With the 2023 NBA trade deadline less than a week away, there has finally been a big move: the Brooklyn Nets sent star point guard Kyrie Irving to the Dallas Mavericks.
That transaction should set in motion a busy week for teams looking to retool their rosters ahead of a final playoff push -- or May's draft lottery.To help get you ready, we've broken down what to watch for all 15 teams in the Eastern Conference: What kind of moves they can make, what we're hearing, front-office trade histories and trade restrictions to note.We've also identified one trade we would like to see from each team between now and the deadline.Our guide to the Western Conference is available here.
Note: Teams have $6.4 million cash to send out and receive in trades unless otherwise noted.MORE: Roster breakdown | Draft assets | Trade deadline coverage
Atlanta Hawks
Trade meter: 9
What to watch: The future of John Collins
John Collins is in the second year of a $125 million contract and is averaging the fewest points and field goal attempts in a season since his rookie year. He is also on pace to shoot under 50% in a season for the first time. The forward is shooting 23% from 3, worst among players with at least 100 3-point attempts.His 45.9 touches per game this season is on pace to be the fewest in his career per Second Spectrum.As for his future, Atlanta has three options. One is to trade Collins and his $23.5 million salary for this season in exchange for multiple lower-salaried players while remaining below the luxury tax this year and next season. The Hawks rank fifth worst in points allowed in the paint and also need a backup point guard to help facilitate the offense. But if Atlanta trades Collins, its lone power forward next season is Jalen Johnson and the Hawks are projected to be over the salary cap. They are also a likely tax team if Bogdan Bogdanovic opts in to his contract. With Collins on the roster, Atlanta is projected to be over the luxury tax next season.
The second is to do nothing and reassess the future of Collins in the offseason.The third is to look at smaller deals centered around Bogdanovic and Justin Holiday. Bogdanovic has an $18 million player option and Holiday is a free agent in July.
Front-office trade history: This is the third trade deadline for general manager Landry Fields but the first since he took over for Travis Schlenk, who moved into an advisory role in December. Since joining the Hawks in October 2020, Fields has been part of nine trades, including two during the regular season.
Last regular-season trade: Fields traded Cam Reddish and Solomon Hill to New York for Kevin Knox and a 2023 top-16-protected first from Charlotte. The first was eventually sent to San Antonio as part of the Dejounte Murray trade.
Trade we would like to see: John Collins and Vit Krejci to the Toronto Raptors for Chris Boucher, Thaddeus Young, Khem Birch and a 2024 top-10-protected first-round pick. The first is top-10 protected in 2025 and 2026. It will turn into a 2026 and 2027 second if not conveyed.
Trade exceptions: $4.5 million and $3.7 million
Cash available: $6.3 million (out) | $6.25 million (receive)
Salary info and restrictions:
Atlanta is $1.2 million below the luxury tax and has an open roster spot.
Bogdan Bogdanovic and Trae Young both have a 15% trade bonus.
The bonus for Young is voided because it exceeds the maximum salary allowed.
DeAndre' Hunter has a poison-pill restriction.
For trade purposes, $9.8 million is used as Hunter's outgoing salary and he would count as $19.9 million in incoming salary for an acquiring team.
Draft assets:
Atlanta is allowed to trade its own first in 2023 and 2029.
The Hawks also have a top-14-protected first from Sacramento in 2024.
The pick is top-12 protected in 2025 and will turn into second-round picks in 2026 and 2027 if not conveyed.
The Hawks sent San Antonio unprotected firsts in 2025 and 2027.
The Spurs also have the right to swap firsts in 2026.
Atlanta has 12 second-round picks available to trade.
Boston Celtics
Trade meter: 4
What to watch: The frontcourt and luxury tax
Recent transaction: Sent Noah Vonleh and $1.5 million to San Antonio for a 2024 top-55-protected second-round pick.
Brad Stevens and the Celtics front office are not afraid to make changes to the roster during the regular season, as seen with the trade to acquire Derrick White last February.
However, that move came when Boston was a .500 team and needed additional shooting. This season, the Celtics have the best record in the NBA and do not need wholesale changes to the rotation.If there is a deal to be made it would involve bolstering the depth of the frontcourt.Robert Williams has played only 13 games this season and Al Horford is averaging his most minutes since 2017-18.
The Celtics have an open roster spot and four trade exceptions that range from $5.9 million to $1.8 million (they cannot be combined). Boston was rewarded a $3.2 million disabled player exception but can use it only to acquire a player (by trade or signing) in the last year of his contract.If Boston is willing to use salary, the Celtics have the $6.5 million contract of Danilo Gallinari and $2.2 million salary of reserve guard Payton Pritchard. By combining those two, the Celtics can trade for a player earning up to $10.9 million.
As the Malcolm Brogdon offseason trade confirmed, Celtics ownership is willing to spend deep into the tax for a roster that can compete for a championship.
Front-office trade history: In his first season, Stevens made four regular-season trades, including acquiring White from the Spurs. He also made a financially motivated trade, sending a package of players that included Bol Bol to the Magic. That trade pushed the Celtics below the luxury tax. In total, Stevens has made 10 trades since he took over in May 2021.
Last regular-season trade: Acquired White from the Spurs in exchange for Josh Richardson, Romeo Langford, a 2022 first-round pick (Blake Wesley) and the right to swap firsts in 2028 (top-one protected).
Trade we would like to see: Willy Hernangomez from New Orleans for two second-round picks (Portland's in 2023 and Boston's in 2029).
Trade exceptions: $5.9 million, $2.2 million, $1.7 million, $1.8 million
Cash available: $4.8 million (to send) | $6.4 million (to receive)
Disabled exception: $3.2 million
Salary info and restrictions:
Boston has an open roster spot.
