TITLE: NBA Trade Deadline: What Every Team Is Weighing Before Feb. 5
SLUG: nba-trade-deadline-focus-2025
CONTENT:
The unofficial trade season opened Monday with roughly 90 percent of the league now eligible to be dealt. Below is a club-by-club look at the most pressing questions, salary-cap positions and potential trade chips each front office is debating ahead of the Feb. 5 deadline.
Atlanta Hawks
Apron: $13.4 million under first. Exception: $13.1 million.
Key issue: whether to flip Kristaps Porzingis’ $30.7 million expiring deal and create summer flexibility. Trae Young’s long-term outlook will be monitored but is considered secondary for now.
Notable picks: 2026 (better of Bucks/Pelicans), 2027 (top-4 protected, worse of Bucks/Pelicans), own firsts from 2028.
Major expirings: Young $46 million (player option), Porzingis $30.7 million, Luke Kennard $11 million.
Boston Celtics
Apron: $7.8 million below second (not hard-capped). Exception: $22.5 million.
Key issue: with Jaylen Brown in MVP talks, does Boston add front-court depth by moving Anfernee Simons’ $27.7 million expiring contract plus picks?
Tradeable firsts: own 2026/2027 and 2031.
Major expiring: Simons $27.7 million.
Brooklyn Nets
Apron: $55.8 million under first. Exception: $8.8 million (usable after cap space is exhausted).
Key issue: leverage $15 million in cap room and possibly Cam Thomas’ expiring deal for future draft assets.
Best picks: 2027, 2029, 2031 (Knicks); 2032 (Nuggets).
Major expirings: Ziaire Williams $6.25 million, Day’Ron Sharpe $6.25 million, Haywood Highsmith $5.6 million.
Charlotte Hornets
Apron: $22 million under first (hard-capped). Exception: $14.1 million.
Key issue: decide if LaMelo Ball remains the franchise cornerstone amid injury concerns and declining scoring average (19.4 PPG).
Valuable picks: 2027 (top-2 protected via Mavericks), 2027 (top-14 protected via Heat; becomes 2028 unprotected if not conveyed).
Major expirings: Collin Sexton $19 million, Pat Connaughton $9.4 million.
Chicago Bulls
Apron: $18.7 million under first (hard-capped). Exception: $14.1 million.
Key issue: with seven players on expiring contracts, weigh renting cap space this summer versus taking on deals that extend beyond 2025-26.
Available firsts: own 2026-2032.
Major expirings: Nikola Vucevic $21.5 million, Zach Collins $18.1 million, Kevin Huerter $18 million, Coby White $12.9 million, Ayo Dosunmu $7.5 million, Jevon Carter $6.8 million, Dalen Terry $5.4 million (RFA).
Cleveland Cavaliers
Apron: $22.7 million over second (not hard-capped, but limited). Exception: none.
Key issue: emergence of rookie Jaylon Tyson raises questions about De’Andre Hunter, owed $24.9 million next year when Cleveland projects to remain above the second apron.
Top pick asset: own 2031/2032 first.
Major expirings: Lonzo Ball $10 million (team option), Dean Wade $6.6 million.
Dallas Mavericks
Apron: $1.3 million under second (hard-capped). Exception: none.
Key issue: determine Anthony Davis’ future before risking free agency; the All-NBA big has played only 20 games since arriving last February.
Best picks: 2029 (via Lakers) and own 2031/2032.
Major expirings: D’Angelo Russell $5.7 million (player option), Dwight Powell $4 million.
Denver Nuggets
Apron: $2.9 million under first. Exceptions: $6.9 million and $5.4 million.
Key issue: ownership must decide whether to re-enter the luxury tax; Denver is currently $402,000 over the threshold and a repeater if it stays there.
Picks of note: swaps in 2026 and 2031.
Major expiring: Peyton Watson $4.4 million (RFA).
Detroit Pistons
Apron: $26.1 million under first. Exception: $14.1 million.
Key issue: East-leading Pistons must choose between chasing a superstar or adding a complementary piece such as Trey Murphy III.
Pick stock: all own firsts 2026-2032.
Major expirings: Tobias Harris $26.6 million, Jaden Ivey $10.1 million (RFA).
Golden State Warriors
Apron: $264,373 under second (hard-capped). Exception: none.
Key issue: cannot act until Jan. 15, when Jonathan Kuminga’s $22.5 million salary becomes trade-eligible; frontcourt help remains the priority.
Tradeable firsts: own 2026-2032.
Major expirings: Draymond Green $25.9 million (player option), Kuminga $22.5 million (team option).
Houston Rockets
Apron: $1.25 million under first (hard-capped). Exception: $12.5 million (cannot exceed first apron).
Key issue: point-guard-by-committee is working despite Fred VanVleet’s ACL tear; Houston sits fourth in offensive rating while ranking second-worst in turnovers.
