The NBA trade deadline is just three weeks away on February 10. Trade season has been slow to pick up since unofficially opening on December 15, when the majority of offseason signings became trade-eligible. Teams battled through COVID-related hardships, resulting in well over 100 callups on 10-day contracts around the league. The need to just put a roster on the floor put a temporary pause on trade talks.

Teams are now out of the woods with hardships and trade talks are happening across the league. Most around the NBA expect a fairly busy deadline, as there are no clear title favorites and the 2022 free agent class is seen as very weak. That generally gives teams motivation to make deadline deals.

At the trade deadline, teams sort into one of four categories: Buyers, Sellers, Either or Neither. Here’s where each Western Conference team stands three weeks from the deadline:

(Note: The Eastern Conference Buyers and Sellers can be found here)

Dallas Mavericks

The Mavericks have been playing really well as of late. And they’re back to full health as well. Pinpointing needs is a bit difficult, because they do so much well. What the Mavs don’t do well, they hope will come with better health and players breaking out of slumps.

Expect Dallas to be buyers, but in a different sort of way. They could buy by selling some players who may not be with the team long-term. Jalen Brunson, who is due a big contract as an unrestricted free agent this summer, is the best trade asset the Mavs have. The challenge is his contract is too small to bring back much alone. But pair him with Dwight Powell or Tim Hardaway Jr. and you might be on to something. The Mavericks also have a $10.8 million trade exception to use if they can acquire a rotation player at the deadline.

Denver Nuggets

The Nuggets might have already made their “big” move when they acquired Bryn Forbes. The next “acquisitions” for Denver will likely come when Jamal Murray, and possibly Michael Porter Jr., return from their injuries.

Nikola Jokic is turning in another MVP season and he’s kept Denver afloat despite a ton of injuries. Forbes will give the Nuggets some shooting, which they desperately need. Beyond that, the rotation seems pretty flush with talent when healthy. That will improve even more when Murray gets back and if Porter can join the fray.

Golden State Warriors

The Warriors don’t need a whole lot. They got Klay Thompson back and he looks pretty good already. Presumably James Wiseman will return at some point, but that’s been delayed a couple of different times now.

Looking at the roster, Golden State could use another big man. Maybe that’s Wiseman, but a veteran would be preferred. The Dubs don’t really have assets to offer in a deal though. They don’t seem likely to move Wiseman yet, and Jonathan Kuminga and Moses Moody aren’t going anywhere either. Maybe some frontcourt help comes via the buyout market, but it’s hard to find an easy cut for this team to make. What you see, is probably what you get.

Houston Rockets

The Rockets are firmly in the seller category. But what exactly is Houston selling? They’d love to move John Wall, but no one is taking on $91.6 million through next year. That’s one that will wait until the offseason. Or maybe Wall starts to rethink his stance on a buyout after the deadline, a la Blake Griffin last season.

Beyond Wall, D.J. Augustin is very available. As is Daniel Theis. There’s been buzz around Christian Wood, but Houston seems to want to keep him. The best value the Rockets may find will be in a trade for Eric Gordon. Gordon has shot the lights out this year, so getting a decent return no longer seems farfetched. There’s a good chance he’s elsewhere by the deadline and Houston will get another asset to continue their rebuild.

LA Clippers

The Clippers aren’t really buyers or sellers. Had Paul George stayed healthy, they probably would have been buyers. But now, everything seems pretty uncertain for LA. Kawhi Leonard might come back, but he might not. George’s and Leonard’s returns will likely be driven by the team’s postseason prospects.

The same holds true for the trade deadline. The Clips have a few players of interest to other teams, but the team isn’t rebuilding. If they can reset in a way that sets them up for a big 2022-23, then maybe LA makes a move. Most likely, they sit the deadline out and do some tinkering around their stars this summer.

Los Angeles Lakers

The Lakers are lot like when you were a kid with the toy calendar at Christmas. You want all sorts of stuff, but you know you aren’t getting it unless Santa delivers a miracle. Los Angeles simply doesn’t have the assets to net anything of value in a trade. They’ve offered the Talen Horton-Tucker/Kendrick Nunn combo to everyone and no one is biting yet.

Also: forget a Russell Westbrook trade. We’ve seen him get moved three offseasons in a row, but his deal is too big to be a part of an in-season trade. If the Lakers become the latest team to move on from Westbrook, it will happen this summer.

