Which team will steal the headlines at the NBA trade deadline? With the deadline nearing on Feb. 9 at 3 p.m. ET, front offices will be finalizing decisions that could affect a potential playoff run or a build for the future.
So, which teams will make moves?
With the Western Conference appearing to be as wide open as it has been in years, it could take one move by any of the top six contenders, such as the Dallas Mavericks, to establish themselves as postseason front-runners.
Then there are the Los Angeles Lakers, who are hovering near the line of the play-in bracket and face the possibility of playing meaningless basketball in the final month. Would one big trade be enough to propel them into the ranks of serious competitors in the West? Or, is their dwindling window with LeBron James under contract enough of a reason to make a risky move?
In the Eastern Conference, there are probably more teams looking to give up players than to deal for a big addition. The contenders in the East, such as the Boston Celtics, seem to be already established, while a handful of mediocre teams, such as the Chicago Bulls, might have more to gain by stocking up on future assets.
Our panel of experts breaks down the five biggest questions ahead of the trade frenzy:
