Projected NBA Standings After Trade Deadline
projected-nba-standings-after-trade-deadline
The NBA trade deadline has passed, leaving only the buyout market to tweak rosters before the season’s final stretch. With the All-Star break up next and roughly two months until April, Hoops Wire mapped out where each team could finish once the regular season ends.
Western Conference
Playoff spots (1-6)
- Oklahoma City Thunder
- San Antonio Spurs
- Denver Nuggets
- Minnesota Timberwolves
- Houston Rockets
- Los Angeles Lakers
Oklahoma City and San Antonio have created a clear cushion at the top. Denver, facing the league’s toughest remaining schedule and still without Aaron Gordon until at least mid-March, is projected third largely on the strength of Nikola Jokić. Houston owns the easiest schedule but has struggled to close out winnable games, especially after losing the rebounding presence of Steven Adams. Minnesota’s difficult slate and mixed record against elite opponents are offset by Ayo Dosunmu’s arrival and Anthony Edwards’ late-game production.
Play-In positions (7-10)
- Phoenix Suns
- Golden State Warriors
- Portland Trail Blazers
- Los Angeles Clippers
Phoenix sits even in the loss column with Minnesota but still must navigate two games each against Oklahoma City, San Antonio and Boston, along with meetings versus Denver and Houston. A February 26 contest against the Lakers could swing tiebreaker math. The Clippers remain motivated to compete because they do not control their 2026 first-round pick; Darius Garland is expected back soon, and the roster retains considerable talent.
Lottery group (11-15)
- Memphis Grizzlies
- Dallas Mavericks
- New Orleans Pelicans
- Utah Jazz
- Sacramento Kings
Sacramento sits firmly at the bottom, while Utah has already begun fourth-quarter concessions. New Orleans lacks incentive to tank because it does not control its own pick, placing the Pelicans ahead of Utah. Memphis and Dallas appear too far behind to climb.
Eastern Conference
Playoff spots (1-6)
- Detroit Pistons
- Cleveland Cavaliers
- New York Knicks
- Boston Celtics
- Philadelphia 76ers
- Orlando Magic
Detroit holds a comfortable lead. Cleveland owns the conference’s softest remaining schedule against tanking teams and has won all three contests featuring James Harden, helping the Cavaliers move past Boston and New York. Boston remains steady, while the Knicks rely on Jose Alvarado to stabilize the backcourt after losing Miles McBride. Philadelphia benefits from tiebreakers, though Paul George’s projected 18-game absence looms; Tyrese Maxey’s form keeps the 76ers afloat. Orlando’s favorable run-in against lottery opponents gives the Magic the inside track to sixth.
Play-In positions (7-10)
- Toronto Raptors
- Charlotte Hornets
- Miami Heat
- Atlanta Hawks
Charlotte, winner of nine of its last ten, features a lineup that fits and now trails Miami by a manageable margin in the play-in race.
Lottery group (11-15)
- Chicago Bulls
- Milwaukee Bucks
- Brooklyn Nets
- Washington Wizards
- Indiana Pacers
Chicago remains close to the play-in cutoff but appears stuck between timelines. Milwaukee is focused on adding a lottery asset that could help keep Giannis Antetokounmpo invested long term. Washington is expected to rest Anthony Davis and Trae Young frequently to preserve pick protections. Indiana already has a two-loss buffer for the bottom spot, an advantage in a draft with limited top-end talent.
The standings will crystallize once the All-Star break ends, with health, scheduling quirks and remaining incentives likely deciding the final order.
Source: Hoops Wire
