The Brooklyn Nets started the trade season in January when former MVP James Harden was acquired in a four-team deal. The Harden addition strengthens what many had already considered a championship contender in Brooklyn.
What else should we expect between now and the 2021 NBA trade deadline on March 25?
The selling and buying market could be dormant because the play-in tournament adds four postseason teams who would otherwise be sellers. Additionally many contenders lack draft assets to send out in a trade because of moves they've made in recent years.
Here, we break down what to watch for all 30 teams: what kind of moves they can make, what we're hearing, front-office trade histories and trade restrictions of note.
Note: Teams have $5.6 million cash to send out and receive in trades unless otherwise noted.
MORE: 2021 and 2022 free agents | Draft assets for every team
Atlanta Hawks
What to watch: John Collins, Bogdan Bogdanovic and Kris Dunn
The Hawks are currently in 11th in the East, but just a game out of 8th (and two games back of the 4th-place Pacers), and should be in contention for at least a play-in spot this May.
Atlanta's offseason spending spree ($160M on free agents this past fall) and competing for a playoff spot should keep Collins off the board, despite restricted free agency looming in the offseason.
If trade discussions do emerge, it will be a result of Atlanta not being comfortable giving Collins a max-level contract this offseason, especially with Trae Young being eligible to sign an extension this summer.
Collins ranks as the No. 1 power forward in free agency, and teams like Dallas, Miami and New York are well positioned to sign him to an offer sheet starting at $28 million for the first season.
Atlanta's big deadline "acquisitions" will likely be the return of free-agent signings Bogdan Bogdanovic and Kris Dunn from injury. Dunn (ankle) has not appeared in a game this season, and Bogdanovic (knee) has seen action in nine.
Front-office deadline history: GM Travis Schlenk has made nine deadline deals during his tenure, including the four-team, 12-player trade in 2020 to acquire Clint Capela. The Hawks also received $3 million, a future second-rounder and Dewayne Dedmon in three separate trades last February.
Restrictions/notes
The Hawks have a 2022 first-round pick from Oklahoma City that is top-14-protected. The pick turns into a 2024 and 2025 second if not conveyed next year.
Bogdan Bogdanovic has a 15% trade bonus in his contract.
The Hawks received $750K in the Danilo Gallinari trade and can take back up to $4.86 million.
Boston Celtics
What to watch: The $28.5 million trade exception
Boston is not facing a use-it-or-lose-it scenario with the $28.5 million exception created in the Gordon Hayward sign-and-trade with Charlotte. The exception doesn't expire until the fall, so Boston could use part of it now and the balance this offseason.
For example, the Celtics could trade for a player like the Rockets' P.J. Tucker or Kings' Nemanja Bjelica, remain under the luxury tax and have $20.6 million left to use in the offseason. Boston is currently $15.5 million below the luxury tax and $19.9 million below the hard cap.
Boston could target the Kings' Harrison Barnes or look for a reunion with Al Horford, but that would risk putting the Celtics into the luxury tax both now and next season. Also, because Horford's $27.5 million salary would put Boston over the hard cap line, the Celtics would need to shed $7.6 million in salary in a deal that brought him in.
One advantage the Celtics have is that there are no restrictions on trading their first-round pick this year or in any future year.
They also have their own second-round pick in 2021, 2022, 2025, 2026 and 2027, in addition to the Grizzlies' 2025 second-round pick.
The question is what is Boston willing to sacrifice to go from an average team to one that can compete with Brooklyn, Philadelphia and Milwaukee? Are the Celtics willing to go deep into the luxury tax not only this year but in future years and are they willing to trade first-round picks to improve the team?
We have seen over the years that championship contending teams have all made high risk moves when it comes to their roster.
Recent examples include Golden State and Cleveland spending more than $200 million toward the luxury tax, Toronto acquiring Kawhi Leonard in 2018, the Anthony Davis trade that stripped the Lakers of their young players and draft picks and, most recently, the Nets trading away all their future assets in the James Harden trade.
Front-office deadline history: One of the NBA's longest-tenured executives, Danny Ainge is not known for making changes to the roster during the season. The only two in-season deals Boston has made since 2015 are acquiring Isaiah Thomas from the Suns and dumping the contract of Jabari Bird in 2019.
Restrictions/notes
The Celtics are $19.9 million below the hard cap and $15.5 million below the tax.
Jayson Tatum has a poison pill restriction in his contract.
Kemba Walker has a 15% trade bonus. The bonus would be voided because it exceeds the maximum salary in 2020-21.
In addition to the $28.5 million trade exception, Boston also has $4.8 million and $2.6 million exceptions.
The Celtics cannot reacquire Hayward, Enes Kanter and Vincent Poirier.
Brooklyn Nets
What to watch: The $5.7 million disabled player exception and Spencer Dinwiddie
Transactions: Blake Griffin was signed to the prorated veteran minimum.
Despite the inability to trade a first-round pick in any season, the cupboard is not completely bare for the Nets -- the Griffin signing is proof of that.
Brooklyn has a $5.7 million disabled player exception (created with the injury to Dinwiddie) available to acquire a player who is in the last year of his contract. The exception cannot be split and will expire after it is used once. The exception cannot be combined with another player on the Nets' roster to trade for a player with a higher salary (for example, pairing Landry Shamet with the exception to create room for someone making $7.7 million). It will also extinguish if Dinwiddie is traded from now until the March 25 deadline.
To use the exception, the Nets would likely have to attach one of the many second-round picks they possess. Brooklyn has picks from the Hawks and Suns in 2021, the Pacers in 2023 and the Warriors in 2025 in addition to its own second-round picks in 2022, 2024, 2026 and 2027.
Because there is a lack of big men on the roster, some names to keep an eye include Khem Birch (Orlando), JaVale McGee (Cleveland), Ed Davis (Minnesota), Mike Muscala (Oklahoma City) and Hassan Whiteside (Sacramento).
With regard to Dinwiddie, despite being in the last year of his contract (he has a player option in 2021-22) and out for the season, the guard has value because the acquiring team would retain his Bird rights, allowing it to exceed the cap to re-sign him as a free agent.
With 73% of the teams projected not to have cap space this summer, Brooklyn could also hold on to him past the trade deadline and explore sign-and-trade options in the offseason.
Front-office deadline history: Nets GM Sean Marks has made 21 trades since taking over in 2016, with three at the deadline. In 2019, the Nets took back Greg Monroe and a 2021 second-round pick in a move that helped save Toronto $4 million. The pick was sent to Detroit this past November for Bruce Brown.
Restrictions/notes
The Nets have 13 players on guaranteed contracts and the flexibility to open up two roster spots.
Brooklyn is $31.8 million over the luxury tax.
Blake Griffin is not eligible to be traded.
In the James Harden trade, $2.6 million was sent to the Pacers. As a result, Brooklyn has $3 million in cash to send out in a trade.
Kyrie Irving and Kevin Durant both have a 15% trade bonus. The bonus would be voided because it exceeds the maximum salary in 2020-21.
Brooklyn is not allowed to trade a first-round pick in any year.
Tyler Johnson has a one-year Bird restriction and can veto any trade.
The Nets cannot reacquire Jarrett Allen, Rodions Kurucs, Caris LeVert and Taurean Prince.
