In recent weeks, the Toronto Raptors kicked off the NBA trade season by trading OG Anunoby to the New York Knicks and Pascal Siakam to the Indiana Pacers in exchange for draft picks and experienced young players. You can learn all about both trades from the top experts in the business right here on Yahoo Sports.
What else do you need to know about the league’s upcoming trade deadline?
When is the NBA’s 2024 trading deadline?
The NBA trade deadline is 3 p.m. ET on February 8.
Who are the largest names in the market?
Dejounte Murray, Atlanta Hawks.
Statistics: 21 PTS (47/38/83), 4.8 REB, 4.8 AST (2.2 TO), and 1.4 STL.
Contract: $17.7 million (2023-24). • $24.8M (2024-25) • $26.8M (2025-26) • $28.8M (2026-27) • $30.8M (2027-28)
The lowdown: “Murray has generated a significant market during preliminary discussions around the league.” According to sources, the Hawks’ front office has been one of the more aggressive this season, approaching rival executives with genuine trade plans rather than vague interest in specific players. And, to differing degrees, the Knicks, Los Angeles Lakers, Miami Heat, Philadelphia 76ers, and Detroit Pistons are all likely to contact Atlanta about Murray in the coming days and weeks. — Jake Fischer of Yahoo Sports
Zach LaVine, Chicago Bulls, had 20 points (45/35/85), 5.3 rebounds, 4 assists (2.1 turnovers), and 0.9 steals.
Contract: $40.1 million (2023-24). • $43M (2024-25) • $46M (2025-26) • $49M (2026-27)
The lowdown: “There is still a lot of uncertainty among NBA insiders that the Bulls will find a willing trade partner for LaVine. It has been difficult to find a team willing to take on the four years and approximately $180 million remaining on LaVine’s deal while also providing Chicago with desired players who can help the ninth-seeded Bulls keep pace in the Eastern Conference playoff picture. The Los Angeles Lakers, who may have the most interest in LaVine, could potentially get out of the running by trading for another difference-maker like Murray. — Fischer
DeMar DeRozan, Chicago Bulls: 22 points (46/35/85), 5.3 assists (1.4 turnovers), 4 rebounds, and 1.1 steals.
Contract: $28.6 Million (2023-24)
The lowdown: Word on DeRozan’s availability has ranged from “very likely to be on the move” to “deeply valued internally,” indicating that the Bulls do not want to deal him for nothing, even if he becomes a free agency at the conclusion of the season. According to various reports, the two sides are “far apart” in their delayed extension talks. While DeRozan stated, “I love it here” in Chicago, The Athletic’s Sam Amick reports that the Heat and Knicks are among his preferred trade destinations. Meanwhile, Amick’s Athletic colleague, Jovan Buha, stated that the Lakers would prefer a package that included DeRozan and Alex Caruso over one that focused on LaVine.
Alex Caruso, Chicago Bulls: 9.8 points (49/42/77), 3.5 rebounds, 2.6 assists (1.3 turnovers), and 1.3 steals.
Contract: $9.5 million (2023-24). • $9.9M (2024-25)
The lowdown: According to league sources, every contender is keeping an eye on Caruso’s availability because his contract is so modest and he fits perfectly into any rotation. According to Joe Cowley of the Sun-Times and K.C. Johnson of NBC Sports Chicago, the Bulls consider Caruso to be “almost untouchable.”
Lauri Markkanen, Utah Jazz: 24 points (50/40/88), 8.8 rebounds, 1.8 assists (1.1 turnovers), and 0.9 steals.
Contract: $17.3 million (2023-24). • $18M (2024-25)
The lowdown: “The Jazz are not expected to move [Markkanen] at this time. According to insiders, he has long been a favorite among Jazz officials. However, league sources informed Yahoo Sports that Utah has given opposition executives the impression that Markkanen is no longer untouchable in trade talks. … But it would undoubtedly take a large haul for a team to get the 26-year-old from the Jazz.” — FischerTerry Rozier, Charlotte Hornets.
Statistics: 24 points (46/38/88), 6.7 AST (2 TO), 3.7 REB, and 1.1 STL.
Contract: $23.2 million (2023-24). • $24.9M (2024-25) • $26.6M (2025-26)
The lowdown: “The Hornets have indicated that they will be more active this deadline, thanks to new ownership, than how the front office has conducted business in previous transaction windows.” According to league sources, Charlotte has all of its players available except LaMelo Ball, Brandon Miller, and Mark Williams. Rozier’s stellar play has made him a more plausible trade prospect than ever with his $24 million average annual contract, with a known desire for Miami, league sources told Yahoo Sports. While there is lots of competitor interest in veteran wing Gordon Hayward, he appears more likely to shift teams through a buyout, rather than a rival club paying $30 million to match his expiring deal.” — Fischer
Jerami Grant, Portland Trail Blazers: 21.4 points (46/41/80), 3.6 rebounds, 2.4 assists (2.1 turnovers), and 0.7 steals.
Contract: $27.6 Million (2023-24) • $29.8M (2024-25) • $32M (2025-26) • $34.2M (2026-27) • $36.4M (2027-28)
The lowdown: “Jerami Grant would be a game changer for both the Dallas and Sacramento Kings. The Kings have put Harrison Barnes, Kevin Huerter, and Davion Mitchell available for trade talks, according to sources. Unlike veteran point guard Malcolm Brogdon, Portland is unlikely to seriously consider offers for Grant, according to league sources. — Fischer
Which teams might be the most active around the deadline?
Philadelphia Sixers
The Sixers can create maximum salary cap space this summer, but they may be more likely to pursue a third co-star alongside Joel Embiid and Tyrese Maxey on the trade market, given that the transaction reduces an already small 2024 free-agency class. Everyone on the Sixers save Embiid, Paul Reed, and Jaden Springer has an expiring deal, including Maxey, who is an approaching restricted free agency. Along with a cache of first-round draft picks that doubled in the James Harden trade, those transactions might get them into any trade talks, but pulling the trigger may also limit their offseason options.
Philadelphia’s rumored lack of interest in both Murray and LaVine could indicate either minor changes on the edges or a much larger swing that we have yet to examine. Never underestimate the Sixers’ president of basketball operations, Daryl Morey, but they are more inclined to tweak around the edges than go all in on a deal.
Miami Heat coach Erik Spoelstra’s team requires additional scoring help. The Heat are now sixth in the East and have the conference’s worst offense among teams contending for a guaranteed playoff seed.
Miami is holding Kyle Lowry’s $29.7 million expiring contract, Nikola Jovic, and a collection of draft picks — first-rounders in 2028 and 2030, as well as swaps in 2024, 2027, and 2029 — as collateral for another top-tier scorer, either in the backcourt or on the wing, to complement Jimmy Butler, Bam Adebayo, and Tyler Herro.
New York Knicks
The Knicks are 7-2 since acquiring Anunoby, moving within a game of a home playoff spot, and they are not done looking for a superstar to lead them. They do not expect The Next Great Knick “to become available until this summer at the earliest,” according to The Athletic’s Fred Katz, but they are allegedly interested in identifying someone who can help them win now while also sweetening prospective trade packages in the future.
There are gaps to fill in two rotating positions: a secondary playmaker to complement Brunson in the backcourt and another big to supplement Isaiah Hartenstein in the absence of injured center Mitchell Robinson. The Knicks will be cautious to include any significant draft capital, but they still have Evan Fournier’s expiring $18.9 million deal to pair with Quentin Grimes in their search for short-term alternatives. Keep an eye on Bruce Brown, who was recently traded to the Raptors in exchange for Siakam, as he may be a fit for New York.
Orlando Magic
The Magic have been one of the NBA’s biggest pleasant shocks this season. They have a slew of young talent vying for a spot in the play-in competition behind emerging talents Paolo Banchero and Franz Wagner. According to Marc Stein’s Substack, two players squeezed by that depth are Markelle Fultz and Wendell Carter Jr., both of whom have recently returned from injury and are now available for trade. Orlando may give any of its own draft picks, as well as two additional first-round picks, in addition to Fultz or Carter, but moving on from either demands an offensive talent boost, which can only be accomplished by acquiring one of the few stars available.
Oklahoma City Thunder
The Thunder are one or two pieces away from a strong title shot. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Chet Holmgren, and Jalen Williams are the cornerstone of a promising future, and adding a couple complementary veterans — another wing and a more brutal big man, in particular — would make them more dangerous now.
Josh Giddey’s fitness is a frequently discussed topic in the league. He is a 6-foot-8 playmaker, which is not easy to come by, but he is not a 3-and-D wing. There are deals to be made that might benefit both the team dealing for Giddey and the Thunder, who can package the 21-year-old with as many first-round draft picks as necessary to improve.
LA Lakers
It’s no secret that the Lakers are looking for another high-level scorer. LeBron James may have told reporters, “I don’t play fantasy basketball,” but there’s no doubt he’d welcome an offensive boost to a club that now ranks 22nd in the league (112.6 points per 100 possessions).
An injury to free agent signing Gabe Vincent, who will be sidelined until the deadline, complicates matters. If Vincent were healthy, fellow guard D’Angelo Russell might have been traded already. Russell’s mid-tier contract, combined with their 2029 first-round lottery pick, would be the focal points of any trade, especially if the Lakers are unwilling to go with Austin Reaves, as Fischer reported. Is that enough to land one of the remaining available stars? Only if the remaining teams decide not to put their best bids on the table.