There’s always a lot of hype surrounding the NBA’s trade deadline, and sometimes the speculation ends up becoming reality.
Last year, for instance, the weeks surrounding this de facto league holiday delivered all kinds of transactional fireworks. Luka Doncic, Anthony Davis, Jimmy Butler, De’Aaron Fox and Brandon Ingram were among the notable players to switch teams, and the reverberations from those deals can still be felt now. But two years ago, none of the stars rumored to be on the trading block at the deadline were dealt and only a group of role players wound up changing teams.
So the 2026 NBA trade deadline, scheduled for Feb. 5 at 3 p.m. ET, is poised for more landscape-shifting moves based on names being rumored as possibly available during the opening few months of the 2025-26 regular season. Or it could yield mostly ancillary trades with the NBA’s salary cap limiting how many teams can chase after high-priced stars. It depends what reports you believe.
With that in mind, USA TODAY Sports picked one player from every NBA team that could be traded around the trade deadline next month. The selections are based on public trade reports and speculation, contracts and salary cap considerations, as well as the likelihood a deal is made before the NBA trade deadline arrives.
Players like Trae Young and Davis are included in this exercise for those reasons, while rumored trade targets such as Giannis Antetokounmpo, Ja Morant and LaMelo Ball are not. There are also a wide range of salaries represented depending on a team’s needs and current roster.
Here’s one player from all 30 NBA teams who could be dealt as part of the 2026 NBA trade deadline:
Trae Young, Atlanta Hawks
Speculation about Young’s future had been increasing throughout the start to this season and recent reports indicate Young and the Hawks are working together on a trade ahead of the deadline. Atlanta didn’t win any of the five games Young played after returning from injury last month and the Hawks front office seems ready to move on with Jalen Johnson as its leading star. Young could be the biggest star available at this year’s trade deadline, but his contract and defensive liabilities will limit his list of suitors.
Anfernee Simons, Boston Celtics
A month ago, Simons appeared a likely trade candidate with an inconsistent role on a new team and an expiring contract. But the Celtics now sit in third in the Eastern Conference standings, right as Simon’s play is on the uptick and a potential Jayson Tatum return draws closer. Simons might be better than any trade deadline addition Boston can make, but a big move would almost certainly involve his $27 million salary.
Michael Porter Jr., Brooklyn Nets
Porter is averaging career highs in points and 3-pointers while playing a leading role for the rebuilding Nets, but his experience as a role player for the Denver Nuggets in years past could make him a coveted trade piece at the deadline to teams looking for another offensive weapon.
Coby White, Chicago Bulls
The Bulls are once again treading water in the Eastern Conference, but they could be active at the trade deadline this year with a collection of expiring contracts. White is the biggest target for point guard-needy teams like the Minnesota Timberwolves, though Ayo Dosunmu might be an enticing consolation prize. Nikola Vucevic, Zach Collins, Kevin Huerter and Jevon Carter are also on expiring deals for Chicago. White recently returned from a calf injury.
Collin Sexton, Charlotte Hornets
Though LaMelo Ball is the biggest name from the Hornets attached to trade deadline rumors, his max rookie extension contract is going to be difficult to move mid-season. Sexton, a veteran guard playing for a Charlotte team that appears to be resetting around rookie Kon Knueppel, would be a useful scorer and ballhandler for a contender.
Dean Wade, Cleveland Cavaliers
This season hasn’t gone as smoothly for the Cavaliers as last year, but they aren’t reportedly ready to make a drastic move. Dealing one of their smaller expiring contracts is a more likely route to shake up the rotation a bit. Lonzo Ball and DeAndre Hunter also fit the bill, but Wade might be the most valuable to move given his $6.6 million salary and versatility as a stretch big.
Anthony Davis, Dallas Mavericks
What’s a team willing to give up for the oft-injured star who’s still plenty effective when he plays? And what are the Mavericks willing to take for the centerpiece of their failed Luka Doncic trade? Those questions linger over any potential Davis deal and could make a player like fellow center Daniel Gafford the more likely trade piece for Dallas to move at the deadline. But it appears the Mavericks need to rebuild around Cooper Flagg and they can’t fully embrace that until Davis is off the roster.
