2023 NBA Trade Deadline: The Perfect Target For Every Team

The NBA trade deadline is almost a week away. The rumor mill always remains hot, but these next seven days are going to be the hottest of the year. Teams that have hovered in the middle of the pack will have to make a decision. What is the identity of the team? Are we buying, or are we selling? That deal is the best, and how much can we get for the star players? Championship-contending teams will need to decide if one more player can help the team get over the hump and accomplish their dreams. 

Each team has a goal in place. Not every team is contending, but even the non-contending teams have a player or two that would help a contending team, and the draft capital can reshape their future. The perfect player for every NBA team is a discussion for hearsay. With that said, there are plenty of players available on the market. The question is if they will be moved or not. Those perfect situations will be analyzed right now.

These are the perfect players for every NBA team until the February trade deadline.

Atlanta Hawks – Kyle Kuzma

The Hawks could play true small ball if the team could flip John Collins for De’Andre Hunter. The three years left on the deal Collins makes it difficult to build around the team. Plus, his fit with this team is in question. Instead, the Hawks could make a deal work with Collins for Kuzma and the expiring contract of Will Barton.

Barton would be a solid bench piece, but the true piece of the puzzle is Kuzma. The Hawks need a wing that can score. The Hawks could employ a small ball lineup of Trae Young, Dejounte Murray, De’Andre Hunter, and Kuzma. With Kuzma averaging over 21 points, it would give the team another stretch wing that can score from outside. Hunter is physically big enough to play power forward, with Clint Capela solidifying a perfect starting lineup.

Boston Celtics – Seth Curry

The only way a trade like this would go down is if the Celtics offered two first-round picks and two moveable contracts. Danilo Gallinari and Blake Griffin could be packaged for draft capital, but this is unrealistic. However, the perfect situation for the Celtics would be getting another shooter for this lineup.

Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown would have a field day kicking the ball out to Curry. Curry is shooting 42.4% from three-point range. The Celtics look like the team is making a run to the NBA Finals. Curry could take the spot of the sixth man to make this team even more dangerous.

Brooklyn Nets – Jae Crowder

If the Nets wanted to move on from Royce O’Neal, the team could move his salary for Crowder. A draft pick might have to be included, but the Nets sent a first-round pick for O’Neal in the offseason. Would the cost be worth it? It could be because that would allow the Nets to shuffle the lineup more efficiently.

For starters, Ben Simmons could move back to point guard, where he was someone that could average 10 points, eight rebounds, and seven assists. Kyrie Irving could be at shooting guard, a position he has thrived at in the past. Durant can remain at small forward, while Crowder can serve as the true enforcer at power forward. Nic Claxton is leading the league in blocks. With Crowder and Claxton, the Nets would have a great combination of offense and defense.

Charlotte Hornets – Deandre Ayton

The Hornets could rebuild and reload at the same time with a trade for Deandre Ayton. LaMelo Ball needs a young piece to pair with him to make a guard-center combo for the future. The Suns and Ayton’s relationship still seems to have question marks. If the Suns wanted to move on from the four-year commitment, they could instead invest in a smaller lineup with a ton of promise.

The Suns could trade Ayton for a combination of Terry Rozier and Mason Plumlee. While Plumlee is not averaging Ayton numbers, he is still a solid rebounder that can play interior defense. As for Rozier, a combination of Chris Paul, Rozier, and Devin Booker would give this team a ton of options. The Suns would have a triple threat on offense, while Ayton and Ball could be the future of Charlotte.

Chicago Bulls – D’Angelo Russell

D’Angelo is playing in the final year of his $31.3 million salary. The Bulls desperately need a point guard. Lonzo Ball has two years left on his deal and is likely not going to play this year. The Bulls and Timberwolves have a way of helping each other out right now. By trading Ball, the Timberwolves do not risk losing Russell for nothing, but the Bulls could attach the rookie contract of Patrick Williams to give the team depth at the position.

Meanwhile, adding Russell would give the Bulls a point guard. Alex Caruso could move back to the bench with Ayo Dosunmu. More importantly, the Bulls could get back to contending. Russell, Zach LaVine, DeMar DeRozan, and Nikola Vucevic are a solid lineup. Russell would give the Bulls what they want right now, while the addition of Ball and Williams give the Timberwolves what they want next year when Karl-Anthony Towns is fully healthy and ready to contend.

