NBA trade season: Team-by-team guide to the deadline

Waiting for the breakdown

 

"Houston needs to find a way to replace Ariza and Mbah a Moute."

 

With the rise of House, I think trading for Bazemore won't move the needle enough. We should consider going for a defensive PF like James Johnson.

Nonetheless, it's going to be hard to make a big splash this trade deadline because there are so many buyers and not enough sellers.

 

Houston Rockets

What to watch: $2.1 million in cash and Danuel House Jr.

The Rockets have $2.1 million in cash available after $1.0 million was sent to Chicago as part of the Michael Carter-Williams trade. Expect the Rockets to use what is left to find a taker for Carmelo Anthony. At the time of the trade deadline, Anthony will be owed $538,000, and moving his salary will save the Rockets $2.6 million in tax payments.

Because the days of service for House are approaching the maximum allowed (33), expect his two-way contract to be converted. Trading Carter-Williams opened a roster spot and gave the Rockets an extra four weeks before they have to trade or waive Anthony.

Restrictions/notes
•Houston has an available roster spot.
•Gary Clark and Austin Rivers cannot be traded.
•Chris Paul and Clint Capela have Jan. 15 trade restrictions.
•Gerald Green can veto any trade based on the one-year Bird restriction.
•James Harden has a 15 percent trade bonus worth $138,000 at the time of the deadline.
•The Rockets are restricted to sending out $2.1 million in cash.
•The current tax bill is $13.7 million.
•Houston has three trade exceptions: $2.6 million, $1.5 million and $995,000.​

 

I had a dream the other night that Morey would trade CC + draft rights for AD.

 

The sad part is that we would still be saying that even if we re-signed Luc...Has he even played 10 games this season??? Lol

 

NBA trade season: Team-by-team guide to the deadline

We break down what to watch for all 30 teams and what kinds of moves they can make before the Feb. 7 trade deadline.

Atlanta Hawks

What to watch: Jeremy Lin and Dewayne Dedmon

The Hawks are focused on player development, so if they make a move, it will likely involve these veterans. Both players are on expiring contracts and would provide bench depth for a playoff team. (Don't forget that veterans Ersan Ilyasova and Marco Belinelli were bought out by Atlanta in February.)

Lin and Dedmon have $750,000 and $900,000, respectively, in possible bonuses in their contracts that they would have to forfeit if they entertained buyouts.

Restrictions/notes
•Lin (Brooklyn) and Justin Anderson (Philadelphia) cannot be reacquired by their original teams during the season.

Boston Celtics

What to watch: The four first-round picks and Jabari Bird

GM Danny Ainge is sitting on an insurance policy with the potential to have four first-rounders in the June draft: the Celtics' own, the Kings' (protected for No. 1), the Grizzlies' (protected Nos. 1-8) and the Clippers' (lottery-protected). While all four certainly have value, Boston will be hesitant to put any in a trade based on the uncertainty of its own 2019 free agents.

With a payroll that projects to hit at least $140 million and Jaylen Brown becoming extension-eligible starting in July, those draft assets could be an inexpensive replacement for free agents Terry Rozier, Marcus Morris and Aron Baynes.

Bird's future in Boston has mostly gone unmentioned since September, when he was arrested for an alleged assault. A resolution will likely come this month or next -- in the form of a lengthy suspension or the Celtics attempting to void his contract. If Bird is off the roster -- something many in the NBA expect to happen after Jan. 1 -- expect Boston once again to be active in the buyout market with the open roster spot.

Restrictions/notes
•Marcus Smart cannot be traded until Jan. 15.
•Baynes can veto any trade based on the one-year Bird restriction.
•Gordon Hayward and Al Horford have 15 percent trade bonuses. The bonus at the time of the trade deadline would be valued at $1.5 million for Horford, while Hayward's would be voided because he currently makes the max.
•The Celtics are $4 million above the luxury tax with a current penalty of $6 million. Exceeding the $5 million tax threshold will cost Boston $1.75 for every $1 spent.
•Boston cannot acquire a player who was signed using the designated rookie scale criteria (such as Anthony Davis) with Kyrie Irving on the roster.
•The Celtics are restricted to sending out no more than $4.8 million cash in any trade.
•Boston has an open two-way roster spot.

Brooklyn Nets

What to watch: $43 million in expiring contracts

The Nets ended the speculation about the future of Spencer Dinwiddie when both sides agreed to a $34 million extension.

Now with the point guard under contract for a minimum of two seasons starting in 2019-20, the attention turns to the direction Brooklyn takes with the expiring contracts of DeMarre Carroll ($15.4), Kenneth Faried ($13.8), Jared Dudley ($9.5) and Ed Davis ($4.5).

