The NBA trade deadline is closing in and has been rather quiet so far, apart from Trae Young’s move to D.C. With less than a week until the February 5th cutoff, it’s time to evaluate where each team stands and what direction they should take.
Here’s how every team in the Eastern Conference stacks up as the trade deadline approaches. We’ll cover the Western Conference in a separate piece.
Atlanta Hawks: Selling
The Hawks got an early start on their rebuild by shipping franchise player Trae Young to Washington for veteran guard CJ McCollum and wing Corey Kispert. That move made it clear Atlanta was ready to shift direction, and it initially felt like it might just be the first domino. There was real speculation the Hawks would follow it up with a bigger swing, potentially targeting Anthony Davis, but that idea has since fizzled out with Davis suffering yet another injury.
With Atlanta ranking as one of the worst rebounding teams in the league and sitting 22nd in points allowed in the paint, the priority now feels much more straightforward. The Hawks need size and interior stability. Ivica Zubac stands out as a logical target, with two years left on his contract, a strong injury track record at 28 years old, and arguably the best season of his career on both ends of the floor. If Atlanta is serious about reshaping this roster, adding a dependable center like Zubac makes far more sense than chasing another headline move.
Boston Celtics: Buying
Heading into the season, there was a big question surrounding the Celtics: would they be able to survive without Jayson Tatum, and could Jaylen Brown truly fill the role of the team’s number one option? That question has been answered emphatically. Jaylen Brown has been nothing short of dominant, averaging 29.7 points, 6.4 rebounds, and 4.9 assists, while leading the Celtics to a 29-18 record and earning himself the third spot on the KIA MVP rankings.
With the trade deadline approaching, reports suggest the Celtics may be targeting former Defensive Player of the Year Jaren Jackson Jr., who signed a five-year, $240 million max extension this past July. Considering that Kristaps Porzingis, Luke Kornet, and Al Horford all left last offseason, adding Jaren Jackson Jr. would be a massive upgrade to Boston’s frontcourt and could make the Celtics bona fide contenders in the East.
Brooklyn Nets: Selling
With the Brooklyn Nets sitting 13th in the East at 12-34, it’s no surprise that they’re in selling mode, but they do have one major asset and bright spot in Michael Porter Jr. Since becoming the Nets’ number one option, Porter has averaged 25.9 points, 7.5 rebounds, and 3.4 assists on .491/.404/.838 shooting splits, putting him in elite company alongside players like Nikola Jokic and Kevin Durant.
Despite their overall record, Brooklyn has clearly been a different team with Porter on the floor, losing all seven games he didn’t play in this season. That makes him both their most valuable player and their most valuable trade chip. There is significant speculation that Michael Porter Jr. could be moved before the deadline, with the Warriors emerging as the primary suitor. However, Golden State has been reluctant to part with the necessary draft capital, which could lead to a familiar situation where the Nets hold firm and wait to move Porter in the offseason, just as they did with Cameron Johnson last year.
Charlotte Hornets: Buying
Despite a 21-28 record, the grass feels greener on the other side of this season for the Hornets. Earlier in the year, there were rumors that Charlotte might move on from LaMelo Ball and shift its focus toward building around Brandon Miller and Kon Knueppel. For now, that idea seems to have been shelved, largely because of how competitive the team looks when all three are healthy and on the floor together.
Rookie center Ryan Kalkbrenner recently summed up the team’s mindset, saying, “It feels like we’re so close to being a good team sometimes, and if we keep this together, I think we can make it.” That optimism makes sense, even if the roster still has major holes to fill before Charlotte can realistically think about championship contention. The Hornets may explore small upgrades, but it’s hard to see them making any kind of major splash at the February deadline.
Chicago Bulls: Selling
For the last three seasons, the Bulls have been stuck in “Play-In Purgatory,” and it looks like they’re in prime position to stay there yet again. With key players like Coby White, Nikola Vucevic, and Ayo Dosunmu all on expiring deals, the clock is ticking to get something in return before it’s too late.
The logical move is to fully commit to the rebuild and build around the younger core of Josh Giddey and Matas Buzelis. Selling at the deadline will almost certainly sink any remaining playoff hopes, but at this point, that feels like a necessary sacrifice if Chicago wants to escape the cycle it’s been trapped in.
Cleveland Cavaliers: Buying
The Cavaliers entered the season with high expectations and the most expensive roster in the league, but inconsistent play and injuries have left them hovering just a few games over .500. Cleveland isn’t going to blow things up, but it’s clear they need to make some smaller, practical moves to add depth and veteran stability, especially with Max Strus expected to be sidelined for several more weeks.
There’s growing speculation that De’Andre Hunter will be moved at the deadline, which isn’t surprising given he’s shooting just 30.7% from three while attempting 5.5 per game. For Cleveland, a much better fit would be Ayo Dosunmu from the Bulls. Dosunmu is hitting 44.6% of his threes on 4.1 attempts, brings defensive versatility, and would directly address the Cavaliers’ biggest weakness: reliable depth around their core.
Detroit Pistons: Buying
Sitting pretty at the top of the East with a 34-12 record, it’s almost safe to say the Detroit Pistons have the core pieces needed to compete for a championship. However, in the modern NBA, it’s rarely just the stars that win you titles. It’s the role players, like Alex Caruso and Aaron Wiggins from last year’s Thunder, who provide the spark off the bench and swing playoff series. That’s exactly the area Detroit still needs to address.
The Pistons currently rank 27th in three-point attempts and 18th in three-point percentage, which may be good enough in the regular season but is likely to be exposed in April. A perfect target would be Nickeil Alexander-Walker from the Hawks. He’s shooting 42.1% on his catch-and-shoot threes while playing relentless defense, making him an ideal fit for a contender. With Alexander-Walker on a four-year, $60.6 million deal and players like Tobias Harris and Jaden Ivey on expiring contracts, this move even makes sense financially.
Indiana Pacers: Selling
With a 12-36 record and a clear tanking mentality, it’s starting to feel like Darryn Peterson is already penciled in as an Indiana Pacer. At this point, it wouldn’t be surprising to see Indiana move on from guard Bennedict Mathurin, especially with his rookie deal nearing its end and the front office clearly shifting its focus toward finding an impact starting center.
The Pacers have already prioritized long-term commitments to Andrew Nembhard and Aaron Nesmith over Mathurin, which makes him their most logical trade chip. A prime target would be former NBA All-Rookie Second Team center Yves Missi from the Pelicans. At just 21 years old, Missi offers a dominant interior presence on both ends of the floor. A move like this preserves the tank while still allowing Indiana to extract real value from Mathurin before his contract expires.
Miami Heat: Buying
The Miami Heat appear fully committed to making a tsunami-level splash at the trade deadline, with persistent rumors linking them to both Giannis Antetokounmpo and Ja Morant. The real pivot point, though, is Tyler Herro. Whether Miami ultimately makes a blockbuster move likely comes down to if they can reach a contract agreement with him and how comfortable they are including him in a major deal.
If the Heat fail to land a true title-level addition, it wouldn’t be surprising to see them quietly shift into selling mode instead. Right now, they’re in the same position as the Chicago Bulls, stuck between two paths. Miami needs to decide whether it’s all-in on competing or ready to reset, because continuing to live in the middle is the worst outcome for a roster with this much at stake.
Milwaukee Bucks: Selling
The Milwaukee Bucks are staring at a franchise-altering decision: what comes next for Giannis Antetokounmpo, and when does that decision actually get made? With the team sitting at an underwhelming 18-28, they’re on pace for their worst season in over a decade, and the pressure is only mounting.
Giannis suffering a calf injury this week only adds more uncertainty, as his timetable remains unclear and there’s a real possibility he’s already played his final game in green and black. The Bucks are reportedly open to trade talks, and league buzz continues to point toward the Warriors as the leading suitor. Rumored frameworks include Golden State sending three to four first-round picks along with Jonathan Kuminga and Brandin Podziemski in a blockbuster deal that would reshape the future of both franchises.
New York Knicks: Buying
The biggest question surrounding the Knicks right now is Karl-Anthony Towns’ future, especially given his recent play. Over the last six games, Towns is averaging more fouls (4.6) than assists, steals, and blocks combined (4.5), which has only added fuel to growing concerns.
On top of that, reports suggest there is frustration inside the locker room with Towns’ defensive habits. Still, it’s hard to see New York making any kind of major move involving him at the deadline. A more realistic outcome is a smaller financial deal, such as moving Guerschon Yabusele’s $5.5 million salary, while keeping the core intact.
Orlando Magic: Buying
The Magic have a legitimate chance to make a run in the playoffs, but two major issues continue to hold them back: bench scoring and three-point shooting. Orlando currently ranks 25th in bench scoring, and for the third straight season sits in the bottom five in three-point percentage, a combination that becomes especially problematic in a playoff setting.
The bigger complication is financial. The Magic are roughly $5.6 million above the luxury tax, which makes moving Tyus Jones’ $7 million contract almost a necessity. They may not get much in return, but shedding that salary opens the door for more minutes for rookie Jase Richardson, who is shooting just under 40% from three this season. From both a cap and basketball perspective, it’s a move that makes sense.
Philadelphia 76ers: Buying
The 76ers have all the pieces to compete this season, and at this point it really comes down to staying healthy. They’ve already surpassed last year’s win total, which was derailed by injuries, so the outlook is far more optimistic than it was a year ago.
The bigger issue is financial. Philadelphia currently sits about $7 million above the luxury tax, and just as they’ve done in recent seasons, they’ll likely look for ways to get under it. The most obvious contracts to move would be Quentin Grimes or Kelly Oubre Jr., but both are key rotation players, and dealing either would probably hurt more than it helps. They could instead try to move Andre Drummond or Eric Gordon, but from a basketball standpoint, that would come at the cost of valuable veteran depth when the playoffs arrive.
Toronto Raptors: Buying
The Raptors are in prime position to make their first playoff appearance since 2022, sitting at 29-20, but the roster still has a few underlying issues. The biggest need is in the frontcourt, especially with Jakob Poeltl, who signed a three-year, $81 million extension, having not played since December and still out indefinitely.
Toronto’s best path forward is using Ochai Agbaji’s expiring contract along with some of its draft capital to acquire a big man while also staying under the luxury tax. The Raptors still control their own first-round picks from 2026 through 2032, giving them plenty of flexibility. Among the names linked to Toronto are Daniel Gafford, Goga Bitadze, and Day’Ron Sharpe, giving the front office a wide range of realistic options to explore.
Washington Wizards: Selling
The Wizards kicked off the trade market by acquiring Trae Young in early January. Even with that move, Washington still feels firmly in selling mode, as a realistic playoff push remains highly unlikely.
The Wizards could use Khris Middleton’s $33 million expiring contract in a deal, but there’s a strong argument for simply letting it come off the books and using that flexibility in free agency instead. Washington is positioned to make major moves this offseason, with Middleton and Trae Young currently the only players on the roster earning more than $12 million. Until then, any deadline deals should be focused almost exclusively on accumulating draft capital and young talent rather than chasing short-term wins.
If this was your kind of read, you’ll like what’s next. Get The Sandman Ticket, our free, weekly newsletter with picks, insights, and a little bit of everything we love about sports.
