Kendrick Perkins: It’s time for Trae Young to get a fresh start (1:58)Kendrick Perkins details why it’s time for Trae Young to be traded from the Hawks. (1:58)
There is less than one month until the 2026 NBA trade deadline, and already, big names are floating around the market. Most notably, as reported by ESPN’s Shams Charania on Monday, the Atlanta Hawks and Trae Young are open to trade talks as the four-time All-Star will explore his options to start the year.
It’s yet to be seen how the trade deadline will impact the standings, but until then, both the Detroit Pistons and Oklahoma City Thunder stand firmly at the top of their conferences. However, the race for the postseason is beginning to heat up as we slowly approach the midseason mark of the 2025-26 regular season.
With a lot happening around The Association in the coming months, our NBA insiders broke down where each team stands ahead of Feb. 5. Here are this week’s rankings:
Note: Team rankings are based on where members of our panel (ESPN’s Anthony Slater, Dave McMenamin, Jamal Collier, Kevin Pelton, Michael C. Wright, Bobby Marks, Tim Bontemps, Tim MacMahon, Vincent Goodwill and Zach Kram) think teams belong.
Boston’s biggest addition could be its own player, as the question of whether Jayson Tatum will return this season from an Achilles tear still hovers over the franchise. Outside of that, the Celtics’ biggest potential move would likely involve Anfernee Simons. The guard’s expiring contract could be dealt to get Boston closer to sneaking under the luxury tax or be used as matching salary in a trade.– Tim Bontemps
A priority in the Nuggets’ roster planning for the remainder of this season is converting Spencer Jones’ two-way deal to a standard contract. Jones has played a critical role in Denver’s success despite numerous injuries. The Nuggets have gone 12-9 with him in the starting lineup. The 6-foot-7, 225-pound Jones is a versatile defender who has averaged 8.7 points, 4.0 rebounds and 1.1 steals while shooting 53.6% from the floor and 41.4% from 3-point range in his starts. — Tim MacMahon
Minnesota has been linked all season to possible upgrades at point guard, as Mike Conley is another year older and Rob Dillingham has so far failed to live up to his No. 8 selection in the 2024 draft. The Wolves, however, are limited in both trade assets and available money to move in deals. But if there’s a GM that can find a way to surprise with a big swing, it’s Tim Connelly, who is known for being aggressive. — Bontemps
Phoenix’s defense is a strength this season, with Dillon Brooks bringing an edge that has been adopted by the entire group. But the Suns’ perimeter defense outshines their issues protecting the paint — they rank near the bottom five in the league in rebounding and blocks per game. Rookie Khaman Maluach is looking more like a project than an immediate fit, averaging just 4.7 minutes per game. Phoenix could benefit from a rim-protecting big. — McMenamin
One question surrounding the 76ers earlier this season was whether they would shed the roughly $7 million in salary needed to duck under the luxury tax. But with Philadelphia now inside the top 6 in the conference — could the franchise instead look to bolster their roster for the stretch run? — Bontemps
Toronto is in the market for a center, as Jakob Poeltl hasn’t played since Dec. 21 due to a back injury. Even when he has played, Poeltl’s stats are way down this year (9.7 PPG, down from 14.5 last season), meaning an upgrade at the position could bring a big benefit to the Raptors. Collin Murray-Boyles has started the past couple of games in Poeltl’s stead, but the 6-7 rookie is an inexperienced, undersized option for a contender. — Zach Kram
The Clippers have plenty of scoring from their big three of Kawhi Leonard, James Harden and Ivica Zubac and not much else after that. LA could use an additional playmaking and scoring threat to make up for the season-ending surgery to Bradley Beal. As teams fall out of the play-in race, the Clippers could find someone that fits that skillset from a team such as Sacramento, New Orleans or Brooklyn. — McMenamin
Many rival executives have pegged Chicago as a team to watch heading into the deadline. The Bulls could be one of the most flexible teams in the league, with many tradeable salaries and expiring contracts on their roster. That includes guard Coby White, who will be a free agent this summer. Chicago also has complete control of its future draft picks, should the front office want to package them in a trade. — Collier
Could the Nets control trade season? According to league executives, it appears so, as forward Michael Porter Jr.’s uptick in production has opened eyes. Being a No. 1 option on a rebuilding team like Brooklyn is different from leading a contender, but the prospects of Porter duplicating his 26 points per game in a different situation could make him the best plug-and-play target on the market. — Goodwill
