Since the start of the regular season, James Harden, RJ Barrett, Immanuel Quickley, OG Anunoby and Pascal Siakam have joined new teams.

The trade that sent Anunoby to the New York Knicks was the first in December since 2019. But now the calendar has turned to January and the 2024 NBA trade deadline on Feb. 8 is fast approaching.

To help get you ready, we’ve broken down what to watch for all 15 teams in the Eastern Conference: What kind of moves they can make, what we’re hearing, front office trade histories and trade restrictions to note.

We’ve also identified one trade we would like to see from each team between now and the deadline.

Our guide to the Western Conference will come Wednesday.

Note: Teams have $7.0 million cash to send out and receive in trades unless otherwise noted.

MORE: Roster breakdown | Draft assets | Full trade deadline coverage

Atlanta Hawks

Trade meter: 9

What to watch: The entire roster

Nearly a full season since coach Quin Snyder took over, the Hawks’ record under him is no better than under his predecessor Nate McMillan’s. Atlanta is below .500 and has no identity outside of ranking near the bottom of the NBA in defensive efficiency.

 

It would be easy to point to roster turnover, but it remains the same as it was at the start of last season, aside from acquiring Saddiq Bey last February and then sending John Collins to Utah in a salary dump in July. Atlanta has been without its past two first-round picks, AJ Griffin and Kobe Bufkin, for all but two games (Griffin has not played because of personal reasons).

Considering the underwhelming on-court performance, no player on this roster should be deemed untouchable.

However, it is hard to see Atlanta trading the face of the franchise, Trae Young, or entertaining offers for the one bright spot on the roster, forward Jalen Johnson. Backup Onyeka Okongwu has a complicated poison-pill restriction but can be traded if the Hawks use their $23 million trade exception to acquire a player.

As ESPN senior insider Adrian Wojnarowski reported, the Hawks are actively exploring trades for Dejounte Murray.

It was only 18 months ago that the Hawks surrendered two unprotected first-round picks (2025, 2027) and an unprotected pick swap (2026) to acquire Murray from the San Antonio Spurs. Murray signed a four-year, $120 million extension last July. Despite that, it is hard to see the Hawks recouping the draft assets lost in the Spurs trade. Also, as part of the extension, Atlanta would owe Murray a league-high $13 million trade bonus.

Including Murray, Atlanta has 14 players with salaries ranging from $1.1 to $20 million but the Hawks cannot trade their own first-round pick until 2029 (they do have a 2024 first-round pick from Sacramento that they can trade). They also have a league high $23 million trade exception but are only $9.3 million below the luxury tax.

De’Andre Hunter is in the first year of a $90 million extension and is on pace to play fewer than 67 games for a fifth straight season. Bey will be a restricted free agent in July and starting center Clint Capela is averaging a double-double a seventh straight season.

Front office trade history: Since taking over in December 2022, general manager Landry Fields has been part of five trades. Two of those trades involved three or more teams.

Last regular-season trade: As part of a four-team trade with Detroit, Golden State and Portland, Atlanta acquired forward Saddiq Bey. The trade cost the Hawks five second-round picks (two are protected).

Trade we would like to see: Two different trades involving Murray. The first, sending him to Detroit for Bojan Bogdanovic, Marcus Sasser, a 2024 second (more favorable of Memphis and Washington), a 2027 second (least favorable of Brooklyn and Dallas) and a 2028 Detroit second. The other, sending him to New York for Evan Fournier, Quentin Grimes and a 2025 top-14 protected first.

Trade exceptions: $23 million, $2.5 million and $2.3 million

Cash available: $7.0 million (out) | $5.9 million (receive)

Salary info and restrictions

• The Hawks are $9.7 million below the luxury tax.
• Murray and Young have a 15% trade bonus. The Young bonus is voided because it exceeds the maximum salary this season. The Murray bonus is $13 million as of Feb. 8.
• Okongwu has a poison-pill restriction. For trade purposes, $8.1 million is used as his outgoing salary and $14.0 million in incoming salary for an acquiring team.

Draft assets

• Atlanta is allowed to swap its own first-round pick in 2024, 2028, 2029 and 2030.
• The Hawks owe San Antonio an unprotected first-round pick in both 2025 and 2027.
• The Spurs also have the right to swap firsts in 2026.
• Atlanta has a top-14 protected first-round pick from Sacramento in 2024 (top-12 protected in 2025 and top-10 protected in 2026). It will turn into 2026 and 2027 second-round picks if not conveyed by the Kings.
• The Hawks are allowed to trade the Kings’ first-round pick and their own first-round pick in 2029 or 2030.
• Atlanta has five second-round picks available to trade.
• Draft rights to trade: Marcus Eriksson.

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Boston Celtics

Trade meter: 4

What to watch: The $6.2 million trade exception, open roster spot, luxury tax and guard Payton Pritchard

The Celtics have the fifth-highest payroll in the NBA but have resources to target a 3-and-D wing while not sending out a player.

Boston has a $6.2 million trade exception from the Grant Williams sign-and-trade that could be used to fill its open roster spot. Using the full exception would cost Boston an additional $22.5 million toward the luxury. Boston is already projected to pay a $39 million penalty. In the prior two seasons, ownership has paid a combined $110 million in luxury tax penalties.

Because the Celtics are a projected second-apron team in 2024-25, the trade exception will become unavailable starting with the first day of the offseason. This will also be the last time Boston can send out cash in a trade.

Besides the ability to trade up to three of their own firsts, the Celtics have eight tradable second-round picks available.

However, putting together a trade package presents a challenge.

The Celtics top six players (all earning between $10 million and $37 million) are off the table in trade discussions, leaving Boston with seven players earning less than $2 million. Pritchard has a $4 million salary but because he signed an extension in the offseason, his salary counts as $6.8 million for the acquiring team. Because of their finances, the Celtics also cannot take more than 110% in salary.

Front office trade history: Brad Stevens has made 15 trades, six during the regular season. Stevens is not afraid to upgrade the roster at the expense of draft assets. In four separate trades, Boston acquired Kristaps Porzingis, Jrue Holiday, Al Horford and Derrick White. The costs were five first-round picks, one second and a first-round pick swap.

Last regular-season trade: Traded Justin Jackson and two second-round picks to Oklahoma City for Mike Muscala. The trade increased the Celtics luxury tax payment by $6.4 million.

Trade we would like to see: 2024 second (via Dallas) and 2027 second (Atlanta) to New Orleans for Naji Marshall.

Trade exceptions: $6.2 million and $1.8 million

Cash available: $7.0 million (out) | $7.0 million (receive)

Salary info and restrictions

• The Celtics are $18.2 million over the luxury tax and have an open roster spot. They are projected to pay a $39.1 million penalty.
• Boston has the 110% Traded Player Exception to use when acquiring players in a trade.
• Payton Pritchard has a poison-pill restriction. For trade purposes, $4.0 million is used as his outgoing salary and $6.8 million in incoming salary for an acquiring team.
• Al Horford has a $500K trade bonus.
• Jayson Tatum has a 15% trade bonus of the amount left on his contract. The bonus is $2.8 million as of Feb. 8.
• Jaylen Brown is not allowed to be traded this season because he signed a supermax contract.
• Boston is not allowed to sign a player waived during the season that had a preexisting salary in 2023-24 greater than $12.4M.

Draft assets

• Boston is allowed to trade a maximum of two firsts in the next four years (2024, 2025, 2026, 2027, but not in back-to-back years).
• Boston has the right to swap firsts in every season except 2028 (the Spurs already have swap rights if 2-30) and in 2029.
• The Celtics owe Portland a 2029 first.
• They have eight second-round picks available.
• Draft rights to trade: Juhann Begarin and Yam Madar.

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Brooklyn Nets

Trade meter: 8

What to watch: Point guard, trade exceptions and draft capital

Since trading Kyrie Irving and Kevin Durant last February, Brooklyn has been below .500. The record and the Nets’ position in the play-in race would suggest trading away players at the deadline for future draft assets. However, the Rockets control the Nets’ first-round pick in the next four years (a result of the 2021 James Harden trade), so there is no incentive for the Nets to bottom out. Still, that does not mean that Brooklyn should take a conservative approach at the deadline.

The Nets have seven players on expiring contracts, including Spencer Dinwiddie, Nic Claxton and Royce O’Neale.

Brooklyn also has a league-high seven trade exceptions, including two for $19.9 million and $18.1 million. Both exceptions do not expire until July and there is no urgency to use them prior to the deadline. The Nets are likely over the salary cap next season, and both exceptions are a valuable roster resource.

Despite Brooklyn being restricted from trading its own first-round pick until 2028, the Nets have five future firsts from Dallas, Phoenix and Philadelphia, including four that are unprotected (2025, 2027, 2028 and 2029).

Considering Brooklyn went all-in with Harden, Durant and Irving, would the Nets do the same if another All-Star caliber player became available?

One question Brooklyn will eventually need to address is who the starting point guard is next season.

Dinwiddie and Dennis Smith Jr. are both free agents, leaving them with no point guard on the roster except Ben Simmons. Since the 2020-21 season, Simmons has played 48 games and is unreliable because of his injury history. His $37.9 million salary (he is also owed $40.3 million next year) is 25% of the Nets’ payroll this season.

One player who is not available is Mikal Bridges.

As Wojnarowski reported, the Nets’ front office goal is to build around Bridges, not trade away their best player. Bridges is one of the NBA’s top two-way players and has two years left on his contract after the season.

Front office trade history: Sean Marks is no stranger to orchestrating regular-season blockbuster trades. Last season, Marks traded Irving and Durant in two separate deals. In January 2021, Brooklyn traded for a past MVP in Harden. In total, Marks has made 31 trades since he took over in 2016, 11 during the regular season.

Last regular-season trade: Traded Durant to Phoenix for a package that included Bridges, Cameron Johnson, four first-round picks and a pick swap in 2028.

Trade we would like to see: Two different trades involving Dinwiddie. First, sending him and a 2025 first-round pick (from Phoenix, top-14 protected) to Portland for Malcolm Brogdon. Or sending Dinwiddie, a 2025 first-round pick (from Phoenix, top-10 protected), a 2026 second (from BKN) and a 2029 second (from DAL) to Atlanta for Dejounte Murray.

Trade exceptions: $19.9 million, $18.1 million, $6.8 million, $4.5 million, $1.8 million and $1.6 million

Cash available: $7.0 million (out) | $6.9 million (receive)

Salary info and restrictions

• Brooklyn is $8 million below the luxury tax.

Draft assets

• The Nets owe Houston unprotected first-round picks in 2024 and 2026. The Rockets have the right to swap in 2025 and 2027.
• The Nets have an unprotected first from Phoenix in 2025, 2027 and 2029. They also have the right to swap firsts with the Suns in 2028.
• The Nets own a top-8 protected first from Philadelphia in 2027 or 2028.
• They also have an unprotected 2029 Dallas first.
• Besides the draft capital acquired in previous trades, they are allowed to trade or swap their 2028, 2029 or 2030 first.
• They have six second-round picks available.
• Draft rights: Juan Vaulet, David Michineau, Nikola Milutinov, Aaron White and Nemanja Dangubic.

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Charlotte Hornets

Trade meter: 9

What to watch: Owners Gabe Plotkin and Rick Schnall

It is not often we highlight owners when examining what to watch at the trade deadline, but Plotkin and Schnall are in their first year of owning the Hornets and continuing to evaluate all facets of basketball operations, including the roster.

The evaluation starts with Miles Bridges, Gordon Hayward and Terry Rozier.

Bridges pleaded no contest to felony domestic violence in November 2022 and did not play last season. He was suspended 30 games (20 was credited toward 2022-23) and then signed a one-year, $7.9 million qualifying offer after contract negotiations stalled.

Bridges is averaging 20 points, but the Hornets need to weigh whether they are willing to reward him with a lucrative contract in the offseason. Because he signed a one-year contract, Bridges can veto any trade, and his Bird rights do not transfer if he is moved. For example, a team acquiring Bridges could re-sign him using cap space or would be limited to a starting salary of $9.5 million or the $12.4 million non-taxpayer midlevel exception if available.

Hayward is on an expiring $31.5 million salary and was averaging 14.5 points before injuring his left calf in late December. He has failed to play in 50 games or more since he signed with Charlotte in 2019.

Unless the Hornets get an offer of a good first-round pick and a young player on a controllable contract, there is no reason to move Rozier. Per Cleaning the Glass, Rozier ranks in the 70th percentile in effective field goal percentage, 81st percentile on midrange shots and 92nd in assist percentage. He is averaging a career-high 23.6 points this season.

Rozier is under contract over the next three seasons and his contract ($23.2, $24.9 and $26.6 million) is valuable under the new collective bargaining agreement.

Ownership also has to decide whether general manager Mitch Kupchak has full authority to turn over the roster.

For example, what happens if the cost to acquire Bulls guard Zach LaVine is Hayward and a future first? Are the Hornets owners comfortable taking on the $138 million owed in the future if the plan is to reshape the front office?

Charlotte has not reached the playoffs since Kupchak took over in 2018. The Hornets were a play-in team in 2020-21 and 2021-22.

Front office trade history: Kupchak is one of the more conservative executives when it comes to turning over his roster. Since taking over in April 2018, Kupchak has been part of 10 trades, with only four during the regular season.

Last regular-season trade: Last February, Charlotte traded Mason Plumlee to the LA Clippers for Reggie Jackson and a 2028 second-round pick. Jackson was eventually bought out of his contract. The Hornets also traded Jalen McDaniels to Philadelphia as part of a four-team, six-player trade. Charlotte received Svi Mykhailiuk and two second-round picks.

Trade we would like to see: Two separate trades. Bridges to Utah for Talen Horton-Tucker and two seconds. Hayward to Golden State for Andrew Wiggins and Gary Payton II.

Trade exceptions: $1.9 million

Cash available: $7.0 million (out) | $7.0 million (receive)

Salary info and restrictions

• The Hornets are right at the $136 million salary cap.
• Bridges has a one-year Bird restriction and can veto any trade.
• LaMelo Ball has a poison-pill restriction. For trade purposes, $10.9 million is used as his outgoing salary and $36.2 million in incoming salary for an acquiring team.
• Hayward has a 15% trade bonus of the remaining salary owed on his $31.5 million contract this season.

Draft assets

• The Hornets owe San Antonio a top-14 protected first in 2024. The pick is top-14 protected in 2025. If the first is not conveyed, San Antonio will receive 2025 and 2026 second-round picks.
• The Hornets are allowed to trade their 2027, 2028, 2029 or 2030 first.
• They can swap firsts in every season except 2024 and 2025.
• Charlotte has seven second-round picks available.
• Draft rights: James Nnaji and Tyler Harvey.

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Chicago Bulls

Trade meter: 8

What to watch: Zach LaVine, DeMar DeRozan and Alex Caruso

Let’s first start with breaking the Bulls’ decisions at the deadline into two categories: LaVine and everyone else.

LaVine signed a five-year, $215 million contract in the 2022 offseason and was thought to be the face of the franchise. But after a fifth straight year of averaging 20 points or more, including back-to-back All-Star appearances in 2021 and 2022, Chicago lost in the play-in tournament in 2022. Before injuring his foot this season, LaVine and the Bulls were 5-13 and in a downward spiral. The Bulls went 10-7 with LaVine sidelined.

After his return in early January, Chicago went 6-2, and LaVine averaged 5.3 assists per game, but he is now sidelined again with a right ankle injury.

The future of LaVine starts by asking three questions.

The first two are: Is Chicago willing to salary dump his contract in exchange for expiring salaries and perhaps a future first-round pick? And if so, does free agency offer the opportunity to reshape the roster?

Without LaVine and free-agent-to-be DeRozan, Chicago could have up to $30 million in room, which could increase to $51 million if the injury that has kept Lonzo Ball out for two seasons is deemed to be career-ending. Given a weak free agent class in 2024, would it be best to target players under contract through at least 2024-25 even if draft compensation is not part of a trade, similar to what Toronto did with the OG Anunoby trade?

And finally, is Chicago’s best option to wait until the offseason when there could be improved trade options? The risk there is that, because of the new roster restrictions that start in the offseason, high spending teams like the Lakers can only match dollar-for-dollar in salary. In addition, Los Angeles could not aggregate contracts going out if its team salary exceeds the second apron.

DeRozan is on pace to average at least 20 points for an 11th straight season but is set to be a free agent if the Bulls do not extend him by June 30. The 34-year old is eligible for three more seasons and up to $129 million.

Chicago could certainly hold on to him past the deadline and look to work out a new contract leading up to or during free agency. There is also the risk of the Bulls losing him for nothing if he is on roster past February 8.

Caruso was named All-NBA Defensive Team in 2023 and has one the best value contracts in the NBA, earning $9.5 million this year and $9.9 million ($3 million is guaranteed) in 2024-25.

He is extension eligible in the offseason and there should be no urgency to move off his contract unless a team is willing to surrender multiple first-round picks or young players on a controllable contract.

Front office trade history: Arturas Karnisovas was hired in April 2020 and began transforming the roster. In a 16-month period, Karnisovas and his front office made six trades, including acquiring DeRozan, Ball and Nikola Vucevic. However, since Chicago traded Lauri Markkanen to Cleveland in August 2021, the Bulls have not made a trade involving a player. They did trade two future seconds to Washington for the draft rights to Julian Phillips.

Last regular-season trade: It has been almost three years since the Bulls made a regular-season trade. In March 2021, Chicago traded Wendell Carter Jr., Otto Porter Jr. and two first-round picks to Orlando for Vucevic and Al-Farouq Aminu.

Trade we would like to see: LaVine to Charlotte for Gordon Hayward, Nick Richards, and two 2028 second-round picks (CHA and LAC).

Trade exceptions: $10.2 million Disabled Player

Cash available: $7.0 million (out) | $7.0 million (receive)

Salary info and restrictions

• Chicago has an open roster spot.
• The Bulls are $1.7 million below the luxury tax and $6.4 million below the first apron.
• Chicago is not allowed to exceed the first apron in any transaction.
• LaVine has a 15% trade bonus that is valued at $2.2 million.

Draft assets

• The Bulls owe San Antonio a top-10 protected first in 2025. That pick is also top-8 protected in 2026 and 2027.
• Chicago can trade a first, but two years after the pick to San Antonio is conveyed.
• They are allowed to swap their own first in 2024, 2028, 2029 or 2030.
• The Trail Blazers owe Chicago a first-round pick that is top-14 protected in the next five seasons. If the first is not conveyed by 2028, Portland will send a 2028 second-round pick.
• Chicago has two second-round picks available to trade.
• Draft rights: None

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Cleveland Cavaliers

Trade meter: 4

What to watch: Craig Porter, buyout players and Donovan Mitchell

Back on Dec. 15, Cleveland was 13-12 and had just lost starters Darius Garland and Evan Mobley for an extended period of time.

The injuries and underachieving play had non-Cleveland team executives asking if it was time for the Cavaliers to be proactive and start fielding calls on Donovan Mitchell. The four-time All-Star bypassed signing an extension this past offseason and can be an unrestricted free agent in 2025. He is eligible to sign a four-year, $200 million extension starting on July 6.

But considering how much Cleveland gave up in the trade for Mitchell with Utah — three unprotected firsts (2025, 2027, 2029), a pick swap in 2028 and multiple players to Utah — exploring trade offers now is premature and any conversations regarding his future should be in the offseason.

Ricky Rubio’s retirement and buyout has given Cleveland flexibility to sign two players and remain below the luxury tax.

One of those players should be two-way player Craig Porter Jr. The undrafted guard has scored double-digit points in eight games and has 10 games with four assists or more. Cleveland has $3.6 million of its non-taxpayer midlevel exception available and can sign Porter for up to four seasons.

Unless the Cavaliers want to take offers for Isaac Okoro and Dean Wade, their trade options are limited — Cleveland cannot trade a first, has only two seconds and goes 12-deep with its roster. The only two players who have not seen rotational minutes this season are Damian Jones and Ty Jerome. Jerome injured his ankle in late October and has played only two games.

Front office trade history: Last season, Koby Altman did not make an in-season trade for the first time since 2017. Prior to that, Altman was part of 13 trades during the regular season, including acquiring Caris LeVert and Jarrett Allen in back-to-back seasons.

Last regular-season trade: In February 2022, Cleveland traded Rubio, a 2022 top-14 protected first and two seconds to Indiana for LeVert. The first did not convey and Indiana eventually received a 2023 first (resulted in Ben Sheppard) from the Cavaliers.

Trade we would like to see: Jones, 2025 second (own), 2027 second (via Denver) to Memphis for Xavier Tillman.

Trade exceptions: None

Cash available: $5.9 million (out) | $7.0 million (receive)

Salary info and restrictions

• The Cavaliers have two roster spots open.
• Cleveland is $3.1 million below the luxury tax. The Cavaliers are $10.2 million below the first apron and cannot exceed the threshold.
• Garland has a 15% trade bonus that is voided because it would exceed the maximum salary allowed.

Draft assets

• Cleveland cannot trade a first but can trade swap rights in 2024 and 2030.
• The Cavaliers owe three first-round picks (2025, 2027 and 2029) to Utah. The Jazz also have the right to swap firsts in 2028.
• Cleveland has seven second-round picks available to use in a trade.
• Draft rights: Khalifa Diop, Luke Travers and Arturas Gudaitis.

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Detroit Pistons

Recent transaction: Traded Marvin Bagley III, Isaiah Livers and two seconds to Washington for Danilo Gallinari and Mike Muscala

Trade meter: 9

What to watch: Bogdan Bogdanovic, Alec Burks, Monte Morris and cap space

We are not going to dwell on the Pistons’ injuries, missed opportunities in the draft, questionable trades, two winning seasons since 2007-08 and most recently, a 28-game losing streak. All of that is in the past.

What we are going to do is address how Detroit can begin the process of fixing its roster, starting with the deadline.

The first step is addressing the value of cap space in the offseason versus trading expiring contracts (Alec Burks, Joe Harris, Monte Morris, Killian Hayes and James Wiseman, for example) for salary that extends past this season or pending free agents whom Detroit would be intent on re-signing. The second is to start identifying shooters who complement Cade Cunningham.

Detroit could have $62 million in room and attempt to mirror what the Rockets accomplished last offseason when they signed Fred VanVleet, Dillon Brooks and Jeff Green. Houston won 22 games in 2022-23 and is now competing for a playoff spot.

But that is a tall task considering top-level free agents rarely switch teams and Detroit would have to overpay. Also, Harris, Morris, Hayes and Wiseman have little value in trades unless the Pistons are going to include draft compensation or even one of their younger players like Ausar Thompson or Marcus Sasser. Burks is averaging 12.7 points, shooting 40.3% from 3 and would give a playoff team additional bench scoring. Detroit owes New York a first-round pick that is protected over the next four years, and removing or even lowering the protection would be reckless.

“We want to be aggressive now,” general manager Troy Weaver said on “The Woj Pod.” “Does it mean we’re going to make big deals? I don’t know. But we’re going to be aggressive in trying to improve this roster.”

Trading veteran Bojan Bogdanovic does not improve the roster, but it likely brings back draft capital that Detroit does not have. Bogdanovic, 34, missed 19 games to start the season and is averaging 20 points for a second consecutive season. He has a $19 million salary next season, but only $2 million is guaranteed.

“The pieces [of the entire roster] fitting together — that’s still to be determined,” Weaver said. “[Jaden] Ivey starting in the backcourt with Cade is starting to be really productive. Ausar Thompson, who is a Swiss Army knife, started off great and now is trying to find his way back — we think he fits. … The fit is to be determined, but Cade and [Jalen] Duren fit, and top athletes with Ivey and Ausar absolutely [do]. I think the young core, and [Isaiah] Stewart and what he brings, those guys fit.”

Front office trade history: General manager Troy Weaver has made 21 trades since taking over in 2020, including six during the regular season. From the 21 trades, Detroit has acquired 14 second-round picks and one first (rights to Jalen Duren).

Last regular-season trade: Besides the recent trade with Washington, Detroit acquired James Wiseman from Golden State as part of four-team trade. The Pistons sent forward Saddiq Bey to Atlanta.

Trade we would like to see: Burks and Morris to Golden State for Andrew Wiggins and a 2028 second from Atlanta.

Trade exceptions: $5.7 million

Cash available: $6.9 million (out) | $7.0 million (receive)

Salary info and restrictions

• Detroit is right at the $136 million salary cap.
• Isaiah Stewart has a poison-pill restriction. For trade purposes, $5.3 million is used as his outgoing salary and $13.1 million in incoming salary for an acquiring team.
• Kevin Knox II cannot be traded until Feb. 8.
• Gallinari and Muscala cannot be aggregated in another trade.

Draft assets

• Detroit owes New York a top-18 protected first-round pick in 2024. The pick has top-12 protection in 2025, top-10 in 2026 and top-9 in 2027.
• The Pistons can trade a first-round pick two years after the first to New York is conveyed.
• The Pistons have six second-round picks available to trade.
• Draft rights: Gabriele Procida.

