Trade Panic Meter: How Badly Every NBA Team Needs a Deadline Deal

NBA trade season is here in full force.

While there are arguments for every team in the Association to get involved in all the wheeling and dealing, some feel the motivation to make a move ahead of the Feb. 8 trade deadline much more than others.

We'll dissect those differences while assessing each squad's need to swap on the a scale of one to 10.

Need to Trade: 10/10

The Hawks had hopes of further elevation after their run to the 2021 Eastern Conference Finals, but back-to-back first-round exits and a sluggish start to this season may have finally dashed that dream.

According to NBA insider Marc Stein, the Hawks want to "build around Trae [Young] and Jalen Johnson," meaning everyone else is on the table. Dejounte Murray, De'Andre Hunter and Clint Capela could all appeal to contenders as plug-and-play starters, though Stein relayed that quick-strike sixth man Bogdan Bogdanović is "expected to generate as much external interest as any current Hawk."

Given the lack of sellers in this market, the Hawks are wise for going the liquidation route, though one wonders if they could rethink the decision to keep Young off-limits down the line. He's a traffic cone on defense, and for an offensive specialist, you'd like to see better efficiency (43.2 field-goal percentage) and fewer turnovers (4.3 per outing).

Need to Trade: 2/10

Admittedly, the Celtics may disagree with this assessment. As Shams Charania of Stadium and The Athletic put it, Boston will be "aggressive" in scanning the market for potential upgrades to its second unit.

The Shamrocks boast one of the league's best starting fives, but there is some drop-off behind it. Then again, Al Horford is a proven playoff performer, Sam Hauser is lights-out from long range and Payton Pritchard is a reliable source of outside shooting and sound decision-making. So, it's not like this bench group is in shambles.

Could Boston stand to add another big or a ball-handling wing or an extra point-of-attack stopper? Sure, but none of those needs are so great to warrant the sacrifice of actual assets. The Celtics might be able to snooze through trade season and still check off a box or two on the buyout market.

Need to Trade: 7/10

If the Nets plan to build something substantial around Mikal Bridges—and ESPN's Adrian Wojnarowski says they do—then they need to seriously beef up his supporting cast. While there are questions about Brides' own star credentials, he undeniably lacks a co-star, especially with scoring specialist Cam Thomas being demoted to the bench.

In all honesty, though, Brooklyn should arguably be up for anything right now. Now, that probably doesn't mean dealing Bridges, but what would the Nets stand to lose by flipping a coveted veteran like Dorian Finney-Smith or Royce O'Neale for long-term assets? Is it that important to book a spot in the play-in tournament? And would this club even be denied entry without them?

On the other side, the Nets have the trade chips to go star-hunting if the right player shakes loose. If they see Bridges as a certified centerpiece, then the window to win with the 27-year-old swingman is right now. Ideally, though, they'd give themselves a longer runway by picking up a player who's under contract beyond this campaign.

Need to Trade: 9/10

Word of a shortage on sellers should be music to the Hornets' ears. A limited trade market offers the opportunity to potentially turn their veteran players into bigger returns than anyone would've thought possible.

If a win-now club sees Gordon Hayward as a possible finishing piece, that feels like a no-brainer for Buzz City. The Hornets clearly don't have a future with the 33-year-old forward, who's on an expiring contract, so moving him for picks or prospects is an obvious move to make.

There's an even greater chance a present-minded shopper hopes to get its mitts on Terry Rozier, who's taking his stat sheet to new heights during his age-29 season (24.3 points and 7.2 assists). There's a non-zero chance the Hornets could get a decent haul for him. And if Charlotte can't see a future with Miles Bridges, then trading him to the highest bidder makes all kinds of sense.

Need to Trade: 10/10

The basketball world is still waiting for the Bulls to heed all of those external calls to blow up this roster. It still may not happen.

Chicago seemed committed to shedding Zach LaVine, but there were never guarantees the front office would go any further than that. And at this point, it's fair to wonder whether the Bulls even do that deal. His trade market is, in the words of ESPN's Adrian Wojnarowski, "barren." Yet, when word last leaked of Chicago's asking price, the Bulls were reportedly eyeing Darius Garland, a 23-year-old with a blindingly bright future. If they don't come way down from this price point, LaVine could be going nowhere.

All of that said, none of this diminishes the need to do a deal. And, no, neither does the fact the club has looked more competent of late. The Bulls aren't as bad as their 5-14 start made them seem, but the 12-7 stretch that has followed hardly puts them in the championship race. They aren't winning a title with this group, and the sooner they can accept that, the better.