The Nets' front office will have the following decisions to make leading up to the deadline:

1. Is there value in flipping the Faried or Carroll contract for a player who has years left (think Brandon Knight) if a first-round pick is attached?

Brooklyn would lose $15.6 million in room and has put a high premium on cap flexibility despite the Dinwiddie extension.

2. Does competing for the final playoff spot (and having a strong locker room presence) negate turning Carroll or Davis into an expiring contract if a second-round pick(s) is attached?

Both players would add depth to teams looking to make a strong push in the playoffs.

Restrictions/notes
•Spencer Dinwiddie cannot be traded
•The Nets are restricted to sending out $240K cash in trades.
•Joe Harris has a Jan. 15 trade restriction.
•Jared Dudley (Phoenix) and Kenneth Faried (Denver) cannot be reacquired by their original teams during the season.

Charlotte Hornets

What to watch: Frank Kaminsky

Many around the league predicted that Kaminsky -- set to be a free agent this summer -- would not be in a Hornets uniform after the trade deadline. Now Kaminsky has gone from buried on the bench to averaging 18.3 MPG in the past five games, including a season-high 26 in early December vs. New Orleans. Is he too valuable to Charlotte's playoff push to trade?

If he is on the roster past the trade deadline, Charlotte will have to decide if it's worth extending Kaminsky a qualifying offer and making him a restricted free agent.

Restrictions/notes
•Charlotte has one open roster spot.
•The Hornets can receive only up to $240,000 cash in any trade.
•Bismack Biyombo cannot be reacquired by Orlando during the season.
•Charlotte has a $7.8 million trade exception.
•The Hornets are $3.4 million below the luxury tax and have never paid the penalty.

Chicago Bulls

What to watch: Robin Lopez and Jabari Parker

The Bulls are once again headed for the draft lottery, and they recently fired head coach Fred Hoiberg. That -- plus the play of rookie Wendell Carter Jr. -- has made the veteran Lopez expendable on his expiring contract.

When it comes to Parker, Chicago has not been shy that the forward is not part of the future. Expect him to either be moved by the deadline or bought out by March 1.

Because Parker has a $20 million cap hit, interested teams will need to send back at a minimum $15 million in salary. While Parker still has high value around the league, putting a deal in place that does not have the Bulls taking back salary into 2019-20 could present a challenge. However, keep in mind that 50 percent of the NBA is on expiring contracts, and taking back one-year salaries could be the best option for the Bulls.

Restrictions/notes
•Chicago has an open roster spot.
•The Zach LaVine contract comes with three restrictions. The guard cannot be traded until Jan. 15, he has veto power on any trade, and he is prohibited from being acquired by the Kings during the season.
•Ryan Arcidiacono can veto any trade based on the one-year Bird restriction.
•Wayne Selden cannot be aggregated in a future trade.
•The Bulls have a $2.7 million trade exception.
•Chicago can receive up to $4.2 million in cash.
•Shaquille Harrison has a Jan. 21 trade restriction.

 

Cleveland Cavaliers

What to watch: JR Smith

The Kyle Korver and George Hill trades proved that there is a clear pecking order to how teams view the Cavs' veterans. After moving both players for future draft assets, GM Koby Altman will face challenges with JR Smith and his $14.7 million contract.

Because Cleveland took back contracts that extend into the 2019-20 season in John Henson and Matthew Dellavedova, the team's projected payroll next season is now close to $115 million. That's edging closer to the projected $132 million luxury tax threshold. A move such as taking back the contract of Solomon Hill from the Pelicans or Brandon Knight from the Rockets in exchange for a pick would put the Cavs in a tough spot.

Of course, Cleveland could work out a buyout with Smith if a trade does not materialize or waive him outright and eat his $3.7 million cap hit for 2019-20. The Cavaliers have until June 30 to make that call.

Restrictions/notes
•Cleveland is $3.6 million below the luxury tax.
•Rodney Hood has a Jan. 15 trade restriction and can veto any trade based on the one-year Bird restriction.
•Kevin Love cannot be traded until Jan. 24.
•Larry Nance Jr. has a $9.4 million poison pill restriction as a result of the rookie extension he signed in October.
•The Cavaliers are restricted to receiving no more than $3.99 million cash in trades.
•Alec Burks (Jan. 29), Henson (Feb. 7) and Dellavedova (Feb. 7) cannot be aggregated in a trade. Their $1.5 million trade exception expires on Feb. 8 and $2.8 million trade exception expires on Dec. 7.
•Cleveland cannot trade a first-round pick until 2022.

