EmailPrintOpen Extended ReactionsWith the start of the 2026-27 NBA regular season in the rearview, the Feb. 11 trade deadline is just over the horizon, and it's never too early to start discussing which teams need to keep their options open and potentially add talent over the next three months.Injuries have plagued the league early on, with the Oklahoma City Thunder and Minnesota Timberwolves both losing major cornerstones of their roster for an extended period of time. Do these Western Conference contenders need to start filling out their rotations, or can they survive without their superstars until the postseason? And after a shaky start to the season, do the defending champions New York Knicks need to rethink their run back to the Finals with some roster moves?As teams settle into the season, our NBA insiders break down what 10 playoff contenders lack, the constraints shaping their trade options and what's in store as the deadline approaches.Order is based on the top 10 teams in ESPN's Basketball Power Index (BPI) as of Tuesday, Nov. 10.Jump to a contender:BOS | CLE | DETHOU | LAL | MINNYK | OKC | PHI | SA1. San Antonio Spurs (10-2)Projected record: 62-20Chances to make the conference finals: 58.5%What they're missing: The Spurs are on a winning streak even without any games from Tobias Harris, their big offseason acquisition. It's hard to find a hole in one of the league's most complete, well-rounded rosters. Their depth, however, could use some improvement, so they won't be stuck playing deep from their bench with the likes of Jordan McLaughlin if one of their three guards goes down with an injury, as they did in the playoffs last year. -- Zach KramWhat they can pull off: The Spurs have the draft assets to swing a deal, but that does not mean general manager Brian Wright will look to be aggressive. With one of the best records last year, San Antonio elected to stand pat.If the Spurs do look to make a move, they have an unprotected 2027 first-round pick from Atlanta and three additional tradeable first-rounders. They also have swap rights in 2028 (via Boston, if Nos. 2-30), 2030 (the most favorable of San Antonio, Dallas, Minnesota (if Nos. 2-30) and 2031 (via Sacramento). San Antonio has 12 tradeable second-rounders.Keep an eye on whether San Antonio is willing to take back salary that stretches past 2026-27. With Victor Wembanyama's extension starting next season and sixth man Keldon Johnson a free agent, San Antonio is only $11 million below the luxury tax in 2027-28. -- Bobby MarksWhat's next for San Antonio? San Antonio plans to play out the season with what's on the roster despite owning plenty of assets to make a move at the trade deadline. The Spurs appear to be somewhat thin at the center spot behind Luke Kornet, but the staff has been pleased with the progress made by rookie Tarris Reed Jr. in such a short time.San Antonio understands that over the next two years, the roster could become expensive, with the club expected to sign Stephon Castle to an extension this summer, followed by an extension for Dylan Harper in the summer of 2028. Besides that, the Spurs are already experiencing somewhat of a numbers problem due to all the depth they've accumulated."There's not enough minutes to go around," coach Mitch Johnson said. "Unfortunately, I've got to play the bad guy and I'm not always going to be right. But I've got to make tough decisions in regards to only 240 minutes." -- Michael C. Wright2. Oklahoma City Thunder (8-4)Projected record: 58-24Chances to make the conference finals: 43.5%What they're missing: The Thunder are missing lots of rotation players, and their activity at this trade deadline will depend a great deal on when -- or whether -- they can project those injured players to return. Nique Clifford is another body on the perimeter, but he doesn't seem like a playoff difference-maker, so general manager Sam Presti might still be on the search for another defensively minded wing who can backfill some of the production of the injured Jalen Williams and Cason Wallace. -- KramWhat they can pull off: The Nov. 8 trade for Clifford does not eliminate Oklahoma City from making another trade. While the Thunder do not have a roster spot, they do have the $5.4 million expiring contract of Nikola Topic and the $4.9 million salary of a former first-round pick.Because they are over the first apron, Oklahoma City cannot take back additional salary if either player is traded. The Thunder also have three trade exceptions ($5.8, $11.3, $17.7 million), seven tradeable first-round picks (including three in June) and 19 second-rounders. -- MarksWhat's next for Oklahoma? Presti will be patient. The Thunder addressed the need for defensive-minded wing depth by making a buy-low trade for 2025 first-round pick Clifford, parting with a pair of second-round picks to acquire a player who has two seasons remaining on his rookie deal. Oklahoma City will explore the market for opportunities to upgrade over the next few months, but a big splash would be a big surprise.It's not Presti's style, as