Western Conference: Chase Warriors or build
Teams must be realistic in deadline approach
Dallas Mavericks
Motives: To land draft picks while minimizing the long-term money they take on.
Methods: Everyone outside of Dirk Nowitzki, Harrison Barnes and Dennis Smith Jr. is up for discussion.
Denver Nuggets
Motives: To land a point guard so Will Barton can return to his sixth man role and to shed a player to make room for Torrey Craig on a season-long contract. The Nuggets only want expiring contracts in return, which why Marcus Smart is on their radar.
Methods: Kenneth Faried, Emmanuel Mudiay, Wilson Chandler and Darrell Arthur are all known to be available.
Golden State Warriors
Motives: To win a third title in four seasons.
Methods: The Warriors aren’t actively shopping, but there is room for improvement on bench scoring. Nick Young has been inconsistent, and Omri Casspi’s playing time has taken a dive lately. IPatrick McCaw makes the most sense to move: He has struggled but at 22 remains an intriguing prospect.
Houston Rockets
Motives: To add a backup point guard. If they still have a roster spot after the deadline, they’re expected to resign Bobby Brown.
Methods: If the Rockets are going to have the salary cap space to chase LeBron James in free agency this July, they need to part ways with Ryan Anderson ($41.6 million combined in the next two seasons).
L.A. Clippers
Motives: To find the best possible deal for DeAndre Jordan and Lou Williams. The Clippers want as many quality draft picks as possible.
Methods: The fact that Jordan and Williams are free agents this summer has made teams less willing to offer real value in return. Avery Bradley, who was acquired in the Griffin trade and who will also be a free agent this summer, could be traded if there was a firstrounder to be had in return.
L.A. Lakers
Motives: To clear the necessary payroll for free agency this summer. Acquiring draft picks is a priority as well.
Methods: The Lakers need to move Jordan Clarkson ($25.9 million combined the next two seasons) in order to create the desired cap space. Julius Randle is also available, as is Larry Nance Jr.
Memphis Grizzlies
Motives: To add a first-round draft pick. They’re hoping that Tyreke Evans’ surprise season can help them add another promising piece.
Methods: Pick a veteran and he could be yours — so long as you’re giving a draft pick or a young player in return.
Minnesota Timberwolves
Motives: To add perimeter shooting and defense.
Methods: Gorgui Dieng, who signed a four-year, $64 million extension two summers ago, is being paid handsomely for his backup center role and is certainly available. Jamal Crawford could be, too, as he continues to see limited playing time (18.9 minutes per game) and has a trade-friendly contract. Cole Aldrich and Shabazz Muhammad could be on the move as well.
New Orleans Pelicans
Motives: To make the playoffs. Anthony Davis has been in the postseason once, and another miss would hurt attempts to keep him long term (and, potentially, their ability to re-sign injured DeMarcus Cousins). The Pelicans are known to be in the running for Tyreke Evans. Methods: The roster is thin in terms of movable assets. Injured center Alexis Ajinca has a contract that could help facilitate a move if New Orleans was willing to incentivize a team with picks.
Oklahoma City Thunder
Motives: To get help in the wake of Andre Roberson’s season-ending injury. They’re also aware that this playoff run will have everything to do with whether Paul George re-signs.
Methods: The Thunder are willing to discuss possibilities with everyone other than George, Russell Westbrook, Carmelo Anthony and Steven Adams.
Phoenix Suns
Motives: To add to their salary cap space.
Methods: Tyson Chandler, Jared Dudley and Brandon Knight, who suffered a season-ending torn ACL in July and is owed $30 million in the next two seasons.
Portland Trail Blazers
Motives: To find another high-level young talent to go with Damian Lillard and C.J. McCollum while landing other promising young pieces such as rookie center Zach Collins.
Methods: The Blazers have the NBA’s fifth-highest payroll (approximately $122 million), with Evan Turner, Maurice Harkless and Meyers Leonard all tying up significant space. Finding new homes for any of them might be harder than finding that elusive third star.
Sacramento Kings
Motives: To acquire draft picks.
Methods: Whether it’s George Hill, Vince Carter, Zach Randolph or Garrett Temple, the vets are there for the taking. It remains possible that Hill heads to Cleveland. Among the young players, Georgios Papagiannis and Malachi Richardson are available as well.
San Antonio Spurs
Motives: To upgrade the roster while building around injured Kawhi Leonard, LaMarcus Aldridge and Dejounte Murray. The Spurs, who have $116.1 million in payroll this season, also want to avoid going into the luxury tax ($119.3 million).
Methods: It’s San Antonio, meaning mum’s the word when it comes to the internal plan. But no, the recent reports of Leonard and the Spurs being sideways won’t lead to him being made available anytime soon.
Utah Jazz
Motives: To find a new core, with Rudy Gobert and rookie Donovan Mitchell.
Methods: Derrick Favors and Rodney Hood could be the most likely to be on the move. There are plenty of options beyond those two players. The Jazz — Gobert and Mitchell aside — are an open shop.