Charlotte Hornets
What to watch: Malik Monk and cap space
If they haven't already, the Hornets' front office will spend the next few weeks analyzing which direction they should take with Monk, who was selected with the No. 11 overall pick in 2017.
After averaging 13.5 and 17.2 minutes in his first two seasons, Monk was playing his best stretch of basketball last February (career-high 16.7 points and 28.6 minutes in nine games) before he was suspended for violating the league's anti-drug policy.
In the last year of a $5.3 million contract, Monk this season was averaging a career-low 10.3 minutes before breaking into the rotation in late January. He's averaging 27.7 minutes in February and posted a career-high 36 points in a win over the Heat.
However, it remains uncertain whether Monk will receive a qualifying offer this offseason. Charlotte could try to move Monk and his expiring contract for salary that stretches into 2021-22 or recoup a future second-round pick.
The Hornets are the only team in the league that has an open roster spot and $4 million in cap space available.
Front-office deadline history: Since taking over in May 2018, Mitch Kupchak has made eight trades, though none during the regular season. He is known as one of the more conservative GMs in the NBA regarding transactions.
Restrictions/notes
The Hornets have an open roster spot and are $4 million below the cap.
Bismack Biyombo has a one-year Bird restriction and can veto any trade.
Gordon Hayward has a 15% trade bonus in his contract.
Chicago Bulls
What to watch: Thaddeus Young and Zach LaVine
We took a straw poll of league executives on which player outside of Bradley Beal could change the landscape of the playoff race.
The unanimous answer was the veteran Thaddeus Young.
Here is why Young has value around the league:
Versatility: In the 26 games played this season, Young has played 70% at power forward and a career-high 30% at center. He has a career-high 116.7 offensive rating, with 88.5% of his points on two-point shots (last season that number was 57.7%).
Finances: He's under contract for the next two seasons with a $13.5 million and $14.2 million cap hit. The second year is guaranteed for only $5 million.
Veteran presence: The 32-year-old has appeared in 51 playoff games since 2008.
The Bulls are in contention for a spot in the play-in tournament, and while trading Young would hurt the team's chances in the short term, Chicago needs to take a big-picture approach, especially if the return value is a first-round pick.
I am not advocating for Chicago to put a for-sale sign on Zach LaVine. However, the Bulls are about to enter a precarious position with LaVine playing at an All-Star level and set to enter the last year of his contract in 2021-22.
LaVine is extension eligible in the offseason, and the maximum that Chicago could offer is four years, $104 million, a projected $51 million less than what he could earn with a team that has cap space in 2022.
Because the extension is less than what he could earn by waiting for free agency, the Bulls will be in a holding pattern with regard to his future.
One thing to keep in mind is that outside of Patrick Williams and Garrett Temple, head of basketball operations Arturas Karnisovas inherited the current roster.
Front-office deadline history: This is the first trade deadline for Arturas Karnisovas. While in Denver, Karnisovas was part of the four-team, 12-player trade last February. The trade saw the Nuggets send soon-to-be free agents Malik Beasley and Juancho Hernangomez to Minnesota for a future first.
Restrictions/notes
Denzel Valentine has a one-year Bird restriction and can veto any trade.
The Bulls are $10.1 million below the luxury tax.
Cleveland Cavaliers
What to watch: Andre Drummond and JaVale McGee
What if I told you that the reserve center who is averaging 7.5 points and 5.2 rebounds has a better chance of getting traded than the former All-Star center who is averaging 17.5 points and 13.5 rebounds.
The reason that McGee will be more coveted at the deadline is not based on impact but on salary. McGee makes $4.2 million this year, while Drummond is at $28.8 million.
A team like Brooklyn could fit McGee's $4.2 million salary into its $5.7 million disabled player exception, while a team interested in Drummond -- like the Raptors, for example -- would need to send out as many as four players who combine to earn $23 million in salary.
As we saw at the trade deadline last February, the trade market for Drummond was expiring contracts and a future second-round pick. Cleveland would likely encounter similar offers this season.
One option that Cleveland and Drummond should not entertain if there is no trade is a buyout.
Drummond would lose leverage in free agency since the team he signs with would not acquire his Bird rights, preventing it from going over the cap to re-sign him this summer. The sign-and-trade option with the Cavaliers would also be lost.
Front-office deadline history: Koby Altman has been aggressive since taking over in July 2017. During that time, Altman and his front office have made 18 trades, including 11 during the season.
Restrictions/notes
Cleveland is $3.6 million below the luxury tax and has an open roster spot.
The Cavaliers have a $1.8 million trade exception from the Kevin Porter Jr. trade.
Matthew Dellavedova has a one-year Bird restriction and can veto any trade.
Dante Exum and Alfonzo McKinnie cannot be reacquired (either in a trade or free-agent signing).
Cleveland sent out $2 million to Utah in the Rayjon Tucker trade (and also acquired a future second). As a result, the Cavaliers are limited to receiving no more than $3.6 million.
Dallas Mavericks
What to watch: The roster outside of Luka Doncic
Despite an underachieving season, the Mavericks are not motivated to become a seller for multiple reasons.
Dallas owes New York an unprotected first-round pick in 2021, eliminating the potential desire to tank if the Mavericks fall out of the playoff race. There is no incentive to have a fire sale of their roster just to jockey for position in the lottery.
Would Dallas consider moving the $4.2 million contract of Willie Cauley-Stein for a good second? Perhaps, but that is the type of minor trade the Mavericks should only consider if they are looking to take a step back.
The roster outside of Luka Doncic and Kristaps Porzingis consists of role players on expiring ($35 million in James Johnson and Tim Hardaway Jr.) or team-friendly contracts (Maxi Kleber, Dorian Finney-Smith, Trey Burke).
The Mavericks would be looking at comparable deals to the Seth Curry for Josh Richardson swap on the night of the draft; more trimming-around-the- edges type trades and not ones that change the landscape of the roster.
Front-office deadline history: The Mavericks made two trades last year before the deadline. The first was when they acquired Justin Patton and $800K from the Thunder for Isaiah Roby. The second was the Cauley-Stein deal with Golden State.
Restrictions/notes
The Mavericks are $6.1 million below the luxury tax and $12 million below the hard cap.
From the Kristaps Porzingis trade, Dallas will send New York an unprotected 2021 first and top-10-protected first in 2023. The first also has top-10 protection in 2024 and 2025. Because of that trade, the earliest that Dallas can trade a future first is two years after the pick to New York is conveyed. The Mavericks can trade a 2025 and 2027 first, but that would require them to eliminate the pick protection in 2023.
Porzingis and Trey Burke have a trade bonus. The Porzingis 5% trade kicker would get voided because it exceeds the maximum salary allowed in 2020-21. The Burke trade bonus is 7.5% of the value remaining on his contract (minus the player option in 2022-23).
Willie Cauley-Stein has a one-year Bird restriction and can veto any trade.
Seth Curry, Justin Jackson and Delon Wright cannot be reacquired (either in a trade or free-agent signing).
Denver Nuggets
What to watch: Michael Porter Jr., $9.6 million trade exception, Gary Harris, Will Barton and the former draft picks.