Dallas Mavericks

What to watch: The expiring contracts of Wesley Matthews and DeAndre Jordan

The standings and Dallas' offseason plans will determine the futures of Matthews and Jordan. Their high salaries -- $18.6 million for Matthews, $22.9 million for Jordan -- and Dallas' not having a roster spot present a challenge if the team becomes a seller at the deadline.

The Mavericks are expected to be active this offseason, with a projected $50 million in space, a figure that does not include the cap holds of both players.

Restrictions/notes
•The Mavericks can receive up to $3.1 million cash in trades.
•Dirk Nowitzki and Salah Mejri can veto any trade based on the one-year Bird restriction.
•Harrison Barnes has an 8 percent trade bonus that is valued at $686,000 at the time of the trade deadline.
•The Mavs can trade a first-rounder before 2025 only if the protection on the 2019 first owed to Atlanta is eliminated, opening up the 2021 first for trades.

Denver Nuggets

What to watch: The trade exceptions

Not only did the Nuggets save close to $85 million this offseason in two transactions, but the team also created three trade exceptions valued at $13.7 million, $12.8 million and $5.9 million. They expire in July and can be used to take back salary without sacrificing a player in return. The Nuggets have 15 players on guaranteed contracts, but former first-round pick Tyler Lydon is expendable after his third-year team option was not exercised.

The Nuggets are $6.2 million below the luxury tax and have made it a priority to stay under the line.

Restrictions/notes
•Nikola Jokic and Will Barton have Jan. 15 trade restrictions.
•Denver can receive up to $5.13 million in trades.
•The Nuggets cannot trade a first-round pick unless the protection on the 2019 pick owed to Brooklyn is eliminated.

Detroit Pistons

What to watch: Stanley Johnson

The change in coaching staff from Stan Van Gundy to Dwane Casey was supposed to result in an offensive uptick for former lottery pick Stanley Johnson. Instead, his production level continues to decrease from his rookie season as evidenced by his real plus-minus (-1.02) ranking No. 43 among small forwards. (Last year he ranked No. 35 at -0.96).

While Johnson is still only 22 years old, the four-year experiment in Detroit with the small forward is likely close to ending. Johnson will be a free agent in July.

Restrictions/notes
•The Pistons are $482,000 below the luxury tax.
•Detroit has three trade exceptions, worth $7 million, $1.5 million and $1.3 million. The largest exception expires on Jan. 29.
•Andre Drummond has an 8 percent trade bonus. The bonus at the time of the deadline is valued at $33,000.

Golden State Warriors

What to watch: GM Bob Myers

Since the championship run started in 2014-15, Myers has not made an in-season trade. In fact, Golden State has made only five trades since May 2014, the latest coming when Jordan Bell was acquired for cash the night of the 2017 draft.

If there is a move to be made, it will likely come after the trade deadline with a player bought out of his contract.

Restrictions/notes
•Kevin Durant and Kevon Looney have one-year Bird restrictions and can veto any trade.
•Durant and Stephen Curry have 15 percent trade bonuses. The Curry bonus is voided because it would exceed the max salary, though the Durant bonus is for $1.6 million at the time of the trade deadline.
•Golden State is $21.4 million over the tax threshold with a penalty of $50.3 million. Signing or trading for a player would cost the Warriors $3.75 for every $1 spent.

 

Houston Rockets

What to watch: $2.1 million in cash and Danuel House Jr.

The Rockets have $2.1 million in cash available after $1.0 million was sent to Chicago as part of the Michael Carter-Williams trade. Expect the Rockets to use what is left to find a taker for Carmelo Anthony. At the time of the trade deadline, Anthony will be owed $538,000, and moving his salary will save the Rockets $2.6 million in tax payments.

Because the days of service for House are approaching the maximum allowed (33), expect his two-way contract to be converted. Trading Carter-Williams opened a roster spot and gave the Rockets an extra four weeks before they have to trade or waive Anthony.

Restrictions/notes
•Houston has an available roster spot.
•Gary Clark and Austin Rivers cannot be traded.
•Chris Paul and Clint Capela have Jan. 15 trade restrictions.
•Gerald Green can veto any trade based on the one-year Bird restriction.
•James Harden has a 15 percent trade bonus worth $138,000 at the time of the deadline.
•The Rockets are restricted to sending out $2.1 million in cash.
•The current tax bill is $13.7 million.
•Houston has three trade exceptions: $2.6 million, $1.5 million and $995,000.

