The NBA trade deadline provides teams on different timelines with contrasting goals a chance to reach possible agreements on deals. Seeing how the majority of a season plays out provides a clearer perspective of what a team should commit to doing at the deadline.
With the play-in tournament creating a greater pathway for teams to be competitive than in years past, fewer teams are looking to sell at the midseason deadline. However, a loaded 2023 NBA Draft class could provide additional motivation for teams to better position themselves for a sink to the bottom of the NBA standings to maximize lottery odds.
According to Shams Charania of The Athletic, the San Antonio Spurs and Charlotte Hornets are being monitored by teams around the league as assured sellers ahead of the Feb. 9 deadline.
For now, San Antonio and Charlotte are viewed as two of the NBA’s assured sellers in the market. The Houston Rockets also have guard Eric Gordon as a trade candidate but have set an asking price of a good young player or first-round pick for Gordon, league sources say.
The Spurs have a few veteran players that stand out as logical trade candidates. The most urgent of options include Jakob Poeltl and Josh Richardson, both of whom are playing on expiring contracts. Doug McDermott is signed through 2023-24, and in a league where perimeter sharpshooting holds such strong importance, he could be an appealing option for possible suitors.
LATEST NBA NEWS & TRADE RUMORS: Charlotte Hornets & San Antonio Spurs Updates
Poeltl is going to command significant trade interest from around the NBA. He has already been linked to teams, including the Boston Celtics and Toronto Raptors. He is widely regarded as being among the better starting centers in the league, and given that he’s 27, he doesn’t fit a long-term rebuild.
The Hornets are expected to receive trade interest for Terry Rozier, Mason Plumlee, Jalen McDaniels, and Kelly Oubre Jr. There has yet to be much reporting regarding possible landing spots for any of Charlotte’s trade candidates aside from McDaniels. He’s become an increasingly talked about name
LATEST NBA NEWS & TRADE RUMORS: Charlotte Hornets & San Antonio Spurs Updates
There will be other sellers that emerge as the NBA trade deadline approaches. There will be a greater separation in the standings as teams either rise or sink in the standings. For now, the Hornets and Spurs are two teams to keep an eye on for making potential deals.