Outside of any draft pick acquired in a trade, Denver has the most prized potential player on the trade market this season: Michael Porter Jr.
The front office has declared him untouchable, but the Nuggets have to ask themselves, "What is our window to win a championship?"
On the surface, it would appear that the window is lengthy because Nikola Jokic and Jamal Murray are both young (Jokic turned 26 last week and Murray turned 24 on Tuesday) and under contract for at least three more seasons.
However, as the Western Conference finals proved in September, there is a clear separation between the Lakers and Nuggets, who also had to come back from 3-1 deficits in the first and second round.
Considering that Porter is still on a rookie contract (he is extension eligible in the offseason) and at times has shown All-Star potential, the Nuggets are right not to entertain offers.
However, what happens in the unlikely event the Wizards make Bradley Beal available? Would the Nuggets lift the untouchable tag on Porter if it meant landing Beal?
The answer should be a unanimous yes, even with the threat that Beal could leave as a free agent in 2022.
Championship teams like the Toronto Raptors have proved that taking calculated risks can pay off, whether it's changing the roster or making a financial sacrifice by going into the luxury tax.
On a smaller scale, Denver has one of the larger trade exceptions in the NBA at $9.6 million. The Nuggets can use about $5 million of that exception without going into the luxury tax.
They also have the $19.6 million contract of Gary Harris and the controllable contracts of former draft picks RJ Hampton, Zeke Nnaji and Bol Bol.
Front-office deadline history: Since taking over in 2013, Tim Connelly has made 12 trades during the season, the most notable coming last year when Malik Beasley and Juancho Hernangomez were traded to Minnesota for a 2020 first-round pick (turned out to be Zeke Nnaji).
Restrictions/notes
Denver is $5.25 million below the luxury tax and $8.5 million below the hard cap.
Monte Morris cannot be traded because of the restriction rules after he signed his extension.
Paul Millsap has a one-year Bird restriction and can veto any trade.
Denver can trade its 2021 first-round pick. However, the Nuggets owe a lottery-protected first-round pick to the Thunder in 2023 (it's also protected in 2024 and 2025). If the Nuggets lift the protection on that pick, they can trade their 2025 first-round pick as well.
As part of the Jerami Grant sign-and-trade with Detroit, the Nuggets received $110,000 and can only receive up to $5.5 million in a trade.
The Nuggets cannot reacquire Grant in a trade.
Detroit Pistons
Who to watch: Wayne Ellington
Recent Transactions: Agreed to a $13.3 million buyout with Blake Griffin; traded Svi Mykhailiuk and a 2027 second (via Houston) to Oklahoma City for Hamidou Diallo.
The Derrick Rose trade showed that the Pistons are in sell mode when it comes to their veterans on expiring contracts.
Now the attention shifts to guard Wayne Ellington.
Ellington is posting career highs in field goal percentage (51.6), 3-point percentage (50.5) and points per game (12.5).
Because Ellington makes the league minimum ($1.6 million), a team trading for him does not need to send any salary back to Detroit, just cash or a draft pick. Like the return value on Rose, Ellington grades out to a future second-round pick in return.
Front-office deadline history: The new front office led by GM Troy Weaver has been aggressive since taking over in 2020. Including two in-season trades, the Pistons have made nine trades.
Restrictions/notes
Detroit has an open roster spot after the Blake Griffin buyout.
Mason Plumlee has a 10% trade bonus.
The Pistons owe Houston a first-round pick, which has protections from 2021 through 2027. As a result, they are not allowed to trade a first over the next seven years unless the pick protection is amended.
Detroit received $4.6 million from Houston as part of the Trevor Ariza trade and can only receive up to $1 million. They also sent $360K in two separate trades (Utah and Denver) and are limited to $5.25 million to send out in a trade.
The Pistons have a $2 million trade exception.
Dennis Smith Jr. cannot be aggregated in a trade.
Detroit cannot reacquire (in a trade or free-agent signing) Trevor Ariza, Tony Bradley, Bruce Brown, Luke Kennard, Tony Snell and Christian Wood.
Golden State Warriors
What to watch: The Minnesota first, $9.25 million disabled player exception and Kelly Oubre Jr.
The first-round pick the Warriors acquired from the Timberwolves in the D'Angelo Russell trade is the most valuable asset on the market, outside of maybe Michael Porter Jr. (should Denver make him available).
Even if a trade materializes for a player like Lonzo Ball, the Minnesota pick -- which is top-three-protected this year, then unprotected in 2022 -- should be off the table. Maybe if Bradley Beal becomes available, the Warriors could reconsider.
The $9.25 million disabled player exception created when Klay Thompson suffered a season-ending injury should only be used on a player who can crack the rotation this year, and on whom the Warriors would be intent on re-signing in the offseason. P.J. Tucker fits that criteria, and by using the DPE to acquire him before the deadline, the Warriors would also inherit his Bird rights, allowing the team to exceed the cap to re-sign him.
As for the current roster, the big question for the front office will be figuring out how well Kelly Oubre Jr. fits in beyond this season.
On a $14.4 million expiring contract, Oubre has had a strong February -- averaging 20.3 points on 48.1% from the field and 44.6% from 3.
With Klay Thompson returning in 2021-22, Oubre would be relegated to the bench if he re-signs with the Warriors.
Front-office deadline history: After a six-year drought of making in-season trades, Golden State made two in 2019-20. They first sent Willie Cauley-Stein to Dallas for a future second. At the deadline, D'Angelo Russell was traded to Minnesota for Andrew Wiggins and a future first.
Restrictions/notes
The Warriors are $40.4 million over the luxury tax.
The Warriors owe Oklahoma City a top-20-protected first-round pick in 2021 from the Kelly Oubre Jr. trade. They will also send Memphis a top-four-protected first in 2024. The pick is top-one-protected in 2025 and unprotected in 2026. As a result of both trades, Golden State cannot trade its own first in any of the next seven seasons. The Warriors can trade the Minnesota (top-three-protected) 2021 first.
Stephen Curry, Klay Thompson and Draymond Green have 15% trade kickers. Curry's and Thompson's bonuses would be voided if either player is traded.
Houston Rockets
What to watch: Victor Oladipo
Recent transaction: Traded P.J. Tucker, Rodions Kurucs and a 2022 Milwaukee first to the Bucks for DJ Augustin, DJ Wilson, a 2023 unprotected first and the right to swap their own second in 2021 for the Bucks 2021 first.
With Tucker now off to Milwaukee, the attention now shifts to Oladipo.
Oladipo recently turned down a two-year $45 million extension to stay in Houston and his long-term future looks bleak.
Oladipo has struggled this season (plus he is more of a rental) and the return value on a trade would likely be expiring contracts and a lottery protected first.
If Oladipo is not traded and is not signed, Houston would have close to $25 million in cap space to use in free agency. Both sides would also have the option of working out a sign-and-trade to a preferred team that does not have cap space.
Front-office deadline history: Since taking over from Daryl Morey, new Rockets GM Rafael Stone has made seven trades, including the James Harden blockbuster in mid-January. In total, Stone has acquired six first-round picks and the right to swap firsts in four years.