Indiana Pacers

What to watch: Kyle O'Quinn

Signed in the offseason with the $4.4 million room midlevel exception, O'Quinn has averaged a career-low 7.3 MPG this season. The sparse playing time is a result of Domantas Sabonis' playing 80 percent of his minutes at backup center, per Basketball-Reference. However, O'Quinn's 12-point, 10-rebound performance vs. Orlando shows that he still has value when given the opportunity.

The Pacers have the expiring contracts of Thaddeus Young, Bojan Bogdanovic, Darren Collison, Tyreke Evans and Cory Joseph, but all five players average at least 20 MPG. O'Quinn is the more likely trade piece.

Restrictions/notes
•Indiana has one open roster spot.
•Myles Turner has a $14.7 million poison pill restriction.

LA Clippers

What to watch: The conservative approach

Before the season started, the Clippers were pegged as one team likely to be active at the deadline. Seven expiring contracts and the likelihood of not being in the playoff conversation were expected to lead LA to be a seller.

Two months into the season, LA is 21-15 and features the deepest roster in the NBA. The Clippers also have their sights set on the summer of 2019, with a projected $50 million in space. They are not in position to take back long-term salary.

The injury history of Patrick Beverley and inexperience of Shai Gilgeous-Alexander should make even seldom-used Milos Teodosic off-limits. The Clippers learned last season that point guard depth should not be taken for granted.

Restrictions/notes
•Avery Bradley and Montrezl Harrell have Jan. 15 trade restrictions.
•The team has four trade exceptions: $2.8 million, $1.5 million, $1.3 million and $849,000.
•Teodosic has a 15 percent trade bonus valued at $336,000 at the time of the trade deadline.
•Tyrone Wallace has veto power on any trade, and the Pelicans cannot acquire him during the season.
•Marcin Gortat cannot be reacquired by Washington this season.
•The Clippers can send out up to $3.94 million cash in trades and are below the luxury tax by the same amount.
•LA cannot trade a first-round pick until 2022, unless the lottery protection is removed on the 2019 first owed to Boston, which would free up LA's 2021 first.

Los Angeles Lakers

What to watch: The patience of the front office

The question for Lakers management: Is the team willing to lose young talent and cap flexibility in July for the chance to improve now?

Besides the June draft, the Lakers have two cracks at overhauling their roster, and both are likely not going to happen until the summer:

1. Using $38 million in projected room to target Kevin Durant or Kawhi Leonard.

2. Packaging their former first-round picks with the goal of acquiring a veteran All-Star.
Of course, the Lakers can also continue the path of player development with Lonzo Ball, Brandon Ingram, Kyle Kuzma and Josh Hart.

Although Magic Johnson can put the Wizards' Bradley Beal on his wish list, targeting a player such as Beal now would diminish the Lakers' assets and see their cap space go away this summer. Expect the front office to hit singles leading up the deadline, improving the roster in the short-term -- by acquiring a player such as Trevor Ariza -- without losing cap flexibility or one of the young players.

Restrictions/notes
•Kentavious Caldwell-Pope has veto power on any trade based on the one-year Bird restriction.
•Caldwell-Pope and LeBron James have 15 percent trade bonuses. The James bonus would be voided because it cannot exceed his max salary. Caldwell-Pope's is $640,000 at the trade deadline.
•Tyson Chandler cannot be traded until Feb. 6.
•The Lakers can send out up to $3.7 million cash in trades.

Memphis Grizzlies

What to watch: The luxury tax

Through a series of transactions starting with the Jarell Martin trade to Orlando this summer, Memphis has taken an aggressive approach of remaining below the luxury tax. The Andrew Harrison waiver, recent Joakim Noah signing and Justin Holiday trade are other examples of how the front office has balanced the cap ledger this season.

Now $463K million below the threshold and in contention for a playoff spot, the Grizzlies should be under the line when the season ends. Memphis has not been a tax team since 2005-06 and will receive $4.9 million in tax distribution from the eight teams in the penalty.

Restrictions/notes
•Joakim Noah cannot be traded.
•Holiday cannot be traded in a future trade.
•Marc Gasol and Kyle Anderson have 15 percent trade bonuses. The bonus is $1.3 million for Gasol and $4.7 million for Anderson at the time of the trade deadline.
•Garrett Temple cannot be reacquired by Sacramento this season.
•Memphis has $2.66 million in cash to send in a trade.
•The Grizzlies have $2.4 million, $1.7 million and $1.5 million trade exceptions.
•The Grizzlies cannot trade a future first-round pick until 2023, unless the top-eight protection is eliminated from the 2019 first owed to Boston, making the 2021 pick available.

 

I like how you dream!!

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.......