Peyton Watson, Denver Nuggets
The former first-round pick has not come to terms on a contract extension with the Nuggets and he’s having the most impactful season of his career. Denver could risk losing Watson for nothing after the season if he signs elsewhere, but he’s playing an important two-way role on the wing for an NBA title contender that already made a splashy offseason move to trade for wing Cameron Johnson.
Caris LeVert, Detroit Pistons
The Pistons don’t seem eager to part with any of the young players that have led them to the top of the Eastern Conference standings, but they could use another shooter. LeVert is averaging a career low in minutes after signing with Detroit this offseason, though he’s shooting 38.4% from 3-point range on three attempts per game and has postseason experience. A recent injury to veteran Tobias Harris complicates his trade value ahead of the deadline, but his expiring contract would likely be included should the Pistons opt for a bigger move.
Jonathan Kuminga, Golden State Warriors
Kuminga doesn’t want to play for the Warriors anymore and coach Steve Kerr isn’t playing him in the team’s rotation much. A divorce seems inevitable. It’s just a matter of when. Kuminga isn’t eligible to be traded until Jan. 15 due to the contract he signed this offseason as a restricted free agent after a lengthy stalemate in negotiations. That gives Golden State three weeks to execute a deal before the trade deadline.
Clint Capela, Houston Rockets
Capela is a luxury for the Rockets when Alperen Sengun and Steven Adams are healthy and the veteran’s return to Houston coincided with his smallest role since being a Rockets rookie in 2014. But his contract is reasonable and he could net Houston some insurance on the perimeter for the playoffs. Otherwise, the Rockets already made their big move this season by acquiring Kevin Durant.
Benedict Mathurin, Indiana Pacers
The Pacers are in the midst of a lost season after last year’s NBA Finals run and they have not signed Mathurin to a contract extension despite having the opportunity to do so. It would be prudent, then, to trade him and get some value from the former first-round pick before he departs via free agency this offseason. A recent thumb injury suffered by Mathurin would limit a trade if the recovery extends for more than a month.
Ivica Zubac, Los Angeles Clippers
Though the Clippers got off to a horrific start, they’ve perked up of late with a recent six-game win streak that occurred without Zubac in the lineup. Considering their first-round pick belongs to the Oklahoma City Thunder this year, the Clippers and aggressive owner Steve Ballmer don’t appear to be tanking candidates. Zubac is the team’s best asset if it’s looking to upgrade the overall roster, but the Clippers haven’t been open to trading him in the past. The expiring contracts of John Collins, Bogdan Bogdanovic and Chris Paul could help facilitate a deal at the deadline.
Rui Hachimura, Los Angeles Lakers
The Lakers need defensive help to support a starting lineup that will presumably feature Luka Doncic, Austin Reaves and LeBron James in the postseason. Hachimura’s expiring $18 million contract is likely to be used if they swing a deal for a two-way wing.
John Konchar, Memphis Grizzlies
There’s a lot of buzz about trading Ja Morant, but the Grizzlies don’t seem as keen on dealing their star at a relative low point compared to what his reputation was a few years ago. The franchise appears more likely to stand pat than shake up its roster at the deadline, even if recent results suggest the latter is an approach worth exploring. Perhaps, however, they will try to extract a draft pick or unload an unwanted contract ‒ Konchar, at more than $6 million through next season, fits the bill ‒ by latching on as an additional trade partner on the periphery of a bigger trade.
Andrew Wiggins, Miami Heat
The Heat are considered one of the more aggressive potential landing spots should Giannis and the Bucks part ways and Wiggins’ contract would help facilitate the deal. Though the 30-year-old former No. 1 pick is set to make $30 million next season, it’s a player option that he might decline in pursuit of more guaranteed years. The Heat could treat this like an expiring contract and deal it at the deadline to a contender looking for help on the wing. Wiggins has shown this season he’s still a net positive on the court.
Kyle Kuzma, Milwaukee Bucks
Though the rumors are flying about a potential Antetokounmpo trade, a deal this offseason appears more likely than a deadline move. But the relationship between the Bucks and their star continues to be trending towards its conclusion and all of Milwaukee’s potential moves over the next month revolve around Antetokounmpo. General Manager Jon Horst is looking for help on the wing by trying to trade for Zack LaVine or Malik Monk using the likes of Bobby Portis or Kyle Kuzma, according to a recent Sports Illustrated report. Kuzma is an expiring contract next season, while Portis has a player option for the 2027-28 season.