Restrictions/notes
The Rockets are $3.6 million below the luxury tax and $8.2 million below the hard cap. They have an open roster spot after waiving DeMarcus Cousins.
Houston has three trade exceptions, $10.7 million, $2.2 million and $1.7 million.
The lone first-round pick of their own that the Rockets can trade is in 2022. They are allowed to trade any of the picks acquired from Brooklyn, Portland, Milwaukee, Detroit and Washington.
Houston sent out $4.6 million to Detroit in the Christian Wood sign-and-trade and $1 million to Sacramento to acquire the draft rights of KJ Martin. The Rockets do not have money to send out in a trade.
Robert Covington, Trevor Ariza, James Harden, Russell Westbrook and Austin Rivers cannot be reacquired (either in a trade or signed as a free agent).
Indiana Pacers
What to watch: T.J. Warren, Doug McDermott and TJ McConnell
We had penciled in the Pacers as a team to watch in the beginning of the season based on the pending free agency of Victor Oladipo. Now with Oladipo in Houston, the Pacers' big midseason acquisitions have been a healthy Caris LeVert and a possible return of TJ Warren.
Before breaking his left foot in late December, Warren was averaging 15.5 points on 52.9% from the field. LeVert had surgery for kidney cancer in late January and had not stepped on the floor for the Pacers until mid-March. Before he was acquired from Brooklyn, LeVert was averaging 18.5 points and six rebounds.
Without the services of two players that averaged a combined 34 points, Indiana has fallen out of the top six in the East and is fighting for a spot in the play-in tournament.
From a trade standpoint, the Pacers have two valuable assets in soon to be free agents Doug McDermott and TJ McConnell if they go in the direction as sellers.
McDermott is a candidate for 6th man of the year and is averaging a career high 13.4 points.
Front-office deadline history: The Caris LeVert for Victor Oladipo swap in mid-January was an outlier when it comes to the track record for Pacers president Kevin Pritchard. Prior to the LeVert acquisition, Indiana had made only two regular-season trades since 2014.
Restrictions/notes
The Pacers are $5.5 million below the luxury tax.
Indiana received $2.6 million from Brooklyn as part of the LeVert trade and is restricted to receive no more than $3 million in cash.
The Pacers have $4.8 million and $2.9 million trade exceptions.
JaKarr Sampson has a one-year Bird restriction and can veto any trade.
Oladipo cannot be reacquired in a trade or signed back as a free agent.
LA Clippers
What to watch: Lou Williams, the second-round picks from Detroit, the hard cap and buyout market
Recent transaction: Traded Mfiondu Kabengele and cash to Sacramento for a heavily protected second round pick.
Williams is mentioned because the guard represents one of the few trade assets the Clippers have and is on an $8 million expiring contract. If the Clippers are going to add players at the deadline, Williams could be the odd man out.
As for tradable draft assets, the Clippers have all their own second-round picks (except for in 2021), the Trail Blazers' second-round pick in 2023 and second-round picks from the Pistons in 2024, 2025 and 2026.
Trading the $2 million contract of Kabengele has given the Clippers breathing room under the hard cap.
Prior to the trade, Los Angeles was $538K and could not sign a player until March 30.
Now with the trade, the Clippers are $2.6 million below and can sign two players now or use that amount as a cushion at the trade deadline.
The Clippers have found good fortune when it comes to the buyout market.
Last year, they signed guard Reggie Jackson in March, and this past offseason, they added Nicolas Batum after he was released by Charlotte.
Front-office deadline history: The Clippers made two trades at the February deadline last year, acquiring Marcus Morris from the Knicks for Maurice Harkless, a 2020 first and the right to swap firsts in 2021. The trade also sent former lottery pick Jerome Robinson to the Wizards. To clear a roster spot, Derrick Walton Jr. and $1.3 million were sent to the Hawks.
Restrictions/notes
The Clippers are not allowed to trade a first-round pick.
Paul George has a signing restriction and cannot be traded.
The Clippers have a $2 million exception that expires in November.
The Clippers sent out $2.7 million to Sacramento in the Mfiondu Kabengele trade and have $2.8 million remaining.
Reggie Jackson and Patrick Patterson have a one-year Bird restriction and can veto any trade.
Luke Kennard has a poison pill restriction in his contract.
Serge Ibaka and Kawhi Leonard have a 15% trade bonus. The bonus for Leonard would be voided because it exceeds the maximum salary allowed in 2020-21.
Rodney McGruder and Landry Shamet cannot be reacquired (in a trade or free-agent signing).
Los Angeles Lakers
What to watch: Kyle Lowry, the hard cap, second-round picks and the buyout market
The Lakers are in a similar position to the LA Clippers.
Because they are void of draft picks to trade (the earliest one they can trade is 2027) and $1.5 million below the hard cap, the options for the Lakers leading up to the trade deadline revolve around their current roster.
As Adrian Wojnarowski reported, the Lakers are interested in acquiring Raptors point guard Kyle Lowry.
Because they are $1.5 million below the hard cap, the Lakers would have to send out a trade package of Kentavious Caldwell-Pope, Dennis Schroder, Talen Horton-Tucker and likely a combination of second round picks.
That type of trade allows them the flexibility to fill out their roster with players bought out of their contract and free agents.
The Lakers do have their own second round picks in 2023, 2024, 2025 and 2027 but are challenged to cobble together enough salary to send out in a trade and stay below the hard cap.
Some names to keep an eye on in the buyout market if they are not traded are Andre Drummond, LaMarcus Aldridge and JJ Redick.
Front-office deadline history: Rob Pelinka has not made an in-season trade during his two-year tenure as head of basketball operations with the Los Angeles Lakers. However, Pelinka worked with Magic Johnson when Los Angeles made three regular-season trades, including shedding the Jordan Clarkson contract to help create the space to sign LeBron James.
Restrictions/notes
The Lakers are $1.5 million below the hard cap and $3.3 million above the luxury tax.
The earliest that the Lakers can trade a first-round pick is in 2027.
LeBron James cannot be traded until March 18 because of the extension he signed in December.
Markieff Morris and Jared Dudley can veto any trade because of the one-year Bird restriction.
Kyle Kuzma has a poison pill restriction in his contract.
JaVale McGee and Danny Green cannot be reacquired (in a trade or signed as a free agent).
Davis has a 15% trade bonus in his contract that would be voided.
Memphis Grizzlies
What to watch: Justise Winslow, Jaren Jackson Jr. and first-round picks
The Grizzlies' big trade-deadline acquisition will be the return from injury of Jackson and Winslow, the latter of whom was acquired at last year's deadline but didn't make his Grizzlies debut until last week.
The addition of Winslow presents a challenge for head coach Taylor Jenkins. With an already deep bench, how does Jenkins integrate a player who missed over a year of playing basketball?
In his first game against Phoenix on Feb. 20, Winslow played 21 minutes (and struggled shooting 3-of-14 from the field), but only because Kyle Anderson and Grayson Allen were out due to rest.
Jackson has not played a game this season and continues to rehab from a torn meniscus in his right knee. The forward averaged 17.4 points on 39.4% from 3-point range but pulled in a below-average 4.6 rebounds per game last season.
The Grizzlies have all their first-round picks along with two future firsts (Utah and Golden State) and a combination of expiring contracts (Gorgui Dieng) and young assets if they want to go big game hunting.
