Set for Feb. 10 at 3:00 p.m. ET, the 2022 NBA Trade Deadline is quickly approaching.
With each passing day, trade rumors continue to intensify, with a number of small deals already materializing. With the amount of parity in the NBA this season, there are a handful of teams in a position to acquire a player that can escalate them to another tier — some teams can jump from being Play-In bound to a top-six spot, while others are one piece away from being a legitimate title contender.
That said, there is a specific type of player capable of raising a team's ceiling. TSN's Scott Rafferty has examined the ways in which Pistons forward Jerami Grant fits that bill, and he's one of several ceiling-raisers that will be available at this year's trade deadline.
Let's take a look…
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Who are the top NBA Trade Deadline targets?
Jerami Grant, Pistons
Grant, who will turn 28 in March, is the perfect example of the type of player capable of raising a team's ceiling.
While he hasn't played since undergoing surgery to repair a torn UCL in his right thumb, Grant averaged 20.1 points, 4.8 rebounds and 2.6 assists through the first 24 games of the 2021-22 campaign. In theory, his versatility will allow him to fit anywhere; however, Bleacher Report's Jake Fischer has reported that Grant "has little interest in joining a new situation where he doesn't feature as a primary offensive option."
Since joining Detroit, Grant has attempted 16.8 field goals per game. Most contenders would have to part ways with a significant package or reconstruct their offense to allow Grant to have a similar role.
Helping matters is the fact that the eight-year veteran is earning $20 million this season and is under contract through the 2022-23 season. Relatively speaking, Grant's salary shouldn't be extremely difficult to match in potential trades, but would the return be enticing enough for the Pistons to go through with a deal?
Best situation: Bulls
Most realistic situation: Wizards
Dream situation: Lakers
Myles Turner, Pacers
It feels as though Turner has been the topic of conversation ahead of the trade deadline for years now.
While talks have never amounted to a deal in the past, this year could be different. In a December interview with The Athletic, Turner lamented his role with the Pacers, saying "it’s clear that I’m not valued as anything more than a glorified role player here, and I want something more, more opportunity."
Couple Turner's displeasure with Indiana's reported stance as sellers at the deadline, and you've got the formula for a deal to be done.
In theory, Turner is the quintessential big man for today's game — standing at 6-foot-11, the 25-year-old is working on his third blocks title with 2.8 blocks per game and is also a career 34.9 percent 3-point shooter. His floor spacing and rim protection would be valuable to a number of teams looking to contend.
With respect to salary, Turner is under contract through the 2022-23 season and is owed $18 million both this year and next. With Pacers owner Herb Simon saying that "we can have a good team, and (the goal is to) get better rather than break it up," Indiana appears to be looking for players in return, not future draft capital.
It's worth noting that Turner is currently sidelined with a stress reaction in his left foot that will keep him sidelined past the deadline. Whether or not that will impact interest on the market remains to be seen.
Best situation: Mavericks
Most realistic situation: Hornets
Dream situation: Celtics
Eric Gordon, Rockets
A classic case of a player not fitting a team's developmental timeline.
Gordon, 33, is the last remaining member of the Rockets team that came within one win of the NBA Finals in 2018. He's now the second-oldest player on a Rockets team that is focused on rebuilding for the future.
Therein lies the disconnect.
Gordon is playing up his trade value this season, averaging 14.9 points per game while shooting 50.5 percent from the field and hitting 2.4 3s per game at a 45.5 percent clip. Salary-wise, he's making $18.2 million this season and is under contract through a partial guarantee in the 2023-24 season. According to Michael Scotto of HoopsHype, the Rockets are seeking a first-round pick in return.
The 14-year veteran provides shooting and a veteran presence to teams ready to win now.
Best situation: Suns
Most realistic situation: Cavaliers
Dream situation: Lakers
Terrence Ross, Magic
The Magic were sellers at the 2021 trade deadline and 2022 should be no different.
As Orlando shifts its focus towards the future, the soon-to-be-31-year-old Ross doesn't exactly fit the picture, as his contributions are much more suited for a team built to win now. This season, Ross is averaging 12.2 points per game off the bench and while he's shooting just 31.4 percent from 3-point range, let's not overlook his standing as a 36.4 percent 3-point shooter for his career.
Ross, who is on the books for $12.5 million this season, has one year and $11.5 million remaining on his contract. A December report from The Athletic's Shams Charania indicated that the Magic were seeking draft capital in return for the veteran scorer.
A team in need of a scoring punch could very well be in the mix for Ross' services at the deadline.
Best situation: Cavaliers
Most realistic situation: Celtics
Dream situation: Lakers
Thaddeus Young, Spurs
With San Antonio rebuilding for its next era of basketball, Young has fallen out of Gregg Popovich's rotation.
The veteran touched on why the fit wasn't right on "Posted Up" with Yahoo's Chris Haynes in December, saying "we’re gonna compete and we’re gonna try to contend and try to do things, but we’re in a rebuilding situation. With being in a rebuilding situation, that’s not ideal for a guy that just came off a really good season, going into his 15th season to going to another rebuild."
At 33, Young is well-traveled — San Antonio is the sixth stop of a 15-year career that has included playoff runs with the 76ers, Nets and Pacers. Young is a player capable of doing a bit of everything, too. Just last season, he averaged 12.1 points, 6.2 rebounds and 4.3 assists over 68 games with the Bulls.
Young, who is in the final year of his deal, is making $14.2 million this season, a salary that wouldn't be difficult for a contending team to match in a potential trade. The intangibles he brings to a team make him the perfect seventh or eighth man for a playoff team, capable of playing around 20 minutes per game.
With his desire to contribute to a deep playoff run, teams could call for Young, though the Spurs' asking price remains unknown.
Best situation: Suns
Most realistic situation: Mavericks
Dream situation: Suns