Cleveland Cavaliers – Tim Hardaway Jr.

How much more draft capital is Cleveland willing to give up to go all in? The team already gave up a haul for Donovan Mitchell. With that said, there is a way to shuffle the salary for Tim Hardaway Jr. in a straight one-for-one deal, but a draft pick would probably need to be sent because Hardaway is cost controlled for two more years.

Caris LeVert’s expiring deal could be sent. LeVert is averaging 12.5 points, 3.9 rebounds, 3.8 assists and is shooting 37.4% from three-point range. Hardaway Jr. is averaging 13.6 points, 3.5 rebounds, 1.6 assists and is shooting 35.1% from three-point range. However, there is a strong case that Hardaway Jr does not fit well with Luka Doncic’s ball-dominant offense. After all, this is a player that did average 16.6 points and 39.1% from three during the 2020-21 season.

Dallas Mavericks – Zach LaVine

Speaking of Hardaway, the Mavericks could move Hardaway’s $19 million salary and the contract of Davis Bertans ($16 million) for LaVine. This trade may not cost as much draft capital because the Bulls would want to unload the massive deal of LaVine, so keeping Bertans for two extra deals might be better than having LaVine for four years.

Bringing LaVine to the Mavericks would finally give Luka Doncic a second superstar player. The backcourt of Doncic and LaVine would be as lethal as Stephen Curry and Klay Thompson, if we are being honest. Given the production of Hardaway and Bertans, the Mavericks are still producing. The team made the Conference Finals last year. An addition of an explosive player like LaVine could get the team to the NBA Finals.

Denver Nuggets – Josh Richardson

This is an unrealistic trade, but it would be a perfect situation for Richardson. The Nuggets don’t have enough expiring contracts to make the salaries work. Richardson is averaging 11.2 points and shooting 36.2% from three-point range. He is a very solid wing defender and would bolster the bench.

The Nuggets are contending for the No. 1 seed and don’t need another player. With that said, depth is always worth it. Richardson is not going to be with the Spurs long-term. It would probably take Bruce Brown’s salary, the expiring contract of Ish Smith and Jeff Green, and a draft pick to pull off this move.

Detroit Pistons – Draymond Green

The Pistons are rumored to be interested in keeping Bojan Bogdanovic. If that is the case, the Pistons would be thinking that Cade Cunningham, Jaden Ivey, and Bogdanovic are the core to build around for next year. Are playoffs realistic with the addition of a player like Victor Wembanyama? Well, what we do know is that young talent can only get you so far.

As unrealistic as this is, Draymond Green would be perfect, and here is why. Green is still a versatile, serviceable player that is respected by players in the league. A four-time champion would bring a ton of experience to the team. Green can opt out of his contract, and if the Warriors wanted to get value for him because they are afraid of him leaving, they could make a deal. The Pistons have expiring contracts of Kevin Knox, Hamidou Diallo, and Cory Joseph and could be paired with Alec Burks to make a deal work.

Golden State Warriors – Deandre Ayton

The idea of James Wiseman was viewed to be a player that was comparable to Deandre Ayton. Instead, Wiseman has not lived up to expectations of being a former No. 2 overall pick. In a perfect world, the Warriors could clip Green and Wiseman to the Suns for Ayton. The combination of Curry, Thompson, Andrew Wiggins, Jordan Poole, and Ayton is not a bad lineup.

Ayton brings stability to the middle of the floor. He is a better rebounding and rim protector. He would fit in just fine with Curry and Thompson. This trade would require moving Green’s large salary to fit the $30 million owed to Ayton. It is not likely, but it is possible.

Houston Rockets – Myles Turner

A proposed trade would require a lot from the Rockets. We are talking about Eric Gordon and Boban Marjonovic’s expiring salaries, in addition to younger players like Alperen Sengun and Kevin Porter Jr. Even if you get passed the outrageous amount of salary movement, the idea the Rockets could pull this off is unrealistic.

With that said, this would be a great fit for Houston. The team has Jalen Green and Jabari Smith Jr. as the future. The team will have a salary to spare and could look to fill their point guard vacancy or look at the draft. Again, this is unrealistic, but Turner would be a great fit with Green and Parker.