However, GM Zach Kleiman has methodically built the Memphis roster through shrewd trades (Jonas Valanciunas and De'Anthony Melton) and hitting on the draft (Ja Morant, Brandon Clarke, Desmond Bane and Xavier Tillman).
There will be a time for Memphis to make a win-now trade (maybe Bradley Beal in the offseason) but not at this trade deadline.
Front-office deadline history: In his first trade deadline last February, GM Zach Kleiman orchestrated two trades. The first one saw Memphis acquire Dion Waiters and Justise Winslow from Miami in exchange for Solomon Hill, Jae Crowder and Andre Iguodala. The philosophy behind this trade was that the potential of Winslow outweighed cap flexibility even if that meant taking back the $13 million owed to Waiters in 2021-22. Memphis also traded Bruno Caboclo to Houston for Jordan Bell and the right to swap second-round picks in 2023.
Restrictions/notes
The Grizzlies are $1.3 million below the luxury tax.
Kyle Anderson has a 15% trade bonus.
From the Mike Conley trade, the Grizzlies own a first-round pick from Utah that is top-six-protected in 2022, top-three-protected in 2023 and top-one-protected in 2024. They also have a first from Golden State that is top-four-protected in 2024, top-one-protected in 2025 and unprotected in 2026.
Miami Heat
What to watch: Pat Riley
Recent transaction: Traded Meyers Leonard and a 2027 second-round pick to Oklahoma City for Trevor Ariza.
Despite sitting close to the .500 mark and a tier below the likes of Brooklyn, Philadelphia and Milwaukee, Pat Riley showed with the Trevor Ariza trade he is not willing to punt away the season.
The Ariza addition at the cost of a 2027 second round pick and Meyers Leonard helps fortify the Heat bench that was lacking with the loss of Jae Crowder to free agency.
Their remaining assets consists of a $7.5 million trade exception that expires on March 22, along with the expiring contracts of Kelly Olynyk ($12.6 million), Harkless ($3.6 million) plus three players (Goran Dragic, Andre Iguodala, Avery Bradley) who have a team option in 2020-21.
If the Heat do not make another move besides the addition of Ariza, expect them to be active in the buyout market.
Front-office deadline history: Before last February, Miami had been relatively quiet with regard to changing the roster at the deadline. The lone impactful trade was when Goran Dragic was acquired from the Suns in 2015. That changed when Jae Crowder, Andre Iguodala and Solomon Hill were added in a three-team trade with Memphis and Minnesota.
Restrictions/notes
The Heat are $5.4 million below the luxury tax and $10.6 million below the hard cap.
Bam Adebayo has a poison pill restriction in his contract and cannot be traded.
Goran Dragic and Udonis Haslem have a one-year Bird restriction and can veto any trade.
Jimmy Butler (15%), Andre Iguodala (7.5%) and Kelly Olynyk (lesser of $2 million or 5%) have a trade bonus in their contract.
Miami owes Oklahoma City an unprotected first in 2021 and a top-14-protected first in 2023. The pick is also lottery-protected in 2024 and 2025 and unprotected in 2026. Because of the pick protection, the Heat cannot trade a first unless the lottery protection to Oklahoma City is lifted.
Milwaukee Bucks
What to watch: Jrue Holiday, the hard cap and buyout market
Recent transactions: Traded DJ Augustin, DJ Wilson, a 2023 unprotected first for PJ Tucker, Rodions Kurucs and their own 2022 first. Houston also has the right to swap their own 2021 second for the Bucks 2021 first. Milwaukee also traded Torrey Craig to Phoenix in a separate deal.
As of last month, Holiday is now eligible to sign a four-year, $135 million extension.
Considering that Milwaukee gave away three first-round picks and swaps in two seasons in the trade to acquire the point guard from New Orleans, the Bucks have little to no leverage when it comes to a new deal.
As for the trade market, the Milwaukees were $441,539 below the hard cap and did not have a first-round pick to send out in a trade.
However, GM Jon Horst orchestrated a creative way to acquire PJ Tucker from the Rockets in exchange for moving back in the late first-round to early second round.
That move would require the Bucks to send an unprotected 2023 first in exchange for their own 2022 first that was acquired from Cleveland as part of the James Harden trade.
The Bucks now have two open roster spots to use in the buyout market and are not faced with financial restrictions as a result of the hard cap.
Front-office deadline history: The Bucks did not make a trade at last year's deadline but have been aggressive since Jon Horst took over in 2017. Milwaukee has added Eric Bledsoe, George Hill and Nikola Mirotic in separate trades during the regular season. Most recently, Tucker and Rodions Kurucs were acquired from Houston.
Restrictions/notes
Milwaukee is $1.2 million below the tax, $3.5 million below the hard cap and has two roster spots open.
The Bucks have a $4.9 million and $1.6 million trade exception.
Giannis Antetokounmpo cannot be traded.
Because of the Jrue Holiday and PJ Tucker trades, Milwaukee is prohibited from trading a first-round pick.
Eric Bledsoe, George Hill, DJ Augustin, DJ Wilson and Torrey Craig cannot be reacquired in a trade or signed as a free agent.
Minnesota Timberwolves
What to watch: Gersson Rosas
Rosas, the head of basketball operations, is not afraid to make changes to the roster.
Karl-Anthony Towns and Josh Okogie are the only players left in Minnesota from when Rosas was hired in May 2019. The team also recently fired head coach Ryan Saunders.
While the Timberwolves sit in the bottom of the standings once again, Rosas is challenged with evaluating a roster that has had Towns and D'Angelo Russell on the court for a total of 115 minutes over the past two seasons (five games total).
After spending $81 million on free agents Malik Beasley and Juancho Hernangomez, trading for Ricky Rubio and drafting Anthony Edwards and Jaden McDaniels, the optics would say that Rosas should take a conservative approach and evaluate the roster with new head coach Chris Finch.
This is not to say that Rosas and his front office will not explore deals for anyone outside of Towns and Edwards if one makes sense either in the short or long term.
One name expected to garner attention is veteran Ed Davis, who has split time starting and coming off the bench and is on a $5 million expiring contract.
Front-office deadline history: Rosas and his front office made four trades during the 2019-20 regular season, including three at the deadline. His most notable deal was acquiring D'Angelo Russell from Golden State in exchange for Andrew Wiggins and a future first-round pick.
Restrictions/notes
The Timberwolves are $2.8 million below the tax and have an open roster spot available.
Karl-Anthony Towns has a 5% trade bonus in his contract. The bonus is voided if Towns is traded because it exceeds the maximum salary allowed in 2020-21.
From the D'Angelo Russell trade, Minnesota will send Golden State a top-three-protected first in 2021. The first is unprotected in 2022 if not conveyed. As a result of the trade, the earliest that the Timberwolves can trade a first is in 2024.
James Johnson cannot be reacquired in a trade or signed as a free agent.
New Orleans Pelicans
What to watch: JJ Redick and Lonzo Ball
Redick is on a $13 million expiring contract and, despite a career low 30.3% from 3-point range, still has value because of his postseason experience (110 games, 20th among active players).