Memphis Grizzlies

The Grizzlies are cautious buyers. Somehow, a lot of people still don’t know just how good Memphis is. That under-the-radar theme probably applies to the Griz at the deadline too.

Another shooter and one more big, ideally one with shooting range, are on the shopping list. Memphis isn’t going to give up a ton to add players though. The Grizzlies prize the depth they’ve built. If anything happens, keep an eye on expiring players Kyle Anderson, Jarrett Culver and Tyus Jones. A package of those players is a nice bit of salary-matching and could return a help player, both for now and the long-term.

Minnesota Timberwolves

The Wolves are doing their best to buy. They’ve been in on Ben Simmons all season, but don’t have the assets to get Philadelphia to budge. Minnesota has been dangling Malik Beasley and Taurean Prince, either as a package or individually. That could return the Timberwolves a nice player, but only if they back off the Simmons dream first.

Given their depth, there isn’t a lot Minnesota needs. A forward with range would be good. A wing defender would help a lot. And a backup point guard to keep the offensive humming when D’Angelo Russell sits are all realistic holes the Wolves could fill in the right deal or deals.

New Orleans Pelicans

The Pelicans are soft sellers. They aren’t blowing this team up, but they’ve got some players that could net a nice return. Ideally, they’d get at least somewhat of a look at their main guys with Zion Williamson this season, but that seems less likely with each passing week.

Josh Hart could be on the move, as his contract was designed to be very tradable. Tomas Satoransky is the only pending free agent on the roster, and he’s very available. If New Orleans can get a player or two to help a Hail Mary Play-In push that can also be a part of the team long-term, they’ll make a move. Otherwise, they’ll sit it out the deadline and retool yet again this summer.

Oklahoma City Thunder

The Thunder are buyers, but not for veteran help. It’s all about draft picks and young players for OKC. Pending how they use their remaining trade exceptions, the Thunder could be sitting on about $34 million in cap space. That will make Sam Presti every GM’s first call when they need a third team in to facilitate a deal.

Expect Oklahoma City to also be everyone’s favorite dumping ground if they need to avoid or lessen a tax bill. If Presti can pick up a young player that needs a change of scenery or some additional draft picks, he’ll gladly welcome all the salary dumps he can get. The Thunder are also $22.7 million below the salary floor. Expect lots of movement here over the next few weeks.

Phoenix Suns

The Suns will upgrade their rotation if the right deal comes along, but they feel no pressure to make a move. Phoenix is at least two-deep at every spot in their rotation. They have a good mix of vets, in-their-prime players and talented youngsters too.

Dario Saric is the player being offered up, since he’s out for the season and Phoenix would lose no production in a trade. If a wing defender or versatile forward becomes available, the Suns will likely get involved. That will protect them if Mikal Bridges or Jae Crowder have to miss any time. Beyond that, Phoenix will just keep cruising into the playoffs.

Portland Trail Blazers

The Blazers and Sacramento Kings are the teams everyone has their eyes on in the Western Conference. Damian Lillard probably isn’t going anywhere until, and if, he asks for a trade. But everyone else seems to be fair game in trade talks in Portland. Well, minus Anfernee Simons and Nassir Little, who interim GM Joe Cronin won’t let get away.

The Trail Blazers are running up against getting caught in the “Bird Rights Trap” with Jusuf Nurkic and Robert Covington. Portland doesn’t have the cap space to replace either play if they leave town, and that could lean towards re-signing them to contracts that turn sour very quickly. One way to avoid that is to trade them before those decisions needs to be made.

Keep an eye on Norman Powell and Larry Nance Jr. too. They’re newer to Portland, but could really help fill holes on contenders, while delivering a nice return for the Trail Blazers.

Lastly, Portland will talk trades involving C.J. McCollum, but the size of his deal makes that more likely to happen this summer than at the deadline. However, after years of declining trades involving McCollum, the Blazers are finally inching in that direction.

Sacramento Kings

Much like their friends to the north, the Kings are open to moving just about anyone. They’ve denied they’re listening on or shopping De’Aaron Fox, but where there is that much smoke, there is usually fire. The denials haven’t come for anyone else but second-year guard Tyrese Haliburton either. That signals Sacramento is open for business.

For the umpteenth year, Harrison Barnes is a player that can help every contender because of his production and plug-and-play ability. Buddy Hield is a target for teams that need shooting. Marvin Bagley is someone rebuilding clubs like as a “second draft” guy. And lots of teams would love to pry Richaun Holmes away.

It’s likely the Kings will look very different in a few weeks. Maybe even as different as to have moved on from their franchise player as they kick off yet another rebuild.

San Antonio Spurs

The Spurs did their first in-season deal where they traded a player away in years, when they sent Bryn Forbes to the Denver Nuggets. Don’t expect a whole lot more, as San Antonio has generally sat out the trade deadline as an organizational rule.

If the Spurs do another deal, it will likely involve sending Thaddeus Young to a contender. He’s not a part of the present nor future in San Antonio. Even a minor return would be good for the veteran forward. If Young isn’t traded, expect a buyout to come after the deadline passes.

Utah Jazz

The Jazz are buyers. After a few years of good regular seasons followed by earlier-than-hoped-for playoff exits, Utah wants to get a player or two to push them over the top. They’ve offered Joe Ingles and a down-the-line first-round pick to teams, but haven’t found a taker yet. Jordan Clarkson could be moved as well, but his struggles this season have left his market fairly dry.

Despite slipping some in the standings over recent weeks, no one expects the Jazz to even remotely entertain moving Rudy Gobert or Donovan Mitchell. If that slide continues, or if Utah gets bounced early in the playoffs, expect that speculation to ramp up heading into the offseason.

The recent trade between the New York Knicks and Atlanta Hawks (breakdown below) could be the start of some significant blockbuster trades that have yet to happen in 2022. While this New York-Atlanta trade may not be categorized as significant, we have seen major NBA stars traded in January of recent; most notably James Harden, Blake Griffin and Kristaps Porzingis. Below is a breakdown of the major January trades, what each team acquired, the salaries the team took on and where those players ended up post trade.

2021-22 Trades

Jan 13, 2021

New York Knicks

Cam Reddish - acquiring salaries $4.67 million (2021-22) and $5.95 million (2022-23). Reddish becomes rookie scale extension eligible in the offseason.

Solomon Hill - expiring contract with a minimum salary of $2,389,641

Atlanta Hawks

Kevin Knox - expiring contract with salary of $5,845,978. Knox will be a Restricted Free Agent in the offseason.

2022 1st Round pick (Charlotte’s pick which is Top-18 protected in 2022, Top-16 protected in 2023, Top-14 protected in 2024 and 2025 which would convey to 2nd-round picks in 2026 and 2027)

Notable Past January Trades

Jan 14, 2021

Brooklyn Nets

James Harden - acquired guaranteed salaries of $41.3 million (2020-21) and $44.3 million (2021-22). Harden has a Player Option of $47.4 million for the 2022-23. Brooklyn offered Harden an extension during the 2021 offseason but has yet to be signed.

Houston Rockets

2022 1st round pick (unprotected), 

2022 1st round pick (CLE pick via MIL), 

2024 1st round pick (unprotected), 

2026 1st round pick (unprotected), 

Pick swaps in 2021, 2023, 2025, and 2027

Dante Exum - expiring contract with a salary of $9.1million

Rodions Kurucs - acquired minimum salaries of $1.78 million (2020-21) and $1.86 million (2021-22). Kurcus was traded 2 months later to Milwaukee.

Victor Oladipo - expiring contract with a salary of $21 million. Oladipo was traded 2 months later to Miami.

Cleveland Cavaliers 

Jarrett Allen - expiring rookie scale contract with a salary of $3.9 million. Allen became an Unrestricted Free Agent and signeda  5 year $100 million contract with Cleveland.

Taurean Prince - acquired salaries of $12.25 million (2020-21) and $13 million (2021-22). Prince was traded in the 2021 offseason to Minnesota.

Aleksandar Vezenkov - rights were acquired

Indiana Pacers

Caris LeVert - acquired rookie contract extension which was signed in Aug 2019 with salaries of $16.2 million (2020-21), $17.5 million (2021-22) and $18.8 million (2022-23) 

2023 2nd round pick (least favorable of HOU, DAL and MIA)

2024 2nd round pick (least favorable of CLE and UTH pick)

$2.6 million

Jan 31, 2019

Dallas Mavericks

Kristaps Porzingis - acquired expiring rookie contract with salary of $5,697,054 (2018-19). Porzingis became an Unrestricted Free Agent in the 2019 offseason and signed a 5 year $158.3 million maximum contract with Dallas.

Courtney Lee - acquired with salaries of $12.25 million (2018-19) and $12.76 million (2019-20). Lee finished the contract out with Dallas before becoming an Unrestricted Free Agent in the 2020 offseason.

Tim Hardaway Jr. - acquired with salaries of $17.33 million (2018-19), $18.15 million (2019-20), and $18.98 million (2020-21). Hardaway Jr. finished the contract with Dallas and then signed a 4 year $75 million contract during the 2021 offseason.

Trey Burke - acquired an expiring contract with a minimum salary of $1.80 million 

New York Knicks

Dennis Smith Jr. - acquired a rookie contract with salaries of $3.8 million (2018-19), $4.46 million (2019-20) and $5.69 million (2020-21). Smith Jr. was traded in February 2021 to Detroit.

Wesley Matthews - acquired an expiring contract with a salary of $18.6 million. Matthews was bought out by New York days later.

DeAndre Jordan - acquired an expiring contract with a salary of $22.9 million. Jordan completed the contract and signed a 4 year $40 million contract with Brooklyn during the 2019 offseason.

2021 1st round pick (unprotected)

2023 1st round pick (Top-10 protected)

Jan 29, 2018

Detroit Pistons

Blake Griffin - acquired 6 months after signing a 5 year $171.2 million contract that was signed with Los Angeles during the 2017 offseason. Detroit acquired salaries of $29.5 million, $31.87 million, $34.23 million, $36.6 million and $38.96 million. After playing 3+ seasons with Detroit, Griffin agreed to a buyout in March 2021 giving back $13.3 million. 

Brice Johnson - acquired rookie contract salaries of $1.3 million (2017-18), $1.5 million (2018-19) and $2.5 million (2019-20). Johnson was traded days later to Memphis.

Willie Reed - acquired an expiring contract with a salary of $1.58 million. Reed was traded days later to Chicago who then waived Reed.

Los Angeles Clippers

Tobias Harris - acquired contract with salaries of $16 million (2017-18) and $14.8 million (2018-19). Harris was traded 1 year later to Philadelphia.

Avery Bradley - acquired expiring contract with salary of $8.8 million. Bradley completed the contract and signed a 2 year $24.96 million contract as an Unrestricted Free Agent during the 2018 offseason.

Boban Marjanovic - acquired salaries of $7 million (2017-18) and $7 million (2018-19). Marjanovic was traded 1 year later with Harris to Philadelphia.

2019 2nd round pick - pick was traded 

2018 1st round pick (Top-4 protected)

Notable NBA Links

NBA Trade Tracker

NBA Transactions Wire

Arizona Cardinals

Is Kyler Murray Ready to be Paid?
He’s gotten better every year statistically speaking, but he and the Cardinals have floundered down the stretch two seasons in a row. Kyler Murray is extension eligible for the first time now, and carries a $43M valuation in our system, projecting to a 6 year, $260M extension.

Buffalo Bills

Is Tremaine Edmunds a 2nd-Contract Player?
The advanced metrics have never been on Edmunds’ side, and in many cases - either has the eye test. But Edmunds has a chance to be a focal point in this postseason run for the Bills, starting immediately with a chance to shut down a strong Patriots run game Saturday night. The AFC playoff teams are full of good running backs and talented tight ends - meaning Edmunds will need to be a factor for the BIlls to remain alive. His $12.1M option year in 2022 is fully guaranteed.

Cincinnati Bengals

Did Cincy Roster A Deep Enough Offensive Line?
We only need to look back one season to understand just how important the depth of an O-Line is at this time of year (Chiefs), and there’s no question that the Bengals improved in this regard in 2021. The Bengals possessed the 31st ranked O-Line in 2020 according to Football Outsiders, but improved that standing up to 15th in 2021. The current starting line is comprised of a 1st round pick (LT), a UDFA (LG), a UDFA C a 6th round pick (RG), a 6th round pick (RT).

Dallas Cowboys

Is Cedrick Wilson the 2022 WR3?
With Michael Gallup now injured and slated for free agency, it stands to reason that his tenure in Dallas has come to an end. In his absence, Cedrick Wilson (also slated for free agency) has picked up the pieces and then some. If he remains a factor throughout the postseason, will Dallas be conditioned to bring him back on a small extension for 2022+? Wilson carries a $6.5M valuation in our system currently.

Green Bay Packers

Can $75M Per Year Keep This Train on the Tracks?
The Packers went from offseason disaster to NFC #1 seed in a matter of weeks. After a forgettable opening week loss against the Saints, Rodgers & Co. have barely looked back across the next 17 weeks. With star WR Davante Adams on an expiring contract (and destined for a $20M tag), and Aaron Rodgers’ contract in need of some form of change (restructured extension, trade), can the Packers throw enough money at these two players in March to keep this band together for another window of contention? Adams projects to a 5 year, $130M extension, while Rodgers currently sits at 3 years, $140M.

Kansas City Chiefs

How Expensive Will Patrick Mahomes’ Blindside Be?
Part of the Chiefs’ master plan to return to the Super Bowl in 2021 was to add heavily to an offensive line that failed them last January. That began with the acquisition of OT Orlando Brown Jr. from the Ravens for a bounty of draft picks to go along with the massive free agent signing of LG Joe Thuney. Brown brought over a more than tenable $3.3M salary for the 2021 season, but that value is coming to a head in the next few weeks, as the 25 year old currently projects to a historic 5 year, $116.5M extension.

Las Vegas Raiders

Is Derek Carr Playing His Final Week(s) as a Raider?
Carr’s contract contains a non-guaranteed 1 year, $19.8M left on it, while QB2 Marcus Mariota is slated for free agency this March. It’s safe to assume that a few QB-needy teams will show interest in acquiring Carr if the Raiders even dangle the opportunity out there. This includes the Seattle Seahawks, who may be forced to move on from Russell Wilson, and would likely be very interested in bringing back a ready-made QB to drop into an offense full of weapons. The more likely outcome is that Vegas simply extends their current QB1, to the tune of 5 years, $175M

Los Angeles Rams

Is Matthew Stafford One and Done?
No, but contractually speaking there’s a ridiculously easy out after this season. It stands to reason that he’s done enough to have earned a sizable extension with the Rams, if for no other reason than the ridiculous compatibility he’s found with the WR1. Stafford’s current contract has 1 year, $23M remaining, and the 33 year old projects to a 4 year, $170M extension in our system.

New England Patriots

Will the Patriots Continue to Pay?
The Patriots’ 2021 offseason spending spree has been celebrated into saturation at this point, but the fact of the matter is - they’ll need to do a smaller version of it again to remain relevant in the division. Star cornerback JC Jackson is slated for free agency (and likely a tag) this offseason, as is RT Trent Brown, LB Donta Hightower, K Nick Folk, & S Devin McCourty - to name a few. It’s feasible that some of these spots can be replaced by previous or future draft selections, keeping finances at bay, but New England will need to spend more than they’ve been accustomed to in recent years to stay on this current path.

Philadelphia Eagles

Playing With House Money
The Eagles probably don’t belong in the same conversation with the majority of these playoff teams in terms of contention, but the fact that they scratched and clawed their way into this position sets them up for so many opportunities this offseason. Now they possess the best draft capital in the league, a dynamic QB1 who holds trade value if a veteran star shows interest in coming to town, a QB2 who holds trade value (likely better than the 6th round pick that was given up to acquire him), a 3-headed rushing attack that will take pressure off the QB, a young, financially locked in offensive line (minus Jason Kelce), and now a playoff berth to promote come free agency. A season that was designed to be the “purge” year in terms of dead cap and financial health, miraculously turned into one with winning as well.

Pittsburgh Steelers

Then What?
The Steelers admittedly don’t belong here. But they’re here, based largely on a run game, and well allocated defensive superstars. Fortunately, that qualifies as a pretty decent recipe for a “rebuild on the fly”, assuming they can immediately address the glaring hole at QB1, and the mish-mosh that is their WR core (D. Johnson, J. Smith-Schuster, J. Washington pending free agents, Claypool nearly invisible). This feels Minshewy.

San Francisco 49ers

Jimmy Garoppolo’s Winning Problem
We’ve been down this road before: The 49ers have a QB problem, except that QB when healthy continues to win ball games - just not in the manner in which the 49ers would prefer to win ball games. We’re headed toward a defining moment in San Francisco’s future. The decision can be very easily made if Garoppolo throws 3 passes to Trevon Diggs Sunday, but recent history sides with the 49ers in these type of matchups. Another lengthy postseason run puts the Trey Lance project on hold - at least momentarily. Jimmy G has a non-guaranteed 1 year, $25.6M left on his contract through 2022.

Tampa Bay Buccaneers

Sleeping Giants?
Brady’s done much more with much less offensively speaking, and yet the Buccaneers are hardly being mentioned in the NFL Postseason projections. Maybe there’s fatigue (or doubt) stemming from the Antonio Brown circus, or maybe they’re simply being overlooked as legitimate repeat candidates. Leonard Fournette is the best he’s ever been (and playing for a contract). Gronk has a decade of experience in these types of settings (and playing for a contract), and the return of Shaq Barrett and Carlton Davis to the defense should become instant upgrades in that regard. There are worse ways to spend your gambling dollars this week.

Tennessee Titans

A.J. Brown’s Big Contract
When you look at the first three years of stats for Brown across the board, they seem underwhelming (with the exception of 11 TDs in 2020), but Brown has more than passed the eye test in a number of weeks in his young career. It’s simply a matter of keeping him healthy and the on field, and if Tennessee feels they can live with a few weeks missed throughout a season, then the time to pony up may be this offseason. Limited total production keeps his calculated value down around $18M per year, but it’s hard to imagine Brown not jumping into the $20M per year pool based on his potential.

With the NFL postseason upon us, a quick look at how players are compensated for each playoff round, broken down by team, based on the agreed upon CBA costs.

Wild Card Weekend
This round stands out from the rest because it contains split pay based on a few factors. If the Wild Card team was a regular season division winner, players will each earn $42,500. If the team of the Wild Card game was not a regular season division winner, players from that team will each earn $37,500 - a $5,000 difference.

Additionally, the two teams who secured a #1 seed and were rewarded a bye for the Wild Card round will earn the lesser of these two payments, or $37,500 per player.

Divisional Round Winners
All players who are on the active 53-man roster the Sunday immediately preceding the divisional round games will earn $42,500 this year, up $9,500 from last season’s postseason.

Conference Championship Winners
All players who are on the active 53-man roster the Sunday immediately preceding the conference championship games will earn $65,000, up $6,000 from last year.

Super Bowl Payouts
Players from the winning Super Bowl team will cash an extra $150,000 each, while those from the losing team will earn $75,000 for their efforts.

Potential AFC Team Playoff Earnings
(per player)

Potential NFC Team Playoff Earnings
(per player)

The NBA trade deadline is just over four weeks away on February 10. Trade season has been slow to pick up since unofficially opening on December 15, when the majority of offseason signings became trade-eligible. Teams battled through COVID-related hardships, resulting in well over 100 callups on 10-day contracts around the league. The need to just put a roster on the floor put a temporary pause on trade talks.

Teams are now coming out of the woods with hardships and trade talks are ramping up. Most around the NBA expect a fairly busy deadline, as there are no clear title favorites and the 2022 free agent class is seen as very weak. That generally gives teams motivation to make deadline deals.

At the trade deadline, teams sort into one of four categories: Buyers, Sellers, Either or Neither. Here’s where each Eastern Conference team stands one month from the deadline:

Atlanta Hawks

The Hawks are in a bit of a weird spot. They’ve been underachievers all year, but don’t seem primed for any sort of sell-off. Their core players are too young for that to be considered. Still, general manager Travis Schlenk said he “wouldn’t be doing my job” if he wasn’t looking at moves.

This puts Atlanta in the “Either” category. They aren’t going to blow it up, but if the right move comes along that rebalances the roster and/or cap sheet, they’ll do it. This is the same if the opportunity to make a big upgrade comes their way. Expect the Hawks to be active, as their position basically dictates they must be. Think consolidation trade for Atlanta.

Boston Celtics

Like the Hawks, the Celtics have underachieved this season. There have been a few signs that things are turning around for Boston, but the same problems of the last couple of years exist. They can’t close games and the offense remains inconsistent.

We also don’t have any deadline track record to work with, as this is Brad Stevens first go-around as the decision-maker. Dennis Schroder is known to be on the block, as the one-year marriage in green has been somewhat clunky. Juancho Hernangomez is a valuable piece of pseudo-expiring salary-matching at $7 million. And Boston has TPEs of $17 million, $9.7 million and $5.1 million to work with too.

Expect Stevens to make moves around the edges of the rotation. Any sort of big overhaul will come this summer vs at the deadline.

Brooklyn Nets

The Nets are buyers without a whole lot to buy with. They have a couple of valuable TPEs of $11.5 million and $6.3 million. That’s enough to get a useful player or two. It’s sending out value to get those players that’s the challenge for Sean Marks.