the Thunder haven't made a major midseason trade since getting Kendrick Perkins in 2011. Yes, Presti has plenty of picks that could be used to put together a blockbuster deal. But he also has to prioritize future finances with the goal of keeping a contender-quality supporting cast around Shai Gilgeous-Alexander throughout his prime. -- Tim MacMahon3. Boston Celtics (10-2)Projected record: 59-23Chances to make the conference finals: 57%What they're missing: The Celtics rank only 22nd in defensive rebounding rate, which is an anomaly for a team coached by Joe Mazzulla. Boston has ranked 11th or better in this stat in every other year with Mazzulla at the helm, per Cleaning the Glass. This issue should be fixable based on Boston's roster, with the likes of Mitchell Robinson and Jayson Tatum -- an excellent rebounder for his position -- chipping in. If it continues, Boston might be in the market for another big body who can help grab rebounds in the playoffs. -- KramWhat they can pull off: Last season, the Celtics were one of the league's more active teams ahead of the trade deadline. The four separate trades dropped Boston below the luxury tax while also creating a $27.7 million trade exception. The exception is available until February, but the first apron hard cap prevents Boston from using more than $10 million of it.This year, the Celtics do not have to trim payroll but do need to keep an eye on the luxury tax, which they are currently $1.75 million below. Boston's most valuable asset could be its open roste spot. Because they are below the first apron, the Celtics will be able to sign a waived player with a preexisting salary of $15 million or more -- MarksWhat's next for Boston? Finding another big man could be high on the Celtics' list. One thing the Celtics have learned from the Knicks is not overtaxing Mitchell Robinson, who plays well in spurts, and keeping him around the 20-minute mark is ideal. Keeping Tatum and Paul George fresh would be paramount as well, especially with Tatum still working his way back to his new normal in his first full season following an Achilles injury in 2025. The $27 million trade exception could go a long way, especially if they view the Eastern Conference as winnable. -- Vincent Goodwill4. Houston Rockets (9-3)Projected record: 55-27Chances to make the conference finals: 23.8%What they're missing: Only two Rockets perimeter players are shooting better than 37% on 3-pointers this season, and one of them is Bogdan Bogdanovic, whose injury track record suggests it might not be safe to count on him over the full season. Kevin Durant and Reed Sheppard should improve as the season continues, but it might behoove Houston to grab one more shooter in the meantime. -- KramWhat they can pull off: The Rockets have two appealing trade assets in this upcoming draft: the right to swap with Brooklyn and an unprotected first-round pick (via the Phoenix Suns). Houston has four additional first-round picks available to trade, a $13.3 million trade exception and an open roster spot. The Rockets are allowed to use the full exception and still exceed the first apron. -- MarksWhat's next for Houston? Despite owning plenty of assets and a trade exception, it's likely Houston will continue -- like last season -- to refrain from making any moves. Especially now that its roster has been revamped with the offseason additions of Bogdanovic and Marcus Smart, along with the return of point guard Fred VanVleet. The overall size throughout the roster gives the Rockets plenty of flexibility to utilize multiple lineups and combinations of players without sacrificing production and performance. VanVleet's absence last season somewhat sped up the development of Sheppard, Amen Thompson, Tari Eason and Jabari Smith Jr.Still, Houston could probably use some depth at the center position, given the injury concerns regarding Steven Adams (right calf strain) and Clint Capela (right ankle sprain), who are both expected to return to the lineup soon. But unless the Rockets encounter a deal they can't refuse at the deadline, it's likely they stand pat. -- Wright5. New York Knicks (6-5)Projected record: 54-28Chances to make the conference finals: 42%What they're missing: The Knicks had, by definition, a championship-level roster last season, and the only player they lost was Robinson. Andre Drummond has served as a serviceable replacement so far, and it's difficult to imagine New York finding many better options on the trade market. But if one presents itself, then that's the clearest spot on New York's roster worth improving. -- KramWhat they can pull off: The Knicks faced the same limitations last season but were still able to trade for backup guard Jose Alvarado. This season, New York is $809,000 below the second apron and is not allowed to sign a player until Feb. 14. The Knicks can use Pacome Dadiet's $3 million expiring contract in a trade but cannot take back more salary. New York is not allowed to sign a player waived who had a preexisting salary of $15 million or more. The Knicks have