Indiana Pacers – Russell Westbrook

A perfect world for the Lakers would be Myles Turner and Buddy Hield coming to the Lakers. That would give the team help right now. The Lakers need a dependent three-point shooter and rim protection inside. That would allow LeBron to return to point guard, Hield to play shooting guard, move Anthony David back to power forward, and Turner can play center.

This gives the Pacers a complete teardown rebuild they the team needs to go through. The salary relief of Turner and Hield can be repurposed, and the team can tank for the rest of the season. A high draft pick will be great to use to pair with Tyrese Haliburton in the future. As for Westbrook, he can play freely on a team that will need help scoring points when Hield and Turner are gone.

Los Angeles Clippers – Kyle Lowry

Terance Mann is not a starter in the league. While Mann is a solid player, he would be better coming off of the bench. The Clippers can’t rely on John Wall for starter’s minutes. Plus, Wall is not a championship-caliber player. Want to know who it is? Kyle Lowry can bring that championship mentality to a team with a player he won a title in 2019. Bringing Lowry to team up with Kawhi Leonard would be perfect.

The Clippers could package Luke Kennard and Marcus Morris Sr. to match salary to make this happen. While Lowry may not be the same player he was four years ago, he is a true point guard that can run the offense. Mann can return to the bench with the second unit, and it would take some pressure off of Wall when he comes back from his injury.

Los Angeles Lakers – Zach LaVine

If the Bulls wanted to go full rebuild mode and believe in DeMar DeRozan, the team can make moves from the 2023 offseason by unloading the contract of LaVine. Nikola Vucevic and LaVine could be sent to the Lakers for the expiring contracts of Westbrook and Pat Beverley. This would get the Bulls off the hook for LaVine’s contract for the next four years and rebrand the team.

The Lakers need a player that can score consistently to take pressure off of LeBron James. LaVine can bring that type of scoring to the Lakers. The big three of LeBron, Davis, and LaVine would be the big three that the Lakers thought they would get when they traded for Westbrook. It might be enough for the Lakers to make a late-season run as well.

Memphis Grizzlies – OG Anunoby

The Raptors are in a strange position and will need to make some moves regarding their roster. Right now, OG Anunoboy is their best tradeable player. He could land three first-round picks because he can shoot from outside and play great defense. Dillon Brooks is on an expiring contract. If the Grizzlies don’t want to invest, they could flip Brooks for Anunoby, who has one more year on his deal.

To make this work, the Raptors would need to take on the contract of Danny Green as well. That is where the draft capital comes into play. The Grizzlies have picked to part with. The Grizzlies are a sound defensive team with Jaren Jackson Jr. and Steven Adams. The addition of Anunoby would make this the best defensive frontcourt in the entire NBA.

Miami Heat – John Collins

Believe it or not, a straight swap of Collins for Kyle Lowry is possible based on salary. With draft capital included, this is a deal that could work. Here is where the Heat is. They have Gabe Vincent right behind Lowry, and Victor Oladipo is capable of playing the position. Jimmy Butler has been playing power forward but has the passing skills to play a point-forward position similar to LeBron during the 2020 championship year.

Moving Butler to point guard is not a crazy idea. He is talented and good enough to do that. That would allow Collins to slide into this lineup, where he could be used in a better way. Collins stretches the floor more than Lowry, anyways. If anyone can revive Collins to his play from a few years ago, it’s Erik Spoelstra.

Milwaukee Bucks – Jae Crowder

Bobby Portis has not been healthy this season. When the Bucks won the championship in 2021, Portis was a huge part of that. Assuming Portis can heal up, that will help the team make a run, but he cannot handle both power forward and center responsibilities as the backup. If the Bucks wanted to give Portis help, a move for Crowder could be done.

PJ Tucker played a vital role on that championship team, and Crowder could be that 3-and-D player for the Bucks. If the Bucks could pair a draft pick to the expiring contracts of Joe Ingles and George Hill, that might entice the Suns. However, is a player that hasn’t played all season worth a first-round pick? That’s the gamble Milwaukee would have to take.

Minnesota Timberwolves – Fred VanVleet

In a world where the Timberwolves wanted to flip D’Angelo Russell for something, a trade for Fred VanVleet and Thaddeus Young would work for the salary. However, the Timberwolves don’t have many draft picks to spare because of the Rudy Gobert trade. If one draft pick could be paired with the expiring contract of Russell, it might be worth trading VanVleet.