The question is whether the Pelicans can find a trade partner, and if not, would they keep Redick or entertain a buyout after the deadline?
While there would be a line of teams interested in Redick if he was bought out ($4.5 million owed at the time of the trade deadline), the landing spot of teams is limited.
Teams like the Nuggets and Lakers are an ideal fit but do not have the $8 million (non-tax team) to $10.5 million (tax team) of salary to send out in a trade. Same with the Warriors unless they are willing to part ways with Kelly Oubre Jr. However, taking back the small forward would put New Orleans into the luxury tax.
The Celtics are the logical choice because they have a $28.5 million trade exception and can absorb the Redick salary without going over the luxury tax. But does Boston want to use up half that exception on a player who would be a luxury and not fill a priority need?
Ball is having a career year but will become a free agent in the offseason.
If there is a hesitancy on the financial cost when it comes to a new contract, the Pelicans should not entertain offers for him.
Because he is a restricted free agent and they will have the right to match when it comes to an offer sheet, the Pelicans should not be forced to take the best deal available.
Front-office deadline history: Despite not making a trade at the deadline last year, David Griffin has turned over the Pelicans' roster since he arrived in 2019. In the two years, Griffin has made seven trades, including moving Anthony Davis to the Lakers and Jrue Holiday to the Bucks.
Restrictions/notes
New Orleans has two open roster spots and is $1.2 million below the luxury tax.
Brandon Ingram has a 15% trade bonus that would get voided because his 2020-21 salary would exceed the maximum allowed.
Jrue Holiday, Darius Miller and Kenrich Williams cannot be reacquired in a trade or signed as a free agent.
New York Knicks
What to watch: Elfrid Payton, Alec Burks, Reggie Bullock, Austin Rivers, Nerlens Noel, Frank Ntilikina, Julius Randle and cap space
The Knicks face a balancing act and questions as the trade deadline approaches.
Should New York stand pat and compete for a spot in the play-in tournament, or do the Knicks look to move the expiring contracts of Payton, Burks, Ntilikina, Rivers (2021-22 and 2022-23 are non-guaranteed), Bullock and Noel for draft compensation?
Payton and Rivers are expendable with the addition of Derrick Rose, and Noel had served in a backup role before starting for the injured Mitchell Robinson.
Unlike last year when the return value for Marcus Morris Sr. was a first-round pick (that eventually turned into Immanuel Quickley), each of the players on expiring contracts would most likely bring only a second-round pick in return.
Randle is having an All-Star-type season, and although his trade value is at an all-time high, the forward is under contact in 2021-22 ($3 million of his $19.8 million contract is guaranteed), and there is no urgency because he will not be a free agent.
While the big-picture approach typically will see a noncontending team turn its veterans into draft assets, it is important to the development of Quickley, Robinson and RJ Barrett to play meaningful games that have playoff implications. Stripping down the roster is counterproductive to that. Besides the decisions with their roster, New York is sitting on $15 million in cap space.
The cap space is not a use-it-or-lose-it scenario, considering that the Knicks have the option leading up to the 2021-22 offseason to use the remaining room.
A scenario that could be advantageous is for New York to act as a third team and to take back contracts (and a second-round pick) for a team looking to clear a roster spot. However, the seven luxury-tax teams (Brooklyn, Golden State, LA Clippers, Los Angeles Lakers, Milwaukee, Philadelphia and Utah) are all playoff teams with little incentive to shed salary unless it is to clear a roster spot.
Front-office deadline history: This is the first trade deadline for head of basketball operations Leon Rose. Although the March 25 deadline is his first, Rose and his front office have made six separate deals since mid-November. The six trades have resulted in Immanuel Quickley and three future second-round picks.
Restrictions/notes
The Knicks have $15 million in cap space available to use in a trade.
Elfrid Payton and Taj Gibson have one-year Bird restrictions and can veto any trade.
New York sent out $110K in cash to Houston in the Austin Rivers sign-and-trade and are restricted to send out $5.5 million in any trade.
Oklahoma City Thunder
What to watch: George Hill, Mike Muscala, Kenrich Williams and the trade exceptions
Recent transactions: Traded Hamidou Diallo to Detroit for Svi Mykhailiuk and a 2027 second round pick (via Houston); Traded Trevor Ariza to Miami for Meyers Leonard and a 2027 second-round pick.
Hill had surgery in early February and will be out until at least mid-March.
Despite the injury, Hill checks the boxes on what a playoff team looks for: veteran leadership, playoff experience (127 career games), can start or come off the bench and has a contract that fits within the budget.
Hill is making $9.6 million this season, and only $1.2 million of his $10 million next season is guaranteed. Before the injury, the guard was averaging 11.8 points per game and shooting 38.7% on 3s.
Muscala is an under-the-radar trade prospect because of his ability to stretch the floor and most important his $2.3 million contract.
For the season, Muscala is averaging a career-high 8.9 points and shooting 38.6% from beyond the arc. Because he signed a minimum contract, the Thunder do not have to take back salary in a trade.
Williams was acquired as part of the Steven Adams trade to New Orleans and has one of the best value contracts in the NBA.
The forward has a $2 million cap hit over the next three seasons with 2021-22 and 2022-23 non-guaranteed.
Front-office deadline history: Prior to the Detroit and Miami trade, Sam Presti had made only five regular season trades since 2016-17. In total, Presti has conducted eleven trades since November.
Restrictions/notes
The Thunder have $27.6 million, $12.8 million, $10.1 and $7.37 million trade exceptions.
Oklahoma City sent $750K to Atlanta in the Danilo Gallinari sign-and-trade and is restricted to sending out no more than $4.86 million. The Thunder also received $2 million from Philadelphia in the Al Horford trade and cannot exceed $3.6 million received.
Terrance Ferguson, Gallinari, Danny Green, James Johnson, Jalen Lecque, Abdel Nader, Kelly Oubre Jr., Chris Paul, Vincent Poirier, Ricky Rubio and Dennis Schroder cannot be reacquired in a trade or signed as a free agent.
Orlando Magic
What to watch: Aaron Gordon and Evan Fournier
We want to be careful putting a for-sale sign on Gordon and Fournier, especially because this roster has been besieged by injuries this season.
However, with Fournier a free agent this offseason and Gordon set to hit free agency next year, the clock is ticking on which direction the front office goes.
Gordon is still only 25 years old but is averaging a career-worst in field goals (42.7%), free throws (61.3%) and turnovers (2.8), and ranks 29th among all power forwards in real plus-minus.
Despite those numbers, Gordon has value around the league because of two factors: an $18.6 million contract that ranks 16th among all power forwards and his rare combination of athleticism and ability to stretch the floor (36.9% from 3).
Fournier ranks as the No. 2 shooting guard on the free-agent market, behind only Victor Oladipo. At a minimum, he will command a $12 million to $14 million starting salary and would push the Magic close to the luxury tax if they elect to bring him back.
Front-office deadline history: Acquiring Markelle Fultz from Philadelphia in 2019 is the headliner for the Magic front office led by Jeff Weltman. Orlando also acquired James Ennis III last February from the 76ers for a 2020 second-round pick (from the Lakers).
Restrictions/notes
The Magic are $2.8 million below the luxury tax.