 

Miami Heat

What to watch: The patience of Pat Riley

Four years removed from reaching the NBA Finals, the Heat are stuck in neutral. They have an average (and injured) roster not good enough to compete for one of the top four spots in the Eastern Conference, plus a front office and coach unwilling to bottom out with an eye toward the lottery. The same roster that is 19-20 and hanging on for a final playoff spot will return 11 of its 14 players under contract as a luxury-tax team next season.

The only way for this roster to improve: surprise internal development or Riley losing his patience and making a swing-for-the-fences trade.

Restrictions/notes
•Wayne Ellington, Dwyane Wade and Udonis Haslem have veto power based on the one-year Bird restriction.
•Kelly Olynyk and Tyler Johnson have 15 percent trade bonuses. The Olynyk bonus is $782,000, and Johnson's is $1 million at the time of the trade deadline.
•Justise Winslow has a $10.5 million poison pill restriction.
•The Heat can trade their 2019 first-round pick if it is unprotected or comes with protection that does not roll over to future years. They also can trade their 2023 and 2025 first-rounders.
•Miami is currently $6.3 million above the tax threshold and has a penalty of $9.7 million. The Heat also have a trade exception of $1.3 million available.
•Adding a player with their open roster spot would cost the Heat an additional $1.75 for every $1 spent.

Milwaukee Bucks

What to watch: Eric Bledsoe

After Milwaukee's first-round playoff loss to Boston last season, many questioned whether Bledsoe would be part of the Bucks' future or just a one-year placeholder because of his expiring contract. Two months into the season, Bledsoe looks more deserving of an extension than a spot on the trade block.

Just shy of averaging 30 MPG for the first time since 2012-13, Bledsoe is shooting better than 50 percent from the field for the first time, ranks No. 7 among point guards in ESPN's real-plus minus and is No. 8 in win shares. Stats aside, Milwaukee can lock up the point guard before he hits free agency on July 1. Bledsoe ranks No. 15 in salary among point guards and is eligible for a four-year, $80 million extension.

While the trade to acquire George Hill could open up cap space in the season, Milwaukee should think long-term with Bledsoe if the price is in the $15-16 million range. It's the best option for the team.

Restrictions/notes
•The Bucks have a $1.9 million trade exception that expires on Feb. 5.
•Milwaukee can receive up to $3.2 million cash in any trade.
•Jason Smith and George Hill cannot be aggregated in a trade until Dec. 7. Hill (Cleveland) and Smith (Washington) also cannot be reacquired by their original team.
•Milwaukee is not allowed to trade a first-round pick.

Minnesota Timberwolves

What to watch: GM Scott Layden

We will learn leading up to the trade deadline if he is more of a placeholder or if he has the authority to make personnel decisions.

With much of the heavy lifting done once Jimmy Butler was traded, the direction from ownership to Layden should be more about roster maintenance. The Timberwolves have an open roster spot available plus veterans Jerryd Bayless and Anthony Tolliver on expiring contracts to use in trades.

One thing to monitor is what will happen with Derrick Rose, Taj Gibson and Luol Deng if the Timberwolves fall out of playoff contention by late February. All three players were seen as allies to Thibodeau.

Restrictions/notes
•Derrick Rose has veto power on any trade based on the one-year Bird restriction.
•Karl-Anthony Towns has a $27.6 million poison pill restriction.
•The Timberwolves are $3.5 million below the luxury tax and have a $2.7 million trade exception.
•Robert Covington, Jerryd Bayless and Saric cannot be aggregated in a trade until Jan. 12.
•Minnesota cannot acquire a player who was signed using the designated rookie extension with Towns on the roster.

New Orleans Pelicans

What to watch: The 2019 first-round pick

GM Dell Demps has proven the past two years that he is willing to sacrifice a first-round pick if the opportunity comes to upgrade the roster. As the trade deadline approaches, the Pelicans' first-rounder will be the best asset to improve this roster.

The uncertain future of Anthony Davis, the possibility of not making the playoffs and a void at small forward should once again have New Orleans looking to make upgrades at the expense of a draft asset.

Restrictions/notes
•Ian Clark has veto power on any trade based on the one-year Bird restriction.
•Anthony Davis has a 15 percent trade bonus. The bonus is valued at $66,000 at the time of the trade deadline.
•Davis was signed with the designated rookie exception and cannot be acquired by a team that has already traded for a player who was signed with the same criteria.
•New Orleans has $2.3 million, $1.5 million and $1.4 million trade exceptions.

New York Knicks

What to watch: Enes Kanter

If the Knicks are going free-agent shopping in July, they will likely do so without Kanter. The impending free agent has a $27.9 million cap hold, and the only clear path for New York to create max room would be to renounce Kanter or let him walk in the summer.

