The NBA trade deadline is Thursday, March 25 at 3 p.m. EST, and the rumor mill is heating up around the league.
Here's a list of the most fantasy relevant trade rumors for all 30 teams:
Atlanta Hawks: The Hawks have shown interest in Marcus Smart and Malcolm Brogdon and have been rumored to be willing to unload John Collins and Bogdan Bogdanovic. Another name to watch out for is Lonzo Ball, who has interest from multiple teams around the league. According to The Ringer, Atlanta's talks for Ball have revolved around young swingman Cam Reddish, who has yet to break out but was a lottery pick in 2019. That same report indicates that the Hawks are seeking one young player and a first-round pick in exchange for Collins.
Boston Celtics: Aaron Gordon is one player who has been linked to the Celtics for some time, and that hasn't changed. According to The Athletic, Boston is seen as the frontrunner for Gordon's services with Denver firmly positioned in the second spot. Bobby Marks of ESPN adds: "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."
Brooklyn Nets: Who is left on the Nets roster to trade? According to Yahoo Sports, the Nets have dangled rehabbing guard Spencer Dinwiddie and a second-round pick, with Mo Harkless, Avery Bradley and Kendrick Nunn all options that have been discussed as possible targets. Marc Stein of the New York Times writes: "The Nets are working the phones to trade Dinwiddie, who is poised to become a free agent by declining his $12.3 million player option for next season because he is expected to have numerous suitors in spite of his knee injury. Trading Dinwiddie now is the surest way for the Nets to fortify their roster yet again before the playoffs and protect themselves from losing him for nothing in the off-season." The Heat, Raptors and Pistons are among the teams who have been linked to Dinwiddie.
Charlotte Hornets: The Hornets remain thin at the center position, with Cody Zeller and Bismack Biyombo serving as the best options on a team largely build around young, athletic players. Nothing appears to be imminent as far as trades go, but the Hornets have been linked to Sacramento's Richaun Holmes and Indiana's Myles Turner in recent weeks; either player would provide a major upgrade to this up-and-coming Hornets team.
Chicago Bulls: According to Shams Charania of The Athletic, teams have expressed interest in Lauri Markkanen and the Bulls are listening to potential suitors. Markkanen is set to be a restricted free agent this summer and is averaging 17.7 PPG, 6.0 RPG and career-highs of 48.3 FG% and 39.6 3FG%.
Cleveland Cavaliers: Andre Drummond hasn't played in a game since Feb. 12, and somehow it seems even longer than that. Stein provided an update on the Drummond situation in his piece: "Cleveland's Andre Drummond and San Antonio's LaMarcus Aldridge are two more former All-Stars who have been heavily shopped, but their hefty salaries make it difficult for their teams to trade them. Neither the Cavaliers nor the Spurs want to take long-term salary back in a deal. If no trade materializes in either case, Drummond ($28.75 million) and Aldridge ($24 million) could become unrestricted free agents by negotiating buyouts."
Dallas Mavericks: And if Mr. Drummond were to be bought out by the Cavaliers, ESPN's Adrian Wojnarowski reports that the Dallas Mavericks are expected to pursue the veteran center, along with the Celtics. That's not the only situation Dallas is monitoring, as according to Michael Scotto of Hoops Hype, the Mavericks are among the teams showing interest in Sacramento's efficient big man Richaun Holmes. The Raptors and the Hornets are the two others Scotto mentions, adding: "Aside from offering an upgrade as a traditional center, Richaun's expiring salary may also be attractive to the Mavericks. With Luka Doncic set to ink a five-year rookie-scale max extension soon, and with Kristaps Porzingis already on a massive deal, the 2021 offseason is likely the last in several upcoming years for Dallas to get busy in free agency. Gaining ahold of Holmes' early bird rights, while not having to commit guaranteed long-term salary, might be the perfect sort of compromise General Manager Donnie Nelson is seeking."
Denver Nuggets: The Nuggets have been tied to Aaron Gordon in Orlando, as mentioned above, but the Mike Singer of The Denver Post highlights that the Nuggets lack draft picks to offer in a deal. They can only offer their 2021 first-round pick and a 2027 first-rounder due to protections, per Singer. That factor, along with the sentiment that the Nuggets don't have the urgency to swing a deal like other suitors such as Boston have, could lessen the chances of Gordon landing in Denver. Harrison Barnes is another possibility as the Nuggets look to upgrade at power forward.