Orlando has two disabled player exceptions: $6.1 million (Markelle Fultz) and $3.7 million (Jonathan Isaac). Both exceptions expire on April 19.
Philadelphia 76ers
What to watch: Terrance Ferguson, Vincent Poirier, Tony Bradley and the $8.29 million trade exception
Poirier (four games played), Ferguson (nine) and Bradley (10) have barely played this season, but all three are trade assets for non-basketball reasons:
The three are on expiring contracts, and Philadelphia can take back $12.7 million in salary.
The receiving team is only on the hook for $3.6 of their $10.1 million salary at the time of the deadline.
A trade for all three players is comparable to a team purchasing multiple second-round picks (something Philadelphia would need to include).
Ferguson and Poirier are also holding the final two roster spots and could be a waiver casualty if the 76ers need to open up a roster spot to use their $8.29 million trade exception or sign a player who is bought out.
Front-office deadline history: Don't expect Daryl Morey to make financially motivated trades, trying to save money to duck under the luxury tax like what occurred during his tenure with the Rockets. While in charge with Houston, Morey made five trades in 2019 that resulted in $18 million in savings. Last year, Houston acquired Robert Covington at the deadline in a four-team, 12-player trade.
Restrictions/notes
The 76ers are $11.4 million over the luxury tax.
Philadelphia has an $8.29 million trade exception.
Ben Simmons (15%) and Tobias Harris (lesser of 5% and $5 million) have a trade bonus. The Simmons bonus is voided because it exceeds the maximum salary allowed in 2020-21.
The 76ers sent $2 million to Oklahoma City and are restricted to $3.6 million to send in a trade.
Philadelphia can trade only a 2021 and 2023 first-round pick. It owes Oklahoma City a first-round pick that is top-six-protected in 2025 and top-four-protected in 2026 and 2027.
Josh Richardson and Al Horford cannot be reacquired in a trade or signed as a free agent.
Phoenix Suns
What to watch: The buyout market
Recent transactions: Acquired Torrey Craig from Milwaukee
The Suns completed their roster makeover in the offseason, trading for Chris Paul, signing free agents Jae Crowder, E'Twaun Moore and Langston Galloway and bringing back Dario Saric, Jevon Carter and Frank Kaminsky.
The additions have Phoenix on the verge of making the playoffs for the first time since 2010. Although the Suns are unlikely to make a big splash in the trade market, do not discount them when it comes to taking an aggressive approach with a player bought out of his contract.
However, with the recent addition of Torrey Craig, the Suns would need to clear a roster spot, something that will present a challenge based on how deep this roster is.
Front-office deadline history: Since taking over basketball operations in October 2018, James Jones has made eight trades, including three during the regular season. The Suns acquired Kelly Oubre Jr. in Dec. 2018 from Washington and two months later sent Ryan Anderson to Miami for Wayne Ellington and Tyler Johnson. Most recently Torrey Craig was acquired from Milwaukee.
Restrictions/notes
The Suns are $5.5 million below the luxury tax and $11.8 million below the hard cap.
Phoenix sent Oklahoma City a 2022 top-12-protected first-round pick in the Chris Paul trade. The pick is also protected in 2023 (top 10) and 2024 (top eight) before becoming unprotected in 2025. Because of the trade, the earliest that Phoenix can trade a first is 2027.
Ty Jerome, Kelly Oubre Jr., Ricky Rubio and Jalen Lecque cannot be reacquired in a trade or signed as a free agent.
Portland Trail Blazers
What to watch: CJ McCollum and Jusuf Nurkic
Peel back the Trail Blazers' roster and the options are limited when it comes to the trade deadline.
Damian Lillard is not going anywhere, and his backcourt companion CJ McCollum was playing like an All-Star before suffering a stress fracture in his left foot in mid-January. Both players are under contract through the 2023-24 season.
Center Jusuf Nurkic is injured but on a $12.8 million contract that ranks 17th among starting centers.
That leaves the Trail Blazers with a combination of Robert Covington, Derrick Jones Jr., Enes Kanter, Gary Trent Jr. and Rodney Hood. The salary for each of the five players is below $12 million. Trent is set to become a restricted free agent, and Kanter is on the final year of his deal. The others are under contract for 2021-22.
Their most prized trade asset, Zach Collins, has played only 11 games since the start of 2019-20 and is recovering from surgery on a broken left ankle. He is a restricted free agent in the offseason.
As for draft assets, Portland cannot trade a first in any season and only has a second in 2022 and 2026.
Similar to last year, the Trail Blazers do have an open roster spot but have been reluctant to use it even with the rash of injuries to the roster.
A positive is that the Trail Blazers' roster (except for Collins) should be at full strength after the deadline with the return of McCollum and Nurkic.
Front-office deadline history: Since the February 2017 trade deadline, Neil Olshey has made six regular-season deals, including acquiring Rodney Hood and Jusuf Nurkic. Last year, Portland made two trades that resulted in a savings of $13.6 million toward the luxury tax. The Trevor Ariza acquisition not only helped on the court but also gave Portland a contract to use in the Robert Covington trade with Houston.
Restrictions/notes
The Trail Blazers have an open roster spot and are $1.9 million below the luxury tax.
Because the first-round pick sent to Houston as part of the Robert Covington trade is protected for the next seven years, Portland is not allowed to trade a first.
Portland has a $1.8 million trade exception (expires on Nov. 22).
Carmelo Anthony has a one-year Bird restriction and can veto any trade.
Trevor Ariza cannot be reacquired in a trade or signed as a free agent.
Sacramento Kings
What to watch: Nemanja Bjelica, Jabari Parker, Harrison Barnes and Hassan Whiteside
Recent transaction: Acquired Mfiondu Kabengele from the LA Clippers for cash
The Kings' inconsistent play and failure to find a role for Bjelica has been a disappointment this season.
After starting 67 games last season, averaging 11.5 points and six rebounds and shooting 41.9% from 3-point range, the forward's minutes have been inconsistent this season. Bjelica has gone from playing four minutes in a loss to Brooklyn to starting and scoring 25 points two nights later against Miami.
His $7.15 million expiring contract fits into the trade exceptions of playoff teams Boston, Denver, Miami and Philadelphia.
Parker is more likely a waiver candidate if Sacramento needs a roster spot, but he could be included with Bjelica as part of a bigger trade.
The Kings can take back $18.7 million in salary if the two players are packaged together.
As for Barnes, although he has been linked to the Celtics and their $28.5 million trade exception, there is little appeal from the viewpoint of the Kings to swap a key starter for a first-round pick that will likely fall in the late teens or early twenties.
The Kings are not known as a free agent destination and trading a salary that descends each season for flexibility in the offseason is not beneficial.
Whiteside is on a minimum contract and can be traded without the Kings taking back a player in return.
Front-office deadline history: This is the first trade deadline for Monte McNair. The former Rockets exec was part of the four-team, 12-player trade last February that saw Houston acquire Robert Covington from the Timberwolves. Since taking over, he has made three trades, two at the draft and the recent acquisition of Kabengele.
Restrictions/notes
De'Aaron Fox has a poison pill restriction in his contract.
The Kings received $3.8 million in two prior trades and are restricted to receive no more than $2.8 million.
