Teams near the bottom of the NBA’s standings are focused purely on enhancing their lottery odds in a stacked class. That doesn’t just mean resting veterans. It’s also about moving on from players that are perhaps helping their team too much this season, particularly if they don’t have a long-term place with the team.
The Brooklyn Nets, Washington Wizards, Utah Jazz, New Orleans Pelicans, Dallas Mavericks, Memphis Grizzlies, and Sacramento Kings all fall into this bracket. Washington and Sacramento have already made notable moves, flipping CJ McCollum, Corey Kispert, Keon Ellis, and Dennis Schröder.
Others have a couple of days to sell before the trade deadline.
Michael Porter Jr., Nets
Michael Porter Jr. was incredibly unlucky not to be named an All-Star. It’s been a true breakout season for Porter, who is scoring 25 points per game and creating more shots for himself than ever before.
The injury questions loom, but Brooklyn should still be trying to move Porter while an acquiring team would get him for two playoff runs. He becomes a rental this summer with his contract expiring in 2027.
Malik Monk, Kings
Yes, it would be selling low for the Kings, but any sort of asset in return would be a bonus for Sacramento. Monk is under contract until the end of next season at the earliest.
A salary around the $20 million mark is tradeable. Sacramento might even be able to take back expiring money to free up more financial flexibility this summer. It’s a short list of potential suitors, but the Kings should still be exploring the market.
Yves Missi, Pelicans
Derik Queen is the future of New Orleans’ frontcourt. Missi is playing 7.5 fewer minutes per game this season than he did as a rookie. His numbers have decreased across the board.
Only 21 years of age and briefly in the Rookie of the Year conversation in 2024-25, it’s not outlandish to imagine a contending front office buying low on Missi. He’s got the athleticism to be an effective backup big for a decade.
Jusuf Nurkić, Jazz
Enjoying an improbable resurgence in Utah, Jusuf Nurkić’s workload has been carefully managed as the Jazz try to avoid winning too many games.
Still an impactful rebounder, the Bosnian is scoring efficiently and registering more assists than at any other point in his career. The Celtics and Raptors are potential fits.
Nic Claxton, Nets
On the topic of veteran big men, the Nets have two-and-a-half years of a declining Nic Claxton contract to trade. The money (more than $20 million per year) complicates things somewhat, but Claxton should have value on the trade market.
The progress Claxton has made as a passer makes him a more versatile player on offense. He’s a good rather than great rim protector, but his athleticism makes him a very effective roll man.
Svi Mykhailiuk, Jazz
Signed until the end of next season and with a team option for 2027-28, Svi Mykhailiuk is a valuable trade asset for Utah. The Jazz are 6.5 points per 100 possessions better with the Ukrainian on the floor this year.
An efficient shooter on good volume and with passable defensive metrics, Mykhailiuk can be a role player on a contending team. He’s got the size to play the two or the three.
Herb Jones, Pelicans
Under contract until 2028-29 with a player option for 2029-30, New Orleans probably sees Herb Jones as part of its long-term core. It would be a mistake if the Pels didn’t survey the market, however.
The concern for potential suitors is how many games Jones has missed since the start of last season. He remains a very impactful defensive player, but a decrease in his three-point shooting is something for buyers to be wary of.
Naji Marshall, Mavericks
Dallas probably won’t be contending next year, so it makes sense to see what they could get for Naji Marshall’s $9 million salary. Like Jones, the way his shooting has regressed could cause problems in the playoffs, but his defense is legitimate, and he’s showcased some off-the-bounce creation.
Maybe the Mavs can get a protected first or a couple of seconds for Marshall. Ironically, the Lakers would be a great fit for the Mavs.
Jose Alvarado, Pelicans
The Pels aren’t going anywhere this year. Jose Alvarado has a player option at $4.5 million for next season, which he will inevitably decline.
Plenty of contending teams would have interest in a hustling defender with passable shooting like Alvarado. He’d be a great bench piece for the Nuggets or Timberwolves.
Jock Landale, Grizzlies
Memphis should be in asset accumulation mode. Desmond Bane is gone, Ja Morant is on the trade block, and Jaren Jackson Jr.’s future seems uncertain.
A minimum-salaried big man like Jock Landale should return a future second-round pick. It’s not going to define the future of the Grizzlies, but it’s the kind of move that should be made before the deadline.
Lauri Markkanen, Jazz
Utah seems set on keeping hold of Lauri Markkanen, as has been the case for the last few years. With Anthony Davis seemingly off the market and Giannis Antetokounmpo injured, though, the Jazz should see if they can tempt a team into making a whopping offer for Markkanen.
The Finn is having another excellent season. He’s under team control until the 2029 offseason. Utah could accelerate its rebuild with a haul of young players and draft picks, but it’s increasingly unlikely Markkanen is on the next competitive Jazz team.
Marvin Bagley III, Wizards
The logic here is the same as the Grizz with Landale. What do the Wizards gain from keeping Marvin Bagley III?
Yes, he’s having a decent season and scoring efficiently from two-point range, but Bagley is on a minimum contract and likely won’t be in Washington next season.
The Wizards should be trying to flip Bagley to any contender in need of frontcourt depth.
If this was your kind of read, you’ll like what’s next. Get The Sandman Ticket, our free, weekly newsletter with picks, insights, and a little bit of everything we love about sports.