Detroit Pistons: With Blake Griffin bought out and Hamidou Diallo acquired in recent weeks, the Pistons may be done making deals for now. But one name they are being linked to over the summer is Cleveland big man Jarrett Allen, who is set to be a restricted free agent. Chris Haynes of Yahoo Sports lists the Pistons along with the Raptors, Spurs and Wizards among teams who have some level of interest in the 7-footer.
Golden State Warriors: At 22-22, the Warriors could be buyers or sellers leading up to the deadline, and Kelly Oubre is the name to watch in potential deals. "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," ESPN's Bobby Marks writes. "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." Bogdan Bogdanovic and Lonzo Ball are among the names who the Warriors have been linked to in recent weeks.
Houston Rockets: According to Chris Mannix at Sports Illustrated, it's no longer a question of if Houston will move Victor Oladipo. The only question is which team he will be traded to, and the Knicks and Heat are among the teams that have been mentioned in potential deals. That being said, Mannix reports that the Knicks interest may be overblown and that the Heat are reluctant to part with their young shooters like Herro or Robinson for Oladipo.
Indiana Pacers: Malcolm Brogdon is having a standout season in Indiana, and it has drawn the interest of trade suitors. According to Vincent Goodwill of Yahoo Sports, multiple teams are saying the "Pacers feel Caris LeVert can man the point guard adequately enough should they get a real deal for Brogdon, who's in the second year of a four-year, $85 million contract." Meanwhile, Goodwill reports that the Pacers are seeking a first-round pick in exchange for young point guard Aaron Holiday. A former first-rounder himself, Holiday's role has diminished due to the rise of T.J. Connell this season.
LA Clippers: The Clippers are among the teams interested in Lonzo Ball and could also be in on Ricky Rubio in their pursuit for point guard help, according to Mannix. On Friday, Stein wrote that despite the Clippers' lack of future first-round picks to offer, they've been exploring potential multi-team trades scenarios to get Ball.
Los Angeles Lakers: With the Lakers suddenly losing games while LeBron James and Anthony Davis are out of the lineup, they could be on the lookout for some short-term help. One player who doesn't appear to be at risk of being traded, though, is rising wing Talen Horton-Tucker. Brian Windhorst of ESPN reports that GM Rob Pelinka is refusing to put him in deals. On a completely separate note, the Lakers are one of the main teams to have been mentioned as a possible landing spot for Andre Drummond.
Memphis Grizzlies: Numerous reports indicate that the Grizzlies are interested in seeing what they can get for Gorgui Dieng, and if the team can't find a trade partner a buyout is also a possibility. With Brandon Clarke and Xavier Tillman being younger players ahead of Dieng on the depth chart, the veteran's days could be nearing an end in Memphis.
Miami Heat: According to Barry Jackson of the Miami Herald, the Raptors are pushing to acquire Tyler Herro in their proposed deal that involves Kyle Lowry. Hoops Hype reported this week that the Heat's initial offer for Lowry included Goran Dragic, Kelly Olynyk and Kendrick Nunn. Duncan Robinson and Precious Achiuwa are other names that have emerged as possible pieces in the deal. In other news, Windhorst reports that "there's a growing belief that the leader for LaMarcus Aldridge is the Heat."
Milwaukee Bucks: Milwaukee is being linked to a pair of score-first guards. ESPN's Zach Lowe reports that the Bucks are expected to have an interest in Austin Rivers, especially to be bought out by the Knicks, and The Athletic reports that the Bucks are among the teams interested in free agent Isaiah Thomas. The 28-year-old Rivers has averaged 7.3 PPG in 21 games with New York this season. The 32-year-old Thomas, who played 40 games for the Wizards last year, has bounced around the league and played for four teams since his breakout 2015-16 and 2016-17 seasons in Boston.
Minnesota Timberwolves: The Timberwolves have been rumored to be looking to upgrade at power forward, with Atlanta's John Collins and Orlando's Aaron Gordon being two of the names linked to them. The Hawks are asking for a hefty return in any Collins deal, though, and the Celtics, Nuggets and Rockets all appear to be likelier destinations for Gordon at this point. It could be a quiet trade deadline for Minnesota.
New Orleans Pelicans: According to Joe Vardon of The Athletic, the Pelicans could end up trading Lonzo Ball to a team that is willing to take on the contract of either Eric Bledsoe or Steven Adams - both have two full seasons remaining on their deals. The Clippers, Nuggets, 76ers. Warriors, Hawks and Bulls are among the many teams who have been linked to Ball.
