Early NBA trade deadline outlook: How eight contenders are preparing for February 5
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The NBA trade deadline sits nearly three months away, but front offices are already mapping out strategies to address roster gaps, salary-cap limits and draft-pick inventories. ESPN obtained an early read on the plans of eight playoff hopefuls across both conferences.
Detroit Pistons
Riding an 11-game winning streak and holding the Eastern Conference’s best record, Detroit needs outside shooting. The club ranks 27th in made three-pointers and 28th in attempts. Duncan Robinson (3.1 triples a night on 41.8%) has helped, yet another reliable spacer is required to protect Cade Cunningham and Jalen Duren.
General manager Troy Weaver can be aggressive: the Pistons control every first-round pick through 2032, own 14 second-rounders and sit $26.2 million below the first apron. Large expiring deals—Tobias Harris ($26.3 million), Robinson ($16.8 million), Isaiah Stewart ($15 million) and Caris LeVert ($14.1 million)—give Detroit multiple trade constructions. Jaden Ivey, rehabbing from knee surgery, will return soon in the G League and could influence how quickly ownership authorizes a big move.
Golden State Warriors
Stephen Curry and offseason addition Jimmy Butler III lift the offense, but production drops when both rest. Golden State went 1-2 during Curry’s recent illness, highlighting the need for another creator.
The Warriors still hold four tradable first-rounders despite shipping their 2025 pick to Miami for Butler. Jonathan Kuminga’s new $22.5 million contract becomes movable January 15, effectively starting trade season for general manager Mike Dunleavy Jr. Because the club is hard-capped at the second apron, incoming salary cannot exceed outgoing salary. Moses Moody, Buddy Hield and Brandin Podziemski combine for $23 million in matching money, but only one second-round pick remains. Internal evaluations of De’Anthony Melton’s knee recovery and Al Horford’s fit will guide next steps.
Orlando Magic
Orlando rebuilt its backcourt by acquiring Desmond Bane and signing Tyus Jones, yet the team still depends heavily on starting point guard Jalen Suggs. With Suggs on the floor, the Magic outscore opponents by 17.2 points per 100 possessions; that flips to minus-6.2 when he sits. Jones, shooting 19.0% from three and posting a career-low 4.3 assists per 36 minutes, has struggled to adjust.
The payroll leaves only $1.2 million beneath the first apron, and Orlando can trade just one first-rounder (2032). Eight second-round selections and several mid-tier salaries—including Jones’ expiring deal—are available, but any trade adding long-term money risks pushing the franchise into second-apron territory by 2026-27. Management intends to evaluate the current roster longer before seeking outside help.
New York Knicks
Depth at center is the lone apparent weakness. Mitchell Robinson’s injury history raises concern, and metrics show New York’s net rating dips sharply when he is off the floor. Free-agent forward Guerschon Yabusele, expected to serve as a reserve big, averages only 2.6 points in 10.2 minutes.
Cash-strapped against the second apron, the Knicks cannot absorb extra salary. Their key chips are Robinson’s $12.9 million expiring contract, swap rights in 2026, 2030 and 2032, and eight second-rounders. Significant change is unlikely without moving one of the core six players earning the bulk of the cap.
Milwaukee Bucks
Without Damian Lillard and with Giannis Antetokounmpo sidelined up to two weeks by a groin injury, Milwaukee lacks secondary scoring. The Bucks average an elite 125.2 offensive rating when Antetokounmpo plays, but that plunges to 104.2 when he rests.
The team can either aggregate salaries or take back more money, yet only one first-round pick (2031 or 2032) and no seconds are available. Nine players become trade-eligible December 15, while guard Kevin Porter Jr. is expected back from knee surgery in December and could ease the scoring burden internally.
Los Angeles Lakers
Three-point shooting is the primary concern for a lineup featuring Luka Doncic and Austin Reaves, both under 33% from deep. The Lakers rank 27th in attempts and 23rd in percentage. LeBron James, back from injury and shooting 39% from beyond the arc over the past two seasons, helps, but additional perimeter accuracy would allow Doncic more space. Defensive specialists Marcus Smart and Jarred Vanderbilt are both under 30% from three.
Los Angeles, hard-capped at the first apron, cannot take on more than $1 million in additional salary and owns just one movable first-rounder plus a single second-rounder over the next seven drafts. More than $100 million in expiring contracts—James, Rui Hachimura, Gabe Vincent and Maxi Kleber—creates off-season cap flexibility that could limit in-season spending. The coaching staff is now focused on determining an optimal rotation with all 14 players healthy.
San Antonio Spurs
San Antonio shoots threes at a league-average rate but lacks a perimeter threat opponents fear, making it easier for defenses to swarm Victor Wembanyama. Devin Vassell’s 34.7% accuracy should climb, yet another high-end marksman would deter zone schemes; only three clubs have faced more zone possessions this season.
The Spurs surrendered four first-rounders for De’Aaron Fox but still control six firsts across the next seven drafts and hold 15 seconds. With $40 million in expiring salaries, including Jeremy Sochan, San Antonio could add shooting; however, executives continue to prioritize internal development around Wembanyama before drastic moves.
Minnesota Timberwolves
Point guard remains unresolved after the demotion of 38-year-old Mike Conley. Anthony Edwards leads in touches, Julius Randle handles many assists, and rookie Rob Dillingham has yet to secure coach Chris Finch’s trust, topping 20 minutes only once.
Because of previous deals for Rudy Gobert and Dillingham, Minnesota lacks a tradable first-round pick and cannot receive additional salary while over the first apron. The Timberwolves will monitor the market for starting-caliber point guards but may need a distressed asset to fit within their limited draft capital.
With the deadline set for February 5, each contender must balance immediate needs against future flexibility as trade season approaches.
Source: ESPN