Brooklyn doesn’t have a ton in terms of tradable talent. Their players are all vets with limited trade value, or young players the team would rather keep. Keep an eye on Nic Claxton and Bruce Brown. Both are due for new deals this offseason, and if Brooklyn can flip them for help to compete for the 2022 NBA Finals, they’ll do it. And forget trading draft picks. The Nets stash is basically all committed elsewhere at this point.

Charlotte Hornets

Charlotte is positioned to make a run at the playoffs. Their offense is very good, but their defense is terrible. There’s an obvious hole at center, but the team has limited resources to plug that hole.

All of the players with trade value are playing a key rotation role for the Hornets. To upgrade at the five in a meaningful way, Mitch Kupchak would need to move a productive player. Sometimes you need to give something to get something, but it’s more likely Charlotte will just stand pat.

Chicago Bulls

Chicago is having their best season in over a half-decade. Everything has come together better than anyone could have expected. The only real holes on this roster are a forward with size and bench shooting. Expect Arturas Karnisovas to be aggressive in upgrading both spots.

The main trade assets the Bulls can dangle are Patrick Williams and Coby White. Williams is out long-term, but has considerable potential. White has shown he can put up points from either guard spot. Chicago is a little pick-poor after trading for Nikola Vucevic and DeMar DeRozan, so they’ll need to find a team looking to move a veteran for rebuilding pieces. Keep an eye on both Jerami Grant and Harrison Barnes for the Bulls. They’d both be major upgrades as swing forwards.

Cleveland Cavaliers

The Cavs are making a real playoff run for the first time since LeBron James left town for a second time. Cleveland’s challenge right now is health and offensive creation. Collin Sexton and Ricky Rubio are down for the year and that’s put a lot of pressure on Darius Garland to make everything happen.

The Cavaliers are shopping Rubio’s expiring $17.8 million deal along with draft picks to get help. Caris LeVert is a reported target, and he’d make a lot of sense as an on-ball creator. One way or another, Koby Altman is going to upgrade the wing spot before the deadline passes.

Detroit Pistons

It’s not the “Everything must go!” attitude of the past for the Pistons, but they’re still in asset-collection mode. Jerami Grant is the object of affection for several contenders. If Detroit can return a mix of young players and picks for Grant, look for Troy Weaver to get it done.

Beyond moving Grant, look for smaller “take a flyer” moves from the Pistons, like the recent acquisition of Bol Bol. Weaver has a lot of tradable expiring or pseudo-expiring deals he can send out to bring back a young player that needs a change of scenery.

Indiana Pacers

The Pacers might have borrowed the “Everything must go!” signs from their neighbors to the north. Indiana is known to be openly listening on Myles Turner and Caris LeVert leading up to the deadline. Kevin Pritchard will also take calls on Domantas Sabonis, but you better be prepared to blow him away with an offer for the All-Star big man.

At this point, it would be a surprise to see either Turner or LeVert in an Indiana uniform post-deadline. It’s likely that Sabonis, T.J. Warren (working his way back from injury) and Malcom Brogdon (ineligible to traded until after the deadline) will team with whoever comes in return for Turner and LeVert, as the Pacers do a soft reset of their roster.

Miami Heat

The Heat are a little bit like the Nets, in that they’re buyers without a lot to buy with. Miami is also hard capped, with precious little wiggle room under that barrier. It’s likely that what you see is what you get for the Heat.

One player to keep an eye on: Victor Oladipo. Not as a trade piece, but if Oladipo can get back from injury, he’ll serve as an “acquisition” of sorts. Beyond that, it’s likely Pat Riley will go shopping on the buyout market for some bench depth.

Milwaukee Bucks

Like their brethren contenders in Brooklyn and Miami, Milwaukee would like to buy, but has limited means to do so. They’d have to trade productive rotation players to put together meaningful salary-matching in any deal. That’s unlikely, given the Bucks prize their depth.

Jon Horst has done good work with finding undervalued veterans, like P.J. Tucker last year. Look for something similar, as Milwaukee could use another big for as long as Brook Lopez is sidelined.

New York Knicks

New York has slipped back after their unexpected success last season. The Knicks will be involved in trade talks, because they’re the Knicks. But to this point, Leon Rose has ushered in a new era of patience in New York. Don’t expect any splashy moves just to make a move.

Pending the health outlooks for Derrick Rose and Kemba Walker, the Knicks may look to upgrade the point guard depth. But that will probably be a minor move, or may be done on the buyout market. Any major changes to this roster seem more likely to happen in the offseason.