VanVleet has an option on his deal and would potentially pick it up if that meant competing next season. VanVleet not only brings outside shooting, but he is a competent point guard. VanVleet, Towns, Edwards, and Gobert might be better than Russell if the team took a chance.

New Orleans Pelicans – Kyle Lowry

A trade package for Lowry is unrealistic because the team has many contracts locked in. Plus, C.J. McCollum has not played badly as the team’s point guard. With that said, McCollum is best suited as a shooting guard. If the team could find a player to run the offense, like Lowry, the Pelicans might be in a better position.

Lowry is a champion. McCollum, Brandon Ingram, Jonas Valanciunas, and Zion Williamson have never played in a Conference Finals, yet along the second round. Having championship players on a team matters. Lowry would fill a position and give the team that experience.

New York Knicks – Zach LaVine

There is a way for the Bulls to get off the hook from LaVine’s contract. It will take draft picks to make it happen because taking on the remaining money owed to Evan Fournier will be tough. If the Knicks can pair some draft capital to Fournier and Derrick Rose’s expiring deal, the Bulls might bite at shipping LaVine to the Knicks.

Giving Julius Randle another offensive star is exactly what the Knicks need right now. Randle is a great player when all the pressure is not on him completely. Jalen Brunson and LaVine would be a spectacular backcourt. With Barrett, Randle, and Mitchell Robinson, this is a top-tier starting lineup in the East.

Oklahoma City Thunder – Pascal Siakam

At some point, the Thunder have to start investing in the now, right? The team has a point guard, Shai Gilegous-Alexander. The team has a shooting guard, Josh Gidden. They have the power forward, Chet Holmgren, who could easily be shifted to small forward due to his length and size. What is missing? Pascal Siakam is the player that could be the first superstar added to the young core.

Chris Paul was added to a young stable of players, and he made a huge difference there. Siakam is an All-NBA player that can play both power forward and center. Given what the team wanted to do with Holmgren, Siakam can slide into either spot. With one year left on his deal, it could be a trial run as well. The Thunder have a ton of picks to offer and salary cap space. The biggest issue will be making the salary work. It would likely take up to five players to match the $35 million owed to Siakam.

Orlando Magic – Russell Westbrook

Franz Wagner and Paolo Banchero made Jonathan Isaac expendable. Wendell Carter’s continuous improvement and the rise of Bol Bol made Mo Bamba expendable. There is a way that the Lakers and Magic could help each other out here. Issac’s $17 million, Terrence Ross’s expiring contract of $11 million, and Bamba’s $10 million salary could be moved for Westbrook.

This would be perfect for the Magic. It would get the team out of their commitment to the often-injured Isaac for the two years left on his deal. For Bamba, it gives the Magic value in return for their commitment. It also allows the team to have the financial flexibility to build around Banchero, Bol, Carter, Jalen Suggs, and Wagner. Westbrook can play out the rest of the season, and the Lakers get three decent contributors that help the depth of the bench.

Philadelphia 76ers – OG Anunoby

The 76ers have PJ Tucker, but what if the team found the upgraded version? Essentially, Anunoby is a better version of Tucker. He can shoot from outside and play solid defense. Tucker is averaging 3.2 points and shooting 38.2% from three-point range. Anunoby is averaging 16.9 points and shooting 36.6% from deep.

This would allow Harris to return to power forward and slide Anunoby into the starting small-forward position. The starting lineup of James Harden, De’Anthony Melton, Anunoby, Harris, and Joel Embiid would be tough to stop offensively but defensively, would have a major upgrade over Tucker. With two draft picks, Tucker, and shipping Matisse Thybulle, this trade could be done.

Phoenix Suns – John Collins

If the Suns do not believe Deandre Ayton is the answer in the middle, the team could look to run a small lineup with Collins at center. There is a way to make an Ayton for Collins swap work with the addition of the expiring contract of Derrick Favors. That would give the Suns a player that can play in the middle but also shoot from outside. Chris Paul has revived many careers. He could probably do the same with Collins.

