NBA Rumors: Five Teams That Should be Buyers at the Trade Deadline

NBA Rumors: Five Teams That Should be Buyers at the Trade Deadline

This NBA season has taken a start that not many expected. Some teams are playing better than expected halfway through this season, and some teams are not yet meeting their expectations. In this story, I will highlight five teams that should make moves to boost their chances at a title this season. 

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Five Teams That Should be Buyers at the Trade Deadline

1. Los Angeles Lakers

It’s no secret that the Lakers are underperforming in a season where that’s not too acceptable. The roster isn’t young and a future isn’t promised in LA. Realistically, the Lakers have one – maybe two – seasons before they have to make some bigger roster changes. In an attempt to make things work out in the short term, the Lakers need to be actively shopping the market come the trade deadline.

2. Chicago Bulls

The Bulls ended up winning the last free agency after completing a sign-and-trade for Lonzo Ball and signing DeMar Derozan. They’ve played well and Derozan is playing his way into the MVP conversation. Lonzo Ball has looked like a great 2-way, sharpshooting playmaker. But as of late, the Bulls have been bit by the injury bug. While they shouldn’t be too aggressive in their attempts to add depth, if the right trades come across the table, the Bulls absolutely need to bite the bullet to buff up their depth. Too much depth come playoff time would be a good problem to have for a team that can’t escape injuries.

3. Boston Celtics

The Celtics – similar to the Lakers – are underperforming. While, yes, underperforming, the Celtics are left in a better position. Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown are young. The Celtics have time to figure things out before they’re ready to make a push for contention. When looking to buy come trade deadline time, the Celtics need to have current issues in mind as well as a semi-long-term plan.

4. Memphis Grizzlies

If you’re Memphis, you like the position you are in with a young squad competing at a high level, and it’s hard to talk yourself into messing things up. Ja Morant is blossoming even more in his third season and is looking like a star, and almost any role player can complement Ja’s game. This year, the Grizzlies shouldn’t make any huge adjustments, but it also wouldn’t hurt to make minor moves and see what you can make out of the ahead-of-schedule success in Memphis.

5. Denver Nuggets

Nikola Jokic makes the Nuggets a team on the brink of contention with his talent alone, and they feel like a lock for the playoffs if he can stay healthy. The loss of MPJ hurts, and it sucks to still be missing Jamal Murray. Jokic has done a phenomenal job keeping the Nuggets healthy despite the injuries, so it’s time to reward him by making some moves. They need to get Jokic in a position to compete now, while giving them a boost when Murray returns.

Honorable mention: Oklahoma City Thunder

As teams are selling, you can expect Sam Presti’s phone to be ringing. The Thunder have more than enough cap space that they can take on, and you should expect them to do so. But, it’s going to cost someone. While the Thunder will be doing teams a favor by taking on expensive salaries, Presti will jump on the opportunity to obtain more and more draft pi