Orlando Magic

The Magic are positioned to have a busy trade deadline. Armed with new contract extensions, President of Basketball Operations Jeff Weltman and general manager John Hammond can continue their rebuilding project in Orlando.

Look for the Magic to find a deal for Terrence Ross. He’s going to be in demand, as teams look to upgrade their bench depth and shooting at the deadline. Gary Harris is another player who could be moved, as his $20.5 million expiring deal can be used in a number of ways. Orlando can take on questionable salary in exchange for assets to help a team in the coming years. Some teams may even see Harris as an expiring depth player to aid in a playoff push. The last player to keep an eye on is Robin Lopez. His expiring $5 million deal is very movable and teams are always looking for cheap center help at the deadline. Orlando also has a $17.2 million TPE and is almost $23 million under the luxury tax. That makes them ideal facilitators in three-team deals.

Philadelphia 76ers

As he has been all season long, Ben Simmons remains the player to watch at the deadline. Daryl Morey has held firm in wanting a major return, despite several teams making a push to acquire Simmons. Philadelphia has all but given up hope he’ll ever play for them again, but their asking price in a Simmons deal remains high. Most expect this dance to continue up to the deadline, when the Sixers will likely come down a little, as offers improve a little on the other side.

Beyond an eventual Simmons deal, expect the 76ers to make some moves around the edges. Morey always tinkers with his roster at the deadline. He’ll likely target wing help and more shooting, as Philadelphia hopes to make a playoff run around Joel Embiid’s MVP-caliber season.

Toronto Raptors

Toronto has played better than most expected this season. It looks like the Raptors will battle for a Play-In spot at the bare minimum. There are no obvious trade candidates on the roster, but you can never count out Masai Ujiri when it comes to making a big move. If he feels there is a major upgrade to be made, Ujiri will take that homerun swing.

Pascal Siakam seems like the most likely trade candidate due to the combination of ability, salary, positional depth and age. If the Raptors can use Siakam’s $33 million salary in a deal to bring in a big or high-scoring wing, they’ll do it. Most likely, Toronto will sit pat and address their forward-heavy roster imbalance this summer.

Washington Wizards

The Wizards have slipped in the standing after a great start. But the focus still seems like it’s on making a playoff run in D.C. Look for Tommy Sheppard to use some of his forward depth to shore up the wing rotation, even if that means moving on from some high picks from recent drafts.

Rui Hachimura is finally back, but the forward spot is now overflowing with players. Kyle Kuzma isn’t going anywhere and Deni Avdija isn’t either. Same for Corey Kispert, who was just drafted. If there’s a deal to be made for Davis Bertans and the $54-$65 million left on his deal, the Wizards will make it. Hachimura and Bertans seem to be the main carrots Sheppard will dangle. That’s not going to net a huge return, but if Washington can get one more wing, they’ll be in good shape for the playoff push.

The Colts offseason has abrubtly started with their Week 18 surprise loss to the last place Jaguars. QB Carson Wentz seemed to solidify his role with a strong second half to the season, but his play this past Sunday will leave plenty with a bad taste in their mouth. 

If the Colts hadn’t sacrificed a 1st & 3rd round pick to acquire Wentz this past February, would it be a slam dunk that he would be handed the starting QB job in 2022? Let’s take a look at what the rest of his contract looks like from a stability standpoint.

Total Value
The deal has 3 years, $81.705M remaining, including $28.294M in 2022, $26.176M in 2023, & $27.235M in 2024. 

Guarantees & Dead Cap
$15M of his 2022 salary is already fully guaranteed, representing the only dead cap on the contract currently. If the Colts were to find a trade partner for Wentz this March, they could move him without taking on any dead cap, saving $13M of cap for the upcoming season. The date to watch is March 18th, when the remaining $7M of his 2022 salary full guarantees & a $6.29M roster bonus is paid. 

While unlikely, if Indy decides to outright release Carson Wentz before March 18th, they’d be responsible for his $15M of guaranteed salary, and nothing more. After 2022, the contract is in a pay-as-you-go format, with no early guarantees to deal with.

Concluding Thoughts
Despite a treacherous final weekend, Wentz actually stabilized the Indy offense for the better part of 2021. Factor in the ceiling for Jonathan Taylor, and ample cap space to add weapons to this roster in March, and it makes sense to let Carson take the reins for this team through 2022. The contract offers a free out after that, making Indy’s life much easier thereafter.x