The Celtics are $23.7 million over the luxury tax and have a projected $58.9 million tax bill.
Marcus Smart has a trade bonus of $1 million.
Jayson Tatum has a 15% trade bonus that is valued at $1.7 million.
Draft assets:
Boston can trade 2025, 2027 and 2029 first.
The Celtics owe Indiana a top-12-protected first in 2023.
The Spurs have the right to swap firsts (top-one protected) in 2028.
The Celtics have six second-round picks available to trade.
Brooklyn Nets
Recent transaction: Traded Kyrie Irving to Dallas for Spencer Dinwiddie, Dorian Finney-Smith, a 2029 unprotected first and two second-round picks (2027 and 2029).
Trade meter: 7
What to watch: Future first-round pick
After the Irving trade, the focus for Brooklyn shifts to continuing to upgrade the rest of the roster.While the Nets cannot trade their own first in 2023, 2024 and 2026 (the Rockets also have the right to swap in 2025 and 2027) they do have a 2027 top-8 protected first from Philadelphia, an unprotected first from Dallas in 2029 and their own firsts in either 2028 or 2029. The maximum amount of firsts they can trade is three.Is that enough to target the John Collins if salary filler (Joe Harris for example) is included?If there is a position of need it would be their frontcourt.Brooklyn is last in defensive rebounding percentage and 21st in second-chance points allowed per game. As for the offensive side, the Nets rank 28th in second-chance points per game. They have been outscored by 3.5 second-chance points per game this season, the worst differential in the NBA.Front-office trade history: In back-to-back-to-back seasons, GM Sean Marks orchestrated blockbuster trades. In January 2021, Brooklyn acquired James Harden from Houston for a package of players and draft picks. A year later, Harden was traded to Philadelphia for Ben Simmons and two first-round picks. Then came the Irving deal. In total, Marks has made 29 trades since he took over in 2016, four during the regular season.
Last regular-season trade: Before the Irving deal, it was Harden and Paul Millsap to Philadelphia for Simmons, Seth Curry and two first-round picks.
Trade we would like to see: Harris, Day'Ron Sharpe, 2027 top-8 protected first, 2028 top-10 protected first to Atlanta for John Collins.
Trade exceptions: $5 million, $2.5 million, $1.8 million and $1.7 million
Cash available: $6.4 million (send and receive)
Salary info and restrictions:
The Nets are $29 million over the luxury tax and have a projected tax penalty of $82 million.
Kevin Durant has a 15% trade bonus that is voided because it exceeds the maximum salary allowed to a player.
Ben Simmons signed a designated rookie scale contract with this former team in Philadelphia. Brooklyn is not allowed to acquire a second player signed to the same contract while Simmons is on the roster.
Spencer Dinwiddie and Dorian Finney-Smith cannot be aggregated in a trade. They are allowed to be traded again but not with another player.
Kessler Edwards has a one-year Bird restriction and has veto power on any trade.
Draft assets:
The Nets owe Utah a first that is the least favorable of their own, Philadelphia's and Houston's. For example, the Nets would retain their own first and Utah would receive the 76ers' first.
The Rockets have the right to swap first with Brooklyn in June.
Brooklyn owes Houston unprotected first-round picks in 2024 and 2026. The Rockets have the right to swap firsts in 2025 and 2027.
The Nets own a 2027 top-eight-protected first from Philadelphia. The pick is also top-eight protected in 2028.
Brooklyn has a 2029 unprotected first from Dallas.
Brooklyn has seven second-round picks available to trade.
Charlotte Hornets
Trade meter: 10
Who to watch: Kelly Oubre Jr., Mason Plumlee and Jalen McDaniels
After years of putting a Band-Aid on their roster, the Hornets are entering the transition phase of retooling their roster -- we hope.If the 29-point loss to Atlanta in the play-in tournament last April did not serve notice, having the second-worst record this season should.The Hornets' goal leading up to the deadline should be to build for the future -- starting with moving the expiring contracts of Kelly Oubre Jr. ($12.6M) and Mason Plumlee ($9.1M).Before having surgery on his left hand, Oubre was on pace to average 20 points in a season for the first time in his career. He is expected back in mid-February, so he could contribute down the stretch for a team acquiring him. The bigger concern would be Oubre's production -- or lack thereof -- off the bench. In five games as a reserve this season, he has averaged 14.4 points on 36% shooting, including 8-of-35 on 3-pointers.Plumlee is averaging a career-high 11.3 points while shooting 65% from the field, his best field goal percentage in a season since 2013-14. His 3.6 assists per game ranks in the top five among centers.McDaniels is only 24 years old and is averaging a career-high 10.8 points but will be an unrestricted free agent this offseason after Charlotte picked up his team option for 2022-23. Had the Hornets declined the option last summer, McDaniels would've been a restricted free agent and Charlotte could've matched any offer sheet he signed with another team.The big question comes down to whether or not general manager Mitch Kupchak has the vision to take an aggressive approach in reshaping the roster now rather than waiting until the offseason.Since taking over in 2018, Kupchak has been conservative, making only eight trades, including two during the regular season.Last regular-season trade: Traded Ish Smith, Vernon Carey Jr. and a 2023 protected second to Washington for Montrezl Harrell.
Trades we would like to see: McDaniels to the Lakers for Wenyen Gabriel and three second-round picks (the Lakers' picks in 2023 and 2027, the Bulls' pick in 2023). PJ Washington to Indiana for Chris Duarte and the 2023 first-round pick from Cleveland and Boston.
