The NBA the trade deadline is quickly approaching this afternoon on Feb. 10 at 3 p.m., as teams are heavily accessing their options and solutions to make their team-best fit for their current path.
We have seen over the past few years how valuable the trade deadline is for NBA teams, whether it be the Nuggets landing Aaron Gordon, the Chicago Bulls landing Nikola Vucevic to create a solid, contending core including Demar Derozan and Zach Lavine, or even the D'Angelo Russell for Andrew Wiggins trade between the Minnesota Timberwolves and Golden State Warriors two years ago. Days early before the trade deadline we're seeing teams make a splash in moves, including Caris Levert to the Clevland Cavaliers, or the shocking (and/or head-scratching) deal between the Indiana Pacers and Sacramento Kings that sent Domantis Sabonis to Cali's capital and young break-out star Tyrese Haliburton to Naptown. While the trade deadline is a smaller window than free agency, it provides the grand opportunity for teams to reshape their roster to prepare for a playoff push, make a statement in the play-in tournament, or even help stack better draft odds.
Not every NBA team is going to be jumping to make a move, of course, as some deals aren't realistic, especially at the moment of the trade deadline. The following five teams, however, have a high sense of urgency to make some calls and reshape their team the best way that it can be.
NBA 2022 Trade Deadline: The Top 5 Teams Looking to Make Moves
1. Philadelphia 76ers
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The "Trust The Process" movement in Philadelphia, as we know is a done deal, and for the 76ers and Daryl Morey to relieve themselves from the headache, there is still one thing standing in their way: Ben Simmons. The exhausting and seem to be never-ending Ben Simmons saga are hurting the 76ers, especially when many are thinking about Joel Embiid's time being wasted in Chocolate City, who is averaging the best numbers in his career this season (29.4 points, 4.3 assists, 10.3 rebounds).
While a Ben Simmons deal may not be the most perfectly laid out deal, the 76ers need to kick something into motion if they want to be a serious contender in the Eastern Conference. James Harden for Ben Simmons seems like a clear deal, according to ESPN's Brian Windhorst; however, the trade deadline is more beyond Simmons. Whatever package Morey can formulate needs to also address the team needs, such as rebounding and playmaking. Still, there are so many questions of how this Ben Simmons ordeal will play out, as Philly could be biting off more than what they can chew with their "king's ransom" type requests. Nevertheless, Philly cannot let the trade deadline pass them by without finding a way to make the team of Embiid, Seth Curry, Matisse Thybulle, and others much better like people have envisioned them to be.
2. Brooklyn Nets
nycsportsnation.com
Brooklyn is set out to be a promising championship contender, based on the Big 3 of Kevin Durant, James Harden, and Kyrie Irving. However, the Nets' chances of being that have gotten slimmer and slimmer. From a 2-10 record without KD suffering from an MCL sprain to the roster being depleted all across the board, it could be time for panic mode to ensue. On top of that, there has been so much back and forth about James Harden, whether it be about his "dislike" for playing in Brooklyn because of cold weather to a 76ers-Nets deal including Ben Simmons becoming an actual reality.
Even though Brooklyn has put it out there that they really haven't had any intentions of pursuing negotiations regarding Harden or any other player, the roster can still use some cleaning. Due to sharpshooter Joe Harris's ankle injury and recovery not heading in the right direction, he could be no longer a Net after the trade deadline and replaced by another available shooter, perhaps Eric Gordon. Nic Claxton, who has been a solid rim protector, could be on the move due to injury and Brooklyn seeing an upgrade from him. Even though the Nets could be just fine once players come back from injuries and rotations go back to normal, there is still a lot left out on the table to bring in the pieces that could make the difference.
3. Atlanta Hawks
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As much as a surprise as it was that the Atlanta Hawks climbed up to the Eastern Conference Finals last season, it is surprising and alarming that the team is fighting for a play-in spot currently at tenth place in the East. Many are realizing that Trae Young is not enough for this team to reach bigger heights and that it's time to reconstruct around the point guard to be a contender. In fact, Atlanta is making every player but Trae Young and Clint Capela (due to his recent extension) available in any trade package.
John Collins's name has been in trade rumors for the past few years, and this year's trade deadline could be the end of it once and for all. Although John Collins has made some promising strides in his career with the Hawks, he is not the most elite defender or rebounder and one of Atlanta's main concerns is their defense, as they are one of the worst defensive teams. Danilo Gallinari and Bogdon Bogdanovic could be out of the A as well due to Gallinari reaching the end of his 3-year, 64$ million contact, and Bogdanovic not fulfilling his 4-year $72 million contract being out for multiple games and hitting a slump in his shooting productivity. The Hawks have the intangibles to continue to exceed expectations: the great coaching contributions of Nate McMillian, Trae Young playing like a superstar at just 23-years-old, first-round draft pick De'Andre Hunter living up to expectations, etc. Even if a move could break up Atlanta's core, the right move can put them exactly where they can compete in the East.
4. Los Angeles Lakers
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In L.A., things have not been looking sunny for the Lakers. A team that was NBA champions in 2020 is looking like a shell of themselves, with no guarantee that things can make the right turnaround. From a depleted, odd roster to now being 4 games under .500 for the first time since the end ok the 2018-19 season, Los Angeles is looking to bring more sunshine and less hellish flames to their present and future.
It's pretty clear that the Lakers want to forget the Russell Westbrook trade ever happened and try to move on; however, that is not possible, as well as a Westbrook trade to kick him to the curb really isn't. The Lakers may be better off negotiating a package deal of Talen Horton-Tucker, Kendrick Nunn, and their 2027-first round draft pick for wings and improvements in their defense. Sadly, LeBron James's father's time is kicking in at 37-years-old, with more and more injuries piling up and his future in the league not super clear at the moment. For Los Angeles any upgrade is, pursuing especially in the trade deadline to help their Western Conference contender chances come true.
5. Boston Celtics
celticsblog.com
The Boston Celtics, who had a rough start to the season are gladly picking things back up, winning six straight and eight of their last nine games, all while playing top-5 defense. This doesn’t mean though that Boston is off the hook yet, as the roster surrounding their young stars Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown is still in question. What Boston needs to look out for is an elite third option, preferably a facilitator that can boost up the offense and rhythm within the team. Unfortunately, some players currently on the roster may not fit the piece in that puzzle.
Maybe it’s time to let go of Marcus Smart, although we all know him to be the heart-and-soul of the Celtics. Dennis Schröder has been playing his role well in Boston, yet if the right team and right deal come into the play, he can be out of Boston sooner than later. For a team that went to the Eastern Conference Finals in 2020, former coach-now executive Brad Stevens will be going over the many ways they can repeat that success.
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