In the Eastern Conference, only three games separate the No. 6 seed (the 18-16 Knicks) from the No. 11 seed (the 14-18 Bulls). Both the Magic and Wizards are just 13-21, yet they’re only two-and-a-half games back of the play-in tournament, with the Raptors (15-18) currently holding the No. 10 seed.
Out West, the Warriors have struggled to this point, currently holding a 15-18 record and the No. 11 seed, yet they’re only four games back of the Suns (19-14), the current No. 4 seed. The Lakers dropped to 13-20 on Sunday after giving up a league-high 51 points in the third quarter to Dallas (Twitter link via ESPN’s Tim MacMahon), yet they’re still only three games back of the final play-in spot (currently held by the 16-17 Timberwolves).
The bunched-together standings are a major reason why relatively few sellers have emerged on the trade market with the February 9 deadline just six weeks away. In the West, the Rockets and Spurs are obvious candidates to deal away veterans, while the Pistons, Magic and Hornets figure to make some of their veterans available in the East, though Charlotte hasn’t been mentioned in any real rumors yet.
A couple teams are in a sort of awkward middle ground. The Pacers (17-16, No. 8 in the East) and Jazz (19-16, No. 7 in the West) were viewed as sellers entering the fall and were not expected to have a record above .500 roughly 40% of the way through the regular season, and yet they’re right in the mix for a playoff spot.
Several teams with playoff ambitions have been inconsistent thus far: the Knicks, Hawks, Heat, Raptors, Bulls, Wizards, Mavericks, Blazers, Timberwolves and Warriors (you could even throw in the Clippers and Kings). Out of that group, the Raptors, Bulls and Wizards are eyed by rival teams as possible sellers if they continue to have subpar results.
That leads us to our poll: Which teams will emerge as deadline sellers? Vote and then head to the comments and let us know what you think!
The wild thing is, it’s possible that any (or all) of the five teams listed in our poll could become buyers instead of sellers, and it could be an entirely different group that emerges as sellers in several weeks! That’s both exciting and confusing for trying to get a read on the market.
Raptors will be somewhere in the middle. Championship aspirations, have franchise player and good roster but needing upgrades
Knick’s will be buyers or stand as is. they have huge ambitions and would never have the smarts to plan ahead they just focus on winning as much as they can
Wizards look to be buyers but should sell off Kuzma. Apparently the kings have offered Daivon Mitchell and Harrison Barnes that would be a good pick up. They should also look at win now vets like Jae Crowder, Mike Conley etc
Indy are happy to be in the middle. They will probably be hoping to lose more for a better pick but are happy with the young players. They should try go for James Wiseman.
In the west, Warriors are struggling with the stars out, they desperately need to invest in upgrades.
Lakers NEED to be buyers or will miss the playoffs and waste another year of LeBron.
Dallas should be looking to make a couple smart upgrades.
Suns lack depth and Jae Crowder is currently sitting out which hurts them a lot.
Jazz are sellers for sure
TWolves are trying to win but I can’t see them doing anything to improve
Trade buzz seems fairly soft this season. Not expecting too much at the deadline, but I expect a lot around the draft.
Bulls will dangle Drummond out there. I could name 2 or 3 teams right off the top of my head that could use him.
Drummond to the celtics would give boston additional big man depth and experience
The Bulls need to be sellers and get assets via draft picks!
The Bulls and Raptors are most likely…
Bulls need to choose between Zach and Demar in order to have a cohesive offensive identity… So tearing down to start again is one option, but aiming for the playoffs could still be their path…
Whilst the Raptors are missing a scorer who can’t be played off the court because of their size… They have plenty of long lengthy player, but lack true size and have too many small guards who need to be in the rotation to score atm…
Masai will pounce on anything that moves the needle for them… Which makes them the most likely…
Honestly if Bulls can move DRozan and Vucevich for Westbrick & Lonnie Walker with a first rounder and possible future swaps, it would make sense. Westbrook could spell DeRozan in second unit and let Lavine show that he deserves a leadership role.
Next year Bulls have plenty of cap space to add Poeltl and possibly another vet point guard or youngish PF with 3&D skills.
Quick re-set which focuses around Lavine’s timeline and forces him to put up or shut up as a real star 2-way player.
You think that Lonnie walker, Westbrook, and a future first equal DRozan and Vucevich?? Westbrook is not considered a positive asset so you are essentially trading walker and a first for DRozan and Vucevich – all star caliber players and they have to take Westbrook’s contract. I promise you, if the bulls called the lakers to make that deal it would be done before they even hang up the phone