Trade exceptions: None
Cash available: $6.4 million (send and receive)
Salary info and restrictions:
The Hornets have an open roster spot and are $28.6 million below the luxury tax.
The Hornets would be responsible to pay Gordon Hayward 15% of his remaining salary in a bonus if the forward is traded.
Draft assets:
The Hornets owe San Antonio a top-16-protected first in 2023 and top-14 in either 2024 or 2025.
They cannot trade their own first until two years after the pick is conveyed to the Spurs.
They have a 2023 top-14-protected first from Denver.
The pick is top-14 protected in 2024 and 2025.
Charlotte has eight second-round picks available to send in a trade.
Chicago Bulls
Trade meter: 8
What to watch: Arturas Karnisovas
After the 2020-21 season ended, the Bulls president of basketball operations issued a mandate that now resonates two years later."We will not settle for mediocrity here," Karnisovas said in his first end-of-season media conferenceNow, after going all-in to acquire Nikola Vucevic, Lonzo Ball, DeMar DeRozan and signing Zach LaVine to a five-year, $215 million contract, the play on the court during the first 30 games of this season was mediocre and underachieving, as the Bulls stood at 12-18.
The Bulls have played better as of late, with quality wins over Golden State, Milwaukee, Brooklyn and Philadelphia. Those games should be part of the conversation on which direction Chicago goes.The decision now for Karnisovas and the front office comes down to three big questions.1. Do they pivot away from the current roster and look for trades that involve DeRozan, Vucevic or perhaps LaVine?
Vucevic is set to become a free agent this offseason and Chicago can sign him to a four-year, $118 million extension before June 30 that would likely put the Bulls into the luxury tax next season. If the former All-Star departs, the Bulls are over the cap and will have the $11.4 million midlevel exception to replace him.DeRozan continues to play at an All-NBA level and will be in the last year of his contract next season.He turns 34 in August and is eligible to sign a four-year, $153 million extension.On the surface, LaVine would resonate as the player with the most trade value considering he is in only the first year of his five-year contract and has played like an All-Star at times this season.However, LaVine has had two sets of surgeries on his left knee (the latest was in the 2022 offseason) and will earn a combined $95 million in the last two years of the contract.2. Is there a trade involving Coby White, Alex Caruso and the Portland first (2022 top-14 protected) that can bring back a starting point guard or additional bench scoring?
In his fourth season and still only 22 years old, White started 72 games in his first three seasons but has moved into a backup role this year. White's minutes have increased as of late and if the Bulls try and reboot their season, the former lottery pick should be a coveted guard. The Bulls can make him a restricted free agent -- allowing them to match any offer sheet -- by extending him a qualifying offer before free agency beginsCaruso has value not only because of his contract (has two more seasons left at a combined $19 million) but his ability to defend multiple positions. He should be involved in a trade only if there is a deal to upgrade the on-court product and not for draft capital.3. Do the Bulls stay in a holding pattern and reassess the roster in the offseason?
Unless there is a trade that keeps the Bulls competitive and adds significant draft capital, the smart decision is to wait until the offseason before there are wholesale changes made.Front-office trade history: Karnisovas has made six trades since taking over in 2020, two during the regular season.
Last regular-season trade: At the 2021 deadline, traded Otto Porter Jr., Wendell Carter Jr., two protected first-round picks (one has turned into Franz Wagner) to Orlando for Nikola Vucevic and Al-Farouq Aminu.
Trade we would like to see: Coby White to Phoenix for Cameron Payne and second-round picks in 2023 and 2025. If the Bulls really want to pivot, how about Zach LaVine to New York for a package of draft picks, young players and contracts? Unlikely but as we mentioned above, the Bulls have a decision to either stay the course or look for deals involving their core players.
Trade exceptions: None
Cash available: $6.4 million (send and receive)
Salary info and restrictions:
The Bulls are $1.7 million below the luxury tax.
Zach LaVine has a 15% trade bonus that is voided because it exceeds the maximum salary allowed.
Derrick Jones Jr. has a one-year Bird restriction and can veto any trade.
Draft assets:
The Bulls owe Orlando a top-four-protected first in 2023.
The pick is top-three protected in 2024.
If Chicago sends Orlando a first in June, the Bulls will then send San Antonio a first-round pick in 2025.
That pick is top-10 protected in both 2025 and 2026, then top-eight protected in 2027 and 2028.
The Bulls will receive Portland's first in 2023 if it falls outside of the top 14.
The pick is lottery protected from 2024 to 2028.
Chicago has one available second-round pick to send in a trade.
The Bulls forfeited a second-round pick this year due to violations of the NBA's rules in their negotiations in the Lonzo Ball sign-and-trade deal in 2021.
Cleveland Cavaliers
Trade meter: 7
What to watch: The frontcourt depth
The Cavaliers' first-round draft assets were depleted in the Donovan Mitchell trade (they do still have eight second-round picks available to trade), and in order to acquire depth at the wing or another big as an insurance policy, Cleveland will need to look at trades centered around Isaac Okoro, Cedi Osman, Dylan Windler or sixth man Caris LeVert.
Okoro is in his third season after being drafted No. 5 overall in 2020. He's averaging a career-low 5.4 points per game while shooting 30.6% from 3-point range. According to Second Spectrum, opponents have shot 48.5% against Okoro when he is the closest defender, up from 43.2% last season. Once a starter, Osman has played exclusively in a reserve role this season and is averaging under 10 points a game for the first time since his rookie season. He is shooting 61% on 2-pointers this season, the best in a season in his career. In addition, Osman is making 68.5% of his layups and dunks this season, up from 61.3% last season per Second Spectrum. Windler, who missed the entire 2019-20 season with a leg injury after being drafted 26th overall in 2019, has yet to play this season due to a sprained right ankle.Get your favorite live sports, stories and originals with ESPN+, Disney+ and Hulu. and start streaming something for everyone today!
