With almost every player in the league—aside from no-trade-clause holders Bradley Beal and LeBron James—now eligible to be moved, NBA executives have entered a 20-day rush toward the Feb. 5 trade cutoff. Here is where 10 franchises stand as phone lines heat up and cap sheets are pored over.
Teams expected to add
Milwaukee Bucks
The front office, led by general manager Jon Horst, has been canvassing the league for help at any position to bolster Giannis Antetokounmpo’s supporting cast. Milwaukee owns one movable first-round pick and sits roughly $14 million beneath the luxury-tax line. The club is 21 points per 100 possessions better when Antetokounmpo plays, underscoring management’s belief it should strengthen the roster rather than consider dealing its two-time MVP.
Golden State Warriors
Resolution of the long-running Jonathan Kuminga saga looms. Kuminga’s $22.5 million salary, plus a $24 million team option for 2026-27, was structured for trade flexibility, yet Golden State is just $264,000 below the second apron and cannot absorb additional money in any deal. The Warriors hold four tradable firsts and could have more than $100 million in expiring contracts this summer, but a current eight-game homestand may determine how aggressively they shop those assets.
Toronto Raptors
After three consecutive postseason absences and with new governor Edward Rogers taking full control later this year, Toronto is testing the market on players such as RJ Barrett and Immanuel Quickley. All future draft picks remain intact, and the club is only about $1 million into the tax. League executives note the Raptors may need to attach picks to off-load long-term money if they hope to pursue a headline star.
Minnesota Timberwolves
The Western Conference leaders have quietly searched for a true point guard. Head coach Chris Finch has often relied on off-guards Donte DiVincenzo and Anthony Edwards to initiate offense, helping produce the league’s sixth-ranked attack. Minnesota, facing a $24 million tax bill and holding no tradable firsts, would likely need to part with a rotation player to add backcourt help while trimming payroll.
Teams likely to subtract
Dallas Mavericks
Rival executives believe Dallas may wait until summer before deciding whether to move Anthony Davis, a target linked to the club for postseason purposes. The Mavericks are projected to approach a combined $400 million in salary and tax for the 2026-27 season—an expense few around the league think owner Mark Cuban will accept. The front office is still taking calls and could explore smaller transactions that lighten future obligations before selecting a long-term basketball operations leader.
Memphis Grizzlies
Memphis is gauging interest in Ja Morant, who has two seasons and more than $80 million left on his contract. Early signals suggest a limited market. The Miami Heat, frequently mentioned as a suitor, prefer to keep their 2027-28 books clear, while Milwaukee has surfaced most often among possible destinations. Reaction has mirrored the tepid response to recent Trae Young talks, which drew only genuine interest from the Washington Wizards.
Brooklyn Nets
Michael Porter Jr. is the premier name on rebuilding rosters. The 6-foot-10 forward is earning $38.3 million this season and $40.8 million next, a sizable figure for any team to match. Brooklyn possesses $15 million in cap space—the league’s largest—and is willing to “rent” that room for draft compensation. Already armed with 13 first-rounders and 19 second-rounders through 2031, the Nets aim to collect even more picks by acting as a conduit in multi-team deals.
Teams still weighing direction
Atlanta Hawks
After moving Trae Young and his $50 million player option, Atlanta still hopes to stay competitive. The Hawks hold $42 million in expiring salaries (Kristaps Porzingis and Luke Kennard), a $13 million trade exception and four tradable firsts, though swap rights with New Orleans and Milwaukee are off-limits. Only Jalen Johnson is set to earn more than $25 million next season, prompting speculation the club could pursue Anthony Davis yet remain protective of its young core.
Los Angeles Lakers
Los Angeles has contacted teams about perimeter shooting and rim protection, dangling roughly $40 million in expiring contracts (Rui Hachimura, Gabe Vincent, Maxi Kleber). The franchise straddles two timelines: maximizing 41-year-old LeBron James while retaining flexibility to reshape the roster—potentially around Luka Dončić—if James departs. The Lakers own one tradable first and up to five pick swaps today, sit $1.1 million under the first apron, and would gain two additional firsts plus cap space by waiting until July.
Boston Celtics
Boston is about $12 million into the tax, far below last summer’s projections of a $500 million payroll. Tied for second in the East despite Jayson Tatum’s Achilles recovery, the Celtics can either reduce tax exposure or use Anfernee Simons’ $27 million expiring contract to acquire longer-term help. President of basketball operations Brad Stevens has a history of incremental deadline moves, such as last season’s additions of Mike Muscala and Xavier Tillman, suggesting a balanced approach.
The final three weeks before the deadline will determine whether these 10 organizations buy, sell, or stand pat as playoff races intensify.
Source: ESPN
