Top Trade Targets for Contending Teams Before Next Thursday's Deadline
Between Fred VanVleet, OG Anunoby, Terry Rozier, and Eric Gordon, there is a lot of talent on the trade market
The Rudy Gobert trade may have ruined trade negotiations for the foreseeable future as the price tags for players have gone up dramatically since last summer. The Raptors want at least three first-round picks for OG Anunoby (who is one of the best perimeter defenders in basketball, but he simply isn’t worth three firsts), and even the Bulls are telling teams that they need two first-round picks for Alex Caruso (who is an elite defender that can help a contender, but only averages 5.5 points per game).
Though the Gobert trade changed the landscape of the market as we know it, talented players may be hard to come by this deadline for another reason. With only three games separating the 6 and 13 seeds in the Western Conference, and just four games separating the 7 and 12 seeds in the Eastern Conference, many teams may be reluctant to give up valuable assets with a chance at contention.
Whether or not that “contention” means just making the playoffs or actually making a serious run, a lot of organizations are going to be buyers, rather than sellers at this deadline…yes even with a chance at Victor Wenbanyama, Scoot Henderson, and Brandon Miller on the table.
Before I get into which players should be the most coveted via trade, it is important to note the flaws with the “just make the playoffs and see what happens” mindset. Very few of the teams in the playoff mix have the mixture of extreme talent (think top 5-10 players or two top 20 players) and playoff experience to actually get into the playoffs and make noise.
Why would any organization want to give up an opportunity at a top pick for one playoff series appearance? Well, just ask the Bulls, who should have begun their rebuilding effort last year, but are still determined to contend. It would be wise for the Bulls to make all three of their best players (DeMar DeRozan, Nikola Vucevic, and Zach LaVine) realistically available at the deadline to accumulate enough assets to start a rebuild.
The Trail Blazers have a Superstar in Damian Lillard and some good core pieces in Jerami Grant and Anfernee Simons, but it remains evident that they simply don’t have the depth or the defense (defensive rating of 115.9, ranked 25th in the NBA) to win a playoff series. The obvious solution would be to trade Lillard for a haul of picks and center a rebuild around Simons and Shaedon Sharpe, but they also are determined to make the playoffs just to lose in the first round.
The same concept can be attributed to the 9 seed Jazz, who have seen incredible progression from newly acquired Lauri Markkanen and Walker Kessler. Despite their exceptional offensive rating of 117.3 (ranked 4th in the NBA), they too would lose in the first round because of their lack of defense and experience.
All three of these teams would be better off trading their veterans to real contenders to focus on “tanking” for a better chance at a top selection. Nonetheless, with fewer sellers at the deadline, here are the players that are could be realistically available that can make the biggest difference for a contending team.
1. Fred VanVleet, 6-3 PG/SG: 2022-2023 Stats- 19.5 points, 6.6 assists, and 1.6 steals per game with a TS% of 54.4 and a PSA of 111.1, ranked in the 46th percentile for Point Guards
The Raptors are one of the only teams legitimately willing to move on from some extremely talented players. At the top of that list is VanVleet, who is the most realistic coveted player to be traded by next Thursday, but his price is going up. VanVleet is coming off of a 34 point triple-double and has averaged 24.2 points, 7.5 assists, and 5.3 rebounds per game with a TS% of 59.7 over his last 10 games.
He also has won a championship and is an elite two-way player, so whoever wants him will have to give up a fair amount. I think as of right now, the Miami Heat are the favorite to trade for VanVleet since Kyle Lowry is way past his prime and they have the draft picks and some young assets to include in a deal.
Best Fits: New Orleans Pelicans, LA Clippers, Miami Heat, Dallas Mavericks
2. Kyle Kuzma, 6-8 SF: 2022-2023 Stats- 21.8 points, 7.6 rebounds, 3.9 assists per game with a TS% of 55.1 and a PSA of 111.4, ranked in the 42nd percentile for Forwards
The Wizards have won six games in a row, but they simply don’t have the roster to win a playoff series and Kuzma has been adamant about playing elsewhere when his contract is up. Kuzma has averaged 24.6 points, 8.8 rebounds, and 4.6 assists per game with a TS% of 54.8 over his last 8 games and would be a huge addition on any team.