Need to Trade: 4/10

The Cavaliers may project as more good than great, but that's hardly a reason to do something like panic-trading Donovan Mitchell. A clean bill of health might help Cleveland climb the ladder, especially if Darius Garland and Evan Mobley can restart their ascensions.

While the Cavs wait for their injury issues to subside, though, they could still focus on making marginal moves (the only kind they can afford) to strengthen the supporting cast.

Ricky Rubio's retirement and Ty Jerome's ongoing ankle ailment have left a void in the backup backcourt. Up front, Cleveland could stand to find more versatility, whether that's a two-way combo forward or a space-creating center.

Need to Trade: 3/10

Injuries remain a thorn in this team's sides, but the Mavs are moving up regardless. Few duos possess more offensive firepower than the Luka Dončić-Kyrie Irving tandem, and Dallas has quietly defended at a top-five level over its last 10 outings.

The Mavs could still stand to stack up more stoppers, as the Dončić-Irving duo will never offer the most defensive resistance. If said stoppers come with reliable three-balls, that's even better, in case Dante Exum (45.2 (!) three-point percentage) and Derrick Jones Jr. (career-high 34.7 percent) ever cool off.

Dallas could also be on the lookout for a backup big. It's not a glaring need, though, particularly if Maxi Kleber can ever get—and stay—healthy.

Need to Trade: 2/10

The Nuggets are the defending champs, and they've done nothing to dissuade confidence in their ability to recapture the game's greatest glory. In fact, their plus-5.8 net rating is actually an improvement on last season's plus-3.3 mark.

This rotation still has a couple of cracks in it, but sealing them up could require more assets than they have at their disposal. With a slew of unpaid draft debts, it'd be a challenge to bring in, say, an upgrade over Reggie Jackson or a more dependable forward than Peyton Watson or Justin Holiday.

Chasing cheap backup bigs should be on the to-do list, though. A combo 4/5 with some range on his shot could work his way into the mix, essentially doing the duties Zeke Nnaji was supposed to handle.

Need to Trade: 8/10

Leave it to the Pistons to raise more alarms with their trade intentions than they did during their record-setting losing streak. At least that historic pile of losses could be somewhat attributed to the proverbial growing pains of a young group.

But how are we supposed to make sense of the fact the Pistons "keep signaling to opposing executives an interest in buying," as Yahoo Sports' Jake Fischer reported? Was splashing coach Monty Williams with historic heaps of cash to guide a group that clearly wasn't ready to rise not enough?

Mercifully, there's still a month for folks in the Motor City to come to their senses and realize there are (much) better ways to spend trade season than making a bad team slightly less bad. The selling shortage will only drive up the trade prices of Bojan Bogdanović and Alec Burks to a point that (hopefully) the Pistons can't even refuse.

Need to Trade: 10/10

The Warriors may have carried championship hopes into this campaign, but at this rate, they may not even secure a seat at the play-in table. Their 21st-raked defense has cratered, and their 12th-ranked offense has been stripped of its previous superpower status.

They have dealt with—and continue to deal with—suspensions, injuries and frustrations. None of their veterans have lived up to (let alone exceeded) expectations, including Stephen Curry, who's had a pair of single-digit scoring efforts sans a single three-point make in the past month.

Golden State is aiming to "be active" this trade season, per Monte Poole of NBC Sports Bay Area, as it should be. The question, though, is whether the Warriors can somehow trade their way into title contention. This roster needs a ton of help, and the front office doesn't have many assets at its disposal. Making an underperforming Andrew Wiggins available isn't exactly a needle-mover.

Need to Trade: 2/10

The Rockets spent large this summer to turn this season into their personal launch pad, and the campaign has largely played out that way. No, this team isn't on a championship track just yet, but it is trending up in ways all young teams would like to. There may be a temptation to aim for more, but Houston shouldn't feel any urgency to act, as it is still gathering information about what this nucleus can do.

"By no means, this year at least, are we aggressively hunting a particular deal or series of deals," general manager Rafael Stone told The Athletic's Kelly Iko in December.

The Rockets should be firmly focused on the proverbial big picture, and through that lens, this team's basketball could be several years in front of it. If there's a way to add backup bigs or extra shooters, that's fine, but Houston should hold off on taking any major swings for the time being.

Need to Trade: 7/10

If Tyrese Haliburton's painful-to-watch hamstring strain doesn't sideline him too long, the Pacers still have a chance to make some noise this season. Their 26th-ranked defense will put a cap on their ceiling, though, until it is properly addressed.

