\u201cPressure, pushing down on me \u2026 pressing down on you \u2026 no man ask for.\u201d<\/p>\n
Whether the respective GMs like it or not, the teams analyzed below are currently facing the latter challenge. Yet as is often the case, there may be more \u201cbuyers\u201d than \u201csellers.\u201d<\/p>\n
The Sacramento Kings are known to be open for business, with accomplished players like Zach LaVine, DeMar DeRozan, Domantas Sabonis and Malik Monk all up for discussion. Still, each comes with a sizable contract that is deterring potential suitors (the much-cheaper Keon Ellis is known to be a hot commodity).<\/p>\n
The Chicago Bulls are also believed to be sellers, with a bevy of expiring contracts for players like Nikola Vu\u010devi\u0107, Coby White, Ayo Dosunmu and Kevin Huerter who could make an impact elsewhere.<\/p>\n
All eyes are on the Dallas Mavericks, who fired general manager Nico Harrison last month<\/a> and must now decide how to maneuver the post-Luka Don\u010di\u0107 era that he left in his wake.<\/p>\n Ten-time All-Star Anthony Davis \u2014 who was the Mavs\u2019 centerpiece acquisition in the deal with the Lakers for the Don\u010di\u0107 \u2013 is known to be available. Big man Daniel Gafford is on the wish-list of several contending teams. Four-time champ and five-time All-Star Klay Thompson is undoubtedly hoping to land with a contender.<\/p>\n The list goes on, with governor Patrick Dumont and Harrison\u2019s interim replacements, Matt Riccardi and Michael Finley, facing crucial decisions on the roster front in the coming weeks. One word of caution on the Davis front, relayed from rival team officials: If the Mavericks\u2019 expectations in a Davis deal are considered unrealistic \u2014 perhaps because they\u2019re trying to satisfy a fanbase that saw him inexplicably swapped for Don\u010di\u0107 \u2014 then a deal will be that much harder to reach.<\/p>\n But back to the should-be buyers.<\/p>\n Any way you slice it, these teams need more if they\u2019re going to get where they want to go. That doesn\u2019t mean they\u2019ll be wheeling and dealing before the trade buzzer sounds, but \u2014 given the current state of affairs \u2014 they have every reason to try.<\/p>\n This is the first edition of the pressure-cooker pontifications, with a look at five new teams coming in the next few weeks.<\/p>\n Atlanta Hawks: 15-19 (36-win pace); preseason over-under (BetMGM) was 47.5<\/a><\/p>\n Considering how bad it\u2019s been in Atlanta these past few weeks, with the Hawks losing 10 of their past 12 games and seven in a row, it comes as a surprise that they\u2019re still preaching patience with this underperforming roster. Externally, anyway.<\/p>\n However, even beyond the lackluster record, it\u2019s the fact that Trae Young\u2019s recent return hasn\u2019t stopped the bleeding that has rival executives \u2014 and the Hawks themselves \u2014 talking about his possible exit (again)<\/a>. Atlanta, which went 13-9 without Young after he sprained his right MCL in late October, is 0-5 in games he has played since coming back. The fact that fifth-year forward Jalen Johnson looked like such a rising star during that span only underscored the complications that come with Young\u2019s presence.<\/p>\n League sources say the Hawks, who saw so many promising signs during that Young-less stretch, are more open to discussing deals for him than ever. Yet in the absence of clarity regarding legitimate suitors, and with league sources indicating that Young\u2019s market is widely considered minimal, it remains entirely possible that the Hawks will have to handle his situation in the summertime.<\/p>\n A quick reminder for context: The Hawks\u2019 choice not to give Young an extension opened the door for all of this chatter, as he can opt out and skip town for nothing as a free agent this summer (his player option is worth $48.9 million). As one rival scout put it, \u201cTrae is an extremely difficult player to win at the highest level with.\u201d<\/p>\n Add in the fact that he\u2019s looking for a new contract at a star-player level, and you start to see why there\u2019s so much trepidation surrounding the 27-year-old, four-time All-Star, which brings us to the irony of the Hawks\u2019 interest in Davis.<\/p>\n With big man free-agent-to-be Kristaps Porzi\u0146\u0123is continuing to deal with the illness that has plagued him since last season \u2014 he has missed 14 of the previous 15 games \u2014 it makes perfect sense that the Hawks would be considering going after the Mavericks\u2019 big man. But like Young, Davis, who is extension-eligible this summer and can opt out in the summer of 2027, is also looking for another massive payday. And like Porzi\u0146\u0123is, Davis has his own long history of health problems that would make this move remarkably risky.<\/p>\n Especially if they gave up a meaningful piece of their future to get him.