The NBA trade season is here, and most of the restrictions on newly signed and acquired players have been lifted to enable a wide-open market. As the trade deadline approaches on Thursday, February 6, the league’s hopefuls and contenders are considering moves that could propel them to victory.
Last year’s deadline saw the Dallas Mavericks, then seen as little more than a fringe top six team in the Western Conference, make a pair of acquisitions in PJ Washington and Daniel Gafford that not only improved the roster but helped to catapult them into the NBA Finals months later.
Will a wishful contender be able to follow the Mavs’ lead this year and pull off a similar trick to revitalize their 2024-25 NBA season? We’ll find out soon, and in the meantime, check out Sportzino’s 2025 NBA trade deadline predictions.
1 – Cam Johnson to the Oklahoma City Thunder
Brooklyn Nets’ forward and one-time NBA finalist with the Phoenix Suns, Cam Johnson, has been arguably the most sought-after name on the market all year. On both a player and team side, it’s easy to understand why.
In Johnson, you get a player with great size, positional versatility, and the ability to knock down shots. And, in the Nets, you have a tanking team motivated to sell off veterans and ensure their place in the bottom four in the league at season’s end.
Johnson’s price has been rumored to be around two first-round picks, which is completely fair when you consider the quality of those picks, likely coming from playoff teams. Though there will be more motivated teams to get Johnson than the Thunder, with Sam Presti’s endless war chest, it’s a drop in the bucket. Not only would Johnson fit seamlessly into Oklahoma City’s rotation, but the notion of stopping another contender from getting Johnson is a boon in itself.
2 – Julius Randle to the Detroit Pistons
Since being traded from the New York Knicks on the eve of the season, Julius Randle’s fit with the Minnesota Timberwolves has been anything but seamless. Despite the best intentions from both player and team, it has been clunky and, for the most part, a negative.
This trade, however, isn’t really about Randle or the Pistons. It’s about the Timberwolves utilizing the flexibility that trading away Karl-Anthony Towns theoretically provided. Should Randle remain with the Wolves and opt into his deal for 2025-26, they would lose Naz Reid, Nickeil Alexander-Walker, and the ability to replace them. With Randle out of the picture, however, both Reid and Alexander-Walker can be retained—with room to spare.
3 – Nikola Vucevic to the Golden State Warriors
Four years ago, the Chicago Bulls center was a prominent player during the trade deadline, and he could potentially be on the move once more. The Warriors have long been rumored to be interested, and with their offense flatlining, the added dynamic Vucevic brings could give them a great boost.
With Stephen Curry, Draymond Green, and Vucevic, Golden State would have a trio of extremely intelligent offensive players who would thrive together and, by extension, bolster the pieces around them.
4 – Isaac Okoro to the Dallas Mavericks
The Dallas Mavericks have long sought after a versatile wing defender to add to the mix. They had high hopes, circling on the Pelicans’ Herb Jones, but with that unlikely, they moved to a much more reasonable target.
In Isaac Okoro, Dallas could add a cheap, short-term piece to their backcourt and theoretically get an extended look at him before committing to the long term. And, for the Cavaliers’ part, moving off Okoro would enable them to get under the punitive luxury tax.
5 – Brandon Ingram to the Houston Rockets
This summer, the great Brandon Ingram trade never appeared and never became close. With Ingram nearing unrestricted free agency, the Pelicans’ mindset could shift to the idea that getting something for him is better than nothing.
Ingram offers the Rockets the kind of late-game and isolation scoring they need, given Jalen Green’s inconsistent play. Houston’s head coach, Ime Udoka, is also the right kind of head coach to keep Ingram motivated.
6 – Jonas Valanciunas to the L.A. Lakers
Last summer, Jonas Valanciunas looked set to sign with the L.A. Lakers and give them a much-needed body on the interior. However, the Washington Wizards swooped in at the last moment.
That was, in large part, theatrics. It’s been a foregone conclusion that Valanciunas would be moved to a competitive team before this year’s deadline. With the Lakers able to put the salary together to bring him in, it’s better late than never for the Lake Show and JV.
7 – Malcolm Brogdon to the Minnesota Timberwolves
Though there are several factors at play with the Wolves’ underwhelming season, one of them is the regression of point guard Mike Conley. Both before Conley arrived and, now in his struggles, it’s glaring how much Minnesota struggles without a traditional organizer. In Malcolm Brogdon, the Wolves would acquire a low-cost, short-term, quality insurance policy for Conley.
8 – Bruce Brown to the Memphis Grizzlies
The Memphis Grizzlies’ search for a wing defender has been a several-season-long effort and has ranged from Mikal Bridges, to OG Anunoby, to Jimmy Butler. Now, with the deadline nearing, Memphis can lower its standards and go for a highly affordable option in Bruce Brown. The Raptor has already proved his ability to fit on a contending roster, winning a title with the Nuggets, and would fit in well around the Grizzlies’ core.
9 – Jusuf Nurkic to the Washington Wizards
Some teams have needs to acquire players, but the Phoenix Suns have a need to get rid of Jusuf Nurkic. The toxicity around the center has gotten terminal — the fans detest him, he is unhappy and, worst of all, there’s an unsalvageable relationship between him and Kevin Durant and Devin Booker.
With Nick Richards arriving from Charlotte to play center, the Suns can get Nurkic out at the earliest opportunity. Sending him into Washington’s cap space is just the opportunity they need.
10 – Anfernee Simons to the Orlando Magic
The Orlando Magic have needed a backcourt scorer for multiple seasons, and Florida-born Afernee Simons is a great fit for the need. Not only do the Magic have the defenders to make up for his lack of defensive ability, but the Blazers would be served well by getting Simons cleared out and enabling Scoot Henderson and Shaedon Sharpe to take full control of their youthful backcourt.