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Indiana Pacers

Recent transaction: Traded Bruce Brown; Jordan Nwora; Kira Lewis Jr.; 2024 first-round pick (own); 2024 first-round pick — the lesser of Oklahoma City, Utah (if 11-30), Houston (if 5-30) and Clippers; and 2026 first-round pick (own, top-4 protected) to Toronto for Pascal Siakam. The Pacers sent cash to New Orleans for Lewis and a 2024 second-round pick (the lesser of New Orleans or Chicago).

Trade meter: 7

What to watch: Buddy Hield and Obi Toppin

The Pacers upgraded their roster with the Siakam trade. Now the question turns to the futures of Hield and Toppin.

With the addition of Siakam and Tyrese Haliburton’s extension, the Pacers payroll could increase to $152 million next season, $20 million below the luxury tax. If Haliburton earns All-NBA, the Pacers salary would increase to $159 million.

Hield is on an expiring $19.3 million salary, averaging 13.0 points and shooting 39.1% from 3. What type of message does it send to the locker room if Hield is traded for draft compensation and not a player who can help now?

Toppin is also on an expiring contract, but unlike Hield, Indiana can tender him a one-year qualifying offer, making him a restricted free agent. He is averaging career highs in minutes, points and field goal percentage. However, with the addition of Siakam, last year’s first-round pick Jarace Walker and now the potential of a high payroll in 2024-25, he could be the odd man out.

Front office trade history: Kevin Pritchard and his front office have reshaped the roster, acquiring Siakam, Haliburton, Hield, Aaron Nesmith, Jalen Smith and Toppin in six separate trades. Seven out of the 19 trades Indiana has made with Pritchard in charge occurred during the regular season, including the Haliburton blockbuster with Sacramento in 2022.

Last regular-season trade: The Siakam trade with Toronto.

Trade we would like to see: Hield to Orlando for Gary Harris, Chuma Okeke and a 2025 second-rounder from Denver (if 6-30).

Trade exceptions: None

Cash available: $6.9 million (out) | $7.0 million (receive)

Salary info and restrictions

• The Pacers are $4.6 million over the salary cap and have an open roster spot.
• Haliburton and Nesmith have poison-pill restrictions in their contracts. For trade purposes, Nesmith counts as $5.0 million in outgoing salary and $13.1 million in incoming salary for an acquiring team.
• Smith has a 10% trade bonus valued at $192K.
• Haliburton has a 15% trade bonus.
• Siakam cannot be aggregated with another contract.

Draft assets

• The Pacers will send Toronto their own first in 2024 (top-3 protected) and 2026 (top-4 protected). If the first is not sent in 2024, Indiana will send two second-round picks. The first is top-4 protected in 2027 if not conveyed in the prior season.
• The Pacers are allowed to trade a first two years after the second pick to Toronto is conveyed.
• Indiana can also trade swap rights to firsts in 2025, 2028, 2029 and 2030.
• Indiana has seven second-round picks available to trade.
• Draft rights: Mojave King.

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Miami Heat

Trade meter: 8

What to watch: Finances and Kyle Lowry

The Heat are walking a financial tightrope now and in the future.

Miami has an open roster, three trade exceptions ($9.5 million, $7.2 million and $4.7 million) and Lowry’s expiring $29 million contract to make deals. The Heat can also trade up to two first-round picks and have multiple pick swaps available.

While the resources sound appealing, the Heat are positioned right at the $182.9 million second apron. (They are actually $189,097 over at the moment because of Tyler Herro’s unlikely bonuses.) That matters because if Miami takes on additional salary either by signing a player with its last roster spot or in a trade, the Heat will be considered a second-apron team starting in the offseason. That would mean that until June 30, Miami would not be allowed to aggregate contracts or include cash in a trade and therefore not be allowed to buy a second-round pick. If the next disgruntled All-Star becomes available in June, the Heat would not be allowed to make a blockbuster trade unless Jimmy Butler or Bam Adebayo is involved.

The Heat could duck back under the second apron starting July 1, assuming they do not trade Lowry’s expiring contract for deals that extend into next season.

If the Heat front office wanted to ensure that, it means they couldn’t trade for Hornets guard Terry Rozier, for example.

Rozier helps the roster now but comes with a $24.9 million price tag next season. The Heat have $159 million in committed salary and would be pushed up against the second apron in 2024-25.