The question leading up to the deadline: Will the front office decide to maximize Kanter's trade value now or keep the center as an insurance policy if the team misses out on its free-agent targets?

Restrictions/notes
•Allonzo Trier cannot be traded.
•Luke Kornet has veto power on any trade based on the one-year Bird restriction.
•Tim Hardaway Jr. has a 15 percent trade bonus. At the time of the trade deadline, the bonus will be valued at $3.6 million.
•New York has a $1.4 million trade exception.
•The Knicks have an open two-way spot.

 

Oklahoma City Thunder

What to watch: The $10.7 million trade exception

Not only did the Thunder acquire a strong backup in Dennis Schroder through the Carmelo Anthony trade, but they also created a $10.7 million trade exception. Although the Thunder have an open roster spot, using the exception comes at a cost because of the repeater tax. Adding salary would cost the team between $4.75 and $5.25 for every $1 spent.

Oklahoma City has a league-high $73.8 million tax penalty, but ownership has shown that money will be spent if it can be justified.

Restrictions/notes
•OKC has an open roster spot.
•Paul George and Jerami Grant have Jan. 15 trade restrictions.
•Raymond Felton can veto any trade based on the one-year Bird restriction.
•George, Steven Adams and Russell Westbrook have 15 percent trade bonuses. The George and Westbrook bonuses would be voided because of their max salaries. The value of the Adams bonus at the time of the trade deadline is $1.3 million.
•Schroder (Atlanta), Timothe Luwawu-Cabarrot (Philadelphia) and Abdel Nader (Boston) cannot be reacquired by their original teams.
•OKC can receive $2.2 million and send out $3 million in trades.
•The Thunder cannot trade a first-round pick until 2024.

Orlando Magic

What to watch: Terrence Ross

The standings in early February will dictate what the Magic do with Ross' expiring contract. The combination of Orlando being in playoff contention for the first time since 2011-12 and Ross having a career year will make it difficult for the front office to consider trade proposals. Although Ross is in his last season, Orlando has Bird rights and can sign him to a new contract in the offseason.

Starting center Nikola Vucevic is also having a career season and is headed for free agency in July.

Restrictions/notes
•Aaron Gordon has a Jan. 15 trade restriction.
•Orlando can receive up to $2.2 million cash in trades.
•Jerian Grant (Chicago), Jarell Martin (Memphis) and Timofey Mozgov (Brooklyn/Charlotte) cannot be reacquired in a trade.

Philadelphia 76ers

What to watch: The cost to acquire shooting

Lost in the Jimmy Butler trade was a key asset sent to Minnesota: the expiring contract of Jerryd Bayless. Although Bayless had no impact on the court, many viewed his $8.6 million contract as a key asset when it came to Philadelphia's improving its bench shooting. With Bayless off to Minnesota, Philadelphia is left with Markelle Fultz, Wilson Chandler, Mike Muscala, Furkan Korkmaz and Justin Patton to dangle in trade packages.

If a trade does not materialize, Philadelphia will have to rely on the March 1 waiver buyout, similar to last season, when Ilyasova and Belinelli were added.

Of course, there's also the question of Fultz's future in Philly. Having invested two years and draft assets to acquire the No. 1 pick, it would be hard for the front office to cut bait with the guard before the deadline.

Restrictions/notes
•Philadelphia has an open roster spot available.
•JJ Redick and Amir Johnson can veto any trade based on the one-year Bird restriction.
•Redick has a 15 percent trade bonus valued at $327,000 at the time of the trade deadline.
•Chandler (Denver), Patton (Minnesota), Butler (Minnesota) and Muscala (Atlanta) cannot be reacquired by their original teams.
•Butler and Patton cannot be aggregated in a trade until Jan. 12.
•The 76ers have a $2.5 million trade exception.
•Philadelphia can receive up to $2.7 million and send out $5.1 million cash in trades.

Phoenix Suns

What to watch: The future of Kelly Oubre Jr.

The acquisition of both players was only five minutes old, and league executives were already telling ESPN that Rivers and Oubre were on their buyout watch lists, with Oubre also being a candidate to be traded before the deadline.

However, the difficult choice for GM James Jones is entertaining a buyout for either player and ending up with no real return for Trevor Ariza. Remember that Tyson Chandler was bought out of his contract in early November, and the only compensation the Suns received was $2 million in savings. (In fact, Rivers' tenure in Phoenix was short lived. The guard was waived, leaving the Suns responsible for $7.3 million owed on his $12.65 million contract. Since signing with the Rockets, Rivers has flourished in a backup role.)