DaQuan Jeffries has a one-year Bird restriction in his contract and can veto any trade.
San Antonio Spurs
What to watch: The Spurs' front office
The optics from the outside suggest that San Antonio will put a for-sale sign on its roster as we get closer to the deadline.
The Spurs have $85 million in expiring contracts between DeMar DeRozan, LaMarcus Aldridge, Rudy Gay, Patty Mills and Trey Lyles. Although San Antonio is a possible playoff team, the Spurs are not a contender in the Western Conference.
The "seller mode" philosophy however is filled with flaws.
The Spurs have executed a solid plan of blending young players Dejounte Murray, Jakob Poeltl, Derrick White, Keldon Johnson and Lonnie Walker IV with their veterans.
The minutes of the five players have not been compromised at the expense of the veterans. Murray, Johnson and Walker are regular starters (each averaging a minimum of 27 minutes), with White and Poeltl averaging north of 20 minutes off the bench.
DeRozan has managed the same minutes from last year and still performs at an All-Star level, while Mills is in contention for Sixth Man of the Year honors.
As for finances, the $27.7 million and $24 million contracts of DeRozan and Aldridge make finding a match difficult if the Spurs were to explore a trade for either player.
DeRozan has value, but because of his large salary, San Antonio would have to take back $22.2 million in salary.
As Adrian Wojnarowski and Tim McMahon reported, the Spurs and Aldridge are working on trade scenarios and are confident that the veteran will be moved by the deadline.
However, because of his $24 million salary, the Spurs would have to take back $19 million in contracts.
As we have seen with the stalled trade negotiations of the Cavaliers' Andre Drummond and his $28.7 million salary, finding a team with the right contracts is not easy to find.
At the time of the deadline, Aldridge will be owed $8.5 million and San Antonio would need to contemplate a buyout if they fail to make a trade.
Keep in mind also that the Spurs are projected to have at a minimum $50 million in cap space this offseason to reshape their roster, and taking back money that extends into 2021-22 in an Aldridge deal would put a dent in their spending.
Front-office deadline history: The last time San Antonio made a trade during the regular season was February 2014, when Austin Daye was acquired for Nando De Colo. Since 2012, San Antonio has made only seven trades overall.
Restrictions/notes
The Spurs are $1 million below the luxury tax and have an open roster spot.
Derrick White has a poison pill restriction in his contract.
Toronto Raptors
What to watch: Kyle Lowry, Norman Powell, the final roster spot and cap flexibility in 2021-22
Despite his hefty $30.5 million contract that would necessitate Toronto having to take back $24 million in salary in any deal, Lowry is the top player available in the trade market.
Teams like Philadelphia and Miami have interest but the question comes down to if Toronto will take the best deal from either team or wait until the offseason and use Lowry in a sign-and-trade.
As for the trade market, Toronto prioritized 2021 cap flexibility this past offseason. Each of the team's signings, including Chris Boucher, were non-guaranteed in 2021-22. The Raptors could have up to $35 million in cap room this summer, but the number is more likely $28 million because Boucher is in no danger of getting waived.
Toronto has the expiring contracts of Patrick McCaw ($4 million) and Stanley Johnson ($3.8 million) to flip and take back close to $10 million in salary, but the question remains as to whether Toronto would take back salary that extends into 2021-22.
Powell is having a career season and will be one of top free agents this offseason if he does not opt in to his $11.6 million contract in 2021-22.
If Toronto is not willing to commit long term in the offseason and sign Powell to a substantial raise, it risks losing him for nothing.
Toronto does have an open roster spot. Barring a trade, the Raptors could look to the buyout market to fill it or convert the contract of two-way player Yuta Watanabe.
Front-office deadline history: The last trade Masai Ujiri made, either in the offseason or regular season was Feb. 7, 2019, when the Raptors acquired Marc Gasol from the Memphis Grizzlies in exchange for Jonas Valanciunas, C.J. Miles, Delon Wright and a 2024 second-round pick. Prior to the 2019 deadline, the Raptors had made five regular-season trades since Ujiri took over in 2013.
Restrictions/notes
The Raptors are $3.4 million below the luxury tax and have an open roster spot. They are also $9.25 million below the hard cap.
Utah Jazz
What to watch: The open roster spot, hard cap and $5 million trade exception
Recent transaction: Signed forward Ersan Ilyasova to a one-year, veterans minimum deal.
The trade deadline is more about trimming around the edges for Utah.
After all, why tinker with a roster that has very few flaws and has opened up a 3.5-game lead in the Western Conference standings?
Besides staying content with the roster, the Jazz are restricted to what they can send out in a trade.
Although they have $5 million and $3.5 million trade exceptions and an open roster spot, Utah is only $3.48 million below the hard cap.
They also have only one second-round pick (2021 from Golden State) available to use in a trade.
Front-office deadline history: Since the 2017-18 season, Utah has made three regular-season trades. All three of those trades involved the Cavaliers.
Restrictions/notes
The Jazz are $1.9 million over the luxury tax and have one open roster spot available. They are $3.6 million below the hard cap.
Utah has $5.1 million and $3.6 million trade exceptions. They both expire on Nov. 22.
Donovan Mitchell has a poison pill restriction in his contract.
Rudy Gobert and Ersan Ilyasova cannot be traded.
The Jazz owe Memphis a first-round pick that will only convey if it is 8-14 in 2021. It becomes top-six-protected in 2022, top-three-protected in 2023 and top-one-protected in 2024. The earliest that Utah can trade a first is two years after the pick to the Grizzlies is conveyed.
The Jazz are not allowed to reacquire Ed Davis and Tony Bradley in a trade or sign them as a free agent.
Utah received $2.36 million in two separate trades and is restricted to receive no more than $3.25 million.
Washington Wizards
What to watch: Bradley Beal
I know what you are going to say: Why have a section on Beal when the Wizards are adamant that he is not on the trade block and the guard has not requested out?
Beal and Washington remain married -- at least for now.
Beal is still under contract next season and has a player option in 2022-23. Both sides can address which direction to go in the offseason.
However, the Wizards' front office cannot put blinders on when it comes to identifying a potential trade partner(s) in the future. The trade deadline is the opportunity to do prep work. That means Washington should have open ears and not have a "hang up the phone" mentality when teams call about Beal.
There will likely be a time when Beal looks at the roster moving forward and asks whether he wants to be part of it. If he wants out, the dialogue with teams during the trade deadline will have Washington prepared.
Front-office deadline history: Tommy Sheppard has made two deadline deals since taking over in 2019. Last February, Washington traded Jordan McRae for point guard Shabazz Napier. The Wizards also acquired guard Jerome Robinson as part of a three-team trade with New York and the LA Clippers.
Restrictions/notes
The Wizards are $817,439 below the luxury tax and $7.2 million below the hard cap.
Washington has two $1.7 million trade exceptions that expire on March 22.
Bradley Beal has a 15% trade bonus in his contract.
The Wizards owe Houston a lottery-protected first in 2023. The pick also has top-12 protection in 2024, top-10 protection in 2025 and top-eight protection in 2026. As a result, Washington can trade only its 2021 first.
John Wall cannot be reacquired in a trade or signed as a free agent.