Picks of note: 2027 (via Suns), 2027 swap with Nets, 2029 (two most favorable of Mavericks/Suns/own).
Major expirings: VanVleet $25 million (player option), Tari Eason $5.7 million (RFA).
Indiana Pacers
Apron: $11.9 million under first. Exceptions: two at $14.1 million.
Key issue: Bennedict Mathurin, averaging 20.1 PPG, is extension-eligible; Indiana also needs a starting center after Myles Turner’s departure.
Pick cache: own 2026-2032 (can trade four).
Major expiring: Mathurin $9.2 million (RFA).
LA Clippers
Apron: $1.3 million under first (hard-capped). Exception: $6.5 million (unusable if deal ends over apron).
Key issue: evaluate futures of James Harden, Kawhi Leonard and Ivica Zubac; rebuilding draft capital may trump short-term upgrades.
Available firsts: own 2030, 2031, 2032 (can send two).
Major expirings: Harden $39.2 million (player option), John Collins $26.6 million, Bogdan Bogdanovic $16 million (team option), Brook Lopez $8.8 million (team option), Bradley Beal $5.3 million (player option).
Los Angeles Lakers
Apron: $1.1 million under first. Exception: none.
Key issue: shore up perimeter defense (third-worst opponent 3-pt %) while weighing a Rui Hachimura extension worth up to four years, $114.5 million.
Key picks: own 2031/2032 plus multiple swaps (2026, 2028, 2030-2032).
Major expirings: Hachimura $18.3 million, Austin Reaves $13.9 million (player option), Gabe Vincent $11.5 million, Maxi Kleber $11 million, Deandre Ayton $8.8 million (player), Marcus Smart $5.1 million.
Memphis Grizzlies
Apron: $23.8 million under first. Exception: none.
Key issue: team has a better record without Ja Morant (7-5) than with him (4-9); no extension was offered last summer.
Important picks: 2026 (best of Magic/Suns), 2029 swap with Magic (top-2 protected), 2030 via Magic.
Major expiring: Kentavious Caldwell-Pope $21.6 million (player option).
Miami Heat
Apron: $7.2 million under first. Exceptions: $16.8 million, $14.1 million, $7.8 million, $5.6 million.
Key issue: status of Terry Rozier, on leave after October arrest; his $26.6 million expiring contract could headline a Giannis Antetokounmpo offer if Milwaukee listens.
Tradeable firsts: own 2030, 2031, 2032 (two can be moved).
Major expirings: Andrew Wiggins $28.2 million (player option), Rozier $26.6 million, Norman Powell $20.5 million, Simone Fontecchio $8.3 million.
Milwaukee Bucks
Apron: $19.5 million under first. Exception: $3.6 million.
Key issue: decide whether to place Antetokounmpo on the market; the two-time MVP is extension-eligible Oct. 1 and can reach free agency in 2027. Bucks do not control a first until 2031.
Top pick assets: own 2031 or 2032.
Major expirings: Kevin Porter Jr. $5.1 million (player option), Gary Trent Jr. $3.6 million (player option).
Minnesota Timberwolves
Apron: $3.6 million under second (not hard-capped). Exception: none.
Key issue: lack of a traditional point guard forces Anthony Edwards into heavy playmaking duties; Timberwolves cannot add salary in a trade and lack a movable first.
New Orleans Pelicans
Apron: $3.1 million under first. Exceptions: $13.5 million, $13 million, $6.1 million.
Key issue: new basketball operations chief Joe Dumars may wait for the next coach before reshaping a roster that is fully under contract next season, including Zion Williamson’s non-guaranteed deal.
Pick stock: own firsts beginning 2028.
Major expirings: Kevon Looney $8 million (team option), Jose Alvarado $4.5 million (player option).
New York Knicks
Apron: $148,358 under second (hard-capped). Exception: none.
Key issue: cap room is razor-thin; deciding whether to shed small salaries for flexibility and whether to push all chips in if Antetokounmpo becomes available.
Picks: swaps in 2026, 2030, 2032; 2026 top-eight protected pick from Wizards.
Major expirings: Mitchell Robinson $12.9 million, Guerschon Yabusele $5.5 million (player option).
Oklahoma City Thunder
Apron: $8.6 million under first. Exception: $14.1 million.
Key issue: weighing consolidation of 13 first-rounders over seven seasons to offset future payroll growth; team is $1 million under the tax.
Extensive pick list: 2026 two most favorable (own/Clippers/Rockets) if 5-30; 2026 top-8 protected via Jazz; 2026 top-4 protected via 76ers; 2027 two most favorable (own/Clippers/Nuggets) if 6-30; 2027 top-16 via Spurs; swaps 2027 Clippers, 2028 Mavericks; 2029 top-5 via Nuggets.
