RealGM Analysis
With the Trade Deadline just a few days away, it is time to look at which teams are Buyers, Sellers, Either or Neither. All places in the standings are through the All-Star break.
- Atlanta Hawks (5th place): Either. After Atlanta traded Kyle Korver and openly shopped Paul Millsap, the general thought around the NBA was that the Hawks were attempting to rebuild on the fly. Atlanta then pulled Millsap back and proceeded to play quite well. However, they are still sitting squarely in the middle of the East with no clear path for improvement. With Millsap and Tim Hardaway Jr. facing free agency, it wouldn’t be a shock to see Atlanta move either player for help long-term. Or the Hawks could choose to bring in a small depth piece to help this year’s playoff push.
- Boston Celtics (2nd place): Buyers. Behind Isaiah Thomas, the Celtics have vaulted into second place in the Eastern Conference trailing only the Cavs. Considering Boston continues to hold a chest full of assets in picks and young players and has moveable expiring contracts, they are linked to any available player on the market. Smart money is on some sort of smaller depth move to shore up the big man rotation. The star move probably has to wait for the draft or over the summer.
- Brooklyn Nets (15th place, 17.5 games out): Sellers. Brooklyn is committed to playing the long game. This year’s pick swap and the 2018 pick are sunk costs. Sean Marks realizes he can’t get out of that obligation, so he’s working around it instead. The best way to do that is by recouping assets. The Nets have openly shopped both Brook Lopez and Bojan Bogdanovic, but are open to talking just about anyone on the roster.
- Charlotte Hornets (11th place, 2.5 games out): Neither. Charlotte has had a disappointing season. After a solid postseason run last year, most thought the Hornets would be a surefire playoff team. Instead they find themselves battling for the eight seed. Fortunately, they were in roughly this same spot last year and came out just fine. Considering they just made the trade for Miles Plumlee, Charlotte is probably a “what you see is what you get” squad for the rest of this year.
- Chicago Bulls (7th place): Either. Despite all the turmoil, the Bulls are still in the playoff picture. Considering the rest of the competition at the bottom of the East, it wouldn’t be surprising to see Chicago stick there too. It is well known that the Bulls would move Rajon Rondo if an offer presented itself, but everything is up in the air beyond that. Many expect them to listen on Jimmy Butler, but that is probably more of an offseason thing. One important thing to remember: Chicago doesn’t do full scale rebuilds. Anything they do will be with a quick turnaround in mind.
- Cleveland Cavaliers (1st place): Buyers. The Cavs already added Kyle Korver, but are continuing to look for a backup big man and help at backup point guard. They have two TPEs of over $4 million that they could use to bring in help, but Dan Gilbert and David Griffin are watching an escalating Luxury Tax bill. Expect Cleveland to be more active on the buyout market than the trade market.
- Detroit Pistons (8th place): Buyers. Detroit has disappointed this year, but has shown some signs of life lately. Stan Van Gundy isn’t shy about going big at the deadline. Two years ago he got Reggie Jackson and last year he brought in Tobias Harris. If there is a deal to be made, he’ll jump on it. Detroit would like some wing help, especially behind Kentavious Caldwell-Pope. That is the spot to watch for upgrading.
- Indiana Pacers (6th place): Neither. As always, the Pacers will be cautious at the trade deadline. If a move is there, they’ll make it. But they are more likely to roll with what they have. With some roster decisions and new contracts looming this summer, Indiana will probably sit this one out and focus on the summer.
- Miami Heat (10th place, 2 games out): Either. As recently as three weeks ago, the Heat were squarely in the Sellers camp. A 12 game winning streak later and Miami is now looking at other options. With several tradable pieces on team friendly contracts, the Heat could do a bundle deal to bring in help for this year. If they slide back at all over the next week, they could also sell off some of those same pieces for help down the line. Pat Riley is looking at a ton of cap space this summer and won’t do anything to upset that at the deadline.
- Milwaukee Bucks (9th place, 1 game out): Neither. After Jabari Parker went down with a second torn ACL, the Bucks find themselves in a difficult spot. They patiently waited for Khris Middleton to return and hung around the playoff race. They might not have enough to make it, but they’ll likely run with what they have for the rest of the season, but a small move can’t be ruled out.
- New York Knicks (12th place, 4 games out): Either. If the Knicks were smart, they would start selling off any player that doesn’t have a distinctly European surname. But New York is convinced they still have a shot at the playoffs and will operate as if they do. Of course, the first order of business should be a resolution to the Carmelo Anthony circus. But that seems likely to drag into the summer. The Knicks could make some small moves around that one, but none are likely to have much of an impact.
- Orlando Magic (14th place, 6.5 games out): Sellers. Perhaps the most disappointing team in the league, the Magic are poised to launch another rebuild. Orlando went all in by acquiring Serge Ibaka, Bismack Biyombo, Jeff Green and D.J. Augustin this summer, but it hasn’t worked. The Magic find themselves at the bottom of the Eastern Conference. Ibaka has already been traded to Toronto and Orlando will take something for Jeff Green if they can get it. The Magic have also openly shopped Nikola Vucevic and his solid production and good contract could yield a nice return, if Orlando moves off a reportedly high asking price.
- Philadelphia 76ers (13th place, 5.5 games out): Neither. This time around it isn’t that Philadelphia has nothing to offer, it is more a case of being patient. They could trade Jahlil Okafor or Nerlens Noel (Okafor is more likely), but have no real pressure to do so. They have won enough to energize the fan base, behind Joel Embiid’s electrifying rookie season, that everyone is happy in Philly. No reason for any sort of panic moves. Just sit back and see what the market brings you.
- Toronto Raptors (4th place): Buyers. Toronto’s midseason slump has them sitting in the middle of the East vs. challenging for the top as expected. The Raptors filled their power forward hole with Serge Ibaka, but it cost them Terrence Ross to do so. It is an overall upgrade, but Toronto is now in the market for a bench shooter to replace Ross. One thing to keep an eye on is that the Raptors have Lowry and Ibaka who both need new contracts this summer. That means Toronto could have one of the most expensive rosters in the league next season. That could limit the market for further trades this season.
- Washington Wizards (3rd place): Buyers. The Wizards have one of the most productive starting units in the NBA, trailing only the Warriors regular starting five in +/- by a +6.4 to +5.7 margin. On the other hand, their bench has been subpar, to put it kindly. Kelly Oubre Jr. has flashed some potential, but the backup big men and guards have been a disaster. Ian Mahinmi might finally be healthy enough to play, which would be a big lift, but Washington is still looking for reserve help. If they can find a difference maker for their bench, they’ll jump on it immediately.
