Which team will trade its way into title contention? And who will be the biggest name on the move? Our experts break down the most interesting storylines in the Eastern Conference heading into the NBA trade deadline.
1. Which Eastern Conference finals contender should make a deal at the deadline?
Chad Ford, ESPN Insider: The Toronto Raptors. They sit just two games behind the Cavaliers in the East and are a power forward away from really giving them a scare. The Raptors have a valuable 2016 lottery pick -- the lesser of the Nuggets' and Knicks' first-round picks -- to offer teams. If that can land them an upgrade over Luis Scola and Patrick Patterson, they need to bite.
Amin Elhassan, ESPN Insider: Miami. The Heat don't necessarily need to execute a blockbuster deal, but the loss of Tyler Johnson hurts on several levels. He was one of the best 3-point threats on the team, a very good on-ball defender and a versatile stalwart in second-unit lineups.
The Heat would do well to acquire a similar role player, especially as Johnson might be out for the remainder of the season and postseason after surgery to repair a torn rotator cuff, according to the Miami Herald.
Kevin Pelton, ESPN Insider: Boston Celtics. Third in the East, the Celtics are contenders and have plenty of draft picks to offer in exchange for another creator for a playoff run.
Finding a fit is tricky. Will Barton would be perfect if Boston were willing to buy high. Otherwise, the Celtics might have to weigh taking on a player like Lou Williams, whose long-term contract would limit their flexibility.
Tom Haberstroh, ESPN Insider: The Miami Heat, though you can quibble about whether they qualify as a contender. They beat Charlotte last week with zero 3-pointers made, but that was a mirage. Having Goran Dragic and Dwyane Wade on the same team without a fleet of floor-spacers is like buying a Porsche and filling the gas tank with mud.
David Thorpe, ESPN Insider: "Should" is too strong a word, but Toronto has to think this season represents the best chance in franchise history to win the East. With a dearth of competition between them and the Cavs, who have their own issues to solve, the Raptors can only help their chances by improving at power forward or getting more scoring off the bench.
2. Which East playoff contender should make a trade?
Elhassan: Detroit. Despite being in the top third of the league in 3-point makes (and attempts), they're in the bottom third in 3-point percentage. It's no secret that coach Stan Van Gundy likes to play "four out" and spread the floor, which is why we've heard of Detroit's interest in New Orleans' Ryan Anderson.
A more available target might be Orlando's Channing Frye, who has the added benefit of a cap-friendly deal for the next two seasons.
Ford: The Celtics. They have the motivation and the assets, including the Nets' unprotected lottery pick, to net someone substantial.
But it's risky for both the Celtics and a potential trade partner. If that pick becomes LSU's Ben Simmons, Boston will wish it had been patient. Yet right now that's only 15 percent likely, according to ESPN's Basketball Power Index (BPI) -- so how do you put a value on that, when it's not clear who a team would take if Simmons isn't available?
Pelton: Miami Heat. I'd look to cash in on Hassan Whiteside's value before he hits free agency this summer. Because the Heat won't have full Bird rights, Whiteside's next contract would have to come out of their cap space.
I'd try to flip Whiteside for a center on a rookie contract who will count less against the cap next summer.
Haberstroh: Detroit Pistons. Markieff Morris is a borderline All-Star when he plays with his twin brother, Marcus. The Pistons could use some help in the frontcourt, as their bench has been one of the worst in the NBA. It's time to make Detroit the Morris City.
Thorpe: The Wizards. John Wall is too good to not get a return to the playoffs, where he dominated last season before getting hurt. Making a late run would add to the Kevin Durant drama, which is fun for us all. If they're lucky, they will get one more good deal out of Tommy Sheppard before the team vice president potentially moves north to transform the Nets.
3. Which likely lottery team in the East should look to sell?
Ford: The Bucks, although I would say "will" more than "should." Coach Jason Kidd is unhappy with his team's performance and has the authority to make moves. In play are Michael Carter-Williams (acquired a year ago), Greg Monroe (signed in July) and Jabari Parker, who arrived via the 2014 draft and was immediately designated a franchise savior.
Pelton: Washington Wizards. The Wizards need to be realistic about their playoff chances, currently estimated at 6.5 percent by BPI. Washington should admit a playoff run probably isn't happening and look to move impending free agents such as Jared Dudley and Nene Hilario.