The three earn a combined $20 million this season, and Windler is the only player not under contract next season.LeVert is no stranger to hearing his name in trade rumors at this time of year. He was part of the trade that sent James Harden to Brooklyn in 2021, landing with the Indiana Pacers, who then traded him to Cleveland at the deadline last season. He's averaging 12.6 points per game for the Cavs this year, his lowest since his second year in the league in 2017-18.
The Cavaliers are projected $37 million below the tax threshold next season and are in a position to take back salary that extends past this season.Cleveland also has an open roster spot available and can become active with post-deadline buyout options if a trade does not materialize.The good news is that Cleveland just got Ricky Rubio back and should get Dean Wade back soon as well.
Rubio, who was traded to Indiana in the deal that brought LeVert to Cleveland before being re-signed this summer, hadn't played since tearing his left ACL on Dec. 28, 2021, before making his season debut last week. Rubio put up 27 points, 13 rebounds and 9 assists against the New Orleans Pelicans before suffering that injury, and finished the 2021-22 season averaging 13 points and 6.6 assists.
Wade scored in double digits three times (he had a career-high 22 points vs. New York) and was averaging 6.4 points on 41.1% from 3 before suffering a sprained left AC joint in December.Front-office trade history: General manager Koby Altman is known to be aggressive during the regular season, making 14 regular-season trades since he took over in 2017. As part of the four-team James Harden trade to Brooklyn, Cleveland acquired center Jarrett Allen. The cost was a 2022 Milwaukee first-round pick (eventually resulted in MarJon Beauchamp) that had been acquired as part of the George Hill trade in 2018.
Last regular-season trade: Traded Ricky Rubio and a 2022 top-14-protected first to Indiana for Caris LeVert last February. The first was not conveyed and is now a 2023 top-14-protected first.
Trade we would like to see: Isaac Okoro, Cedi Osman and two second-round picks (2026 and 2028) to Portland for Josh Hart. In a second trade, Dylan Windler and a 2027 second to Detroit for Hamidou Diallo.
Trade exceptions: None
Cash available: $6.4 million (send and receive)
Salary info and restrictions:
Cleveland has an open roster spot and is $2.47 million below the luxury tax.
Darius Garland has a poison-pill restriction in his contract.
For trade purposes, he would count as $8.9 million in outgoing salary for the Cavs and $32.7 million in incoming salary for the acquiring team.
Dean Wade signed an extension and is not allowed to be traded.
Draft assets:
The Cavaliers are not allowed to trade a first.
Cleveland owes Indiana a top-14-protected first in 2023.
Cleveland owes Utah unprotected firsts in 2025, 2027 and 2029.
The Jazz have the right to swap firsts with Cleveland in 2026 and 2028.
Cleveland has eight second-round picks available to trade
Detroit Pistons
Trade meter: 9
What to watch: Bojan Bogdanovic, Alec Burks, Nerlens Noel, Hamidou Diallo
Give the Pistons' front office credit for parlaying Kelly Olynyk and Saben Lee into Bogdanovic, who could bring back a bigger return as a desired trade target at the deadline.
Bogdanovic is averaging a career-high 21.2 points while shooting 41.5% from beyond the arc. Among players to play 30 games this season, Bogdanovic is one of seven players averaging 20 points and 40% shooting on 3-pointers. He has four 30-point games this season, double his total from a season ago.However, there's no urgency for the Pistons to make a move, even if it netted a future first-round pick. Bogdanovic recently signed a two-year, $39 million extension (the second year has only $2 million of guaranteed salary) and Detroit can slow play discussions until the offseason when the same type (if not more in return) of trade packages will be on the table.Since returning from offseason foot surgery, Burks has averaged 13.8 points in only 21.8 minutes. His career-high 43.8% from 3 ranks in the top 10 among qualified players this season. In addition, Burks is shooting 43.5% on off-the-dribble 3-pointers this season, which ranks in the top five among 70 players with at least 50 attempts per Second Spectrum.Burke's $10 million cap hit this season is below the average player salary, and he has a valuable $10.5 million team option for 2023-24.Noel has averaged a career-low 11.8 minutes and has a $9.7 million team option for next season. It is hard to see Noel as a buyout candidate because his contract for next season has value.Diallo is on an expiring $5.2 million contract and has 14 games of at least 10 points this season.Front-office trade history: General manager Troy Weaver has made 17 trades since taking over in 2020, including four during the regular season. The most impactful is the Bogdanovic trade this past September.
Last regular-season trade: Acquired Marvin Bagley III from the Sacramento Kings as part of a four-team, seven-player trade.
Trade we would like to see: Alec Burks to New Orleans for Devonte' Graham and a 2027 top-14-protected first from Milwaukee.
Trade exceptions: None
Cash available: $4.6 million (send) and $4.3 million (receive)
Salary info and restrictions:
Detroit is $27.2 million below the luxury tax.
Rodney McGruder has a one-year Bird restriction and can veto any trade.
Draft assets:
Detroit owes New York a first-round pick that is top-18 protected in 2023 and 2024, top-12 protected in 2025, top-10 protected in 2026 and top-eight protected in 2027.
The Pistons are limited to trading a first-round pick two years after the pick is conveyed to New York.
The Pistons have nine second-round picks available to use in a trade.
Indiana Pacers
Recent transaction: Renegotiated and extended the contract of Myles Turner.