<\/p>\n Yet while the Mavericks are known to be pushing for young prospects (and expiring contracts) in talks relating to Davis, Hawks sources pushed back hard on reports that they\u2019d be willing to include 2024 No. 1 pick Zaccharie Risacher. While the second-year small forward has struggled in his second season, team officials are quick to point out the highlights from the tail-end of his rookie season that inspired such optimism about his development internally.<\/p>\n Within the Hawks\u2019 walls, there is a desire to see more of this group together before making these sorts of monumental decisions. However, the problem, of course, is that the combination of their health woes and the ticking clock is creating a time crunch that might demand a change in course soon.<\/p>\n Or, as they\u2019ve been signaling, maybe they wait it out after all and avoid making any significant moves midseason. The latter remains a possibility, but that could certainly change if the struggles continue.<\/p>\n Bucks: 14-19 (34-win pace); preseason over-under was 43.5<\/p>\n As Milwaukee neared its second consecutive win on Monday night in Charlotte \u2014 a feat the Bucks had somehow not accomplished since late October<\/a> \u2014 the team\u2019s broadcasters decided to get a little cheeky.<\/p>\n Amid all these months of rumors about Giannis Antetokounmpo\u2019s discontent with the small-market Bucks, they flashed a graphic that featured the first official batch of fan votes for this year\u2019s All-Star Game in Los Angeles. Antetokounmpo (1,192,296) led all Eastern Conference players, with Philadelphia\u2019s Tyrese Maxey, New York\u2019s Jalen Brunson, Detroit\u2019s Cade Cunningham and Cleveland\u2019s Donovan Mitchell shown alongside him to round out the top five.<\/p>\n \u201cA lot of small markets, if you look at it,\u201d former Bucks player and guest analyst Wesley Matthews said. \u201cYou like to see that. Look at it. Look at it.\u201d<\/p>\n Play-by-play announcer Lisa Byington then chimed in.<\/p>\n \u201cIsn\u2019t that ironic that a Milwaukee guy, (for) multiple years, would be leading?\u201d she said. \u201cYou don\u2019t need L.A. You don\u2019t need New York.\u201d<\/p>\n Cue Matthews again: \u201cYou\u2019re good where you\u2019re at,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n If ever there was a sign that the Bucks loyalists have grown tired of this topic, this was it.<\/p>\n Yet while the speculation about Antetokounmpo\u2019s uncertain future isn\u2019t going away anytime soon, they\u2019ll surely be happy to hear that the rebuttal of outside overtures for Antetokounmpo\u2019s services continues. As Bucks beat writer Eric Nehm reported recently, longtime general manager Jon Horst has been scouring the league looking for impactful upgrades<\/a> with the hopes of turning around and, ultimately, persuading Antetokounmpo to stay.<\/p>\n It remains to be seen whether he can pull off anything significant, as Milwaukee is (by its own doing) limited in assets and options. The list of names under consideration is likely much longer than what is publicly known, but a few have emerged. The Kings\u2019 LaVine is a confirmed target, as is \u2014 according to ESPN \u2014 Sacramento\u2019s Malik Monk and Portland\u2019s Jerami Grant. League sources say Brooklyn\u2019s Michael Porter Jr. is a name worth watching as well.<\/p>\n As I wrote on Sunday<\/a>, the messiness of Antetokounmpo\u2019s market will be a significant factor in what comes next. So long as the 31-year-old can\u2019t see greener pastures elsewhere, then the prospect of him staying put while carrying this current squad remains very much in play. And that\u2019s the wild part here, really.<\/p>\n Even with all their struggles, the Bucks are just a half-game out of Play-In Tournament position (behind Atlanta) and four games back of the sixth spot (Orlando). Want to shoot for the moon, Bucks fans? They\u2019re only 5 1\/2 games away from the fourth spot (Toronto) that grants you home court in the first round.<\/p>\n And now that Antetokounmpo is back, with a calf strain having cost him eight games before his return at Chicago on Saturday, they may keep racking up the wins from here (especially with games against Washington, Charlotte and Sacramento up next).<\/p>\n Clippers: 11-21 (28-win pace); preseason over-under was 49.5<\/p>\n Despite what Oklahoma City general manager Sam Presti might be rooting for, team sources say the Clippers have no plans of hosting a fire sale in the next five weeks. With owner Steve Ballmer continuing his eternal mandate to remain competitive, and no first-round pick in 2026 to incentivize a tank job, the Clippers want to climb out of this massive hole they\u2019ve dug for themselves.<\/p>\n Especially after this recent five-game winning streak that has restored some internal hope.<\/p>\n After starting the season 6-21, and with the reigning champion Thunder in line to get the Clippers\u2019 2026 first-rounder, there was all sorts of league-wide chatter about the Clippers being sellers.<\/p>\n James Harden, in particular, was often discussed in league circles as someone who might want to relocate (again) to a more competitive environment.<\/p>\n The 36-year-old has complete control over his situation, as his Bird rights contract affords him the right to veto any trade this season (he has a player option worth $42.3 million for next season). Still, team and league sources say there are no signs yet that Harden wants out.<\/p>\n Harden, the former MVP and 11-time All-Star who forced his way to the Clippers from Philadelphia in late October 2023, has certainly been doing his part on the floor. He\u2019s one of just five players<\/a> averaging at least 26 points, seven assists and four rebounds (Nikola Joki\u0107, Cunningham, Don\u010di\u0107 and Maxey are the others).<\/p>\n \n Should the Clippers add around James Harden and Kawhi Leonard? (Troy Taormina \/ Imagn Images)<\/p>\n If anything, league sources say the Clippers are expected to explore the prospect of adding an impact player around Harden and Kawhi Leonard as a way to revive their season in the second half. They can match a star-player level salary with expiring deals, with the contracts of John Collins ($26.5 million), Bogdan Bogdanovi\u0107 ($16 million this season; team option worth $16 million next season), Brook Lopez ($8.7 million this season; team option for $9.1 million next) and Nicolas Batum ($5.6 million this season; team option for $5.8 million next) all potentially handy on that front.<\/p>\n There is this significant hurdle to any such deal: The Clippers have long prioritized salary-cap flexibility starting in the summer of 2027<\/a>, meaning they\u2019d be very reluctant to take on contracts that extend past that point. In the interim, they\u2019ll continue to get calls about players like big man Ivica Zubac and wingman Derrick Jones Jr., who could be plug-and-play difference-makers in many situations.<\/p>\n If there\u2019s a player or two coming their way in that negotiation who can help with this current challenge, then that\u2019s a discussion worth having. However, the idea that the Clippers\u2019 abysmal start would lead to their roster serving as a discount rack for rivals has proved to be off-base \u2014 and likely will remain so.<\/p>\n As it stands, they\u2019re 2 1\/2 games out of Play-In position (Portland is 10th) and 9 1\/2 games back from the sixth spot (Minnesota).<\/p>\n Warriors: 17-16 (42-win pace); preseason over-under was 47.5<\/p>\n In the absence of a season-saving deal for Giannis that is clearly unlikely (see above), the Warriors might have to accept the fact that this current group \u2014 by and large \u2014 is going to be it. Here\u2019s why: Team sources say they\u2019re staunchly against the notion of trading either Draymond Green or Jimmy Butler, which creates quite a predicament when you\u2019re trying to match salaries of high-level players.<\/p>\n Take their reported interest in Davis<\/a>, for example.<\/p>\n While a league source said the Mavericks do have interest in the Warriors\u2019 Jonathan Kuminga, who can\u2019t be traded until Jan. 15 but is widely expected to be dealt before the deadline, the fifth-year forward\u2019s salary ($22.5 million) comes well short of Davis\u2019 ($54.1 million). It would thus require the inclusion of another big contract \u2014 i.e., Green ($25.8 million). Yet as Warriors coach Steve Kerr said publicly last week, and team sources confirmed, a move like that is not in their plans.<\/p>\n \u201cMy No. 1 goal, honestly, is for (Green) to finish his career as a Warrior with us fighting, metaphorically, not literally fighting and competing together until we\u2019re both gone,\u201d Kerr said after his bench dustup with Green<\/a> in a game against Orlando on Dec. 22.<\/p>\n A Butler-for-Davis swap works financially, as the Warriors forward also makes $54.1 million this season, but Golden State has shown no interest in making such a move. While team sources say the Warriors have not entirely closed the door on a Davis deal, it appears unlikely. What\u2019s more, it should be noted that the Mavericks called Golden State about the Davis possibility \u2014 and not the other way around.<\/p>\n All in all, the Warriors would be wise to fix the late-game woes that have submarined their season to this point. According to the team\u2019s broadcast, they lead the league in blown fourth-quarter leads (eight). Seven of their 16 losses are by five points or fewer.<\/p>\n Turnovers are this team\u2019s forever issue, with Golden State ranked 28th in the league in that department (16.3 per game, ahead of Houston and Portland). And while it\u2019s clear that they\u2019re nowhere near the title-contending status they aspired to this season, the Warriors\u2019 net rating (plus-2.3; 10th in the league) could be seen as a sign that they\u2019re better than their record reflects. They\u2019re currently eighth in the West \u2014 four games back of the sixth spot (Minnesota).