With the lights of Las Vegas firmly out this season’s NBA Cup, which ended Tuesday eveningteams and fans are now going into vacation mode as a well-deserved break for the next big event that is sure to generate considerable interest.
Needless to say, this event is the February 6 trade deadline, when struggling teams look to hit rock bottom in hopes of landing a higher draft pick and when good teams look to make a move view of the NBA Finals in June.
Let’s close out the Eastern Conference with a look at the Southeast Division.
Previous divisions: Atlantic | Central
Atlanta Falcons
Status: Competitive
Approach: Flexible
Bottom is not in the cards for the Hawks as San Antonio owns its 2025 first-round selection. This has allowed Atlanta to focus on winning and building a cohesive, forward-looking team.
While this is NBA romance at its best, the Hawks have some issues to address, starting with players who might not play a significant role in their future plans, like Bogdan Bogdanović and Clint Capela.
Bogdanović, 32, remains extremely talented and is a true starter when healthy. He is on a declining contract, meaning he makes less money the longer the contract lasts, which should also make him a trade asset, especially for teams looking to succeed.
As for Capela, he is an unrestricted free agent this summer. The Hawks could choose to re-sign him, provided both sides agree on a number that makes sense. So between the two, the thirty-year-old seems more inclined to stay.
The Hawks, in general, aren’t in a rush to do anything, nor should they be. De’Andre Hunter has improved and Trae Young has taken on the leadership role, which should give Atlanta even more reason to go out this season and make trades during the summer.
Probability of exchange: Little
Charlotte Frelons
Status: Reconstruction
Approach: Buyers
Although the Hornets have dealt with injuries throughout the year, they appear to be on the right track. LaMelo Ball has improved his production, as has Brandon Miller, and if Mark Williams can prove healthy over a long period of time, that’s a pretty decent core to move forward with.
In theory, they could find a better use of salary cap space for Miles Bridges, who is making $27.1 million this year, but he’s unlikely to have a strong market. Would the Hornets be interested in adding picks to a Bridges package and seeing if they can acquire a star? It should not be ruled out, but it would be a crapshoot.
Not known as a free agent destination, Charlotte will have to do something though. The Hornets won’t be big players this summer, and unless they land a high pick in the lottery, there’s a good chance they’ll have trouble adding significant talent to the roster.
Does that mean they should rush things and trade for Zion Williamson? No, that would be unwise, unless they can do it without giving up their pick this season. Because make no mistake, this selection is the most crucial asset they have and they should under no circumstances give it up.
The answer will be in the margins. What can they get for Cody Martin? And Vassilije Micic? Could they put the two together for a bad contract, but get extra compensation?
These are the frameworks they should actively seek out.
Probability of exchange: Decent
Miami Heat
Status: Competitive
Approach: Should be sellers
As usual, Miami has no intention of bottoming out, and that’s fair enough. The Heat view themselves as consistently relevant, and a trip to the NBA Finals in 2023 makes that a fair prospect.
However, it’s time to take a real look at this list and conclude that something has to give. Jimmy Butler, 35, is the big name as he is currently the subject of trade rumors, and if he is a fair player in trade conversations for Miami, it would allow them to go younger and add assets for the team. ‘future.
They could also look for a way to move on from Terry Rozier or Duncan Robinson – both 30 years old – in hopes of getting something in return that would mesh well with their current young core.
The latter would have been the more obvious route, but given that Butler has a player option for next season and therefore holds the keys to its own future, Miami simply cannot ignore this situation.
At this point, all players over 30 should be on the table.
Probability of exchange: Already made one (Thomas Bryant at Indiana)
Magic of Orlando
Status: Competitive
Approach: Buyers
Despite oblique injuries to Paolo Banchero and Franz Wagner, which will keep them both out for a significant amount of time, the Magic should push hard for a trade that makes them better.
With Wagner and Suggs both signing contract extensions before the season, each contract takes effect July 1, meaning Orlando will have very little financial flexibility beyond this trade deadline.
(Remember, Banchero will likely sign his own max extension over the summer when he is eligible, which adds to the financial complexity.)
Cole Anthony is out of the rotation, which represents $12.9 million that can be used for a trade. Gary Harris is about to expire, as his $7.5 million next year is a team option, which can easily be declined. Even Jonathan Isaac is an interesting option, as he makes $25 million this season but is expected to make $15 million next year.
The Magic should be willing to move all those contracts for a player who can help them now and beyond this year as well. As they still lack a true leader, that’s where their priority should be.
Probability of exchange: Big
Wizards of Washington
Status: Reconstruction
Approach: Sellers
Washington’s situation is quite simple. The Wizards are early in their rebuild and are looking to shed several veteran contracts, like those of Kyle Kuzma, Malcolm Brogdon and maybe even Jordan Poole.
While the Wizards would surely like to cash in on all three, it’s unlikely any of them will have significant trade value. Collectively, they should get at least a first-rounder and some seconds, but the Wizards should improve their return for these players if they are willing to take money in return.
It doesn’t really matter if Washington adds money long term, because the team is years away from becoming anything. As such, renting out your cap space isn’t a bad approach.
That being said, the organization must keep in mind the need for balance. There are a lot of young players, so adults in the room will be necessary.
Jonas Valančiūnas, for example, offers much-needed advice to Alexandre Sarr, so unless the Wizards are fazed by an incoming offer for the Lithuanian center, they should keep him around for mentoring purposes.
Probability of exchange: Significant