I really believe the Mavericks are the favorite to land Kuzma as they need a secondary scoring wing who can take pressure off of Luka Doncic.
Best Fits: Dallas Mavericks, Denver Nuggets, New Orleans Pelicans
3. Gary Trent Jr., 6-6 PG/SG: 2022-2023 Stats- 18.7 points and 1.7 steals per game with a TS% of 57.5 and a PSA of 116.8, ranked in the 71st percentile for Combo Guards
If I am a contending team, I would give up more than needed to acquire a talent such as Trent Jr. It is hard to find an elite perimeter defender and consistent bucket-getter that is just 24 years old and improving.
Though the Raptors are reportedly willing to give him up for some young talent and a few second rounders, I think they could pry an unprotected first round pick, Max Christie, and Lonnie Walker IV away from the Lakers, which would be a fantastic deal for both sides. The Lakers lack an elite wing defender and a knockdown 3PT shooter alongside LeBron James and Trent Jr. would fit in perfectly for the team.
Best Fits: LA Lakers, New Orleans Pelicans, Phoenix Suns, Dallas Mavericks
4. OG Anunoby, 6-7 SF: 2022-2023 Stats- 16.9 points, 5.5 rebounds, and 2.1 steals per game with a TS% of 56.2 and a PSA of 112.6, ranked in the 49th percentile for Wings
The Knicks, Grizzlies, and Pelicans are all extremely interested in adding the Defensive Player Of the Year candidate, and the Knicks have already reportedly offered three first-rounders for him. Anunoby wold be a great fit alongside Jalen Brunson and Julius Randle, and fits the mold of a player Tom Thibodeau wants: an elite defender that can put up some occasional scoring.
Best Fits: New York Knicks, Memphis Grizzlies, New Orleans Pelicans
5. Jordan Clarkson, 6-5 PG/SG: 2022-2023 Stats-20.9 points, 3.9 rebounds, and 4.3 assists per game with a TS% of 56.8 and a PSA of 115.5 (ranked in the 67th percentile for Combo Guards)
Clarkson is having a career year (yes even better than the year he won Sixth Man of the Year) and the Jazz have been listening to offers for him, Mike Conley, and Malik Beasley as the trade deadline approaches. Though Clarkson is still a liability defensively, he can take over games on the offensive end of the floor and can fit it on any contender.
Clarkson to the Pelicans makes the most sense to me as C.J. McCollum has struggled with his efficiency this season (eFG% of 50.9 and an abysmal PSA of 107.8, ranked in the 40th percentile for Combo Guards) and with Zion Williamson out, the Pelicans have struggled immensely on the offensive end of the floor.
Best Fits: New Orleans Pelicans, Dallas Mavericks, Sacramento Kings
6. Terry Rozier, 6-3 PG/SG: 2022-2023 Stats- 21.7 points, 4.3 rebounds, 5.1 assists per game with a TS% of 51.6 and a PSA of 104.5, ranked in the 24th percentile for Combo Guards
Look, Rozier is one of the least efficient scorers in the NBA (indicative of his abysmal PSA of 104.5, one of the worst marks in basketball) and his shot selection is extremely suspect. However, he has an innate ability to score and can take over games by himself, which is something a lot of contending teams need.
Rozier has averaged 23.7 points and 4.5 assists per game with a TS% of 54.2 over his last 10 games, and his efficiency and scoring production continues to improve. I truly believe if the Lakers cannot land one of the coveted players they want, a deal for Rozier will be on the table if they want him. However, it is important to note that Rozier is limited on the defensive end of the floor and is under contract through next season, causing some cap implications for the Lakers if they pull the trigger.