Donte DiVincenzo, Minnesota Timberwolves
The Timberwolves reportedly want to upgrade at point guard and DiVencenzo could wind up being the bait to get a deal done around the deadline given his reasonable $12 million salary and looming status as an expiring contract. Julius Randle is another intriguing trade option, but a team could be on the hook for more than $68 million in guaranteed money since Randle has a player option for 2027-28.
Saddiq Bey, New Orleans Pelicans
The Pelicans are in the midst of another awful season and the backcourt is going to get awfully crowded once Dejounte Murray returns from a torn Achilles suffered in January 2025. But trading Murray at the trade deadline is likely to be too complicated given his uncertain return date and Jordan Poole is owed more than $34 million next season. New Orleans could sell high on Bey, a former first-round pick who’s been among the team’s few bright spots and plays a sought-after position (wing) during this trade deadline.
Guerschon Yabusele, New York Knicks
The 30-year-old 2024 Paris Olympics star from France hasn’t worked out like the Knicks hoped thus far after signing with the team this offseason. Yabusele is likely to be included in a deal if the Knicks can upgrade their bench with an additional point guard or big man.
Lu Dort, Oklahoma City Thunder
The defending NBA champions are unlikely to shake up their core by dealing the longest-tenured member of the organization at the trade deadline, but Dort is on an expiring contract with an $18 million team option the Thunder probably can’t pick up with the bill on their stars coming due. If there’s a move to make involving a rotation player, Dort would be the easiest to part with for Thunder GM Sam Presti.
Jonathan Isaac, Orlando Magic
The Magic pushed their chips in by trading for Desmond Bane this past offseason and Isaac’s role as a defensive stopper has been diminished. His contract is filled with health-related provisions that could protect a team if Isaac’s injury issues limit his ability to fulfill the final three years of his $59 million deal. The Magic could use the salary cap relief.
Kelly Oubre Jr., Philadelphia 76ers
The Sixers would love to trade Joel Embiid or Paul George, but finding a team to take on those contracts is a long shot at this point. Of Philadelphia’s five expiring deals, Oubre’s $8.3 million is the easiest to move since Quentin Grimes reportedly has a no-trade clause in his contract.
Nick Richards, Phoenix Suns
The Suns are one of the NBA’s surprise teams this season after their strategy of unloading draft capital and assets in pursuit of big stars failed on the court. For that reason alone, a significant move is unlikely (and unwarranted). But they could get something of value for Richards, who seems to be an odd man out at center with younger options Mark Williams and Khaman Maluach on the roster.
Robert Williams, Portland Trail Blazers
Dealing Jerami Grant’s contract would be ideal for the Trail Blazers. Finding a team desperate enough to potentially commit more than $70 million to Grant over the next two seasons is the challenge. Williams is an expiring contract who was a lot more effective on a contender in Boston than he has been in Portland. Injuries are always a concern with him.
Malik Monk, Sacramento Kings
The Kings are reportedly willing to trade several prominent players in order to blow up their roster, but Monk and teammate Zack Lavine are the names that come up most often. Lavine’s $48 million salary next season will make his deal tougher to execute. Monk is three years younger at half the cost and a season removed from a career year.
Jeremy Sochan, San Antonio Spurs
The former top-10 pick is a restricted free agent after this season and averaging a career-low in minutes. He could present the Spurs with the easiest path to upgrade their roster this season without mortgaging any future assets.
Ochai Agbaji, Toronto Raptors
The Raptors are emerging as a potential contender in the wide-open Eastern Conference and Agbaji’s expiring contract and decreased role this season make him a prime candidate to be on the move.
Jusuf Nurkic, Utah Jazz
Though Lauri Markannen is on a lot of wish lists this trade deadline, the Jazz have shown no signs of being willing to trade him for anything less than a blockbuster offer. Instead, Nurkic’s expiring contract could present an opportunity to add another draft asset or take a flier on a younger alternative.
CJ McCollum, Washington Wizards
The rebuilding Wizards acquired McCollum and Khris Middleton to provide some veteran guidance to a young roster and perhaps be included in a future trade. Well, the time has come. Both are on expiring contracts. McCollum is playing better and could help a contender. He’s already been linked in a potential deal for Young.
