Many teams are expected to be active with the NBA’s upcoming trade deadline fast approaching. Some organizations seek better playoff odds, while others want to set themselves up for future success. With a 12-time All-Star on the move, multiple players with a destination in mind, and one franchise desperate to undo its mistakes of last summer, some major deals could take place by Thursday’s deadline.
However, the new CBA makes it difficult for teams to add talent to their books when they enter the luxury tax’s second apron. That could make the 2025 trade deadline a tense one. Here’s how teams might react.
Los Angeles Lakers
LeBron James has made it clear that Los Angeles needs to make significant changes to compete with the league’s best. He and star center Anthony Davis have publicly insisted that the current roster is a “step or two away” from contending in the West. Los Angeles recently traded D’Angelo Russell, Maxwell Lewis and three second-round picks (2027, 2030, 2031) to Brooklyn for Dorian Finney-Smith and Shake Milton. The move gave the Lakers more flexibility below the second apron and preserved their first-round picks (2029 and 2031).
Davis has stated that the Lakers need another big – “I feel like I’ve always been at my best when I’ve been the 4, having a big out there” – and GM Rob Pelinka is not afraid to trade his first-round picks. “We would do a trade with both picks if that would lead to sustained Lakers excellence,” Pelinka said. “We would also use one pick to make a marginal upgrade if we felt like it was the right thing to do.”
Denver Nuggets
The Denver Nuggets have been quiet at the trade deadline, but that might be a sign that they’re content with what they have. The team has little to offer in terms of picks and young players, so it’s difficult to imagine a move that significantly improves their chances of winning the West this season. Four out of the five starters from the team that won the 2023 NBA Finals remain, including three-time MVP Nikola Jokic. Denver is over the first apron and not allowed to use more than 100% of the traded player exception.
Cleveland Cavaliers
As the NBA trade deadline looms, the Cleveland Cavaliers are a team on the rise. With two gifted guards, a versatile two-way forward, and a rim-running defender, Cleveland has a lot to offer. However, the Cavaliers lack a true backup big man, but Dan Gilbert has options in the form of Isaac Okoro. Trading him for a player like Kevon Looney would allow the Cavaliers to avoid the luxury tax next season while adding depth to the position.
Cleveland should also explore adding a second-tier wing, such as Brooklyn’s Cameron Johnson or Indiana’s Torrey Craig. Gilbert may also consider improving the team’s defense by adding Utah’s Jordan Clarkson or Denver’s Javonte Green. While adding depth is a priority, Gilbert must balance team chemistry with his desire for upgrades.
Chicago Bulls
The Bulls are stuck in a strange position — they’re not good enough to be a play-in team but not bad enough to qualify for the draft lottery. That’s a dangerous spot, so it’s no surprise they might want to make some trades before the February 6 trade deadline. The last time Chicago made an in-season trade was 2021, when it sent Wendell Carter Jr. and two future first-round picks (which became Franz Wagner and Jett Howard) to the Magic in a trade for All-Star big man Vucevic.
Several of Chicago’s players, including two-time All-Star Zach LaVine and rising superstar Nikola Vucevic, could be traded. LaVine is having the most efficient season of his career, ranking fifth in the NBA in 3-point field goal percentage, and is shooting a career-high 51.5% from the field. Vucevic is averaging 20.3 points and career highs in field goal percentage (55.9%) and 3-point percentage (44%), but the Bulls would be better served to wait until he enters the last year of his contract.
Forward Bobby Portis and center Robin Lopez are both on expiring contracts, and guards Patrick Williams and Torrey Craig have struggled this season. The team might be willing to entertain offers for wing Cam Johnson, who provides excellent floor spacing and defense. He’d fit in well with a team like the Brooklyn Nets that needs to improve its backup shooting. He’d also be a nice addition for the Los Angeles Lakers, who need another big man behind Anthony Davis.
Houston Rockets
Houston is a contender with its young talent and draft picks. The Rockets are on pace to win over 50 games and reach the postseason for the first time since 2020, but they need to be aggressive at the trade deadline. However, GM Rafael Stone made it clear in December that Houston is not looking to make changes to its roster. “Of course, my job is to be open to everything, so I’m not going to not do my job,” Stone said. “[But] we like this team. We definitely do not intend to change anything and I would be shocked if something changes this season.”
Houston should consider adding a true No. 1 scoring option. The Rockets rank 28th in 3-point shooting and get much-needed help from the perimeter without sacrificing a first-round pick. Adding a player with better floor-spaced shooting would supplement their playmaking abilities. A player who could fit the bill is former Chicago Bulls guard Jimmy Butler. The Houston native is a potential free agent in 2025 and could be open to joining a team with a championship mindset.
Another interesting option is Sacramento Kings center DeMarcus Cousins. He can help Houston win now and provides interior defense. Houston has one of the league’s best young defenses, but it might need to add a player with better shooting range to its roster to be among the title contenders.
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