Best Fits: LA Lakers, LA Clippers, Dallas Mavericks, Phoenix Suns
6. Bojan Bogdanovic, 6-8 SG/SF: 2022-2023 Stats- 21.4 points, 3.7 rebounds, and 2.7 assists per game with a TS% of 62.8 and a PSA of 126.9, ranked in the 92nd percentile for Forwards
The Pistons say they won’t move Bogdanovic despite many teams being interested, but it has to be a bluff right? I know that Bogdanovic recently signed a 2 year-$39 million dollar extension with the Pistons, but they could probably get a first rounder for him to accelerate their rebuild.
Best Fits: Golden State Warriors, LA Lakers, Dallas Mavericks, Minnesota Timberwolves
7. Mason Plumlee, 6-11 C: 2022-2023 stats- 12.3 points, 9.8 rebounds, and 3.6 assists per game with an unreal TS% of 68.1 and an incredible PSA of 135.3, ranked in the 86th percentile for Bigs
Plumlee is having the best season of his career and can help any contender with his efficient scoring and excellent rebounding and passing at the center position. Plumlee likely won’t be going anywhere as he is the perfect fit alongside LaMelo Ball, but if there is a time to trade him it is now.
The hornets are going to end up with a top 5 pick and Plumlee’s value is at an all-time high. Though the Clippers have Ivica Zubac, they don’t have another center on the roster and probably have enough assets to acquire Plumlee. Another option would be the Celtics, who have Robert Williams III, but could take some pressure off Al Horford and bolster their depth if they acquire Plumlee.
Best Fits: LA Clippers, Boston Celtics
8. Buddy Hield, 6-6 SG/SF: 2022-2023 Stats- 17.4 points, 4.9 rebounds, and 2.7 assists per game with a TS% of 60.7 and a PSA of 123.6, ranked in the 84th percentile for Wings
One of the best 3-point shooters in basketball, there will be many suitors for Hield at the trade deadline and I expect the Pacers to listen despite their insistence on contending this season. Hield is under contract through 2024 so the Pacers could get a lot of value in return if they decide to move him.
Best Fits: LA Lakers, Dallas Mavericks, Phoenix Suns
9. Malik Beasley, 6-5 SG: 2022-2023 Stats- 13.6 points, 3.5 rebounds, and 1.7 assists per game with a 3PT% of 36.2, a TS% of 53.9, and a PSA of 110.1, ranked in the 34th percentile for Wings
Another marksman from beyond the arc, Beasley was traded to the Jazz as a part of the Rudy Gobert deal, but with the Jazz sitting at 9th in the Western Conference and already ahead of course on their rebuilding process, they probably move Beasley, Conley, and possibly even Clarkson at the deadline. In today’s NBA players like Beasley can fit in anywhere.
Best Fits: LA Lakers, LA Clippers, New Orleans Pelicans, Phoenix Suns, Brooklyn Nets, Miami Heat
10. Eric Gordon, 6-4 SG: 2022-2023 Stats-12.8 points, 2.1 rebounds, and 2.7 assists per game with a 3PT% of 34.1, a TS% of 55.9, and a PSA of 114.5, ranked in the 54th percentile for Wings
Gordon is a proven veteran who has been a certified bucket-getter his whole career. Nothing is certain, but I think there is almost an 100 percent chance Gordon gets traded at the deadline with the youth movement in full effect in Houston.
Gordon has averaged 17.6 points, 3.6 rebounds, and 3.4 assists per game over his last 5 games as the Rockets are making sure he is out on the court to raise his trade value. Because of Gordon’s stellar play as of late, and him being a veteran, the price will be high as Gordon can bolster any contenders depth tremendously.
Best Fits: LA Lakers, LA Clippers, Milwaukee Bucks, Philadelphia 76ers, Denver Nuggets
Note: Advanced Stats used in this article are gathered from Cleaningtheglass.com and Statmuse.com and are updated as of Friday February 3rd, 2023