From a trade perspective, Oubre has the most value because an acquiring team can place the restricted tag on him in the offseason. Plus, he can provide scoring off the bench (12.8 PPG), and the former first-round pick is only 23. If the Suns are going to lose him for nothing in free agency, it would be best to move him before the deadline.

Restrictions/notes
•The Suns have an open roster spot.
•Oubre cannot be aggregated in a trade but can be moved in a one-for-one deal. He can't be reacquired by the Wizards.
•Crawford cannot be traded until Jan. 16.
•Devin Booker has a poison pill restriction of $26.9 million.
•Holmes (Philadelphia) and Ryan Anderson (Houston) cannot be reacquired by their original teams.
•Phoenix can send out up to $4.2 million cash in any transaction.

Portland Trail Blazers

What to watch: GM Neil Olshey

Here is what the Portland GM shared with ESPN at the May 2018 draft combine regarding the 2017-18 season: "I think probably one of the things we were a little too conservative with this offseason and at the trade deadline was we were probably far too protective of our draft pick and our trade exceptions and the tools we had to continue to build the roster long-term," Olshey said. "And maybe [we] lost sight of the fact that the first round was going to be more competitive than we expected."

Now with a 24-17 record and in a Western Conference that is 14 teams deep, will Portland take an aggressive approach at the deadline? The last time the Blazers traded a first-rounder at the deadline was 2016, when they acquired veteran Arron Afflalo.

Restrictions/notes
•Jusuf Nurkic has a Jan. 15 trade restriction.
•Portland has both two-way spots available.
•The Trail Blazers are $7.9 million above the tax threshold with a $12.6 million tax penalty.
•Portland has a $3.5 million trade exception.

 

Sacramento Kings

What to watch: Zach Randolph and cap space

It's easy to forget that the former All-Star is on the Sacramento roster. Signed to a two-year, $24 million contract in 2017 to be an on-court and locker room presence, Randolph has not stepped on the court this season. There's interest in him around the league, but there will be more in the buyout market after the trade deadline.

Expect the front office to take an aggressive approach with its $11 million in cap space. The lone NBA team with room, Sacramento can either:

1. Use room and a combination of Randolph, Iman Shumpert and Kosta Koufos to improve the roster.

2. Target a tax team, such as Washington, that is looking to reduce payroll and can sacrifice a draft asset or prospect.

Restrictions/notes
•Ben McLemore cannot be reacquired by Memphis.
•The Kings can receive up to $3.7 million cash in trades.
•Sacramento cannot trade a first-round pick until 2021.

San Antonio Spurs

What to watch: GM RC Buford

Because the Spurs have been a perennial playoff team, Buford has taken a conservative approach during the season. The last trade the Spurs made during the season was when Austin Daye was acquired from the Raptors in 2014. Now with a 24-17 record and in danger of missing the playoffs for the first time since 1996-97, San Antonio can either go into sell mode and look to move the $10 million expiring contract of Rudy Gay or stand pat knowing that point guard Dejounte Murray will return next season.

Gay, Quincy Pondexter and Dante Cunningham are the only players on expiring contracts.

Restrictions/notes
•Davis Bertans and Bryn Forbes cannot be traded until Jan. 15.
•Gay can veto any trade based on the one-year Bird restriction.
•LaMarcus Aldridge has a 15 percent trade bonus that is valued at $8.7 million at the trade deadline.
•DeMar DeRozan and Jakob Poeltl cannot be traded to Toronto this season.
•The Spurs can send out only $243,000 cash in any trade.

Toronto Raptors

What to watch: Kawhi Leonard

The Raptors couldn't have scripted the first two months of the season any better. An NBA-best 31-12 record is the greatest recruiting tool Toronto has when selling Leonard to stay in Toronto. Had things been different and the team struggled in the early part of the season, GM Masai Ujiri would have needed to consider exploring trade options with Leonard before the deadline. But now the Raps are all-in with him.

Also keep an eye on the March 1 waiver buyout. Toronto has two open roster spots and -- despite being a luxury-tax team -- will spend money if the right player becomes available.

Restrictions/notes
•Fred VanVleet has a Jan. 15 trade restriction.
•Toronto can receive up to only $243,000 in any trade.
•The Raptors have $2.4 million and $2.9 million trade exceptions.
•Currently $16.8 million over the tax threshold, Toronto has a tax bill of $34.5 million. Adding a 15th player will cost $3.25 for every $1 spent.
•Toronto cannot trade a first-round pick until 2021.

