Today, the cat looks at what teams have either the most ability or the most incentive to make a move before the deadline and why. Do I think all - or any - of these teams will make a move? No. But don't be surprised if at least two of these teams come up with some sort of move in the next 24+ hours as the trade deadline approaches.
1. The Detroit Pistons
There's a saying in the league that "cap space can't dribble a ball" and with $31 million in cap space, the trade deadline is the time the Pistons should be making a move to get AD some help. Not so much for this season - they're probably already too far back in a tough Central Division for a move to make a difference - but looking to the future. That means they should be looking to absorb an expiring contract from a team that is staring a big fat tax bill in the face... as long as that team is ALSO sending some sort of future asset like a rookie scale player or a pick. Alternatively, they might be looking to acquire a talented, young, but expensive asset to get a wingman for AD. Given that they've been running "recommended" all season, though, I think the likelihood of a move here is low. But any team that is out of the playoff chase and over the cap should have at least reached out to the Pistons to try to work something out.
2. The Sacramento Kings
We know the Kings are trying NOT to be good this season, but with $19 million in cap space, they have room to absorb a bad player on a big expiring deal even if they don't get a young asset with it. Tani has never been known to be shy about making trades, but the bet here is they're looking to make sure they get a draft pick along with any salary they might absorb... Tani loves hoarding draft picks when he's in a rebuild mode.
3. The Minnesota Timberwolves
With $13 million in space, the Timberwolves may not be able to absorb as much contract as the Pistons or the Kings, but they have the expiring deal of Brook Lopez which if included in a deal probably allows them to match all but the largest contracts. The Wolves are stuck near the bottom of the West, so it's not like they're going to worry that dealing Lopez will make or break their season. Unlike the Pistons, though, they probably don't want to absorb a long term deal even for a young talent - likely only expiring contracts are welcome here.
4. The San Antonio Spurs
Only $9 million in cap space, but could be of help to a team looking to shed a moderate amount of salary (I know, in this min/max league, who has a moderate contract)? Might even be able to convince the Spurs to take something like the 3rd or 4th year of a rookie deal for points. With a number of teams hovering slightly north of the salary cap, you'd think some sort of deal to send a modest amount of salary out in lieu of getting slapped with a year toward the repeater tax would be attractive to someone.
5. The Portland Trailblazers
This season probably hasn't gon the way they wanted. They're almost $14 million over the cap and with their 2016 draft pick already out the door, the Stepien Rule limits what they can send out as far as draft picks. If I were the Blazers I'd be looking to ship off the expiring deal of Kendrick Perkins to get under the tax entirely if I could find someone willing to take him if I sent points their way. Even 10 points is a lot less than what I'd have to pay the tax man. If a taker for Perk can't be found due to his $17 million salary, it might be worth considering moving Marcin Gortat. He's been quite productive and at just $10 million is a pretty good value that I should think you could find a taker for.
6. The Cleveland Cavaliers
Another team that probably had high hopes before the meat grinder that the Central has turned into this year wore them out. The addition of Al Jefferson hasn't caused this team to take off the way most observers thought they would. Al and Paul are still a nice big man/little man combo to build around and this team is hurt quite a bit by cut salary from dumping a lot of guys from their books in the offseason. If I were the Cavaliers, I'd consider making a break with Marc Gasol. Alec Burks is likely to get paid this offseason, and with Jefferson and Paul also on the books, there probably isn't room to pay Gasol as well. His salary is fairly hefty, but it is expiring and he is talented. Finding him a new home could allow both Gasol and the Cavs a fresh lease on life.
7. The Miami Heat
The Heat as of this writing are $28 million over the cap and staring down a 78 point tax bill thanks to repeater status. There have been a number of calls for the Heat to start shedding salary for some time now, but so far they have resisted selling of assets for pennies on the dollar. They have even managed to accumulate some draft picks so even if they do happen to run into a period of luxury tax-imposed free agency misery, they have a plan B in place to keep the team competitive. All that said, I think it sure would make it a lot easier for Heat fans to sleep at night if they found a way to shed considerable salary - say, Serge Ibaka - before the tax man starts calling.
8. The Dallas Mavericks
The Mavs are still a solid playoff team but are 16.9 million over the cap and I don't think a lot of teams consider them a true playoff threat. This one is really just thrown in for symmetry of 4 teams that might want to consider trading away salary, as the Mavs could probably find a taker for the productive, talented, young-ish... but expensive... DeRozan. If they did that and declined the option on George Hill suddenly they would have a ton of money to play with in the offseason and could do a complete roster overhaul in FA built around younger mainstays Aminu and Holiday.
8 teams that should be looking to make a move before the Trade Deadline
Re: 8 teams that should be looking to make a move before the Trade Deadline
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