Besides the overhyped buyout market, the trade deadline is the final opportunity for the NBA’s elite teams to improve their rosters.
Here are the top eight title contenders per FanDuel’s odds with their biggest needs before the trade deadline.
Oklahoma City Thunder: Nothing
The Thunder have shrugged off their brief malaise. Despite a 16-10 record since Dec. 10, they are still second in the NBA in net rating over that period and have rattled off a string of blowout wins, even with Jalen Williams once again sidelined.
There’s nothing Oklahoma City can really do before the deadline. Shot creation is a slight issue if Williams is out, but they won’t be trading for a complementary star with how formidable this team has been.
Failing to win the title could result in some major offseason moves. For now, it’s all about standing pat.
Denver Nuggets: Backcourt Bench Depth
Denver doesn’t have many assets to trade and their current roster looks every bit capable of winning the title. They’re almost in the same bracket as OKC.
Cutting salary by moving Zeke Nnaji could help to re-sign Peyton Watson in the summer. The focus should be on enhancing their immediate title chances, though, so a move for a player like Jose Alvarado or a reunion with Gary Harris would make sense.
Don’t be surprised if the Nuggets are inactive at the deadline. There aren’t any glaring needs.
New York Knicks: Switchable Bench Players
Signing Guerschon Yabusele hasn’t worked out for the Knicks. He’s been a long way from the player that impressed for the Sixers last season, and it leaves the Knicks with a paper-thin bench.
New York can offer swap rights but cannot take a big swing because of the Stepien Rule (and the picks sent out in the Mikal Bridges trade). It’s very unlikely they can acquire Giannis Antetokounmpo unless he forces his way to MSG.
The hustle of Alvarado would be loved in the Big Apple. Herb Jones is out of their price range, but Naji Marshall is attainable for multiple seconds or a first-round swap.
Cleveland Cavaliers: Starting Three
Cleveland made its deadline move by landing Dennis Schröder and Keon Ellis. Deep in salary cap hell, the Cavs did well to get two rotation players through the door.
The fifth starter spot is still up in the air, though, and Max Strus is yet to make his season debut. Is there any way the Cavs could use Strus’ salary and a couple of second-round picks to get a playable wing?
It’s unlikely Cleveland makes another move. They will have to discover how many minutes Ellis can play alongside Darius Garland and Donovan Mitchell.
Houston Rockets: Ball Handler
Could Reed Sheppard be made available? Ime Udoka clearly doesn’t trust the second-year guard defensively, leaving Houston alarmingly short on backcourt play.
Coby White, Ayo Dosunmu, and Jrue Holiday are possible fits if the Rockets get aggressive. More depth at the five would be helpful with Steven Adams out for the year, particularly if Udoka is going to lean on super-big lineups in the playoffs.
Houston has the assets to make a move. It might not be the time to push their chips in, however, so it could be a quiet deadline.
Detroit Pistons: Outside Shooting
Detroit is an elite defensive team with a top 10 player running the offense. Ausar Thompson, Jalen Duren, and Isaiah Stewart are incredibly impactful young players.
The offense is highly dependent on Cade Cunningham to score and create for others. More shooting would make Cunningham’s life easier, and a second option with a bit of the off-the-bounce creation would elevate Detroit markedly.
Michael Porter Jr. and Lauri Markkanen have often been speculated as targets. They have the assets and salaries to make a trade happen seamlessly compared to many of their peers, but is the front office ready to go all-in? Would Ron Holland be on the table?
Boston Celtics: Center Help
Boston is a repeater tax team and can only trade two first-round picks (either its 2026 or 2027 pick and its 2031 first). What previously looked like a lost season has turned into legitimate contention, with the Celtics a legitimate contender if Jayson Tatum returns within the next few weeks.
Anfernee Simons’ $27 million expiring salary is the Celtics’ route to improving their center rotation. As well as Neemias Queta has played, he’s overtaxed at 30 minutes per game, and Luka Garza can’t be a regular in the playoffs.
Rumors of an Ivica Zubac trade haven’t gone anywhere. Nic Claxton is a great fit for the short- and medium-term.
San Antonio Spurs: Shooting Wing
Admittedly, every team would love a big shooting wing. San Antonio, though, is one of the few teams with the assets to pull off a deal for Trey Murphy III or Markkanen.
It doesn’t seem like the Spurs will be aggressive at this trade deadline, but they are a genuine contender and have flexibility with several million in space below the tax line.
Luke Kornet has been solid enough as Victor Wembanyama’s backup. Devin Vassell has looked very comfortable alongside any of the Spurs’ guards. Imagine what this team could be with Murphy or Markkanen.
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