With dates changing rapidly and the end of the calendar year approaching far too quickly, it’s time to take a quick detour from the action on the NBA courts, to take a look at the NBA trade deadline. February 6.
Teams have now played enough games to know who they are, what they are missing and which direction they need to go. Well, some teams may still be unclear on that last point.
We’ll look at which Central Division teams need to make a move and how each team should approach the deadline, with free agents who signed during the offseason now eligible to be traded.
Previous divisions: Atlantic
Chicago Bulls
Status: Competitive
Approach: Sellers
Chicago drastically changed its on-field strategy for the better, but the timing was still odd and it didn’t necessarily lead to anything interesting.
The Bulls are, without a doubt, the most confusing team in the NBA, and they should approach the deadline with the mindset of selling off as many veteran pieces as possible.
It’s difficult to get decent returns for players like Zach LaVine and Nikola Vučević, but if the Bulls find themselves in a situation where they can terminate one or both contracts without giving up an asset to do so, it It’s a victory.
If anything, the Bulls should take advantage of being $4.5 million below the tax threshold to give teams beyond the apron the opportunity to lose money for a decent return . With the new ABC, having financial flexibility is in itself a huge advantage.
The question is, of course, whether the Bulls are even aware of this given how wasteful they have been with their contracts in recent years.
Probability of exchange: Should be significant
Cleveland Cavaliers
Status: Competitors
Approach: Buyers
The Cavaliers are legitimate, and they have every reason to add, instead of subtract, before the deadline.
They don’t have much to offer, which will limit their options. The Cavs will likely only make a small move, if they make one, given the symmetry of their core players.
You could argue that the return of Max Strus almost counts as a midseason acquisition. The 6-foot-5 forward signed with the team in the summer of 2023 and had an effective season for Cleveland, spacing the floor and serving as a third point guard.
Strus has missed the entire season so far with an ankle injury, but he is expected to return soon. When he enters the rotation, the Cavs should be stronger.
In the meantime, if they were to take a small step, a true backup center wouldn’t be the worst thing in the world to look for.
Probability of exchange: Decent
Detroit Pistons
Status: Reconstruction
Approach: Sellers
There’s no doubt that this team needed adults in the room, which is why Tobias Harris, Tim Hardaway Jr. and Malik Beasley are on the roster.
However, this trio isn’t really expected to stick around for years to come, given that the keys to the franchise will ultimately be handed to Cade Cunningham, Jaden Ivey, and Jalen Duren.
Is the time now, or will the Pistons prefer to make changes over the summer?
For their sake, given that they have their own pick this year, the timing should be right. The 2025 draft is considered stacked with talent, and if the Pistons end up with a high pick, it would only be better for the team’s long-term prospects.
Of course, it remains to be seen if teams are even interested in Harris, Hardaway or Beasley. But the Pistons should realize, before February, that the chances of potentially landing a Cooper Flagg or an Ace Bailey are too tempting.
Probability of exchange: Big
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Indiana Pacers
Status: Competitive
Approach: Buyers
It’s hard to argue one way or the other when it comes to the Pacers, who have been disappointing this season. There are many arguments in favor of both buyer and seller action.
The deciding factor is Pascal Siakam, no longer a spring chicken and with a huge contract. If they don’t add themselves to the list, they can only go the other way, which means a smaller retooling process that will take a few years to get going. Who has time for that?
With Tyrese Haliburton around, the Pacers probably don’t want to send him the signal that they’re taking a step back by selling parts. That would be a tough sell, especially for a team that doesn’t typically attract much free agent interest.
Even if Indiana can’t find a major deal, it can find smaller ones, and since losing James Wiseman and Isaiah Jackson to Achilles tears this season, finding a big replacement is likely on the whiteboard.
Probability of exchange: High
Milwaukee Bucks
Status: Competitive
Approach: Buyers
It’s quite simple. When you have Giannis Antetokounmpo on your roster and added Damian Lillard as a second star a little over a year ago, you simply can’t be anything other than buyers.
The Bucks are weird. They are inconsistent. They are old. They have a questionable coaching staff. Their role players range from decent to “maybe this guy should be in the G League.” And it is for these reasons that Milwaukee must be aggressive in its search for quality.
Outside of Antetokounmpo and Lillard, the organization doesn’t really have any major trade assets, so finding a reliable, consistent contributor won’t be easy. But you have to at least explore the market.
Of course, the Bucks are about $6.5 million above the second apron, so trade logistics are difficult. They don’t have much to play with. So even if they find something interesting, the CBA rules could make a transaction difficult. But that’s a problem for later. For now, find an upgrade by any means necessary.
Probability of exchange: Small, because they are above the second apron
