We're less than a month away from this season's trade deadline.
Now that the league is back to a normal calendar, the last day teams can make trades this season is Feb. 10. The cutoff point? 3:00 p.m., though news of some trades could be reported after that deadline.
There hasn't been much activity on the trade front yet, but with two important dates (Dec. 15 and Jan. 15) now in the rearview mirror, the majority of players in the league are eligible to be traded, giving teams fewer restrictions when proposing deals.
We recently looked at 10 players who are most likely to be traded this season. Today, let's take a closer look at six particular teams to keep an eye on the closer we get to the trade deadline, in no particular order.
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The most interesting teams ahead of the 2022 NBA trade deadline
Golden State Warriors
The Warriors have been going back and forth with the Suns to this point of the season for the best record in the NBA, and that was before they welcomed Klay Thompson back into the lineup. It's going to take time for the second member of the Splash Brothers to find his footing again, but Golden State clearly has what it takes to win it all this season, which is what makes it such a fascinating team to watch going into the trade deadline.
On one hand, the Warriors don't really need to do anything. They have one of the league's best players in Stephen Curry, arguably the second greatest shooter of all time in Thompson, the front-runner for Defensive Player of the Year in Draymond Green and more depth than most contenders. On the other, they're in a unique position where they could pursue another star without breaking up the core that's helped them win three championships.
As important as he's been to the team's success, Andrew Wiggins, who is on the books for $31.6 million this season and $33.6 million next, would help match salary in a deal for another star. The Warriors could then sweeten it with some combination of Jonathan Kuminga, Jordan Poole and James Wiseman, three young players with an intriguing amount of upside, plus draft picks.
The safe bet might be on the Warriors standing pat at this season's trade deadline — they're among the favorites while still being built well for the future, after all — but the possibility of them going all-in to make the most of their title window is enough for them to land on this list.
MORE: Should Warriors trade for Ben Simmons?
Indiana Pacers
It's no secret that the Pacers could be sellers at the trade deadline.
Back on Dec. 7, The Athletic's Shams Charania and Bob Kravitz reported that the Pacers are "receptive in trade dialogue with rival teams regarding multiple veteran players," a list that includes Domantas Sabonis, Myles Turner and Caris LeVert.
A two-time All-Star who racks up double-doubles in his sleep, Sabonis is the best player of the group by a decent margin, but Charania reported a month out from the trade deadline that the Pacers have "an extremely high value" on him, making it a trade "unlikelier" for him. Meanwhile, teams are reportedly "ramping up conversations" for both LeVert and Turner.
MORE: Could Sabonis be the best player traded this season?
LeVert's numbers are down a bit this season, but he's proven to be a talented scorer when healthy, averaging 19.5 points on .433/.343/.759 shooting splits over the last two seasons. Turner is on pace to lead the league in blocks for the third time in his career and provides valuable spacing as a stretch five. With how plug and play he is, it's not a huge surprise that teams like the Mavericks, Lakers and Hornets are said to have expressed interest in Turner.
According to Michael Scotto of HoopsHype, the Pacers are asking for a first-round pick and a "good young player" for LeVert. For Turner, the same package or two first-round picks.
Sacramento Kings
Another team that could be sellers at the trade deadline.
According to Chris Haynes of Yahoo Sports, Sacramento's "internal plan" remains to build around De'Aaron Fox and Tyrese Haliburton, but neither one of them is deemed to be untouchable. In fact, nobody on the roster is. In addition to Fox and Haliburton, both of whom Haynes says are receiving an "abundance of interest" around the league, we've heard Marvin Bagley III, Buddy Hield and Harrison Barnes mentioned in trade rumors already this season.
Time will tell what happens with Fox, Haliburton and Bagley, but NBA insider Marc Stein reported that there is a "rising belief" around the league that both Barnes and Hield will be dealt before the trade deadline.
No surprises there. Barnes and Hield aren't strangers to the rumor mill and they both have skill sets that are in high demand. Whereas Barnes can do a little bit of everything on both ends of the court, Hield is one of the league's best 3-point shooters. Either one of them could make a difference on a contender.
Los Angeles Lakers
This season hasn't exactly gone to plan for the Lakers. Anthony Davis missing extending time with an MCL sprain certainly hasn't helped, but the Lakers continue to hover around .500 despite LeBron James going Super Saiyan. They currently rank in the bottom half of the league in both offensive efficiency and defensive efficiency, and Russell Westbrook, who was brought in to be their third star, is still trying to figure it out.
As TSN's Jordan Greer detailed not long ago, the Lakers are going to have a hard time upgrading their roster, but that's not going to stop them from trying.
In addition to Turner, the Lakers have been linked to Jerami Grant and Gary Trent Jr. in recent weeks. (Grant, in particular, is going to be a popular name at the trade deadline.) They also reportedly offered two second-round picks to the Hawks for Cam Reddish, who is now a member of the Knicks.
With how limited they are, let's see if Rob Pelinka can work some magic.
Philadelphia 76ers
One name: Ben Simmons.
The 76ers have made it clear that they're comfortable taking their time as they look to get the best return possible for Simmons, but is this really going to extend into the offseason? The 76ers have been able to stay competitive even without Simmons this season, currently sitting in fifth place in the Eastern Conference standings on the strength of another dominant season from Joel Embiid.
Depending on the return, a Simmons trade could boost Philadelphia's title odds this season. And depending on where he lands, a Simmons trade could create another contender in either the Eastern Conference or Western Conference.
MORE: How 76ers can continue to build around Embiid through potential Simmons trade
There is no shortage of interest in Simmons around the league. The hold-up has been Philadelphia's "steep" asking price, which might be growing, not declining. Perhaps the 76ers will lower their asking price the closer we get to the trade deadline or a team looking to shake things up will meet their demands.
Either way, all eyes will be on Simmons at this season's trade deadline.
Atlanta Hawks
Speaking of teams that could be looking to shake things up...
Coming off of a run to the Eastern Conference Finals, the Hawks are currently on the outside-looking-in on the Play-In picture. They've been dynamite offensively but a disaster defensively, with only the Rockets and Trail Blazers ranking below them in defensive efficiency.
The Hawks have already made one move ahead of the trade deadline in trading Reddish to the Knicks. Is there more to come?
MORE: Grading the Reddish trade for Knicks and Hawks
One player the Hawks have been linked to recently is Simmons. They weren't among the first wave of teams reportedly in the mix, but they've become an "emerging potential landing spot" for the three-time All-Star. It wouldn't be all that difficult for Atlanta to match Simmons' salary now that John Collins is trade eligible, and it has an interesting mix of young players and veterans it could offer teams.
Even if they don't end up with Simmons, it seems like the Hawks are going to be active in trade talks at this season's trade deadline.