New York Knicks: The Knicks could use more shooting and playmaking, and have been monitoring Evan Fournier in Orlando, per Yahoo Sports. Fournier, who is set to become a free agent this summer, has been made available by the rebuilding Magic after averaging a career-high 19.1 PPG this season. The Knicks have also been linked to Houston's Victor Oladlipo, but they reportedly have cooled on the veteran guard.
Oklahoma City Thunder: The Thunder may not have a lot of incentive to move Kenrich Williams in a deal, but John Hollinger of The Athletic reports that there is significant interest in the 26-year-old small forward around the league. "No, he isn't an elite athlete, and his shooting has always been a question mark," Hollinger writes. "Nonetheless, he has established himself as a rotation-caliber player at both forward spots for the rebuilding Thunder with his ballhandling, plus rebounding, tough D and generally high basketball IQ." Williams has put up 10.6 PPG, 4.2 RPG and 2.4 APG during his last 10 games. In other news, Mannix reports that OKC "is open for business on George Hill and Al Horford, though there has not been any traction on deals for either."
Orlando Magic: The Magic are reportedly committed to trading both Aaron Gordon and Evan Fournier before the deadline, according to Mannix. "Orlando's asking price has been high," Mannix writes, "but the Magic, in free fall since late-February, are more focused on draft compensation than bringing back players who can help them win this season." Gordon has been linked to Boston and Denver, and ESPN's Zach Lowe adds: "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."
Philadelphia 76ers: According to Hoops Hype, the 76ers remain interested in acquiring Kyle Lowry and promising rookie Tyrese Maxey is among the pieces in the trade package. Second-year swingman Matisse Thybulle, one of the game's highest impact players on defense, is also reportedly being coveted in trades involving the 76ers. That being said, it's difficult to imagine the 76ers unloading a player who fits Doc Rivers' defensive system as well as Thubulle.
Phoenix Suns: The Suns acquired Torrey Craig from Milwaukee last week to add a little depth on the wing, and that may be the only deal they make leading up to the deadline. That's' what happens when you are 29-13 and in second place in the Western Conference as the Suns are entering Wednesday.
Portland Trail Blazers: Jusuf Nurkic is set to return soon and the Blazers also have Enes Kanter who has taken on a larger role in Nurkic's lengthy absence, but Yahoo Sports reports that Portland is also interested in bringing in JaVale McGee. McGee has averaged 8.0 PPG, 5.2 RPG and 1.2 BPG as a backup to Jarrett Allen (and, before that, Andre Drummond) in Cleveland this season.
Sacramento Kings: The Pistons reportedly turned down a swap of Saddiq Bey for Marvin Bagley III, but the Kings could very well end up dealing at least one of their other frontcourt players. The Harrison Barnes-to-Boston rumors won't go away. Nemanja Bjelica is a trade chip who could be more valuable for a contender in need of scoring than in Sacamento. And Richaun Holmes is another player rumorerd to be available for the right price. On a separate note, Stein lists Hassan Whiteside as a player who could be bought out in the coming days if he isn't traded.
San Antonio Spurs: As noted above, Aldridge is a buyout candidate if the Spurs cannot find a trade partner for the long-time All-Star. Aldridge hasn't taken the court since March 1 and his numbers are down this season (13.7 PPG, 4.5 RPG), which probably makes a buyout more likely than a trade at this point.
Toronto Raptors: Adrian Wojnarowski reported Tuesday that the Raptors "are hurtling toward a roster transformation at Thursday's NBA trade deadline, engaging in talks on multiple fronts centered on separate deals for Kyle Lowry and Norman Powell. As mentioned above, Miami and Philadelphia are among the main suitors for Lowry, while the 76ers have a separate offer for Powell. "The Sixers crave Lowry's floor leadership and defensive savvy after losing out to the Nets in the Harden sweepstakes," writes Stein. "The Heat want to team Lowry, who will be a free agent this summer, with his good friend Jimmy Butler and Bam Adebayo in what would be a rugged three-man core of noted two-way players."
Utah Jazz: At 31-11, the Jazz enter Wednesday with the best record in the NBA and appear set to stand pat with the roster that's currently in place. In his Locked on Jazz podcast, David Locke - the radio voice of the Jazz - explains that the risk-reward probably isn't worth making a deal and shaking up a rotation that's worked so brilliantly this season.
Washington Wizards: The Wizards are adamant that they won't consider offers for Bradley Beal until at least the off-season, according to Stein, but they could be in on some lesser deals. The team has already been offered a second-round pick for Tory Brown Jr., according to a report on Forty Eight Minutes. Others who have been rumored to be available for the Wizards are Davis Bertans, Robin Lopez and Moritz Wagner.