Trade meter: 8
What to watch: Cap flexibility
The renegotiation and extension of Turner's contract likely removes one of the top trade candidates off the board. However, because Turner's extension is for only two years and has less than a 5% salary increase in the first season, Turner is still eligible to be traded.One issue that could come up is if the NBA determines Turner's renegotiated salary this season ($35.1 million would be used in a trade for matching purposes) counts as salary cap circumvention.The renegotiation does come at a significant decrease in salary cap flexibility moving forward.The Pacers have $10.7 million in room this season, enough to take back contracts for a team looking to decrease their luxury tax payment or to act as a third team in a trade.Front-office trade history: Including the Tyrese Haliburton and Sabonis swap, Kevin Pritchard and his front office made three February trades last season. The other two were trading for Jalen Smith from Phoenix and trading LeVert for a future first-round pick. The prior year, Indiana acquired LeVert and two second-round picks from Brooklyn in the Harden trade.
Last regular-season trade: Acquired Smith and a 2022 second-round pick from Phoenix.
Trade we would like to see: Dario Saric and cash considerations from Phoenix for a 2028 second-round pick (protected 31-35). The trade would save Phoenix $23 million toward the luxury tax and give the Pacers additional frontcourt depth. As part of the deal, Indiana would waive James Johnson. If the Pacers want to take more of an aggressive approach, how about targeting Hornets forward P.J. Washington with the 2023 firsts from Cleveland and Boston?
Trade exceptions: None
Cash available: $6.4 million (to send and receive)
Salary info and restrictions:
The Pacers have $10.7 million in cap space available.
Indiana would owe Jalen Smith 15% of his remaining salary (not including the player option year) if he is traded.
The Pacers are not allowed to acquire Deandre Ayton in a trade.
Draft assets:
The Pacers have their first-round pick in the next seven years.
They have a top-12-protected first from Boston and top-14-protected first from Cleveland in 2023.
Indiana has nine second-round picks available to use in a trade.
Miami Heat
Trade meter: 4
What to watch: Lineup continuity and the final roster spot
The Heat have rolled out 16 different starting lineups this season, Jimmy Butler has played only 28 games and the top eight of the rotation, not including Victor Oladipo, has missed a total of 26 games so far.
As a result, the Heat's offense ranks 23rd in offensive efficiency, 24th in 3-point percentage and 23rd in assists.They are 17-13 when Butler plays and only 9-11 when Adebayo, Butler and Herro play.That leads to this question: If healthy, can this roster -- without any changes -- compete with the top teams in the Eastern Conference? And if not, which player(s) on the roster is expendable, and would draft compensation need to be included?Butler, Adebayo and Herro are untouchable, and Lowry and Duncan Robinson have salaries that extend past this season.
Robinson recently had surgery on his right hand and is owed $47 million in the next three seasons. Lowry has a $29.7 million cap hit in 2023-24. According to Second Spectrum, Robinson ranks 349th in effective field goal percentage allowed as the closest defender among 350 players to defend 100 shots. Lowry is shooting under 40% from the field for the first time since 2009-10. He is also averaging 5.6 assists, his fewest in a season since 2009-10, when he came off the bench in all 68 of his games. Besides those two players, the Heat have nine players on salaries ranging from $8.8 million and $1.8 million. Two of those players, Oladipo and Udonis Haslem, have the right to veto any deal.
As for the final roster spot, Miami is $192,895 below the luxury tax and can convert the two-way contract of Orlando Robinson starting on March 23 while still remaining below the tax. Miami has a portion of its midlevel exception remaining and can use it to sign a player for a contract up to four seasons (though that would push Miami into the tax this season).
Front-office trade history: The Heat have made a regular-season trade five years in a row. In a financially driven move, they sent KZ Okpala to the Thunder last February. In prior years, the Heat made deals to acquire Oladipo, Trevor Ariza, Jae Crowder, Nemanja Bjelica and Andre Iguodala.
Last regular-season trade: Okpala to the Thunder. The move gave Miami flexibility below the luxury tax to sign Caleb Martin.
Trade we would like to see: Dewayne Dedmon and Miami's own first in 2023 (top-14 protected) to Utah for Jarred Vanderbilt. If not conveyed, Utah will receive second-round picks in 2028 and 2029.
Trade exceptions: $1.8 million
Cash available: $6.4 million (to send and receive)
Salary info and restrictions:
The Heat are $192,895 below the luxury tax and have an open roster spot.
Victor Oladipo has a one-year Bird restriction and can veto any trade.
Miami would owe Jimmy Butler and Caleb Martin 15% of their remaining salary (not including the player option) if either player is traded.
Tyler Herro has a poison-pill restriction in his contract.
If he is traded, $5.7 million counts as outgoing salary and $25.1 million counts as incoming salary for the acquiring team.
Draft assets:
The Heat owe Oklahoma CIty a top-14-protected first in 2025.
The first becomes unprotected in 2026 if it is not conveyed.
Miami can trade first-round picks in 2023, 2027 (if the first to OKC is conveyed in 2025) and 2029.
The Heat have three second-round picks available to trade.
Milwaukee Bucks
Trade meter: 7
What to watch: The health of Khris Middleton and frontcourt depth
Middleton is not a trade candidate, but his health (and play on the court) could be a determining factor on how aggressive Milwaukee is at the deadline.In a period of nine months, the All-Star has missed 41 games with injuries to his left knee, left wrist and now right knee. Prior to missing time with a sore right knee, Middleton was averaging 11.1 points on career lows of 32.5% from the field and 26.8% on 3-pointers.In the season that Milwaukee won the NBA title, Middleton shot 45.1% on off-the-dribble jumpers, which ranked seventh among players with 200+ attempts per Second Spectrum tracking. That has dropped to 38.5% over the past two seasons. Middleton has also seen a decline in 3-point shooting, going from 41.4% in 2020-21 to 36% over the past two seasons.Because the roster is top-heavy in salaries, the Bucks are challenged to cobble together enough salary to make a trade without sacrificing a player in their rotation (Grayson Allen or Pat Connaughton) or two of their young players (MarJon Beauchamp and Jordan Nwora).