And they know it. They were "just shy of landing" OG Anunoby before he was sent to the New York Knicks, per Yahoo Sports' Jake Fischer, and they should continue searching for ways to improve their forward rotation. Anunoby's ex-teammate in Toronto, Pascal Siakam, has long been linked to this team.

Since the Circle City has a 23-year-old cornerstone in Haliburton, though, the Pacers could also be up for some selective selling. Buddy Hield, whose contract is up after this season, could command a semi-significant haul from the right shooting-starved suitor.

Need to Trade: 4/10

When the Clippers dropped the first five games of James Harden's Hollywood tenure, they had what-were-they-thinking takes fired at them from all directions. Well, the nearly two months that have followed that skid made the thought process pretty clear. L.A. viewed Harden as a possible missing piece, and he has clearly looked the part.

The Clippers, 20-6 with a top-five net rating since that losing streak, appear from all angles to be top-shelf contenders. Now, this group must be forever tagged with the *if they can stay healthy* caveat, but they don't have a ton of worries beyond that.

They could have a couple of questions, though, like whether there's a chance to find a more formidable center than the steady-but-not-spectacular Ivica Zubac or if P.J. Tucker and stuff might bring back the kind of player he once was—a defense-first contributor who can play small-ball 5 and connect on kickout-created open looks.

Need to Trade: 10/10

Allow us to cede the podium to the great LeBron James for a moment.

"I mean, we just suck right now," the league's all-time leading scorer told reporters recently.

The Lakers have gone just 4-10 since being crowned champs of the inaugural in-season tournament, as their 23rd-ranked offense has faded further into oblivion. They are woefully short on shooters, but support scorers, shot-creators and paint protectors not named Anthony Davis are on the wish list, too.

Need to Trade: 3/10

This number was initially higher before word got out about Ja Morant's season-ending shoulder surgery. Whatever the Grizzlies had hoped to accomplish this season, it clearly isn't happening now.

The possible pivot now is Memphis moving to the sellers' side of the coin and banking some future assets for when the floor general is ready to lead this franchise again. The Grizzlies won't do anything dramatic, but they should poke around for quiet moves that add more draft picks to the pile.

If the return is right, it could make sense to move Luke Kennard to a shooting-needy shopper. Clubs with wing deficiencies might be up to take a low-cost flier on John Konchar.

Need to Trade: 5/10

The Heat have the assets needed to shop for a high-end shot-creator, but there are doubts about that kind of player becoming available. Zach LaVine may have previously appeared as an upgrade over Tyler Herro, but at this point it's impossible to picture the Heat valuing the former over the latter.

Now, Herro could be dangled if, say, Donovan Mitchell tires of Northeast Ohio and expresses a desire to relocate. Nothing has indicated that's about to happen, though, and if it ever did, he'd have other suitors, several of whom might be able to trump Miami's best offer.

Beyond that, Miami should seek out chances to get bigger and more perimeter-oriented on the frontcourt. Someone who could play with and behind Bam Adebayo would have a real shot at cracking coach Erik Spoelstra's playoff rotation.

Need to Trade: 6/10

There are different ways to describe Milwaukee's season so far, but maybe the most encouraging is this: The Bucks are simultaneously working to find the right balance between Giannis Antetokounmpo and Damian Lillard while still winning games at nearly a .700 clip.

Glass-empty skeptics, though, will correctly point out the difficulty in marrying Milwaukee's championship hopes with its bottom-third defense. The Bucks surely anticipated some defensive regression upon switching out Jrue Holiday for Lillard, but they probably weren't prepared for this kind of plummet.

The Bucks can and should kick the tires on all perimeter defenders, but their depleted asset collection could put a huge hindrance on those plans. Subtracting a rotation regular like Bobby Portis might create one hole while attempting to fill another.

Need to Trade: 4/10

The top-seeded Timberwolves have flexed their defensive muscle all season and quieted most of the skepticism surrounding their jumbo-sized frontcourt. Still, there are reasons to wonder whether highly focused playoff game plans might be able to pick apart the Karl-Anthony Towns-Rudy Gobert tandem the way regular-season teams haven't.

More obvious concerns with this club, though, are a lack of three-point volume and the second unit's ability to generate offense.

The Wolves can make threes (38 percent splash rate, fifth-best overall), but the shot isn't a primary part of their offensive diet (31.8 attempts per night, 24th). And despite the best efforts of Naz Reid, Minnesota's second-teamers check in at just 23rd in offensive efficiency.

Need to Trade: 3/10

New Orleans hasn't had a sparkly clean injury report this season, but given the medical maladies it has faced in the past, this is as promising as things have been for the Pelicans on that front.

