The NBA trade deadline hits at 3 p.m. ET on Thursday, Feb. 5, and front offices have already shaken up the league — most notably by sending James Harden from the Los Angeles Clippers to the Cleveland Cavaliers for Darius Garland. With one day left for additional deals, ESPN polled its panel of insiders to rank all 30 clubs and single out the player carrying the greatest burden, whether that pressure stems from a possible trade, looming free agency or championship expectations.
1. Oklahoma City Thunder (39-11)
Under pressure: Shai Gilgeous-Alexander — The reigning champions have little to fret about until the postseason, yet their All-NBA guard is chasing a second MVP award and is responsible for keeping the title defense on track.
Next: at Spurs (Feb. 4), vs. Rockets (Feb. 7), at Lakers (Feb. 9)
2. Detroit Pistons (37-12)
Under pressure: Cade Cunningham — Detroit lacks a star co-pilot, leaving the league’s assists leader (9.8) to shoulder virtually everything if the Pistons hope to reach the conference finals.
Next: vs. Wizards (Feb. 5), vs. Knicks (Feb. 6), at Hornets (Feb. 9)
3. Denver Nuggets (33-18)
Under pressure: Peyton Watson — Playing for a new contract, the 23-year-old swingman is averaging a career-best 15.0 points and shot 50.4% overall and 42.8% from deep before Tuesday. Denver needs the same energy once the playoffs start.
Next: at Knicks (Feb. 4), at Bulls (Feb. 7), vs. Cavaliers (Feb. 9)
4. San Antonio Spurs (33-16)
Under pressure: Jeremy Sochan — Injuries and rookie Carter Bryant’s rise have pushed the 22-year-old out of the rotation. With restricted free agency ahead, any minutes he gets could be an audition for other teams.
Next: vs. Thunder (Feb. 4), at Mavericks (Feb. 5), vs. Mavericks (Feb. 7), at Lakers (Feb. 10)
5. New York Knicks (32-18)
Under pressure: Karl-Anthony Towns — The league’s top rebounder (11.9) remains in the background of Giannis Antetokounmpo trade chatter and must complement Jalen Brunson well enough to push New York to the Finals.
Next: vs. Nuggets (Feb. 4), at Pistons (Feb. 6), at Celtics (Feb. 8), vs. Pacers (Feb. 10)
6. Houston Rockets (31-17)
Under pressure: Reed Sheppard — With Kevin Durant sidelined by an ankle sprain and Fred VanVleet out, Houston wants its second-year guard to stay aggressive even though he has topped 50% shooting only twice in his past 13 outings.
Next: vs. Celtics (Feb. 4), vs. Hornets (Feb. 5), at Thunder (Feb. 7), vs. Clippers (Feb. 10)
7. Boston Celtics (32-18)
Under pressure: Nikola Vučević — Acquired for Anfernee Simons, the veteran center’s shooting (37% on more than four threes a game) and rebounding must fortify a roster that has overachieved without Jayson Tatum.
Next: at Rockets (Feb. 4), vs. Heat (Feb. 6), vs. Knicks (Feb. 8)
8. Minnesota Timberwolves (31-20)
Under pressure: Anthony Edwards — Until Minnesota lands a steady point guard, the All-Star guard carries the creation load, especially with 2024 lottery pick Rob Dillingham still struggling.
Next: at Raptors (Feb. 4), vs. Pelicans (Feb. 6), vs. Clippers (Feb. 8), vs. Hawks (Feb. 9)
9. Cleveland Cavaliers (30-21)
Under pressure: James Harden — The 36-year-old joins Donovan Mitchell and Evan Mobley for another crack at playoff redemption; his postseason shooting splits must improve quickly in a new system.
Next: at Clippers (Feb. 4), at Kings (Feb. 7), at Nuggets (Feb. 9)
10. Phoenix Suns (31-20)
Under pressure: Jalen Green — A lingering right hamstring has limited the guard to five games. As he returns, the Suns need to see how he meshes with Devin Booker before the postseason.
Next: vs. Warriors (Feb. 5), vs. 76ers (Feb. 7), vs. Mavericks (Feb. 10)
11. Toronto Raptors (30-21)
Under pressure: Collin Murray-Boyles — Thrust into the starting center role because Jakob Poeltl’s back keeps him out, the 6-foot-7 rookie must anchor a top-10 defense unless Toronto trades for size.
Next: vs. Timberwolves (Feb. 4), vs. Bulls (Feb. 5), vs. Pacers (Feb. 8)
12. Los Angeles Lakers (30-19)
Under pressure: Austin Reaves — A career year (26.6 ppg) was interrupted by a left calf strain. Staying healthy is critical with a potential $241 million max extension looming.
Next: vs. 76ers (Feb. 5), vs. Warriors (Feb. 7), vs. Thunder (Feb. 9), vs. Spurs (Feb. 10)
13. Philadelphia 76ers (29-21)
Under pressure: Paul George — After a suspension that lasts until late March, the veteran wing will have only 10 games to regain form before a hoped-for playoff push.
Next: at Lakers (Feb. 5), at Suns (Feb. 7), at Trail Blazers (Feb. 9)
14. LA Clippers (23-26)
Under pressure: Darius Garland — Injuries hurt the guard’s final months in Cleveland. To launch a new chapter in Los Angeles, he first has to get back on the floor and stay there.
Next: vs. Cavaliers (Feb. 4), at Kings (Feb. 6), at Timberwolves (Feb. 8), at Rockets (Feb. 10)
15. Golden State Warriors (27-24)
Under pressure: Jonathan Kuminga — Whether he is traded or remains in San Francisco, the third-year forward must show his tantalizing skill set is ready for a larger role once he returns from a bone bruise.