Utah Jazz

What to watch: The front office

The acquisition of Kyle Korver proved that the Jazz's front office is not going to play the waiting game in hopes of having a turnaround like the team did last season. Thanks in part to a brutal early-season schedule of road games (18 of 28), Utah has underachieved so far.

The Jazz's front office is now faced with the following questions:

1. Does the combination of Derrick Favors and Rudy Gobert work? Favors has a $16.9 million non-guaranteed contract for 2019-20.

2. The future of Ricky Rubio and his $15 million expiring contract. Is there a comfort level with Dante Exum being the full-time point guard moving forward, making Rubio expendable?

Restrictions/notes
•Favors, Exum and Raul Neto have Jan. 15 trade restrictions.
•Utah has $4.0 million, $3.7 million and $2.4 million trade exceptions.

Washington Wizards

What to watch: The entire roster

The Wizards got the ball rolling once the Dec. 15 signing restrictions were lifted when they acquired veteran Trevor Ariza. Despite the addition, Washington is still outside the playoffs in the East, with big decisions to make leading up to the trade deadline. The Wizards have a few options:

1. Create a bidding war for All-Star Bradley Beal and look to cash in the most valuable trade piece.

2. Take back expiring contracts in exchange for Otto Porter Jr.

3. Identify the trade markets for their eight expiring contracts. The Wizards are projected to be over the salary cap next season and will face decisions on their impending free agents before the deadline. They can retain in the offseason and continue to be a luxury-tax team, let the contracts expire (replacing them with minimum-salary players) or look to move an expiring contract for a second-round pick.

Keep an eye on Ariza as well. Although Ariza's salary cannot be aggregated, Washington can trade him for an expiring contract and possible draft picks before the deadline (think Kentavious Caldwell-Pope from L.A.).

4. Do nothing, with the hope that the addition of Ariza is enough to get this roster into the playoffs.

Restrictions/notes
•Washington has two open roster spots.
•Chasson Randle cannot be traded.
•Wall and Porter have 15 percent trade bonuses. The bonus for Porter is voided because it would exceed the max allowed. The bonus for Wall at the time of the trade deadline is worth $19.5 million. However, because the bonus would be spread over four years and exceeds the max in 2019-20, the bonus for Wall is applicable only to the 2018-19 season, so the total amount is still TBD.
•Sam Dekker cannot be reacquired by the Clippers and Cavaliers. Dekker also cannot be aggregated in a trade until Feb. 7.
•Ariza cannot be aggregated in a trade with another player, and he is prohibited from joining the Suns. Ariza can be traded again but only one-for-one.
•The Wizards are $5.6 million over the tax threshold and have a penalty of $8.8 million.
•Washington can send up to $3.2 million cash in trades. The team also has four trade exceptions of $5.4 million, $3.3 million, $1.3 million, $958,000 and $649,000.

 

Jeff Green would fit perfectly with our trade exception

 

Rockets needs: 3rd string pg, 1 or 2 3/4’s, 1 more 5.

Guys they can trade/ dump- Knight/ melo/ Chris’s/ ennis.

Paul- harden- house- tucker- capela... rivers-Gordon-green- ennis- nene.... Knight/ melo/ chriss are scrubs.... hartenstein and Clark are gnleague development.

Targets- shelving Mack, satoransky, Jose calderon..... James Johnson, Fournier, bazemore, Stanley Johnson..... dedmon, Portis, Lopez

 

Houston Rockets

What to watch: Morey trying to trim over 8.3M from salary total.

$2.1 million in cash and future draft picks will be packaged with Knight, Chriss, Melo and possibly others to make it happen...

lol

 

Morey never makes big deadline trades. All we got are scraps.

 

Trade Targets
PG Goran Dragic would fit in this system, Mike DAntoni I believe Coached him with the Suns
SF Tim Hardaway Jr. Knicks, Trevor Ariza Wizards, Iman Shumpert Kings, Justin Jackson Kings, Denzel Valentine Bulls
PF/C Jerami Grant type, A shot blocker, rebounder, 3 point shooter, long and lanky

 

I looked it up, less than 5. This is the biggest pile of crap that is out there. We lost Luc in December last year and never got him back. Sad story that he has been damaged goods and was a good player but he is not why we were losing. Ariza did hurt but I feel that Rivers and House make up for that and then some providing youth. For the first two months we have had continuous major injuries that cost us at least 10 wins and the entire NBA has sucked and been off. Our weakness is the same one we had last year. Our cap was tied up with Ryno and doing nothing and this year is tied up with Knight/Chriss and doing nothing. We will always feel shorthanded until we pay the price and rectify this mess.