<\/p>\n Still, the (continued) greatness of Steph Curry will surely compel general manager Mike Dunleavy to continue looking for upgrades in the coming weeks. The Warriors\u2019 long-standing interest in New Orleans\u2019 Trey Murphy III<\/a> hasn\u2019t led to a deal yet, but it does show the kind of floor-spreading, rim-running, three-and-D player they have in mind. Kuminga\u2019s diminished value is not helping their cause, of course, as he has now racked up seven DNP-CDs in the last nine games after falling out of Kerr\u2019s rotation (while also missing a game on Dec. 20 due to illness).<\/p>\n Lakers: 20-11 (52-win pace); preseason over-under was 46.5<\/p>\n Rich Paul was right when he said earlier this month on his \u201cGame Over\u201d podcast with Max Kellerman that the Lakers, as currently constructed, don\u2019t qualify as genuine title contenders<\/a>. And just because the messenger was unorthodox \u2014 he\u2019s the longtime agent for LeBron James, after all \u2014 doesn\u2019t mean the message was inaccurate.<\/p>\n Anyone who watched their December decline could see that much.<\/p>\n After starting 15-4 in October and November, with James playing just four games in that span<\/a> because of his sciatica absence, the Lakers went 5-7 this month while ranking 28th in net rating, 29th in defensive rating and 17th in offensive rating \u2014 no wonder JJ Redick has been running so hot<\/a> of late.<\/p>\n However, no matter how mad the second-year coach wants to get at this group, the apparent reality is that the Lakers are in desperate need of young, athletic, rangy wing defenders (preferably who can shoot). To wit: Even with former NBA Defensive Player of the Year Marcus Smart taking Austin Reaves\u2019 starting spot against Detroit on Tuesday, with Don\u010di\u0107, James, Jake LaRavia and Deandre Ayton rounding out the opening lineup, the Pistons scored SEVENTY-FOUR points in the paint in their 128-106 win at Crypto.com Arena (Reaves is out at least four weeks with a calf strain).<\/p>\n This Lakers problem is as glaring as any you\u2019ll find in the entire Association.<\/p>\n When healthy, the odds of Don\u010di\u0107, Reaves and James providing an adequate line of defense on the perimeter are slim to none. So, can president of basketball operations Rob Pelinka land someone like New Orleans\u2019 Herb Jones (not currently believed to be available), Derrick Jones (for the right price) or Ellis (ditto), who could aid this cause?<\/p>\n While they\u2019re at it, maybe he can find a way to reunite Don\u010di\u0107 with Gafford, the Mavericks\u2019 big man who was such a good fit for him during their Dallas days.<\/p>\n Fixing this defensive issue is vital if the Lakers are going to join the elite.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"Pressure and patience don\u2019t mix. That\u2019s an annual truth in the NBA this time of year, when the…\n","protected":false},"author":3,"featured_media":483004,"comment_status":"","ping_status":"","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[40],"tags":[3119,3127,3139,3140,3142,3141,3130,1260,3143,62,67,132,68],"class_list":{"0":"post-483003","1":"post","2":"type-post","3":"status-publish","4":"format-standard","5":"has-post-thumbnail","7":"category-nba","8":"tag-atlanta-hawks","9":"tag-chicago-bulls","10":"tag-dallas-mavericks","11":"tag-golden-state-warriors","12":"tag-los-angeles-clippers","13":"tag-los-angeles-lakers","14":"tag-milwaukee-bucks","15":"tag-nba","16":"tag-sacramento-kings","17":"tag-sports","18":"tag-united-states","19":"tag-unitedstates","20":"tag-us"},"share_on_mastodon":{"url":"https:\/\/pubeurope.com\/@us\/115815693922077023","error":""},"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/us\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/483003","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/us\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/us\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/us\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/3"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/us\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=483003"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/us\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/483003\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/us\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/483004"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/us\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=483003"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/us\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=483003"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/us\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=483003"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}![\"James](\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/us\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/hard-scaled.jpeg\")
<\/p>\n