Buy or sell?
What seems like a simple question often holds plenty of weight, especially when it comes to NBA teams ahead of the trade deadline.
This again holds true in 2022, as a number of teams could be active in the market. With Feb. 10 fast approaching, the league’s buyers and sellers are emerging.
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The buyers, of course, are the teams that feel they’re one piece away – teams looking for a late-season turnaround make moves to move into the Play-In picture, teams in the Play-In picture look to make moves to leap into their conference’s top six and solid playoff contenders are looking for that one addition to become a legitimate title contender.
Sellers, on the other hand, are often looking towards the future, moving players in exchange for young talent, draft capital or cap relief for the coming years.
While an argument can be made for over half the league, here are 10 teams to keep an eye on.
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NBA Trade Deadline Buyers
Bucks
After getting a taste of glory in 2021, the Bucks are looking to bolster their roster with hopes to defend their title in 2022.
Last season, the Bucks moved to acquire PJ Tucker ahead of the deadline. Tucker, who was a difference-maker during their title run has since moved on, putting the Bucks in position to make a similar move this year.
Given the uncertainty around the health of Brook Lopez, Milwaukee’s top priority at the deadline is another center to bolster their frontcourt. Don’t sleep on the Bucks’ potential to make a move for another wing as well.
Cavaliers
One of the biggest surprises of the 2021-22 season, the Cavs are ahead of schedule and find themselves in a great position to earn a top-six spot in the East.
Using the expiring contract of Ricky Rubio, who is out for the season with a torn ACL, Cleveland is reportedly willing to send out draft picks in order to get back an impactful guard like Eric Gordon or Ohio native Caris LeVert, per The Athletic.
MORE: Latest trade rumors ahead of deadline
Jazz
After an injury to Rudy Gobert and a concussion sustained by Donovan Mitchell, the Jazz have sputtered after getting out to a hot start. The trade market could be the answer for Utah turning its season around.
Similar to the Cavs, the Jazz could use the expiring contract of the injured Joe Ingles as a trade chip to bring in an impactful wing player. Sacramento’s Harrison Barnes and Detroit's Jerami Grant are players that have been linked to the Jazz.
Pelicans
Though it’s unclear when – or if – Zion Williamson will take the floor this season, the West’s 10th seed is well within reach for the Pelicans.
With Brandon Ingram playing at an All-Star level, New Orleans could look to move the team-friendly contract of the ever-impactful Josh Hart to bring back value at the deadline. Let’s not forget, the Pels have a treasure chest of draft capital acquired from both the Lakers and Bucks.
Future picks could be used as the sweetener to land the Pelicans a player like Houston’s Gordon or one of Portland’s Robert Covington or CJ McCollum, each of whom the team has been linked to.
Raptors
The Raptors are firmly within the East’s Play-In picture, thanks largely to the duo of Pascal Siakam and Fred VanVleet, while the young trio of OG Anunoby, Scottie Barnes and Gary Trent Jr. represents the future.
As solid as Toronto has been this season, it has a glaring hole at the center position. The expiring $18 million contract of Goran Dragic, who has been excused from the team for some time now, could be packaged with draft picks for the Raptors to take back a player of value.
Would team president Masai Ujiri be willing to take on a contract with more years in order to move his team into the East’s top six? Knowing his history, Ujiri won’t stand pat.
NBA Trade Deadline Sellers
Kings
Sacramento hasn’t qualified for postseason play since 2006 and it seems the franchise is willing to shake things up in hopes of bringing about some type of change.
Has any team had more players listed in trade rumors than the Kings?
De’Aaron Fox and Tyrese Haliburton are said to be untouchable, but Marvin Bagley, Harrison Barnes, Buddy Hield and Richaun Holmes are among names that could be moved with value coming back in return.
Lakers
The LeBron James-Anthony Davis-Russell Westbrook experiment in Los Angeles hasn’t exactly gone well and while we probably won’t see any of the aforementioned three move on, the Lakers are going to have to try to do something to salvage the season.
I say "probably," because Westbrook’s deal is nearly impossible to move could be the setback on a potential deal involving the former MVP, but it doesn’t mean LA hasn’t tried.
Outside of that trio, it’s hard to imagine anyone else being untouchable. In theory, the Lakers are both sellers and buyers because they’re looking to make the most of another prime LeBron season, but it’s hard to imagine they’ll be able to get anything in return for what they’re selling… so there’s a timeline in which LA can’t afford to buy much, if anything.
Pacers
Indiana fits the bill of the quintessential seller.
After missing the playoffs by one game in 2021, the Pacers have taken a step back this season, and much has had to do with injury misfortune, not a lack of talent.
That said, the Pacers have a number of talented players that could be on the move. Aside from some of their younger talent, anyone could get moved. Yes, that means the likes of Malcolm Brogdon, Caris LeVert, Domantas Sabonis or Myles Turner could have new homes at the deadline.
Trail Blazers
The Blazers are at serious risk of their eight-year Playoff streak coming to an end.
Portland’s barely holding on to the West’s final Play-In spot and with Damian Lillard potentially missing the rest of the season following abdominal surgery, the franchise could usher in a new era.
That said, McCollum or Norman Powell are players that could bring in a valuable return.
Wizards
After a hot start, Washington has come back down to earth.
For the first time in a long time, sources close to Bradley Beal indicate he’s not rejecting the notion of a trade — even though his preference is to remain with the Wizards.@davidaldridgedc and @JoshuaBRobbins have more trade deadline intel: https://t.co/IXglhOw9Cn pic.twitter.com/Q0e0mr6ap8
— The Athletic (@TheAthletic) February 2, 2022
Bradley Beal’s potential availability might draw the headlines, but the Wizards could also look to move Spencer Dinwiddie and Montrezl Harrell.
It would appear the franchise is going to begin its rebuild as soon as this season, and selling at the deadline would be the first start.