For example, a hypothetical trade for the Pistons' Bojan Bogdanovic does not work unless the Bucks include Allen, Beauchamp, Nwora and George Hill.The Bucks are also limited in draft assets they can include in a trade. They have eight second-round picks available, but the only first-round pick they can trade is in 2029.Front-office trade history: In the past four seasons, general manager Jon Horst has added Serge Ibaka, PJ Tucker, Eric Bledsoe, George Hill and Nikola Mirotic in four separate trades during the regular season.
Last regular-season trade: Acquired Ibaka from the Clippers as part of a four-team, seven-player trade. The trade sent Donte DiVincenzo to Sacramento and increased the Bucks' luxury tax payment by $6.4 million.
Trade we would like to see: Hill, , Jordan Nwora and Serge Ibaka to Phoenix for Jae Crowder.
Trade exceptions: None
Cash available: $6.4 million (to send and receive)
Salary info and restrictions:
Milwaukee is $26.4 million over the luxury tax and is projected to pay a $69.8 million penalty.
The Bucks are responsible to pay 15% of the remaining salary to Giannis Antetokounmpo and Bobby Portis salary if either player is traded.
The bonus for Antetokounmpo is voided if he is traded.
Serge Ibaka, Wes Matthews and Jevon Carter have a one-year Bird restriction and can veto any trade.
Draft assets:
The Bucks owe Houston an unprotected 2023 first.
The Bucks will send their 2025 first-round pick to New Orleans (if 1-4) or New York (if 5-30).
The Bucks owe New Orleans an unprotected first-round pick in 2027.
The Pelicans have the right to swap firsts with Milwaukee in 2024 and 2026.
The Bucks can trade their 2029 first-round pick.
The Bucks have eight second-round picks available to use in a trade.
New York Knicks
Trade meter: 6
What to watch: Leon Rose and Tom Thibodeau
Back in 2014, while a member of the Nets' front office, there was a trade on the table that could have seen us acquire forward Jordan Hill from the Lakers. The cost was a future second-round pick but a significant tax penalty of an additional $30 million for the rest of the season.Before making a decision, we asked then-coach Jason Kidd if Hill would crack the rotation. He said it was unlikely, and we passed on the trade.That brings us to the alignment needed between the Knicks' front office and coaching staff.As the Cam Reddish trade proved, New York should not be in the business of giving away draft assets for a player who will see more time on the bench and not contribute on the court. Reddish averaged 21.1 minutes this season but has not stepped on the court since early December.Should New York explore deals for a player like Jae Crowder if the cost is the extra first-round pick they have from either Detroit or Washington? The Knicks' two starting forwards, RJ Barrett and Julius Randle, lead the team in minutes played this season and Thibodeau has shortened his rotation to eight players.
Randle would have been a trade candidate before the season, but the forward has reverted back to playing like an All-Star. He has three years left on his contract after the season and any decision about his future should be made in the offseason.Evan Fournier has played sparingly, but there is no need to attach draft assets to shed his $18.9 million salary for next season. New York is projected to be over the cap this summer with or without Fournier.
Front-office trade history: President of basketball operations Leon Rose has made 17 trades since he took over in 2020. Four of those trades occurred during the regular season.
Last regular-season trade: Last January the Knicks traded Kevin Knox II and a 2023 protected first-round pick (from Charlotte) to Atlanta for Cam Reddish, Solomon Hill, a 2025 second-round pick (from Brooklyn) and cash.
Trade we would like to see: Cam Reddish, Svi Mykhailiuk, their own 2027 second to the Suns for Jae Crowder. As we mentioned, there is no need to move off the Fournier contract. However, if there is an opportunity to upgrade the bench with an Eric Gordon trade, New York should consider that even if the cost is either first from Detroit or Washington.
Trade exceptions: None
Cash available: $4.4 million (to send out) $6.4 million (to receive)
Salary info and restrictions:
New York is $7.7 million below the luxury tax.
Jalen Brunson (10%), Isaiah Hartenstein (5%) and Julius Randle (15%) have trade bonuses in their contract.
New York is responsible for paying a percentage of remaining salary left in their contract.
RJ Barrett has a poison pill restriction. For trade purposes, $10.9 million counts as outgoing salary and $23.8 million in incoming salary for the acquiring team.
Draft assets:
The Knicks have their first-round selections in the next seven seasons.
New York is owed a first-round pick from Dallas.
It is top-10 protected in 2023, 2024 and 2025.
New York is owed a first-round pick from Washington. It is top-14 protected in 2023, top-12 protected in 2024, top-10 protected in 2025 and top-8 protected in 2026.
New York is owed a first-round pick from Detroit.
It is top-18 protected in 2023 and 2024, top-13 protected in 2025, top-11 protected in 2026 and top-9 protected in 2027.
The Knicks have a 2025 first-round pick from Milwaukee if it falls outside of the top four.
