-round picks like people seek out NFTs. It was recently reported that his asking price for young forward Kenrich Williams was — no surprise here — a first-round pick. A recent HoopsHype article said the Thunder are now able to “generate $34 million in cap space”, which means they can trade for almost any player without worrying about matching salaries. This development puts them in the mix for a salary-dump type of trade, possibly one that can enhance their rebuild for the time being. With Presti still eyeing draft capital and several of his young players — namely Williams, Mike Muscala and Ty Jerome — on the market, expect the Thunder to be making some calls in the coming weeks.
Sacramento Kings
After a five-game losing streak that included a 53-point demolition derby by the Celtics, it is expected that the Kings will be very active around the Feb. 10 deadline, not by blowing up the team, but acquiring better players to get over the hump. Some of their key players have been linked in discussions, most notably their backcourt of De’Aaron Fox and Buddy Hield. They have also reportedly “shown a willingness” to take on Tobias Harris’s contract in a potential Ben Simmons trade, which could be a game-changing move for both sides. Sacramento is clearly frustrated with their current play, and GM Monte McNair will be juggling the phones to make sure the team makes the right moves on a path towards success.
SELLERS
Detroit Pistons
The Pistons are not necessarily having a fire sale, but it’s more of a sale centered around one player: Jerami Grant. The 6’8” wing has made quite a buzz in front offices around the league, as he has been described as the “grand prize” of this year’s deadline. Other teams are trying every which way to make a deal that pleases GM Troy Weaver. Grant also provided the Pistons front office with a list of teams he would like to be traded to. The bottom line for Grant is that he wants to continue being the primary option on a team, which may leave many contenders with established scoring hierarchies out of the race. Still, however, Weaver and the Pistons brass seem determined to move Grant in a deal that benefits both sides, and putting him in the situation he wants to be in while they receive more assets for their rebuild would do just that.
Indiana Pacers
The 17–32 Pacers have been involved in rumors for what seems like an eternity (okay fine, it’s been a few months). With talks centered around both of their star big men, Domantas Sabonis and Myles Turner, it is apparent that GM Chad Buchanan would like hefty returns for both of them — ones that could help the Pacers move the needle forward as they eye a way out of purgatory and into a play-in or playoff spot. With Sabonis, the Pacers are seeking a package similar to what Orlando got when they traded Nikola Vucevic: two talented young players and two first-round picks. From the outset, this deal definitely looks achievable; however, it also limits the number of suitors Indiana could realistically make a deal with (i.e. lower-seeded playoff teams or lottery-bound squads). Turner’s aforementioned injury has hindered Indy’s discussions with potential trade partners, and reportedly derailed strong talks with the Portland Trail Blazers based on Turner’s timeline for recovery and how he would help them post-injury. Still, the 6’11” floor-spacing, shot-blocking center has some interest from other teams, and a trade for him could be imminent as the Pacers try to retool their roster once again.
Philadelphia 76ers
The Sixers’ story is becoming akin to a tale as old as time: player refuses to play for the team, team desperately tries to move him, team’s asking price is Mount-Everest-level high, and both sides are stuck with each other. The Sixers-Simmons relationship has grown more sour by the day, and with Feb. 10 fast approaching, Daryl Morey has yet to lower his asking price, proposing offers that are out-of-this-world insane while rejecting ones that, seemingly, make perfect sense. With Joel Embiid playing at an MVP level and Tyrese Maxey taking the reins as the starting point guard, it is becoming more likely that the 76ers will deal Ben Simmons. Forward Tobias Harris, who is owed $76 million until 2024, has also recently joined Simmons as Sixers who could be saying “see ya” to Philly. As the target date approaches, it would not be surprising to hear those rumors gain more traction, and with teams like Sacramento and Atlanta in the mix, we could be one step closer to seeing a major shake up in the city of Brotherly Love.
IN-BETWEEN TEAMS
Atlanta Hawks
After trading Cam Reddish for pennies on the dollar, it appears that Hawks GM Travis Schlenk is not done yet. Forward John Collins has been the focus of recent trade rumors, and Schlenk and the Hawks are reportedly looking for “a valuable first-round pick and a starting-caliber player” in return, according to Jake Fischer of Bleacher Report. Although Collins has been playing well this year and Atlanta is on a five-game winning streak, the Hawks may be tempted to move him in order to stay under the luxury tax for next year. It is currently unclear what direction the Hawks want to move in as far as trades go, but it is clear that whatever moves they make will be done to get them back in the playoff picture by season’s end.
Portland Trail Blazers
Finally, the Trail Blazers are in a major predicament as the deadline approaches. Following the firing of former team president and GM Neil Olshey, it is still unclear what direction Portland wants to take as they continue to struggle through the season. It has been noted by Fischer that veterans such as Robert Covington, Norman Powell, Jusuf Nurkic and, potentially, CJ McCollum could be on the move at the deadline. However, the Blazers continue to be stuck in a dilemma of whether to contend or rebuild. They have had bad injury luck this year and have limped along with a 20–28 record, but it should not be enough to overreact and blow the team up. Likewise, it remains to be seen what return Portland can get for those vets. All in all, the perplexing Portland Trail Blazers have brought up more questions than answers in NBA circles, and it will be interesting to see if and how assistant GM Joe Cronin shakes up the roster.
These nine teams are likely going to be the most active ones leading up to Feb. 10, and fans should definitely brace for cover as more Woj- and Shams-bombs fire away.
