In contrast to previous year, no player comparable to Kevin Durant is available before the NBA trade deadline on February 8. However, there are plenty of good role players and fringe All-Stars available who might fill in the gaps for a team that is vying for the championship.
The 50 players who are available for trade before Thursday at 3 p.m. ET have been ranked by The Athletic. Zach LaVine, the guard for the Bulls, is conspicuously absent from the list because he recently had surgery to end his season. Jalen Green, a guard for the Rockets who was previously thought to be available, has also left the market.It’s important to note that the ranking gives more weight to trade value than player quality, which helps to explain why Alex Caruso—and his sweet contract—ranks higher than former All-Stars like Andrew Wiggins of the Warriors and D’Angelo Russell of the Lakers. Similar to this, because of his convoluted contract situation, Miles Bridges, who averages a career-high 21.3 points, is ranked last.
The following players are available from 11 to 20: Tyus Jones (Wizards), Clint Capela (Hawks), D’Angelo Russell (Lakers), Kelly Olynyk (Jazz), Daniel Gafford (Wizards), Malcolm Brogdon (Blazers), P.J. Washington (Hornets), De’Andre Hunter (Hawks), Luke Kennard (Grizzlies), and Gordon Hayward (Hornets).
From 11 to 20, the following players are available: P.J. Washington (Hornets), De’Andre Hunter (Hawks), Luke Kennard (Grizzlies), Kelly Olynyk (Jazz), Tyus Jones (Wizards), Clint Capela (Hawks), D’Angelo Russell (Lakers), Daniel Gafford (Wizards), Malcolm Brogdon (Blazers), and Gordon Hayward (Hornets).
The following players are ranked 31–40: Kyle Lowry (Hornets), Delon Wright (Wizards), Kyle Anderson (Timberwolves), Marcus Morris (Sixers), Alec Burks (Pistons), Davion Mitchell (Kings), Grant Williams (Mavericks), and Harrison Barnes (Kings).The following players rank 41 to 50: Miles Bridges (Hornets), Jock Landale (Rockets), Joe Harris (47), Davis Bertans (Thunder), Evan Fournier (Knicks), Andrew Wiggins (Warriors), Gabe Vincent (Lakers), Pat Connaughton (Bucks), KJ Martin (Sixers), Talen Horton-Tucker (Jazz), and Andrew Wiggins (Warriors).
It’s unclear which teams will really go all in for the trade deadline, which is in just twenty-four hours. The most significant trade deadline transactions in recent memory are Marc Gasol’s 2019 trade to the Raptors, Aaron Gordon’s 2021 trade to the Nuggets, and Wiggins’ 2020 trade to the Warriors. All three deals resulted in championships, with the Raptors taking home the trophy the year they completed the trade.
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