Next: at Suns (Feb. 5), at Lakers (Feb. 7), vs. Grizzlies (Feb. 9)
16. Miami Heat (27-25)
Under pressure: Norman Powell — A first-time All-Star in his 11th season, the veteran scorer is eligible for a four-year, $128.5 million extension and has boosted Miami to a 5-game-over-.500 record in his appearances.
Next: at Celtics (Feb. 6), at Wizards (Feb. 8), vs. Jazz (Feb. 9)
17. Orlando Magic (25-24)
Under pressure: Paolo Banchero — The first season of a five-year, $241 million max deal hasn’t lifted Orlando beyond play-in territory. The team is minus-2.5 points per 100 possessions with him on the floor.
Next: vs. Nets (Feb. 5), vs. Jazz (Feb. 7), vs. Bucks (Feb. 9)
18. Charlotte Hornets (23-28)
Under pressure: The 1999-2000 Hornets — Charlotte’s current eight-game run is the franchise’s longest streak since Baron Davis and company won eight straight more than 25 years ago; one more victory ties that mark.
Next: at Rockets (Feb. 5), at Hawks (Feb. 7), vs. Pistons (Feb. 9)
19. Atlanta Hawks (25-27)
Under pressure: Jalen Johnson — With Trae Young now in Washington, the new face of the franchise is averaging 23.3 points and 10.5 rebounds and made his first All-Star Game as a reserve.
Next: vs. Jazz (Feb. 5), vs. Hornets (Feb. 7), at Timberwolves (Feb. 9)
20. Chicago Bulls (24-27)
Under pressure: Coby White — One of seven expiring contracts, the guard wants a substantial raise after outplaying a three-year, $36 million deal but has battled a lingering calf injury.
Next: at Raptors (Feb. 5), vs. Nuggets (Feb. 7), at Nets (Feb. 9)
21. Portland Trail Blazers (23-28)
Under pressure: Deni Avdija — The freshly minted All-Star missed six recent games with a back strain, and Portland’s five-game skid underscores how vital his scoring is while Scoot Henderson eases back from a severe hamstring injury.
Next: vs. Grizzlies (Feb. 6), vs. Grizzlies (Feb. 7), vs. 76ers (Feb. 9)
22. Dallas Mavericks (19-31)
Under pressure: Cooper Flagg — The 19-year-old rookie is on pace to join Larry Bird, Michael Jordan, Grant Hill and Luka Dončić as the only first-year players since the ABA-NBA merger to average at least 19 points, 6 rebounds and 4 assists.
Next: vs. Spurs (Feb. 5), at Spurs (Feb. 7), at Suns (Feb. 10)
23. Memphis Grizzlies (19-29)
Under pressure: Ja Morant — Trade rumors swirl as the two-time All-Star rehabs a sprained left elbow; he has played only 20 games amid injuries and suspension, but remains explosive when healthy.
Next: at Kings (Feb. 4), at Trail Blazers (Feb. 6), at Trail Blazers (Feb. 7), at Warriors (Feb. 9)
24. Milwaukee Bucks (19-29)
Under pressure: Giannis Antetokounmpo — Milwaukee has slipped to 12th in the East, and the two-time MVP is seeking a new team as he recovers from injury, hoping not to waste a prime season outside the playoffs.
Next: vs. Pelicans (Feb. 4), vs. Pacers (Feb. 6), at Magic (Feb. 9)
25. Utah Jazz (16-35)
Under pressure: Cody Williams — Since Jan. 1 the No. 9 pick has averaged 9.1 points on 55.1% shooting and 37.5% from three, giving Utah a look at a possible rotation piece for next season’s planned step forward.
Next: at Hawks (Feb. 5), at Magic (Feb. 7), at Heat (Feb. 9)
26. New Orleans Pelicans (13-39)
Under pressure: Jordan Poole — Once a starter, Poole hasn’t played since Jan. 23 and has fallen from the rotation now that the roster is nearly healthy, leaving his role under James Borrego uncertain.
Next: at Bucks (Feb. 4), at Timberwolves (Feb. 6), vs. Kings (Feb. 9)
27. Brooklyn Nets (13-36)
Under pressure: Michael Porter Jr. — With few healthy weapons around him and only three wins in January, the forward must balance production and leadership for an undermanned roster.
Next: at Magic (Feb. 5), vs. Wizards (Feb. 7), vs. Bulls (Feb. 9)
28. Indiana Pacers (13-38)
Under pressure: Bennedict Mathurin — Averaging 17.8 points but recording more turnovers than assists, the former No. 6 pick enters restricted free agency and could be dealt before the deadline.
Next: at Bucks (Feb. 6), at Raptors (Feb. 8), at Knicks (Feb. 10)
29. Washington Wizards (13-36)
Under pressure: Bilal Coulibaly — The 21-year-old’s three-point accuracy has dipped to 27.5% for a second straight year, and he needs a strong finish to warrant an extension.
Next: at Pistons (Feb. 5), at Nets (Feb. 7), vs. Heat (Feb. 8)
30. Sacramento Kings (12-39)
Under pressure: De’Andre Hunter — Sent west in the Keon Ellis-Dennis Schröder swap, the wing must rediscover the form that produced 40.5% three-point shooting last season after dropping to 30.8% in Cleveland.
Next: vs. Grizzlies (Feb. 4), vs. Clippers (Feb. 6), vs. Cavaliers (Feb. 7), at Pelicans (Feb. 9)
With the deadline hours away and the postseason picture coming into focus, every name on this list has something significant at stake in the days and weeks ahead.
Source: ESPN