On a directly related note, this is also as dangerous as they've ever looked during Zion Williamson's tenure. Their .595 winning percentage obliterates their previous high mark (.512, set just last season), and even that might sell this bunch's bona fides short. Over the past month, New Orleans has gone a fiery-hot 10-4 with a wholly dominant (and second-ranked) plus-12.6 net rating.

The Pels shouldn't see this stretch as a reason to set their devices on do not disturb until the deadline passes, but this success allows them to be selective with their moves. They should be eyeing a big with the blend of shot-blocking and floor-spacing, and they're one of a million teams who could use another combo wing, but if the trade market doesn't offer up the right player, they don't need to force anything.

Need to Trade: 3/10

The Knicks have the assets and upside to remain in the star search, as one more high-end player just might complete this club's championship puzzle.

It's looking more and more like they won't find that player ahead of the deadline, though—if you're dreaming of Donovan Mitchell coming, don't get your hopes up (yet)—so New York might be best off sticking with what it has after shelling out two rotation regulars for OG Anunoby, a perfect fit for this roster.

The lone non-star exception to that rule, though, would be another big to help fill the void left behind by Mitchell Robinson's absence. Isaiah Hartenstein has balled out during his promotion to the first five, but the Knicks might want more protection behind him than Jericho Sims and Precious Achiuwa can offer.

Need to Trade: 3/10

The Thunder somehow find themselves in perhaps the most envious position in the league and still in a tricky spot.

The envy portion is connected to the killer combination of their present dominance (see their best-in-the-West plus-7.6 net rating) and future flexibility. They are overloaded with 25-and-under talent and possess an absurd number of draft picks. Plus, they're on track to potentially have max cap room in 2025. Their long-term potential knows no bounds.

And yet, the Thunder may know as well as anyone that bright futures guarantee nothing. It might feel like this core can contend in perpetuity, but things once felt the same for the Kevin Durant-James Harden-Russell Westbrook trio, which lost in the 2012 Finals and never reached the championship round again. They can't get so focused on tomorrow that they ignore today's knock of opportunity. They shouldn't rule out the possibility of pouncing on the right star and should look for more bulk, bounce and rebounding up front.

Need to Trade: 3/10

Optionality should be the word of the month in Orlando. The ahead-of-schedule Magic could take a mighty swing this trade season, but they could also enjoy this ride and wait for this group's initial playoff run to reveal its biggest shortcomings. It could even consider converting some of its excess into assets.

If the Magic take the buying route, the focus will be upgrading their 21st-ranked attack. They often find themselves squeezed for spacing, so they could consider chasing more shooting or pursuing a point guard with the vision and passing acumen needed to operate in tight spaces.

If they opt for some selective selling, executives wonder whether they might be willing to move Wendell Carter Jr. given their depth up front, per NBA insider Marc Stein. The return of a healthy Markelle Fultz also perhaps gives them more playable guards than they can actually play, so flipping one to fill a need elsewhere might be an option.

Need to Trade: 4/10

The Sixers have the resources needed to make a splashy move, but this might not be the team to splurge. Not if players like Pascal Siakam (a less than ideal fit with Joel Embiid) and Zach LaVine (a subpar fit with Tyrese Maxey) continue populating the top of the trade market.

Philly, remember, will have the cap room to go star-chasing this summer if it doesn't bog down the financial books before then, so the Sixers must be careful about taking on any long-term money. Some players might be worth taking that plunge—Dejounte Murray is reportedly on the radar—but an incremental lift now isn't enough to potentially torpedo a meteoric boost this summer.

Philly should keep ears and eyes open for ball-handling wings, complementary playmakers and extra insurance behind Embiid, but if a difference-maker isn't out there, the Sixers can't over-invest in a rental.

Need to Trade: 6/10

It's tempting to withhold judgment on the Suns given how few minutes Kevin Durant, Devin Booker and Bradley Beal have logged together so far (108 across six contests). Then again, given the injury histories with this trio, this is sort of what Phoenix signed up for, and it might be something the club deals with all season.

In other words, the Suns can't simply hope that all three will be healthy at the most important times. And even if they are, that won't necessarily cure what has ailed this team.

The shopping list is extensive, as Phoenix could use a defense-first big, a two-way wing and, perhaps most pressing of all, a table-setting point guard. The challenge, of course, is scratching any of those itches with limited assets available.

Need to Trade: 9/10

The Blazers haven't been horrifically bad this season, and that's not necessarily good. They aren't even a full season into their post-Damian Lillard chapter, and they need to expand their young talent base as much as possible. At this rate, they might need some lottery luck to have access to the best prospects the 2024 draft has to offer.