CJ McCollum is one of the most likely players to change teams in the next month, either in a big rumored trade for Trae Young or in a smaller transaction that sends the veteran guard to a contender. McCollum’s numbers this year are solid (18.6 PPG, 39.2% 3-point shooting), and his $30.7 million salary expires after this season. Meanwhile, the Wizards would gladly give younger players, such as the surging Bub Carrington, more on-ball responsibilities if McCollum departed. — Kram
Rival executives are predicting a quiet deadline for the Thunder. They’re 6-6 in their previous 12 games, but there’s a sense that it’s more of an inevitable lull than some fatal roster flaw for the 30-7 defending champions. If general manager Sam Presti did go searching for an upgrade, he has plenty of draft assets to dangle. But the rotation is stocked full and the Thunder’s future financial flexibility is limited. Extensions for Jalen Williams and Chet Holmgren kick in next season, bumping their combined salary from $20.2 million to $83 million. — Anthony Slater
Another injury setback has sidelined Victor Wembanyama, who is now day-to-day with left knee soreness. But the upshot is San Antonio owns the same winning percentage (.714) this season with or without him in the lineup. After winning 15 of their past 19 games, the Spurs have lost four in a six-game span, a slump featuring worse than 50% shooting from the field in every game. As the trade deadline approaches, don’t look for the Spurs to make major moves. If anything, they’ll look to add shooting help off the bench. — Michael C. Wright
Fred VanVleet’s season-ending knee injury left a major void at the point guard position. So, it would make sense for Houston to look to add at that position at the trade deadline. But that’s not likely with the Rockets hard-capped at just $1.25 million below the first apron. Houston has been content with and even encouraged by its point-guard-by-committee approach, which lends itself to unpredictability for opponents. Kevin Durant has scored at least 30 points in three of his past four games, while Amen Thompson is riding a three-game streak with at least 20 points. — Wright
The Knicks aren’t yet in crisis mode, at least that’s the messaging coming from coach Mike Brown after their fourth straight loss came at the hands of the Pistons on Monday night. “A lot needs to be addressed,” guard Jalen Brunson said in the aftermath. There isn’t much trade chatter, especially considering Knicks owner James Dolan told New York radio he believes this roster is championship-ready as-is. With limited draft picks available to trade and the franchise just $200,000 under the first apron, the Knicks can’t go shopping at the big stores anyway.– Goodwill
With the Lakers ranking 25th in team 3-point percentage (34.3%) and 29th in opponents’ 3-point percentage (37.7%), it’s obvious the roster could benefit from the addition of a 3-and-D threat. With expiring contracts and either their 2031 or 2032 first-round pick, they may be able to put together a package to land one. Will L.A. pursue a win-now veteran such as Klay Thompson or Andrew Wiggins, or opt for a younger player that better fits Luka Doncic’s timeline, such as Peyton Watson, Keon Ellis or Saddiq Bey? The Lakers also have the option of holding out for a major offseason deal. — Dave McMenamin
The good news is that after missing the previous 11 games, Tyler Herro returned from the injury list. The bad news is that for the second time in three games, Miami lost to Minnesota. While the focus remains on the court, the Heat are facing a decision with Terry Rozier. On the immediate leave list since Oct. 23, Rozier’s $26.6 million contract will be fully guaranteed if he is not waived by 5 p.m. ET Wednesday. If he were to be waived, Miami would gain $1.7 million in salary relief and then be allowed to sign two players (they already have a roster spot open) and remain below the luxury tax. If the Heat hold on to Rozier, they have an expiring contract to use at the deadline. That is, of course, if the NBA allows Miami to trade him. — Bobby Marks
Trailing by 25 points on the road against a seven-win Washington team is not what the Magic front office envisioned when they traded four first-round picks for Desmond Bane and signed Paolo Banchero to a $241 million rookie max extension. And while it is highly unlikely the Magic shake up their roster again, especially with Franz Wagner and Jalen Suggs missing time to injury, there is a need to decide on their endgame for the remainder of the season. Does Orlando want to contend for a play-in spot like the previous two seasons or compete with the top teams in the East? — Marks
One month prior to the trade deadline and eight days before Jonathan Kuminga becomes trade-eligible, the Warriors have not made substantial movement toward getting a Kuminga trade in place, league sources told ESPN. There have been plenty of conversations — the Kings remain the most interested suitor. Team sources have said in recent days that they’d be willing to keep Kuminga past the deadline if nothing appealing enough materializes. That could be a strategic posture and it’s certainly a risk, considering Kuminga — making $22.5 million this season — is currently buried in coach Steve Kerr’s rotation, having played 10 total minutes in the past month. — Slater