Major expirings: Isaiah Hartenstein $28.5 million (team option), Lu Dort $17.7 million (team), Kenrich Williams $7.2 million (team), Ousmane Dieng $6.7 million (RFA).
Orlando Magic
Apron: $1.2 million under first. Exception: $7.1 million.
Key issue: Anthony Black’s progress could make Tyus Jones ($7 million expiring) expendable; moving him would put Orlando under the tax.
Picks: swaps 2027, 2031, 2032; own 2032.
Major expirings: Jones $7 million, Jett Howard $5.5 million.
Philadelphia 76ers
Apron: $1 million under first (not hard-capped). Exceptions: $8 million, $5.7 million, $3.9 million (limited to 100 percent matching).
Key issue: balancing tax savings against depth; injuries to Joel Embiid and Paul George make Kelly Oubre Jr. and Andre Drummond valuable despite expiring contracts.
Picks: 2028 via Clippers, 2029 swap (top-3 protected) with Clippers.
Major expirings: Quentin Grimes $8.7 million, Oubre $8.4 million, Drummond $5 million.
Phoenix Suns
Apron: $6.3 million under first (not hard-capped). Exception: $14.1 million (only $5.7 million usable without triggering hard cap).
Key issue: dropping below the luxury tax by dealing Nick Richards’ $5 million expiring contract would stop the repeater clock after $273 million in prior penalties.
First-rounders: none available.
Major expirings: Mark Williams $6.3 million (RFA), Richards $5 million.
Portland Trail Blazers
Apron: $7.9 million under first. Exception: none.
Key issue: bottom-10 defense could be aided by flipping Matisse Thybulle ($11.5 million) and Robert Williams III ($13.3 million) rather than taking on salary.
Picks: 2028 Bucks swap, 2029 (most and least favorable of own/Celtics/Bucks), 2030 Bucks swap.
Major expirings: Williams III $13.3 million, Thybulle $11.5 million.
Sacramento Kings
Apron: $7.8 million under first. Exceptions: $14.1 million, $5 million.
Key issue: while veterans will draw attention, Keon Ellis’ $2.3 million expiring contract and Bird rights may be the club’s most attractive piece.
Picks: own 2026-2032; 2027 (if 1-16 via Spurs); 2031 from Timberwolves.
Major expirings: Zach LaVine $47.5 million (player option), Dario Saric $5.4 million.
San Antonio Spurs
Apron: $10 million under first. Exceptions: $5.1 million, $3.1 million.
Key issue: could mimic last year’s Rockets by waiting until summer to add a star for Victor Wembanyama; Julian Champagnie ($3 million option) is eligible for a four-year, $67 million extension.
Picks: 2026 Hawks swap, 2027 Hawks, 2028 Celtics swap (if 2-30), 2030 Mavericks/Timberwolves more favorable swap (if 2-30), 2031 Timberwolves swap.
Major expirings: Harrison Barnes $19 million, Kelly Olynyk $13.5 million, Jeremy Sochan $7.1 million (RFA).
Toronto Raptors
Apron: $911,000 under first (not hard-capped). Exception: $14.1 million (limited to 100 percent matching).
Key issue: surprising start could accelerate a roster retool; Toronto also sits $772,000 above the tax and may look to duck the penalty.
Pick flexibility: can trade up to four firsts (own 2026-2032).
Major expiring: Ochai Agbaji $6.4 million.
Utah Jazz
Apron: $51.5 million under first. Exceptions: $18.4 million, $4.9 million, $3.5 million.
Key issue: Lauri Markkanen is posting 27.6 PPG and is signed four more years; Jazz must decide whether to entertain offers packed with first-rounders. Walker Kessler (RFA) is out for the season following shoulder surgery.
Pick haul: 11 firsts through 2032, including 2026 swap with Cavs/T-Wolves and 2031 Suns pick.
Major expirings: Jusuf Nurkic $19.4 million, Georges Niang $8.2 million, Kessler $4.9 million (RFA), Kevin Love $4.2 million.
Washington Wizards
Apron: $36.4 million under first. Exceptions: $14.1 million, $13.5 million, $9.9 million.
Key issue: possessing $80 million in projected cap space, Wizards are expected to shop CJ McCollum ($30.7 million) and Khris Middleton ($33.3 million) despite their veteran leadership.
Picks: 2026 least favorable (Thunder/Clippers/Rockets if 5-30), 2028 Bucks/Suns swap, 2029 second most favorable (Celtics/Bucks/Blazers), 2030 top-20 protected via Warriors, 2030 Suns swap.
Major expirings: Middleton $33.3 million, McCollum $30.7 million.
The next seven weeks will reveal which of these scenarios turn into actual trades and which remain only front-office talking points.
Source: ESPN