The Knicks have 10 second-round picks available to use in a trade
Orlando Magic
Trade meter: 7
What to watch: Roster sustainability and Terrence Ross
The Magic are in a similar position as the Thunder, flushed with draft assets and young players to make a trade and advance their roster transformation.The Orlando front office, led by Jeff Weltman, is well aware of the cost associated with that approach."We do want to get better, but not at the expense of rushing back to mediocrity," Weltman said in the offseason. "We do want to have something sustainable. But then you have to elevate the standard to do that. You can't just stay at the basement level indefinitely."This year's Magic have shown signs of the sustainable roster Weltman was talking about. Orlando has the third-youngest roster in the NBA but is on pace to win more games than it has in the past two seasons. It has notable wins against the Warriors, Suns, Celtics, Bulls, Clippers and Raptors. Both Paolo Banchero, the No. 1 pick in 2022, and Franz Wagner appear to be foundational players.
If there is a trade candidate on the roster it would be forward Terrence Ross, who is the team's oldest player at 31 and is on an expiring $13.5 million deal.Front-office trade history: The Magic overhauled their roster at the 2021 deadline, trading Nikola Vucevic, Al-Farouq Aminu, Aaron Gordon and Evan Fournier in three separate trades.
Last regular-season trade: Acquired Bol Bol, PJ Dozier, cash considerations and a 2028 protected second-round pick from Boston. The trade helped the Celtics duck the luxury tax.
Trade we would like to see: Ross to the Lakers for Patrick Beverley and the Bulls' 2023 second-round pick.
Trade exceptions: None
Cash available: $6.4 million (to send out) $6.4 million (to receive)
Salary info and restrictions:
The Magic are $26.6 million below the luxury tax.
Draft assets:
Orlando has its own first-round selections in the next seven years.
Orlando is owed a first-round pick from Chicago. It is top-4 protected in 2023 and top-3 protected in 2024.
Orlando is owed a first-round pick from Denver. It will convey two years after the Nuggets send a first-round pick to the Hornets (projected to happen in 2023) and is top-6 protected.
The Magic have 13 second-round picks available to use in a trade.
Philadelphia 76ers
Trade meter: 5
What to watch: Matisse Thybulle and the luxury tax
The turmoil that hung over the 76ers a year ago does not exist this season. Philadelphia has a top-five team in the Eastern Conference despite James Harden, Tyrese Maxey and Joel Embiid all missing extended periods of time.
That does not mean Daryl Morey and the front office will not be active leading up to the deadline. Including his last year in Houston, Morey has orchestrated trades at three consecutive deadlines. Finding a deal, however, could present more of a challenge this season.The 76ers do not have a first-round pick to trade until 2029, and trading that pick would require lifting the protections on the picks owed to Oklahoma City and Brooklyn. They have only two second-round picks available to trade and are $5.5 million below the hard cap.They do have 11 players earning between $1.8 million and $11 million, but that group includes starters Maxey and PJ Tucker and key reserves De'Anthony Melton, Danuel House Jr. and Georges Niang.
That leads us to the future of Matisse Thybulle.After the 76ers acquired Harden last February, Morey said this about the former first-rounder: "Thybulle easily could be Defensive Player of the Year, after Joel wins it first. ... Sky's the limit, and that's a big reason we made sure [Maxey and Thybulle] weren't in this trade."Thybulle was a second-team All-Defense selection last season, but became a nonfactor in the playoffs, averaging 15.2 minutes in nine games. This year he is averaging a career-low 12 minutes and has played less than 10 minutes in 18 games.He has held opponents to 36.2% shooting as the closest defender, the second-lowest percentage allowed among players to defend 100 shots per Second Spectrum. However, he remains offensively challenged, shooting 41.4% overall and 32% from beyond the arc.Thybulle will be a restricted free agent in the offseason if Philadelphia elects to extend a qualifying offer, so there is no pressing need to move him now even if he is not part of the Sixers' future.However, the 76ers are limited in what they can offer in draft assets and Thybulle's $4.4 million expiring contract is one of their few (if only) trade chips.Philadelphia is $1.2 million above the luxury tax and trading a player like Jaden Springer or Furkan Korkmaz, pushes the 76ers below the tax threshold, putting them in line to receive a $16.2 million tax distribution.
Front-office trade history: Morey is not afraid to make a blockbuster regular-season trade. Last February he traded Ben Simmons for James Harden. In 2020 while in charge of the Rockets, he traded for Robert Covington as part of a four-team, 12-player deal.
Last regular-season trade: Traded Simmons, Seth Curry, Andre Drummond and two first-round picks to Brooklyn for Harden and Paul Millsap.
Trade we would like to see: Furkan Korkmaz, 2029 second and cash considerations to Houston for Boban Marjanovic. The trade would put the 76ers below the luxury tax threshold. If the second year of the Korkmaz contract is not appealing to teams, Jaden Springer and cash considerations could be traded to San Antonio for a future protected second-round pick.
Trade exceptions: $1.7 million
Cash available: $6.4 million (to send out) $6.4 million (to receive)
Salary info and restrictions:
The 76ers are $1.17 million over the luxury tax and $5.5 million below the hard cap.
James Harden (15%) and Tobias Harris (15%) have a trade bonus in their contract.
If either player is traded, Philadelphia would then be responsible for paying a percentage in the remaining salary owed (not including if there is a player option).
Draft assets:
Philadelphia will send its own 2023 first to either Brooklyn or Utah.
The 76ers owe Oklahoma City a first-round pick. It is top-6 protected in 2025 and top-4 protected in 2026 and 2027.
It becomes a 2027 second-round pick if not conveyed by then.
The 76ers owe Brooklyn a first-round pick two years after the pick is conveyed to Oklahoma City.
The pick is top-8 protected in 2027 and 2028, and becomes a 2028 second-round pick if not conveyed.
The earliest that Philadelphia can trade a first-round pick is 2029 but only if the conditions to Oklahoma City and Brooklyn are met in 2025 and 2027.