There is an appeal to the idea of Paul, Booker, Mikal Bridges, Cameron Johnson, and Collins. Bismack Biyombo can continue to play backup minutes and provide rebounding in stretches. In this scenario, this small lineup would be quicker and would feature more shooters. Again, Paul can make just about any player better, so Collins could get back to that 40% shooting mark from three-point range with a distribute-first point guard.

Portland Trail Blazers – OG Anunoby

How much does this Trail Blazers team believe in this roster? If they want to go all in and distribute a couple of first-round picks, the team could probably snag Anunoby from the Raptors. It would require the team to move the $12 million from Josh Hart and the expiring contract of Nassir Little, but the salaries would work. It would come down to draft picks at this point.

The Trail Blazers are fine in the backcourt with Damian Lillard and Anfernee Simons. Jerami Grant could be moved to power forward and play alongside Jusuf Nurkic. Anunoby solidifies this offense. That’s three strong outside shooters with a huge boost on defense. Again, it comes down to if the team believes in what they have on paper.

Sacramento Kings – John Collins

The Kings find themselves in a position they haven’t been in since 2006. The team is in prime playoff contention and could be buyers at the trade deadline. De’Aaron Fox and Domantas Sabonis should be named All-Stars this season. Kevin Huerter and Keegan Murray are delivering, while Harrison Barnes is quietly having a great season.

Rebounding is a weakness for this team. Adding a player of length, such as Collins, would help fix that issue. Richaun Holmes doesn’t play anymore. It would take a player like Malik Monk to make the salaries work and possibly a draft pick. Collins could provide what Monk does shooting wide and gives the team a player that can rebound with Sabonis.

San Antonio Spurs – Russell Westbrook

Doug McDermott, Josh Richardson, and Jakob Poeltl are not going to be a part of the Spurs when this team contends. How many first-round picks can the Spurs get for Westbrook? If the answer is two, then unloading their contracts for Westbrook to get all the picks is the ultimate use of leverage.

That draft capital will help the Spurs in the future. This team is going to be rebuilding for years. Paired with the picks in the Dejounte Murray trade, the Spurs could rebuild a team. Westbrook would be a great mentor for some of these young players, but ultimately it’s the draft picks the Lakers send that are the ultimate compensation to make this a perfect fit.

Toronto Raptors – D’Angelo Russell

A lot of Raptors have been named up to this point. In this scenario, the Raptors go all in and compete. The team could make a move to land D’Angelo Russell and give the Raptors a true point guard. No offense to VanVleet, but his talents as a shooting guard would be doubled with the help of Russell. With Russell and VanVleet in the backcourt, that is a competitive duo to stop.

It also allows the team to keep Anunoby and Siakam. In the end, the Raptors would likely need to part with Gary Trent Jr. and Chris Boucher to make the salary work. If the Raptors made this trade, it would probably cost a pick, given that Russell’s game is superior to both of these players. However, the Timberwolves get compensation for a player that might walk, and the Raptors gain a true identity.

Utah Jazz – John Collins

The Jazz has few frontcourt stars. Lauri Markkanen is playing his way toward an All-Star season as the team’s starting small forward. Why would anyone want to mess that up? Kelly Olynyk has not played badly, but his track record features solid stats on bad teams. The Jazz is looking to build toward the future but also has to be cognizant of the team’s play with Jordan Clarkson, Collin Sexton, Malik Beasley, and Markkanen right now.

The Jazz can build and reload. Given the contract structure, the Jazz could swap Mike Conley Jr. for Collins straight up. Sexton or Clarkson could take over as the team’s starting point guard. At this stage in his career, Conley is not needed to be “the man.” If Conley was the backup to Trae Young, it would give the Hawks an upgraded team, especially since Onyeka Okongwu has been playing well this season. Collins is expendable for the right price.

Washington Wizards – Chris Paul

The Wizards are in a very tough position right now, so any trade seems unrealistic unless it’s the team selling. Let’s just pretend that the Wizards were buying right now. The team has Bradley Beal and Kristaps Porzingis. What is missing? A true point guard and a superstar. That could be filled both with Chris Paul.

This is not going to happen, but Paul is the perfect player that could make this roster that much better. The salary would work in a situation that the Wizards offered Kyle Kuzma and Will Barton. The Suns could probably get a draft pick or two as well. After Kuzma opts out, they have salary relief and can always refill the position in free agency, while Paul, Beal, and Porzingis give Washington a true big three. 

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