Five NBA Teams Facing Pivotal Trade Deadline Decisions
by Sam Cox | by Tyler Doty
The 2026 NBA trade deadline falls on Feb. 5. It's the last chance for teams to make significant roster changes, whether they're readying for a playoff run, trying to duck the luxury tax, or looking to move on from veterans in the hope of improving their lottery odds.
Trae Young has already been dealt to the Washington Wizards. Other big names are reportedly on the market, including Ja Morant and Anthony Davis.
It promises to be another eventful deadline, even if the trades aren't as league-altering as 12 months ago.
Here are five teams with key decisions to make:
Warriors: Time To Go All-In?
Golden State has picks to trade. Their 2030 first is the only one owed to another team, granting considerable flexibility at this trade deadline. There’s also the useful factor of Jonathan Kuminga’s salary.
Draymond Green’s erratic behavior and performances raise some questions about how competitive this team has been. They are, however, getting All-NBA production from Steph Curry and Jimmy Butler is playing at a high level.
The Dubs have faced this question year after year. They have leaned towards retaining future assets, but this really could be a last hurrah for this group. Maybe it’s finally time to make a big swing – Lauri Markkanen and Michael Porter Jr. are the obvious targets.
Grizzlies: Sell Low On Ja?
Morant is reportedly available for trade. It doesn’t seem like the former All-Star would exactly be gutted to be playing in a different uniform by Feb. 6.
Memphis’ issue is a lack of a market. Atlanta got two expiring contracts and no picks for Young. Morant hasn’t been playing as well as Young and he’s still got multiple years left on his contract.
Do the Grizzlies decide it’s time to move on regardless? Does that mean accepting an offer with no meaningful assets in return? Or do they opt to wait until at least the summer to see if Morant can rebuild his value?
Raptors: Worth Buying?
Should the Raptors be buyers? There have been signs this is a team that could contend. Equally, they are 11-12 since Nov. 26 a 20th-ranked offense doesn’t suggest they are capable of a deep playoff run.
It feels like an opportunity in the Eastern Conference with no team standing far clear of the rest. Toronto has Jakob Poeltl, Immanuel Quickley, and RJ Barrett as potential matching salaries and has its picks to trade.
The question the front office faces, though, is whether this is the team to give up future assets for. What move could take their offense to the standard of a Finals contender?
It would be rash to throw multiple first-round picks into a deal unless it’s a younger player with several years of control. Porter could be a fit here, but the Raps would ideally land a guard.
Lakers: Stick Or Twist
The Lakers are competitive. They’re in that group of Western Conference teams that could finish anywhere between third and seventh. There’s no rush to mortgage the future to build around Austin Reaves and Luka Dončić.
Still, would it be a waste to ride out a year of Dončić’s prime with a supporting cast that’s not good enough to reach the Finals? The Lakers aren’t good enough defensively and they are yet to find the right mix around their three stars.
Part of that is because it’s very difficult to have a balance lineup around Dončić, Reaves, and LeBron James. Maybe that’s an argument to stick, hold onto future assets, and make an offseason trade when they have greater flexibility and can address some of their needs through free agency.
Hornets: Keep Building?
Do the Hornets keep building with what they’ve got? They have been trending in the right direction, going 10-12 since Nov. 26 and rank 10th in offensive rating. Kon Knueppel, Brandon Miller, and Ryan Kalkbrenner are the long-term future of the team.
Charlotte could choose to ride this wave and see if they can force their way into the Play-In. Experience of a full season in contention could do their young players a lot of good.
On the other hand, they could risk unsettling a team that’s been winning games by trying to trade away veterans. Could they garner a draft pick for LaMelo Ball? Contenders could surely have interest in Collin Sexton.