Haberstroh: Brooklyn. I'm surprised the fire sale hasn't happened already. Joe Johnson, Brook Lopez and Thaddeus Young should all be on the table as the team tries to replenish its assets in the wake of the Billy King era. Even though the Nets don't have a lottery pick this year (Boston owns it), the veterans should address some seeds for the future. Just don't expect much.
Thorpe: I'm not a believer in "selling" just because the season is going poorly. Teams can make quick jumps if they stay the course and make a key deal. But I think the Bucks will struggle to help John Henson reach his potential because of Jabari Parker's presence.
It would be great to see Henson go to Phoenix (with a couple of other small pieces) for Markieff Morris, who would give the Bucks more deep shooting with the potential to play alongside Parker. (As a bonus, Markieff would be closer to his twin, Marcus.)
Elhassan: Brooklyn. The Nets are destined to have one of the worst records this season and might as well move some of their most "attractive" assets (and I use that word in the loosest of meanings) for draft picks. This situation doesn't get turned around without Brooklyn adding some cheap young talent.
4. Which big-name East player is most likely to be on the move?
Elhassan: Depends on what you mean by "big name." Does Brook Lopez count? He has a definable NBA talent and plays for a team that doesn't stand to benefit by holding onto him at this point. I'm not crazy about Lopez as a star talent given his shortcomings, but he can help a good team with his low-post scoring.
Thorpe: I don't know, but I have some candidates in mind.
Is Carmelo part of the solution in New York? Do the Wizards really want to sign Bradley Beal to a long-term deal given his injury issues? Does anyone in Miami think Hassan Whiteside can handle a max deal? Do the Bulls trade Derrick Rose while he is having some success on offense? And could the Nets gets something special for Brook Lopez?
Ford: Probably nobody. If Kevin Love is staying put in Cleveland, I don't think you'll see a star moved. The closest might be Jeff Teague, an All-Star in 2015 before tailing off this season. Atlanta could move him to Milwaukee, which signed him to the offer sheet in 2013 that became his current deal.
Pelton: Hassan Whiteside. Not saying this is even a 50-50 proposition, but Whiteside has never really fit the Miami culture or need for floor spacing, and re-signing him and Dwyane Wade this summer could be an either/or proposition. Those same issues limit the pool of suitors, but the Heat should be able to get something of value for Whiteside if they want.
Haberstroh: I mentioned the Nets' trio already, but you can throw Greg Monroe in the mix as well. I wouldn't be surprised if he moved to a contending team that needs a scoring punch off the bench like Enes Kanter. He's not exactly too old to be on the Milwaukee roster, but he doesn't make much sense on a team headed for 30 wins.
5. What is a trade would you like to see in the East?
Haberstroh: I've mentioned it before but Ryan Anderson for Luol Deng and Hassan Whiteside makes sense for both sides, as the Heat need shooting and the Pelicans need a defensive anchor not named Omer Asik. I could also see the Celtics trading David Lee and a package of picks to the Nuggets for Danilo Gallinari.
Ford: Detroit's Stan Van Gundy wants to make a playoff splash, and a Pistons-Pelicans deal would make sense.
Ryan Anderson and Tyreke Evans for Stanley Johnson, Brandon Jennings and Ersan Ilyasova would give both teams what they need. Detroit would get upgrades at the 4 and the 3 (and an opportunity to re-sign Anderson), and the Pelicans get a 2015 lottery pick (Johnson), a salary dump (Evans) and two expiring contracts.
In the short run, the move would also boost the Pelicans' lottery odds from the current estimate of a 4 percent chance to add LSU star Ben Simmons next to Anthony Davis.
Elhassan: Can I say none? It could be a quiet deadline if we don't have enough "sellers." And to buy, a team has to be willing to shake up its chemistry. It's nice to say Team X could get over the hump with a blockbuster deal, but it's easier said than done.
Pelton: Washington trades Jared Dudley to Indiana for Chase Budinger and a 2016 second-round pick. I'm not ready to give up on the idea of the Pacers playing smaller lineups just yet. C.J. Miles was -- well, a stretch as a stretch-4; he's not even a particularly strong small forward. Dudley would give Indiana a better alternative at a relatively low cost.
Thorpe: I'd like Miami to find a way to be a serious contender. I love what Dwyane Wade and Bosh represent and what they accomplished alongside LeBron. To me, Miami versus Cleveland in the East Conference finals would be more compelling than a Warriors-Spurs battle in the West.
So how about a deal with Minnesota, sending Nikola Pekovic, Kevin Martin and Andre Miller to the Heat for Luol Deng, Chris Andersen and Beno Udrih. I think it makes sense for both sides.