The 76ers have two second-round picks available to use in a trade.
Toronto Raptors
Trade meter: 8
What to watch: Fred VanVleet and Gary Trent Jr.
For a second time in three seasons, Raptors President of Basketball Operations Masai Ujiri finds himself at a crossroads with an underachieving roster.This time instead of exploring trade options for Kyle Lowry and Norman Powell, the Raptors' front office is now tasked with deciding the futures of Fred VanVleet and Gary Trent Jr.
VanVleet has a $22.8 million player option for next season and is eligible to sign a four-year, $114 million extension, something that he has tabled for now."Without going too far into it ... [I'm] just trying to put myself in a good position businesswise, and not take an extension on a deal that was made three or four years ago," VanVleet told ESPN's Tim Bontemps. "I felt like I've outplayed that contract thus far. So just trying to get myself in a position to put the cards in their hands. They have to make a decision from an organization standpoint."VanVleet is right that he has outplayed the four-year, $85 million contract that he signed in 2020. His $21.2 million salary this season ranks No. 19 among all point guards.However, would a new contract with a premium salary -- think north of $30 million per year -- be rewarding VanVleet for what he's done in the past or paying him for what the future holds?VanVleet is coming off an All-Star year, has won a championship and is only 28 years old. In the past four seasons, he has averaged 36.8 minutes per game (second overall to James Harden), but has missed a total of 63 games due to various injuries. He is also shooting a career low 32.9% from 3 this season.The decision on Trent comes down to one question: Can Toronto afford to pay its fifth-best player north of $20 million per year on a new contract?Trent is averaging a career high 18.2 points per game and has topped the 20-point mark 15 times this season, but he is likely the odd man out because of his $18.8 million player option for next season.In addition to VanVleet this offseason, Toronto will likely hand out significant pay raises to Pascal Siakam and O.G. Anunoby in 2024-25 and Scottie Barnes the following year.
Front-office trade history: Masai Ujiri has made 22 trades since 2013, including 12 during the regular season.
Last regular-season trade: Traded Goran Dragic and a 2022 first-round pick (Malaki Branham) to San Antonio for Thaddeus Young, Drew Eubanks and a 2022 second-round pick (Christian Koloko).
Trade we would like to see: Trent to New Orleans for Devonte' Graham, Jaxson Hayes and a 2027 first-round pick (less favorable of New Orleans and Milwaukee). If either first falls in the top-5, New Orleans will send Toronto 2028 and 2029 second-round picks.
Trade exceptions: None
Cash available: $6.4 million (to send out) $6.4 million (to receive)
Salary info and restrictions:
Toronto is $4.5 million below the luxury tax and has an open roster spot.
Draft assets:
The Raptors have their own first-round pick in the next seven years.
Toronto has six second-round picks available to use in a trade.
Washington Wizards
Recent transaction: Traded Rui Hachimura to the Lakers for Kendrick Nunn and three second-round picks (2023 Chicago, 2028 less favorable of their own and Lakers and 2029 Lakers).
Trade meter: 7
What to watch: Kyle Kuzma and Will Barton
When it comes to the future of Kuzma, the Wizards' front office has to weigh what is best for the long-term future of the franchise, with an eye toward guard Bradley Beal.
Kuzma is averaging career highs in points, field goal attempts and field goal percentage this season. His four 30-point games this season already match his total from last season.The forward has a $13 million player option for next year and recently told ESPN's Dave McMenamin that he is unlikely to sign a four-year, $70 million extension, the maximum allowed with the Wizards."It's not a smart business move," Kuzma said. "The max I can make if I sign right now is $15 [million]. If you look at the market, that's not the market price."The market for Kuzma should be in the $20 million range, a number that would keep Washington under the luxury tax next year and reward the forward with a top-15 salary among players at his position.If there is a hesitancy on committing that type of salary, Washington should then look for trade suitors.The Wizards also need to consider the message it sends to Beal if they were to trade Kuzma. Washington committed $251 million to Beal (who also has a no-trade clause) with the intent of building a competitive roster around him.However, if Washington doesn't trade Kuzma and he leaves as a free agent, the Wizards will be down a 20-point scorer and have no way to replace him because they recently traded Hachimura and they are still over the cap.Meanwhile Barton, who was acquired from Denver this summer, is averaging his lowest minutes and points since the 2014-15 season. He is on an expiring $13.7 million contract and could be a trade target for a team looking for a wing without giving up too much in return (think a second-round pick).Front-office trade history: General manager Tommy Sheppard has made 15 trades since 2019, six during the regular season. Including the Kristaps Porzingis trade, the Wizards made three deals at last season's trade deadline.
Last regular-season trade: Traded Spencer Dinwiddie and Davis Bertans to Dallas for Porzingis and a 2022 second-round pick.
Trade we would like to see: The focus now turns to opening up a roster spot to sign two-way player Jordan Goodwin. To do so, the Wizards will need to find a home (or a possible buyout) for Barton or Nunn.
Trade exceptions: $6.3 million and $4 million
Cash available: $6.4 million (to send out) $6.4 million (to receive)
Salary info and restrictions:
The Wizards are $1.35 below the luxury tax and $7 million below the hard cap.
Bradley Beal has a no-trade clause.
Beal also has a 15% trade bonus that is voided in a trade.
Draft assets:
The Wizards owe New York a first-round pick. It is top-14 protected in 2023, top-12 protected in 2024, top-10 protected in 2025 and top-8 protected in 2026.
The earliest Washington can trade a first is two years after the pick to New York is conveyed.
Washington has seven second-round picks available to use in a trade.