Front-office trade history: The Heat have made a trade in six consecutive regular seasons, though mostly involving draft picks and salary moves. The last basketball related move was in March 2021 when Miami acquired Victor Oladipo, Maurice Harkless and Trevor Ariza.

Last regular-season trade: Dewayne Dedmon and a 2028 second-round pick to San Antonio for $110,000. The trade saved Miami $4.7 million toward the luxury tax.

Trade we would like to see: Three different trades involving Lowry. First, Lowry and a 2028 first (top-10 protected) to Washington for Tyus Jones and Landry Shamet. Or Lowry, 2026 Lakers second and 2027 second to Toronto for Bruce Brown and Otto Porter Jr. Lastly, Lowry and a 2028 first (top-10 protected) to Charlotte for Terry Rozier.

Trade exceptions: $9.5 million, $7.2 million and $4.7 million

Cash available: $7.0 million (out) | $6.9 million (receive)

Salary info and restrictions

• Miami has an open roster spot.
• The Heat are $15.2 million over the luxury tax. They are projected to pay a franchise high $29.4 million tax penalty.
• Kevin Love has a one-year Bird restriction and veto power on any trade.
• Butler and Caleb Martin have 15% trade bonuses. As of Feb. 8, the bonus for Butler is $4.8 million and Martin’s is $392K.
• The Heat are not allowed to sign a player waived during the season who had a preexisting salary in 2023-24 greater than $12.4M.

Draft assets

• The Heat owe Oklahoma City a top-14 protected first-round pick in 2025. The first is unprotected in 2026 if not conveyed in the prior season.
• Miami can trade two first-round picks: 2027 (if the first is conveyed in 2025) and 2029 or 2028 and 2030.
• They can trade swap rights to firsts in 2024, 2027, 2028, 2029 and 2030.
• The Heat have two second-round picks available to trade.
• Draft rights: None

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Milwaukee Bucks

Trade meter: 5

What to watch: The buyout players and pick swaps

Giannis Antetokounmpo is aware that improvement from the current roster will come from within and not another trade.

“We have to be better. We have to play better, we have to defend better, we have to trust one another better, we have to be coached better,” Antetokounmpo said after losing to Houston on Jan. 6. “Every single thing, everybody has to be better. It starts from the equipment manager — he has to wash our clothes better. The bench has to be better, the leaders of the team have to be more vocal, we have to make more shots, we have to defend better, we have to have a better strategy, we have to be better.”

Milwaukee is a championship contender with Damian Lillard but a defense that once ranked among the league’s best now ranks 22nd. Opponents are scoring 116.9 points per 100 possessions — last year that number was 110.9.

The Bucks’ roster is top heavy in salary with Antetokounmpo, Lillard, Khris Middleton and Brook Lopez earning a combined $134 million this season. The rest of the roster consists of Bobby Portis, Pat Connaughton and a group of nine players with salaries ranging from $1.1 to $2.6 million. There are no draft assets to trade except for two second-rounders. One is from Portland in this year’s draft, and the second is projected in the 31-35 range. Milwaukee has to be careful moving the asset in a trade considering the roster restrictions it faces in the offseason.

The Bucks owe first-round pick swaps to New Orleans (2024 and 2026) and Portland (2028 and 2030). However, as we saw with the Suns last offseason, Milwaukee can trade swap rights on those picks again, swapping the less favorable of their own and either New Orleans-Portland with a third team.

For example, The Bucks could trade 2026 swap rights to a third team, which would be able to swap its first-round pick for the less favorable of the Milwaukee pick and the New Orleans pick.

Barring such a trade, the only help on the way is a healthy Jae Crowder, trust in each other and perhaps a veteran player bought out of his contract prior to March 1. The Bucks are over the second apron but are allowed to sign a player waived during the regular season if his preexisting salary was lower than $12.4 million.

As Antetokounmpo said: “We have four months to get better, so we’ll see.”

Front office trade history: In the past five regular seasons, general manager Jon Horst has added Crowder, Serge Ibaka, P.J. Tucker, Eric Bledsoe, George Hill and Nikola Mirotic in five separate trades during the regular season.

Last regular-season trade: Acquired Crowder from Phoenix as part of the Kevin Durant trade. The Bucks sent out five second-round picks in the trade.

Trade we would like to see: Pat Connaughton and Portland’s 2024 second-round pick to Brooklyn for Royce O’Neale.