one first-round pick and 12 second-rounders available to trade. -- MarksWhat's next for New York? The Knicks are putting off contract issues until the offseason and there's not a lot of flexibility, especially with owner James Dolan proclaiming he won't go into the second apron. If Mikal Bridges continues to struggle, do the Knicks start to canvas the league? But then again, he's owed over $116.5 million over the next three seasons, including a player option in 2029-30. The hope is that he turns it around similar to last season, because this team is in need of shot creation and shotmaking. -- Goodwill6. Los Angeles Lakers (11-2)Projected record: 54-28Chances to make the conference finals: 13.9%What they're missing: The Lakers have the best offense in the league but rank in the bottom half on the other end of the floor, and specifically they're 28th in defensive rebounding rate, ahead of only the Bulls and Suns. Kevon Looney is not the answer at backup center behind Walker Kessler, and although Sandro Mamukelashvili is a decent option, it's safe to add the Lakers to the long list of teams that could use another competent bruiser on their bench. -- KramWhat they can pull off: The Lakers depleted their draft assets in the Kessler sign-and-trade which left them with the right to swap their 2028 first-rounder as their most significant remaining draft asset. The Lakers have three tradeable second-rounders (from 2031 to 2033, with two belonging to the Washington Wizards).From a roster standpoint, Los Angeles could look to package the contracts of Jaden Hardy ($6 million) and Jarred Vanderbilt ($12.4 million) for a player earning $26 million or below. Despite being hard-capped at the first apron, the Lakers are $8.1 million under and are allowed to take back additional salary. Los Angeles has 15 guaranteed contracts and would need to waive or trade a player to open a roster spot. -- MarksWhat's next for Los Angeles? After looking into trade packages to clear up a roster spot during the preseason, the Lakers ultimately had to waive former first-round pick Dalton Knecht in order to cut down to the maximum 15-player allotment. Coach JJ Redick has pretty much stuck to a 10-man rotation so far, with Vanderbilt overtaking Looney in the depth chart when Mamukelashvili isn't in as the stretch 5.Redick still has to see what he has in second-year forward Adou Thiero and rookie Cameron Carr, although neither figures to be the solution to L.A. ranking second-to-last in the league in rebounding. Still, as one Eastern Conference executive told ESPN, "so long as Doncic, [Austin] Reaves and Kessler stay healthy, the Lakers will be fine." Reaves is now dealing with a left heel injury that forced him to exit the team's win over the Bucks on Wednesday night. -- Dave McMenamin7. Minnesota Timberwolves (8-3) Projected record: 54-28Chances to make the conference finals: 26%What they're missing: Entering the season, it seemed as if the Timberwolves' big issue was going to be frontcourt depth after they traded Julius Randle and Naz Reid in the offseason. But second-year Frenchman Joan Beringer has done an excellent job backing up his countryman, Rudy Gobert, and Trey Lyles, after a season out of the NBA, has performed surprisingly well at the backup power forward spot. Does Minnesota trust that that will continue, though, or would the team rather pursue a sure thing at the position? -- KramWhat they can pull off: The Timberwolves were one of the big winners last February when they acquired Ayo Dosunmu. Because of that trade and the offseason addition of LaMelo Ball, Minnesota's draft assets are limited. They have no first-round picks available to trade and one second-rounder (2030 via Memphis; if Nos. 51-60).One player to watch could be Cody Williams, who is on an expiring $6 million contract after Minnesota declined his team option for next season. Apron rules prevent Minnesota from taking back more salary than they send out, so the return of Donte DiVincenzo, who tore his Achilles during the 2026 playoffs, could be the Timberwolves' big addition at the deadline. -- MarksWhat's next for Minnesota? Keep biding time until Anthony Edwards' return. Minnesota should be thrilled with how it has played since its franchise guard underwent knee surgery after playing just four games to start the season. The Timberwolves are 5-2 without Edwards and boast the NBA's top-ranked defense. The schedule will get tougher, but they have held up well in the face of a potentially season-altering injury.Ball continues to assimilate well to his new surroundings after an offseason trade, and fellow newcomer Jonathan Kuminga has made a good first impression after so-so stops with the Warriors and Hawks. Meanwhile, Dosunmu has been excellent as Edwards' stand-in replacement.With Edwards projected to return as soon as late December or early January, Minnesota should have plenty of time to evaluate its full roster before the Feb. 11 trade deadline. -- Ben Golliver8. Detroit Pistons (7-3)Projected record: 55-27Chances to make the conference finals: 