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          NBA trade deadline guide: Top targets and expert intel

          • NBA Insiders
          Mar 25, 2021, 01:11 AM ET

          Talks are heating up heading into the 2021 NBA trade deadline on Thursday (3 p.m. ET). Which teams will make moves and which players will land on new squads?

          While this deadline features fewer blockbuster names than usual on the trading block, there's still the potential for plenty of action. Title contenders will look to add talent for the playoffs, a long list of playoff hopefuls will seek upgrades to get into or above the play-in fray, and some franchises will make deals to accept their fates in the lottery. There have already been discussions surrounding the Toronto Raptors' Kyle Lowry, the Houston Rockets' Victor Oladipo and the Orlando Magic's Aaron Gordon, with more to come.

          Here's everything you need to know heading into Thursday, including the latest intel from ESPN's experts, key players and teams to watch, trade grades from Kevin Pelton, deals Zach Lowe wants to see and more analysis.

          Players and teams to watch

          Here are some of the key names and franchises to keep an eye on over the next two days, via intel from ESPN's Zach Lowe and Bobby Marks.

          Four trades Lowe wants to see

          Via Wednesday's Woj & Lowe trade deadline special:

          Lowe's player intel

          • Kyle Lowry | Toronto Raptors: Lowry is the rare player who might be able to swing the championship balance. The Raptors are hurtling toward a roster transformation at Thursday's deadline, engaging in talks on multiple fronts centered on separate deals for Lowry and Norman Powell, sources told ESPN's Adrian Wojnarowski.

          • Aaron Gordon | Orlando Magic: The Rockets and the Magic have had serious talks on a potential Gordon deal, league sources said. The precise terms under discussion are not 100 percent clear, but best I can read the tea leaves, Houston would have to send out significant draft compensation -- multiple picks -- as part of any proposed Gordon deal.

          • John Collins | Atlanta Hawks: Do the Hornets consider John Collins a center? Maybe. Some teams do; some don't. Collins has made real strides on defense, but there is skepticism he will ever be a back-line anchor of a contender-level defense. I would place the odds of any Collins trade as something like 70-30 against.

          • Lauri Markkanen | Chicago Bulls: The most interesting Bull to watch this week might be Markkanen. He is enjoying the best shooting season of his career, but the rest of his game has plateaued.

          • Lonzo Ball | New Orleans Pelicans: Ball would be an interesting fit with the Denver Nuggets. The Pelicans' appetite for moving Ball ahead of his restricted free agency this summer has been murkier since Ball's surge in the past month, but the sense among league sources is they would be open to a deal if the offer is strong enough. Teams with cap room to sign Ball this summer have some incentive to pony up now, since the Pelicans will have the right to match any offer for Ball in free agency.

          • Victor Oladipo | Houston Rockets: The New York Knicks are sitting on a league-high $15 million in cap room, and league sources said they are investigating ways to use it now. Could that include a trade for Oladipo? The Rockets might have to lower their ask if they are determined to move Oladipo now rather than risk him leaving for nothing in free agency.

          Get the full piece from Lowe here

          Marks' teams intel

          • Boston Celtics: 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. 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.

          • Chicago Bulls: 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.

          • Denver Nuggets: 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?"

          • Golden State Warriors: When it comes to 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.

          • New Orleans Pelicans: JJ Redick is on a $13 million expiring contract and, despite shooting a career-low 30.3% from 3-point range, still has value because of his postseason experience (110 games, 20th among active players). Can the Pelicans find a trade partner, and if not, would they keep Redick or entertain a buyout after the deadline?

          • New York Knicks: 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 Elfrid Payton, Alec Burks, Frank Ntilikina, Austin Rivers (2021-22 and 2022-23 are non-guaranteed), Reggie Bullock and Nerlens Noel for draft compensation?

          Get the full piece from Marks here

          Trade deadline resources

          Expert analysis and predictions

          Trade tracker and grades

          Kevin Pelton hands out grades for the latest deals, including:

          Our experts' deadline predictions

          • Royce Young: Toronto blows it up, embraces an abbreviated rebuild

          • Kirk Goldsberry: Boston doesn't get a major deal done

          • Tim Bontemps: Lowry gets traded by Thursday

          Underrated prospects who could thrive in new destinations

          Mike Schmitz highlights six young players who could benefit from a trade, including: