NBA Notebook: Boston Celtics 2025 trade deadline guide and restrictions

The NBA trade deadline is at 3 p.m. EST on Thursday this week prior to a Celtics-Mavericks Finals rematch in Boston. That leaves road games at Philadelphia on Sunday and Cleveland on Tuesday as the final two games before what should be a relatively uneventful day for the Celtics. They have relatively little roster flexibility and could use their open 15th roster spot to upgrade one of their two-way players, sign an overseas or NBA free agent, or leave it open until later in the season to lighten their luxury tax hit. 

Let's start with where everyone stands on the active roster. Jayson Tatum, Jaylen Brown, Kristaps Porziņģis, Derrick White and Jrue Holiday will all inevitably stay despite some offseason uncertainty looming over their price tag, which will reach $500 million next season between salaries and tax hits. Sam Hauser became trade-eligible again recently after signing a four-year, $45 million offseason extension and despite him and Payton Pritchard ($6.7M) boasting the most trade-friendly contracts on the roster, they'll almost certainly stay with Boston past the deadline too. Luke Kornet, who was excellent in January fill-in minutes, owns a no-trade clause due to him signing a one-year contract while owning Bird rights. The Celtics will operate as a second-apron team, so they can only trade one player for another, can't combine salaries, can't bring in $1 more than they send out and can't sign buyout players later this month who currently make more than the $12.9 million mid-level exception. Al Horford (1yr, $9.5M) obviously isn't going anywhere. 

The rest of the roster is at least worth watching for shake-ups given that they haven't made a consistent impact through the first half of the season. That includes: 

Neemias Queta (3yrs, $7.2M): Playing on a minimum deal with non-guaranteed second and third seasons. He should be safe after standout first-half moments. 

Jordan Walsh (3yrs, $6.5M) and Baylor Scheierman (4yrs, $12.8M): Younger and developing prospects who likely won't move despite their limited impact this year. 

Xavier Tillman Sr. (2yrs, $4.8M): Worth watching after falling out of the rotation in November. The Celtics traded two second-rounders and Lamar Stevens to Memphis one year ago to acquire Tillman as a switching center and forward hybrid with some upside at 26, but his offensive limitations have sidelined him despite playing a strong depth role in last year's playoff run. Having a younger center on a minimum contract next year who's ok with not playing will likely supersede whatever value he would return in a trade. Especially since he's signed for the minimum again next season on a roster that badly needs some cost controls. 

Jaden Springer (1yr, $4.0M): The most-rumored player to go in any trade after reported attempts to move him last summer, minimal opportunities emerging for him to play over the last year after the Celtics acquired him from Philadelphia last deadline and his contract allowing for the most salary matching of any of their depth bench players. Springer did post strong performances against the Clippers (8 pts, 4 stl, 2-6 3PT) and Bulls (4pts, 5 reb, 2 ast, 2 stl) late last month and only turns 23 next fall. The Celtics can also likely retain him at a minor salary in restricted free agency this summer. There's a case to keep him given what he's shown defensively recently, but like Tillman might prove too offensively limited for Joe Mazzulla to trust him in any consistent role. If Boston wants to shed salary ahead of an outside signing or make a trade, Springer will likely need to be involved. 

JD Davison, Drew Peterson and Anton Watson: Two-way players who cannot be traded. They don't carry any salary cap hit. Davison is playing on his third and final two-way allowed by the CBA. Any of the three could be converted to a standard contract at any point for the rest of the season with a pro-rated luxury tax hit for how much of the year is left. 

Who's even out there for them to acquire given these limitations? There are some, and I'll focus on the front court given Hauser's struggles with injuries this season, Horford's age and Porziņģis' injury history. The Celtics could probably use some wing depth with shooters boasting size long a target for this front office. That's one of the most valuable skill sets in the league, so it won't come cheap, but there are some players who will likely be available for draft pick compensation -- Boston's best selling point. It's also worth noting given that the Celtics own an open roster spot that minimum salary players signed for 1-2 years can simply be absorbed onto their roster without matching salaries. That will prove helpful.

Reggie Jackson (1yr, $2.1M): Minimum salary veteran guard at 34 who would cost next to nothing to acquire if Philadelphia decides to offload players. Averaging 4.2 PPG and shooting 38.5% FG and 33.8% 3PT in 12.3 MPG this season. Likely wouldn't crack the rotation if Boston's guards ahead of him remain healthy. 

Day'Ron Sharpe (1yr, $4.0M): Development center at age 23 who's struggled to stay healthy and crack Brooklyn's rotation through his first four seasons. A strong rebounder averaging 7.7 PPG and 6.3 RPG in 17.3 MPG this season with 14.2 rebounds per 36 minutes in his career. He can become a restricted free agent this summer and is likely an exclusive center despite attempting 61 threes in his career (26.2%). There's a mold of a helpful player here and the Nets are in sell/rebuild mold with plenty of front-court depth. 

Amir Coffey (1yr, $4.0M): An excellent depth wing averaging 10.2 PPG in 26.1 MPG for the Clippers this season. With their season back on track, he's likely too important for LA to give up. 

Jalen Hood-Schifino (1yr, $3.9M): A 21-year-old playmaking guard who hasn't received much opportunity from the Lakers, who declined his third and fourth-year team options in the fall. That sets him up for unrestricted free agency this summer and any team that acquires him doesn't have Bird rights to retain him, making him a difficult player to re-sign. 

Svi Mykhailiuk (4yrs, $15.1M): Celtics champion who left for Utah this past summer for a four-year contract that's only guaranteed one year, $3.5 million. The Celtics originally signed him as Hauser insurance for a year where they didn't need it. Now, having some shooting, playmaking and size off the bench in case Hauser misses time looks more appealing. Mykhailiuk hasn't played much for the Jazz, averaging 10.0 PPG and shooting 35.5% from three (6.2 att.) in the 18 games where he has. He finished 38.9% from deep last year in 41 games with Boston. His non-guaranteed contract would also give the team some flexibility now and this summer, but would require the Celtics trading Springer. 

Josh Richardson (1yr, $3.1M): Old friend hasn't played for the Heat since November due to a heel injury, making him an unlikely addition. He also underwent season-ending shoulder surgery last season. 

Walker Kessler (2yr, $7.9M): Can't make sense of a popular name among fans as a trade target. Kessler has, at times, emerged as one of the league's best young rim protectors since they acquired him in the Rudy Gobert trade. He's due a rookie scale extension this summer, and while talks might grow difficult with Utah, any trade rumors from the Jazz' end are probably more about assessing his value league-wide than actually giving him up. Danny Ainge wouldn't be giving the Celtics a break on one of his most valuable players. 

Torrey Craig (1yr, $2.8M): The kind of player the Celtics are most likely to acquire. Craig hasn't played for the Bulls since Dec. 30 with a leg injury, which could put him in the Richardson camp, but at 6-7, 221 pounds brings wing size and a 35.5% three-point stroke at least gives him a chance to play if injuries pop up. He has experience playing a regular rotation role with Denver, Phoenix and Indiana, and sitting out in Chicago. Craig has only played nine games this year, averaging 6.9 PPG and 2.8 RPG in 12.6 MPG (48.9% FG). 

Garrison Mathews (1yr, 2.2M): Hawks shooter who once competed for a spot in Celtics training camp. He's averaging 7.8 PPG and shooting 39.4% from three in 39 games at 28.

Jeremiah Robinson-Earl (1yr, $2.2M): A 6-9 wing with a skill set closer to a big who didn't work out with the Thunder, perhaps a bad sign, before garnering little interest in free agency. He's played a depth role with the Pelicans these past two years, turning 24 this season and averaging 5.9 PPG, 4.2 RPG and shooting 33.4% from three across four years.

Jericho Sims (1yr, $2.1M): High-flyer who's developed little consistency across four Knicks seasons. Not quite young either at 26 ahead of restricted free agency. The Knicks have reportedly been open to trading him. Would a Tillman swap make some sense for both sides with New York in search of reliable front-court depth? I would bet against it. 

Guerschon Yabusele (1yr, $2.1M): A highly intriguing option at 6-8, 260 pounds who can play the perimeter and front court if necessary. The 76ers have some incentive to keep him, as he's averaged 10.8 PPG, 5.5 RPG and 2.0 APG while shooting 40% from three in his first NBA season since the Celtics declined his final team option in 2019. But Philadelphia most likely can't retain him following this season due to his lack of Bird rights. The Celtics would acquire that same problem. Is he worth a first as a pure rental? The 76ers owe their first to Oklahoma City, top-six protected, from the Al Horford salary dump in 2020. An important note as they navigate the rest of a mostly failed season so far. 

Javonte Green (1yr, $2.1M)/Daniel Theis (1yr, $2.1M): Old friends who went to New Orleans as depth help for what's become a doomed Pelicans campaign. Theis has struggled offensively this season after a strong Olympic campaign and showed in his 2022 return to Boston that he's not quite a four (24.3% 3PT this season). Green, however, has logged solid minutes, averaging 6.0 PPG and 3.6 RPG while shooting 37.4% from three in 44 games with 16 starts after spending much of last year in the G-League. He's not a big wing at 6-4, but brings some athleticism to the frontcourt even at 31. Tatum and Green grew close across his two seasons with Boston between 2019-21 before the Celtics traded Green and Theis to Chicago. 

Alec Burks (1yr, $2.1M): Unlikely given the Heat's desire to compete even beyond potentially trading Jimmy Butler, but he's long been a reliable bench playmaker and scorer, shooting 42.9% from three with Miami this season. 

Duop Reath (2yrs, $4.2M): Another potential change of pace at center from Tillman. He showed flashes last year as a rookie, shooting 35.9% from three at 6-11, but has only played 23 games for a bad Portland team and hasn't been in their rotation all season. He's also 28, which limits his upside. Reath is averaging 2.2 PPG (37% FG, 31.3% 3PT).

Toumani Camara (3yrs, $6.4M): Would normally stay away from predicting anyone playing productive basketball on a rookie contract would be available, but Bobby Marks posed Boston trading Springer, a 2025 first and 2030 second for Camara in his deadline preview, so I'll roll with it. Camara went to Portland after Phoenix drafted him in the Deandre Ayton trade as a throw-in and has averaged 9.9 PPG, 5.7 RPG, 2.1 APG and 1.3 SPG on 34.7% three-point shooting into his second season. He plays over 30 MPG for the Blazers and is a young, defensive, cost-controlled player, so I'd highly doubt they move on from him, but he's the kind of player the Celtics could get aggressive for as short and long-term help. Since he's on a four-year rookie deal, Boston would need to match his contract with Springer or one of their minimum salary players. 

Free agents: Lonnie Walker IV (Lithuania), Oshae Brissett (Long Island Nets), Jalen McDaniels (Capital City Go-Go), Marcus Morris, Keita Bates-Diop, Markelle Fultz, Bruno Fernando (Real Madrid), Robert Covington, Danilo Gallinari, Cole Swider, Malachi Flynn (Austin Spurs), Killian Hayes (Long Island Nets), Jacob Gilyard (Cleveland Charge), Elfrid Payton (Birmingham Squadron), Kira Lewis (Capital City Go-Go), Lamar Stevens (Motor City Cruise), Nassir Little (Sioux Falls Skyforce), TJ Warren (Westchester Knicks). 

Celtics future trade-eligible picks: 2025 1R, best of DET/WAS/GSW 2025 2R, 2026 1R, best of POR/NYK/NO/MIN 2026 2R, 2027 1R, 2030 1R swap rights, 2030 2R, 2031 1R, 2031 2R, 2032 1R, 2032 2R. 

Here's what else happened around the NBA this week...

Atlanta (22-26): Lost seven straight since they defeated the Celtics in overtime earlier this month and lost Jalen Johnson (shoulder) for the season this week after he suffered a torn labrum. Johnson averaged 18.9 PPG, 10 RPG, 5 APG, 1.6 SPG and 1.0 BPG while shooting 50% from the field, emerging as one of Atlanta's stars in their rejuvenated attack. Now, their promising year risks falling back into familiar play-in territory and an uncompetitive postseason showing. They could now trade Bogdan Bogdanovic ahead of the trade deadline, according to HoopsHype. Trae Young, despite averaging 22.5 PPG and 11.5 APG, did not make the All-Star Game for the second time over the last five years despite posting a double-double in those seasons. Young sounded off on X about the snub. 

Boston (33-15): Jaylen Brown joined Jayson Tatum as the Celtics' all-stars, his fourth appearance and third straight. Boston bounced back with smooth wins over the Bulls and Pelicans after blowing a 12-point fourth-quarter lead to the Bulls on Monday. Amen Thompson beat a late pre-switch attempt by Brown and Luke Kornet for the game-winning floater as Rockets head coach Ime Udoka scored his first win against his former Celtics after three straight losses. Al Horford (toe) and Sam Hauser (hip) missed Monday and Wednesday's games before returning on Friday in New Orleans. Boston is reportedly among the teams interested in 76ers big Guerschon Yabusele ahead of Thursday's deadline. 

Brooklyn (15-33): Lost 8-of-10 before listing seven players on their injury report against the Rockets on Saturday. Cam Thomas (hamstring), out since Jan. 2, will remain out through the all-star break. Cam Johnson (ankle) remains out and is day-to-day. Day'Ron Sharpe, Noah Clowney, Bojan Bogdanovic and Maxwell Lewis also all remain out for Brooklyn. De'Anthony Melton, acquired from Golden State in the Dennis Schroeder trade, is out for the season with a torn ACL. Brooklyn has been linked to De'Aaron Fox, Michael Scotto noted, but the timing doesn't seem right for the Nets to make a splash this early in their rebuild and his contract status would make it even harder to integrate him. 

Charlotte (12-33): LaMelo Ball did not make the All-Star Game despite leading the east guards in fan voting. Ball fell to third in the player vote and seventh among the media to fall short of a starting role before the coaches passed on him. Ball might not have been healthy enough to play in two weeks anyway, going down with a left ankle sprain this week that'll cost him at least one week. Prior to his latest in a long string of injuries early in his career, he averaged 28.2 PPG, 5.3 RPG and 7.3 APG on 41.9% shooting in 31 games. The Wall Street Journal reported that former Hornet Terry Rozier is under federal investigation over a game he exited early in 2023 that drew irregular betting patterns. The probe follows a lifetime ban and prosecution of former Raptors wing Jontay Porter, who the NBA found disclosed confidential information to gamblers. He later pleaded guilty to conspiracy to commit wire fraud. The league found no such wrongdoing in their investigation of Rozier at the time, and he hasn't been charged or accused of wrongdoing by this investigation yet. The Hornets traded Rozier to Miami last season. Rozier declined to address the investigation. 

“On advice from counsel, I can’t answer any questions about that matter,” he told reporters.

Cleveland (39-9): Won three straight in blowout fashion over the Pistons, Heat and Hawks before they host the Mavs on Sunday and Celtics on Tuesday in the final meeting of the season between Boston and Cleveland. Joe Mazzulla said Boston is focused on itself more than the standings, the Celtics trailing the Cavs by 5.5 games after Friday. Caris LeVert (wrist) and Isaac Okoro (shoulder) have missed their seven and eight games, respectively, and Dean Wade went down with a bone bruise in his knee earlier this month that'll force him to miss Tuesday's matchup. That could leave Cleveland thin at wing again like when the Celtics scored a decisive home win over the then-undefeated Cavs in their first meeting. Jaylen Brown and Derrick White missed the second game in December, 115-111 Cleveland win. Darius Garland and Evan Mobley will join Donovan Mitchell at this month's All Star Game -- the Cavs the lone team with three representatives. The Athletic wrote about how Cleveland's taxpayer status could impact their deadline approach. 

Denver (29-19): Nikola Jokić posted 28 points and 13 assists to sneak the Nuggets past the 76ers without Joel Embiid and others. NBA MVPs Jokić and Embiid failed to meet again this season due to the latter's absences. They last faced off on Jan. 16, 2024, a 41-point outburst for Embiid in a close Philadelphia win at home. He's missed three straight games since. Russell Westbrook (hamstring) left Friday's win and did not return. He's averaged 14.7 PPG, 6.7 RPG and 6.5 APG on 53.7% shooting in 19 straight Nuggets starts. Michael Malone sent a great rebuke to Adam Silver's idea to potentially change NBA games to 10-minute quarters. Joe Mazzulla did the same, saying he doesn't care. 

“I hope we don’t go to 10-minute quarters,” Malone said on Wednesday. “I hope we don’t go to the four-point line. I hope we don’t become Barnum & Bailey where we’re just having to do whatever we have to do to keep viewership." 

Detroit (24-24): Cade Cunningham made the All-Star Game representing a Pistons team that already surpassed its win total from last year by 10 games. Cunningham celebrated by beating the Mavs on Friday with 40 points, six rebounds and four assists, now averaging 25.3 PPG, 6.4 RPG and 9.2 APG on 45.8% shooting in his breakout season at 23. Marc Spears even suggested that Cunningham should receive some MVP consideration considering the weight he's carrying for the Pistons. Isaiah Stewart missed his bobblehead night on Friday, suspended one game for picking up six flagrant foul points this season after his ejection on Wednesday at Indiana for a flagrant two foul. 

Golden State (24-24): Steve Kerr said the Warriors can't stand pat at Thursday's trade deadline if something makes sense as injuries, depth issues and their reliance on Steph Curry have led to an increasingly mediocre season. Kerr was asked if he believes the Warriors can compete in the playoffs, which he thought they could, but he contended that they haven't separated themselves in a crowded west past the halfway point of the season. That's what makes reinforcements necessary, Golden State currently 0.5 games behind Sacramento on the outside looking in of the west postseason picture. Kevin O'Connor reported that the Warriors are back in the mix for Jimmy Butler after exiting the sweepstakes earlier this season. The Athletic followed by reporting reluctance by Curry and Kerr to embrace such a move due to the potential cost and combustion potential of adding Butler. The Warriors have reportedly been linked to Bulls stars Nikola Vučević and Zach LaVine. 

Houston (32-15): De'Aaron Fox' availability will test their stated desire to stand pat and see how this season concludes before addressing their roster, though reports that Fred VanVleet and the Rockets could pursue a new long-term contract reflect how dedicated Rafael Stone and company are to this core. It's easy to see why. Amen Thompson flourished in January with extra opportunity, averaging 18.7 PPG, 10.6 RPG, 4.3 APG, 2.2 SPG and 1.4 BPG this month while shooting 55.7% before turning 22 on Thursday. He hit a game-winner at Boston on Monday over Jaylen Brown after hitting a freakish put back grabbing a rebound off the top of the glass earlier on his way to 33 points in the win. Dillon Brooks shot 10-for-15 from three in a career performance. Alperen Şengün will represent Houston at the All-Star Game after averaging 19.1 PPG, 10.4 RPG and 5.0 APG in the first half of the season. 

Indiana (26-20): Reportedly won't look to trade Andrew Nembhard and Myles Turner despite a potential luxury tax bill looming next season. The Pacers have won 8-of-10 and climbed back to fifth in the east this month. Turner, 28, becomes a free agent after this season when his $19.9 million contract expires. Nembhard, currently making $2 million, will increase to a $18.1 million hit on his new extension that will draw the Pacers only $23 million short of the tax. Indiana has had Obi Toppin trade talks, though without much traction. Pascal Siakam will represent the Pacers at the All-Star Game after averaging 20.5 PPG into his first full Pacers season. 

Lakers (27-19): Anthony Davis will miss at least one week due to an abdominal injury he suffered during the Lakers' loss to the Sixers on Tuesday. He'll reportedly miss roughly 7-10 days, a break ahead of the trade deadline that'll likely see at least some action by the Lakers, who already added Dorian Finney-Smith. Davis has pushed for another center for him to play beside. Despite those calls, LA reportedly isn't in on Bulls center Nikola Vučević or Raptors big Jakob Poeltl. They don't enter the deadline with much flexibility. 

Memphis (32-16): Marcus Smart could be on the move again this deadline during another injury-riddled season with the Grizzlies. He's missed 19 straight games now with a finger injury, and at $20.2 million in salary could help Memphis navigate trades toward potential upgrades. Though Brian Windhorst noted that Smart might move for less than what many would've expected to begin the season. He was last coming off the bench for a Memphis team that's rolled with rookie Jaylen Wells in their starting lineup. Wells scored double-figures in a 120-119 win over the hot Rockets, Jaren Jackson Jr. sealing the win after a phantom timeout call by the officials erased a key Wells breakout dunk late in the game. This is still an interesting Jimmy Butler team, but all indications have been that Butler prefers not to go to Memphis as he pushes a trade to the Suns. Smart remains week-to-week. 

Miami (23-23): Seventh in the east approaching Thursday's critical deadline to move Jimmy Butler. Acquiring Brandon Ingram's expiring contract might be the best they can do after the Pelicans star missed the last 25 games with an ankle injury and failed to reach an extension agreement with New Orleans ahead of his free agency this summer. It's unclear, however, if the Pelicans want to invest significant assets in Butler ahead of his own potential free agency this offseason ($52.4M player option) after they effectively fell out of the playoff race in the first half of the season. That's Miami's dilemma too after suspending Butler multiple times and trying to stay afloat in the playoff race. If he's not traded now, they could end up losing him for nothing in the offseason or end up back in the same difficult spot if he opts-in and demands a trade. Tyler Herro was named an all-star this week. 

Minnesota (27-21): Have won five straight and reportedly could become a dark horse in the Jimmy Butler trade market. Julius Randle remains on Miami's radar, likely in part due to his expiring contract, while the addition hasn't worked as expected for Minnesota. The Wolves will have their own difficulties signing Randle to a new contract due to the second apron and luxury tax concerns, so there's a deal here if they decide Butler fits. That's another question, given his overlapping position with Anthony Edwards, a desire to sign his own extension and the fact that he played for the Timberwolves from 2017-19 before a practice spat with Karl-Anthony Towns and others led to his trade to Philadelphia. 

New Orleans (12-37): Lost at the buzzer when Jayson Tatum poured in an elbow fadeaway to break a tie after Dejounte Murray went down for the season in the first half with an achilles tear. The devastating loss will only further force the Pelicans to evaluate their direction with this current core and they'll inevitably sell at least some parts of their roster by Thursday's deadline. Murray is signed through his 2027-28 player option, Zion Williamson is non-guaranteed each year through 2028, Brandon Ingram's $36.0 million salary expires after this season and they have Herb Jones, Trey Murphy III, Jordan Hawkins and Jose Alvarado signed through at least 2026. That leaves Daniel Theis, Javonte Green and perhaps even CJ McCollum with one year left on his contract after this one as potential players to move with a look ahead at the long-term this week. New Orleans' focus will be getting below the luxury tax line. They're currently $2.1 million over. 

New York (32-16): Poured 143 points on the Kings and Grizzlies before beating the Nuggets on Wednesday to win their fifth straight game. They host LeBron James and the Lakers on Saturday in a marquee national game ahead of next Saturday's prime-time matchup with the Celtics on national TV. They're 1.5 games back of Boston for the second seed, and will certainly explore upgrades to their depth after playing their starters excruciating minutes in the first half of the season. Ian Begley reported late last month that there's optimism Mitchell Robinson will make his season debut sometime in early-to-mid February after offseason ankle surgery. The Knicks, like Boston, have eyed Guerschon Yabusele as potential depth behind Robinson and Karl-Anthony Towns. Begley also believes New York could move on from depth big Jericho Sims, with Houston as an option. There's some indication the team could be open to moving Robinson in the right deal too. 

Philadelphia (19-28): One game out of the postseason picture in the east as they prepare to host the Celtics on Sunday at 6 EST for the first of two meetings this month at Wells Fargo Center. Joel Embiid (knee), Paul George (finger), Caleb Martin (hip) and Andre Drummond (toe) remained out on Friday against Denver, Embiid's 14th straight absence and George's third. As their playoff viability becomes a real question in the second half of the season, they might need to weigh selective sell-offs in a seller's market. A tough pill to swallow after hoping George would help them emerge as a real contender alongside Boston in the east. Guerschon Yabusele's $2.1 million contract expires after this season and while he's been a stalwart in games without Embiid, scoring 28 points against Denver on Friday, they have little chance to re-sign him this summer without his Bird rights. Teams, including Denver, Boston and New York, have asked about Yabusele while Drummond, Martin, Kelly Oubre Jr. and Eric Gordon have also drawn interest, per Michael Scotto. The 76ers do not want to trade Yabusele as it stands, and they have obvious interest in a second-half rally behind stronger Embiid health, but it's unclear if the latter is possible. 

Phoenix (25-22): Have won 7-of-10 to move up to eighth in the west as they assess multiple options ahead of the trade deadline, including their obvious interest in adding Jimmy Butler. That doesn't seem possible at the moment without a destination for Bradley Beal, who's also seemingly lukewarm at best about waiving his no-trade clause. Outside of Beal, they could move Jusuf Nurkić ($18.1M), who's fallen out of their rotation, Grayson Allen ($15.6M) and Royce O'Neale ($9.4M), though they can't combine their salaries in a trade due to second apron restrictions. They also have the three first-round picks they received from the Jazz available to combine with one of those salaries. 

Sacramento (24-23): The Kings will reportedly open up to talks for a De'Aaron Fox trade ahead of Thursday's deadline in a potentially massive shift to what's been a quiet trade market outside of the Jimmy Butler saga. Fox and the Kings failed to reach an extension last summer ahead of his final $37.1-million season on his contract in 2025-26. He remains extension-eligible, but it's become clear that he's noncommittal to Sacramento. The San Antonio Spurs are reportedly atop his list of destinations and there was some buzz from San Antonio reporters late this week that a large deal could be in the works. HoopsHype reported that the Kings tried to upgrade their roster by pursuing Cam Johnson and John Collins before pivoting toward taking Fox calls. The Nets, Heat and Rockets have also been linked to Fox in the past, though it's unclear how motivated they are to trade now.

San Antonio (21-24): Currently 2.0 games back of the postseason picture in the west and could flip spots with the Kings, who own that last spot, if they swing a deal for De'Aaron Fox. Despite Fox' apparent desire to join Victor Wembanyama in San Antonio, it's unclear how aggressive the Spurs will get to acquire him. Especially with him becoming a free agent after next season. Standout rookie Stephon Castle is off the table, according to one report, while the Spurs don't have a ton of player value beyond him to offer between Keldon Johnson ($19M), Jeremy Sochan ($5.6M) and other veterans. Draft pick compensation will need to wow the Kings, and San Antonio does own the Hawks' unprotected first from the Dejounte Murray trade, Chicago's top-10 protected pick from the DeMar DeRozan trade, Atlanta's 2027 unprotected first, a Hornets top-14 protected pick this year and swap rights with Atlanta in 2026 and Boston in 2028, on top of their own firsts. Wembanyama will play in the All-Star Game, and his dazzling Friday performance makes it tempting to accelerate their process by adding a player like Fox. He dominated the Bucks in a 26-point win with 30 points, 14 rebounds, six blocks and an absurd fadeaway three. 

Toronto (15-33): Have quietly won 7-of-10 since stunning the Celtics earlier this month and are an intriguing facilitator and seller in larger deals that could emerge this month. They have Bruce Brown's expiring $23 million deal, Chris Boucher's expiring $10.8 million and medium-sized contracts like Kelly Olynyk ($12.8M) and Jakob Poeltl's ($19.5M) to fit into a variety of trades. Brown has expressed interest in remaining with the Raptors, which could prevent his buyout, though even if he's released, he's ineligible to sign with second apron teams like Boston. The Knicks are among the teams potentially interested in Boucher, a depth forward. Toronto could take on Andrew Wiggins in big Warriors deals.

Utah (10-36): Traded Patty Mills and Drew Eubanks to the Clippers for PJ Tucker, who has sat out the season with LA, and Mo Bamba. The Clippers also sent a future second-round pick. LA moved $4.1 million below the luxury tax in the trade, created a $6.5 million trade exception and will likely set up Tucker for a buyout with Utah that'll allow him to join teams below the second apron in free agency. Bamba, 26, averaged 4.6 PPG and 4.3 RPG on 46.6% shooting for the Clippers in 28 games. 

Washington (6-41): Becoming one of the worst teams ever after last winning on New Year's Day. They've lost 16 straight since, are the worst team in the league by 4.5 games and their -14.9 net rating trails only the 2012 Bobcats and 1993 Mavericks for worst all-time. A Malcolm Brogdon buyout feels inevitable after the deadline, moving Jonas Valančiūnas this week always made some sense after they signed him to a three-year deal last summer and Marvin Bagley III gives them an expiring $12.5 million to get involved in trades. Kyle Kuzma, expressing some frustration this week with The Athletic, said he's done fitting into the Wizards' current dynamic and is going to play more like himself now. 

“I think today I just decided to be myself and not really just try to fit into everything that we’re doing here, and just really played in the moment,” he said. “I think my mom helped me out with that. I saw her today.”