That's why Portland should plan for a busy trade season. This team still has some veteran talent that's of little use to this lottery-bound bunch but should be attractive to clubs in or near the championship race.

Malcolm Brogdon's experience and two-way adaptability should be easy to market. Jerami Grant's on-court value might be even higher, though the five-year, $160 million pact he signed this summer will be tricky for a lot of teams to stomach. Matisse Thybulle is worth shopping to any team with defensive leaks, and it's at least worth seeing what scoring-starved shoppers would part with for Anfernee Simons.

Need to Trade: 8/10

The Kings were incredibly healthy and remarkably efficient on offense last season, and neither of those things have been true this time around. The fact Sacramento has a higher winning percentage now (.600) than it did then (.585) gives reason to buy into this group.

Clearly, though, the Kings need to keep pushing things forward. It's all too easy to poke holes in this team, which has both the league's 20th-ranked defense and a negative net rating (minus-0.1, 18th).

Sacramento seemingly wants to be plenty busy this trade season, as Yahoo Sports' Jake Fischer reported the Kings "have been calling opposing front offices to gauge the value of packaging Harrison Barnes and Kevin Huerter." Add that pair to a combination of picks and maybe Davion Mitchell, and that might help the Kings snag a second- or third-tier star.

Need to Trade: 2/10

It's strange to say things are going according to plan for a team that has landed on the wrong side of the scoreboard in 30 of its 35 games, but the Spurs should be mostly pleased with what they've seen so far. Victor Wembanyama has been a true one-of-one talent, Devin Vassell has upped his efficiency, and Jeremy Sochan has handled just about everything other than being shoehorned into the team's primary playmaking role early on.

San Antonio is simply laying the foundation for something that might be magnificent down the line, and its deadline activities—or lack thereof—should reflect as much.

Buying is almost certainly off the table, unless a young offensive initiator suddenly shakes loose, but there may not be much selling in store, either. Cedi Osman and Doug McDermott may have modest value as rentals, and there's probably a package for Keldon Johnson that makes sense, but if keeping those players makes life easier on Wembanyama, then the best move may be no move at all.

Need to Trade: 9/10

Toronto's decision to make RJ Barrett and Immanuel Quickley the focal points of its OG Anunoby trade return seemingly indicates a clear commitment to get this roster on the same timeline as 22-year-old cornerstone Scottie Barnes.

Guess who doesn't fit that window? Pascal Siakam, who turns 30 in April, needs a new deal after this season and has plenty of skill and style overlap with Barnes. If this deadline passes without a Siakam trade, it could be the latest non-trade the Raptors live to regret.

Toronto can prioritize young players over draft picks as it did in the Anunoby deal, so long as the players fit with Barnes (i.e., they can actually shoot). If the Raptors aren't planning on paying Gary Trent Jr. this summer, they should help him pack his bags, too.

Need to Trade: 7/10

The Jazz have played some inspired ball of late, winning 11 of their last 15 games and posting a top-10 net rating over this stretch. That shouldn't shape the direction this team takes at the deadline.

Remember, Utah was plenty competitive this time a year ago, and that didn't stop the team from sacrificing Mike Conley, Nickeil Alexander-Walker, Malik Beasley and Jarred Vanderbilt to add a future first-round pick for serving as the dumping grounds for Russell Westbrook's contract. The Jazz should again be open to taking a step back now for the chance at making a leap forward later.

That doesn't necessarily mean dealing Lauri Markkanen, though if someone wants to colossally overpay for him, they have to consider it. However, it should mean more than simply shopping around a disappointing John Collins. If stars don't surface in this trade market, Jordan Clarkson could look awfully attractive to offense-focused buyers.

Need to Trade: 10/10

The Wizards should adopt something very close to an everything-must-go mindset this trade season. Something like, I don't know, an everything-but-Bilal-Coulibaly-and-maybe-Deni-Avdija-must-go directive.

Coulibaly is off to a subtly strong start to his career, and since he won't turn 20 for another six months-plus, he's earned the right to hold building-block status on this still-rebuilding roster. Avdija has shown more offensive promise than ever, and he looks capable of serving as a two-way connector once the pieces around him are more capable of connecting.

That should be the extent of the untouchables, though, and again, even Avdija is borderline. The Wizards can expect—and mercifully are expecting—a busy swap season, as they've "informed rival teams they're open to trading veterans in search of future draft assets," per Yahoo Sports' Jake Fischer. That mindset could be the clearest sign yet that a new day has finally dawned in the District.

Stats used courtesy of NBA.com and Basketball Reference and are accurate entering games played on Tuesday, Jan. 8.