44.4%What they're missing: The Pistons' greatest need is the same as it has been for the last 18 months: a second scorer and playmaker next to Cade Cunningham. Duncan Robinson is the only other perimeter player averaging more than 12 points per game. And although Daniss Jenkins has done an admirable job as a backup, he's not a championship-level No. 2 option. Luckily, the Pistons have plenty of trade assets they could use in a deal for a fellow star. -- KramWhat they can pull off: The Pistons are among a handful of teams that control each of their next seven first-round picks. They can trade up to four and can swap in each season. Detroit also has 11 seconds available. And, despite $90 million committed to Cunningham and Jalen Duren this season, Detroit is $14.5 million under the first apron hard cap.However, putting together a trade package without including a starter or key rotation piece could be difficult. To match salary, the Pistons have only the sizable contracts of John Collins ($17 million), Robinson ($16 million) and Isaiah Joe ($11.3 million). None have guaranteed salary obligations past this season.For Detroit to use its $5.2 million or $15 million trade exception, it would need to open a roster spot. -- MarksWhat's next for Detroit? The Pistons once again look poised to be among the top teams in the East during the regular season, even without making a move at the deadline. A year ago at the deadline, with a young team playing better than expected, Detroit chose not to rock the boat. This front office has chosen patience in letting its core of young players grow so far, so it's worth watching if an opportunity presents itself for a bigger swing and how the Pistons handle it this time around. -- Jamal Collier9. Philadelphia 76ers (9-3)Projected record: 49-33Chances to make the conference finals: 21.1%What they're missing: The 76ers don't have proper championship-level depth at center behind Joel Embiid, who is the single greatest injury risk for any team in the championship picture. Lineups with LeBron James at center can function on occasion, but that's not a permanent solution, and with Ariel Hukporti out for the season after tearing his Achilles, Philadelphia needs a better backup big man ahead of Jabari Walker and Adem Bona. -- KramWhat they can pull off: The 76ers have an open roster spot and Hukporti's $3.4 million expiring contract. Because they are $1.8 million under the first apron hard cap, they are allowed to take back up to $5.2 million of salary. They also have 10 second-round picks available to use in a trade. Philadelphia can sign a player with its open roster spot starting on Dec. 4. -- MarksWhat's next for Philadelphia? Coach Nick Nurse said that big man Dominick Barlow, who has missed all of this season with a back injury, is expected to be cleared for on-court activities by mid-November. The Sixers are thin in the frontcourt, with Bona missing time with a neck injury, Hukporti out for the season and Tacko Fall missing time with a quad injury.For now, the Sixers have been excited by how Walker has played as the team's backup center. Walker, too, missed time with a knee injury but has proven to be the team's most consistent backup center option this season. He had his best game this season in a win over the Bulls, finishing with nine points and 11 rebounds."He probably deserves to play more, to be honest," Nurse said this season. -- Kris Rhim10. Cleveland Cavaliers (6-6)Projected record: 47-35Chances to make the conference finals: 11.8%What they're missing: Cleveland ranks 29th in the league in defensive turnover rate, per Cleaning the Glass, ahead of only the woeful Milwaukee defense. This is still a decent defensive unit overall, thanks to the efforts of Evan Mobley and Jarrett Allen near the rim. But Cleveland's backcourt looks tremendously exploitable in the playoffs; even reserves Sam Merrill and rookie Meleek Thomas are more offensively minded. The Cavaliers are in desperate need of another perimeter stopper. -- KramWhat they can pull off: Five players (Mobley, Allen, Donovan Mitchell, Peyton Watson and James Harden) combine to earn 85% of the cap this season, making a trade difficult unless they are willing to part ways with Allen, or reserves Merrill and Jaylon Tyson. The Cavaliers are $45,000 below the first apron this season and have no tradeable first-round picks and only one second-rounder available. Cleveland can fill their open roster spot starting on April 9. -- MarksWhat's next for Cleveland? After Harden took the place of Darius Garland at last season's deadline, the Cavs brought back their core four, believing that continuity will make a difference this season. But Cleveland is currently leaning on some younger players, such as Tyson, Thomas and Tyrese Proctor to fill out its depth off the bench. Keep an eye out for whether that trio can continue to produce or if the Cavs will look for moves similar to last season's deadline when they added veterans such as Dennis Schroder and Keon Ellis in an attempt to fortify their depth. -- Collier
