The NBA trade deadline is fast approaching, and teams are considering making moves to improve their rosters. According to Yahoo Sports’ Jake Fischer, both the Dallas Mavericks and the Milwaukee Bucks are contemplating a serious run at the Golden State Warriors’ Andrew Wiggins.
Wiggins’ name has been circulating in trade rumors due to his underwhelming performance, the Warriors’ disappointing record, and his long-term contract that runs through the 2026/27 season. The Mavericks are willing to part with either Grant Williams or Tim Hardaway Jr. for salary-matching purposes in order to acquire a frontcourt player who can provide shooting and make a defensive impact. They are even open to including their 2027 first-round pick for the right player.
On the other hand, the Bucks would have to include Bobby Portis in the deal to match Wiggins’ $24.3 million salary. This poses a tough decision for the Bucks, considering Portis’ consistent contributions in recent years. Fischer notes that Portis was one of Golden State coach Steve Kerr’s favorites during the FIBA World Cup run with Team USA.
In addition to the potential Wiggins trade, Fischer provides some interesting tidbits about other trade possibilities. The Warriors are unlikely to trade Chris Paul, whose $30 million contract for next season is non-guaranteed. They also consider Jonathan Kuminga off-limits, but Kevon Looney and his $7.5 million contract could be included in a trade depending on Golden State’s target.
The Washington Wizards are unwilling to part ways with Kyle Kuzma unless they receive multiple first-round draft picks in return. The Mavericks and Sacramento Kings have expressed interest in Kuzma, but they may need to involve a third team to facilitate a deal. The Wizards have made it clear that they are looking for draft capital in any trade.
Moving on to the Mavericks’ other trade targets, they have their eyes on the Detroit Pistons’ Isaiah Stewart and the Orlando Magic’s Wendell Carter. Stewart recently signed a four-year, $64 million extension, while Orlando seems hesitant to move their starting center.
Meanwhile, the Bucks are willing to include MarJon Beauchamp and the 2024 second-round pick owed to them by the Portland Trail Blazers in trade discussions. They have also reached out to teams with significant draft capital, such as the Oklahoma City Thunder and New Orleans Pelicans, to explore potential future first-round pick swaps or packages of second-round picks for additional first-round selections.
The Philadelphia 76ers are interested in acquiring the Indiana Pacers’ Buddy Hield, who would provide an offensive upgrade. Hield’s expiring contract worth $18.5 million would not impact the Sixers’ desire to have more cap space than any other team this summer. Acquiring more first-round draft picks would facilitate their ability to acquire a wing player like Hield or the Pistons’ Bojan Bogdanovic.
Lastly, the Boston Celtics are willing to use their $6.2 million trade exception to bolster their bench. Fischer has heard rumors about potential acquisitions such as Otto Porter Jr. and Lonnie Walker for the Celtics.
As the trade deadline approaches, it will be interesting to see which teams pull the trigger on these potential deals and how they will shape the landscape of the NBA.