10 teams to watch as the 2025 trade deadline approaches

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It’s the month before the NBA trade deadline. What could happen?

That’s the question asked every year during this time of the season, when teams take stock of their strengths and weaknesses, intensify their scouting of opposing teams in search of potential help, hold internal discussions — and then realize the salary cap and its aprons and charges will nullify the vast majority of proposals.

Such is life in a league where trades, especially those involving high-paid players, are difficult and nearly impossible to pull off. But trades are made anyway.

Most trades will wait until the summer, if only because the 2025 NBA Draft order is set by then and free agency becomes clearer. Yet this is when buyers and sellers identify themselves based on their position in the position.

Will Jimmy Butler, Zach LaVine, Michael Porter Jr., Bobby Portis, Brandon Ingram or Kyle Kuzma find new uniforms soon? How much can they help another team – and what do they get in return?

Here are 10 teams that could be active in the days leading up to the Feb. 6 deadline:

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Miami Heat

The Jimmy Butler situation makes Miami an excellent trade partner, even if it doesn’t necessarily mean they’ll be a partner. Pat Riley is steadfastly against taking back an inflated contract in any deal, as he should. As any team should – it’s just good business. And the Heat under Riley have a history of keeping a manageable payroll.

Complicating matters is that Butler can dictate trade terms since he has an option for next season (which he will likely pick up at $50 million) and can demand an extension from any team willing to trade for him. It wouldn’t be unreasonable to see Miami just wait until next summer and deal with it then.

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New Orleans Pelicans

Even with Zion Williamson back, there is a sense of lost cause surrounding the Pelicans, who have sunk toward the bottom of the West. This might be the right time to be a seller, and everyone except Herb Jones, Yves Missi and Trey Murphy III could join the discussion. Does this mean Williamson is also on the block? A year or two ago, no chance. Now maybe.

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Brooklyn Nets

They started the process by sending Dennis Schröder to the Warriors a few weeks ago and Dorian Finney-Smith to the Lakers. Now the Nets must consider whether to part ways with the player everyone wants – Cam Johnson. He’s in demand because he’s a good 28-year-old in his prime and on the rise with a very reasonable contract (two years, $42 million remaining). The right deal — if one is imminent — could positively reset the Nets.

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Oklahoma City Thunder

Usually 70 win teams don’t dare mess with chemistry and rosters because for what reason? OKC likely adopts the same philosophy. That said, it sits on a surplus of future first- and second-round Draft picks, is blessed with a deep roster of young assets and isn’t constrained by the salary cap. OKC could send someone like Johnson a package and bolster its case to be a top-three championship contender, or just add someone to fill out the rotation. GM Sam Presti is smart, so whatever he decides will probably be the right choice.

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Phoenix Suns

Will Bradley Beal, if asked, waive his no-trade clause? And if so, does anyone want him badly enough to send back a player who can right the ship in Phoenix? That’s a big question. On Beal: As he said recently, he holds all the cards. He could refuse to waive his no-trade for all but two or three teams, and those teams could demand the Suns add a sweetener or two. This is why a no-trade is poison — for the team. Otherwise, the Suns’ options are limited – they have the largest payroll and the most cap restrictions. Any decision on the future of Kevin Durant and/or Devin Booker will be kicked off this summer.

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Detroit Pistons

What a difference a year makes when the Pistons are actually in the playoff picture. Even better? They have the lowest salary, are the only team under the cap, and have essentially no limitations. They can add to that mix — if they choose — and give Cade Cunningham a running back if such a player becomes available. Or they could be a salary dump and get a sweetener in such a trade. Veterans like Tobias Harris and/or Tim Hardaway Jr. are prime suspects to be traded.

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Los Angeles Lakers

The demanding fans of this team always think the Lakers need to do something. Such is life when the team has a 40-year-old legend on the clock. True, Lakers GM Rob Pelinka gets plenty of flags for someone who drafted Austin Reaves and Dalton Knecht without sacrificing a ton of future first-rounders on other deals. He also just dumped D’Angelo Russell for Finney-Smith. Reaves is a popular asset, but he’s not going anywhere. Would the Lakers part ways with Knecht so quickly to salvage what could be LeBron James’ final year?

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Portland Trail Blazers

Once again, the Blazers are spinning their wheels and relying on young players who haven’t developed enough. Therefore, the Blazers’ patience remains an issue. They should be sellers, and the usual names — Anfernee Simons, Jerami Grant, Deandre Ayton — will be tossed around, but if they had market value, wouldn’t the Blazers have pulled the trigger by now on at least one of them? Scoot Henderson and Donovan Clingan, the last two lottery picks, don’t seem ready for starring roles. If they were, Simons and Ayton would be gone by now.

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Golden State Warriors

Their involvement on the trade front (or lack thereof) rests on one player: Stephen Curry. He could push the Warriors to do something now or this summer, which all depends on his patience. He says he still wants to compete for titles. Ultimately, the Warriors must decide whether to sacrifice a bit of their future to save Curry’s remaining prime years or come to an understanding with him about the dangers of rebuilding and/or reloading. It will be a tough discussion that could dictate Curry’s future with the club.

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Toronto Raptors

Toronto is in prime position to make a big move as this season looks to be a wash. Several candidates will take Jakob Poeltl, a double-double big man and the only true value on the roster outside of Scottie Barnes and RJ Barrett (who aren’t going anywhere). Again, with a rebuilding team like Toronto, the only deals that make sense involve getting draft picks and/or young players in return.

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Shaun Powell has covered the NBA for more than 25 years. You can email him here, find his archive here and follow him on X.

The views expressed on this page do not necessarily reflect the views of the NBA, its clubs or Warner Bros. Discovery.