The Best Fits for the Top 2022 NBA Trade Deadline Candidates

We’ve just about reached the peak of silly season. Leading up to the big day next week, sources have revealed exclusively to Complex Sports that you should take a lot of the reporting and sourcing you’ll hear and read from NBA observers and insiders with a grain of salt. Or two.

“There’s so much disinformation out there and people run with it,” Knicks coach Tom Thibodeau told reporters earlier this week. “Very rarely does anything happen. You can talk about 100 trades and one might get done.”

Thibs knows that smoke screens, nonsense, and complete bullshit are in plentiful supply around the NBA as we approach the 2022 trade deadline (Feb. 10, 3 p.m. ET) and we encourage everyone to exercise extreme caution consuming rumors or reports about impending deals or hypothetical transactions. As we often like to repeat this time of the year, consummating trades in the NBA is never as easy as firing up a trade machine and matching up the money.

“If you ever got under the hood most fans would be disappointed with the way these things happen and pretty much how things are really outside of your control,” Thunder general manager Sam Presti told us last year. “Constructing the math or the composition is less than a percent of actually executing a lot of these things. A lot of these things come down to circumstance, fortune—good or bad—relationships, and other market forces.”

Keep that mind while also realizing this year’s deadline could feature a flurry of activity thanks to a staggering 12 squads in the Eastern Conference and practically the entire Western Conference that could consider themselves in the playoff race right now thanks to the Play-In Tournament. Love it or loathe it, the wrinkle the NBA added last year to make the regular-season matter for more teams means this year’s deadline could be filled with drama.

It also will be notable for what it will almost assuredly not feature.

Before scrolling down and looking for Ben Simmons in a trade, we’re leaving the maligned Philadelphia point guard off this list. All indications are the Sixers will hold onto Simmons at the deadline in hopes of landing a superstar (James Harden) this summer when a blockbuster trade seems way more palatable to the tastes of Philly’s front office. If you want to get nuts, browse the six destinations that, at one point a few weeks ago, seemed plausible before reports started flying around the Association that the Sixers president of basketball operations Daryl Morey is happy holding onto Simmons until free agency.

You won’t find De’Aaron Fox or Tyrese Haliburton here because our pal Shams Charania from The Athletic and Stadium—who you probably should believe when he reports something —recently said the Kings aren’t interested in breaking up their backcourt at the deadline. You also won’t find many mentions of the Lakers here. Because as we already outlined, realistically speaking, there isn’t much they can do. Unless they shockingly found a taker for Russell Westbrook. Maybe they make a minor move, but we already outlined why the odds of Los Angeles orchestrating a season-changing acquisition are slimmer than the models sitting next to Jimmy Goldstein at Staples Center. And if you don’t know who Jimmy is, Google the legend.

That being said, we wanted to highlight some of the logical, and maybe not so logical, landing spots for the more notable players that, for good reason, could be dealt. Not everyone we wrote about here will be shipped to a new city before Thursday’s deadline, but it’s a safe bet—after canvassing all the reports, tweets, stories, and podcasts for as much intel as we possibly could—that these names will figure prominently in plenty of discussions.

CJ McCollum

Best fits: Mavericks, Pelicans, Knicks, Sixers

All indications are CJ McCollum will never be Philadelphia’s prize haul in any Ben Simmons swap, even though the Blazers guard would slot in nicely into the Sixers rotation. While it doesn’t sound like Portland’s ready to punt on the Damian Lillard-McCollum backcourt just yet, you never know considering there’s a new front office in place and McCollum’s production and consistency would be welcomed in plenty of markets. Chatter about the Pelicans potentially plucking CJ away from Portland keeps heating up. Same goes for rumors about the Knicks having serious interest. McCollum would also represent a nice addition in the Dallas backcourt, but he’s probably too pricey for the Mavs.

Buddy Hield

Best fits: Mavericks, Sixers, Pelicans, Jazz

Since we keep hearing reports about how the Kings want to build around the backcourt of Tyrese Haliburton and De’Aaron Fox, that means Buddy Hield is there for the taking and arguably the most attractive player available in Sacramento. The Lakers screwed up not consummating that trade to land the sharpshooter this summer, instead pivoting to make a deal to acquire the enigmatic Russell Westbrook. Unfortunately, it doesn’t appear like Los Angeles has the assets and draft capital to wrestle Hield away from Sacramento. But other teams do.

Harrison Barnes

Best fits: Jazz, Sixers, Celtics, Hawks

See above. Harrison Barnes is available. He’s had himself a very good campaign so far, putting up his best numbers since his days in Dallas. If you want a good perimeter shooter who can play some defense—which, obviously, is every team—make the Kings a respectable offer and chances are Barnes will be yours. He’s a guy who can make a real difference on a squad that has its sights set on the conference semifinals and higher.

John Collins

Best fits: Mavericks, Sixers, Bulls, Pistons

The most logical spot the talented Hawks power forward could end up in a blockbuster deal would be Philadelphia. But that’s assuming the Sixers want to deal Ben Simmons and, as we pointed out up top, there’s little indication Philly wants to do that. Regardless, John Collins is one of the most attractive names available at the deadline, even if teammates Danilo Gallinari and Bogdan Bogdanovich are more easily moveable assets thanks to their reasonable contracts (Collins signed a big five-year, $125 million extension this past offseason). The Hawks would want defensive help and probably a future pick (or two) in return for Collins because he’s young, rugged, and offensively gifted. He’s gettable, but chances are he’s ultimately still with Atlanta after the deadline now that the Hawks are winning all of a sudden.

Jerami Grant

Best fits: Jazz, Wizards, Bulls, Hawks, Mavericks, Grizzlies, Raptors

Even though the Pistons forward, who missed almost two months with a thumb injury, has been on the market for weeks now, all indications are Detroit is not inclined to ship him out just yet since he’s in Year 2 of a three-year, $60 million deal. Unless, that is, they were wowed with an offer. Jerami Grant’s a very good two-way player who would absolutely bolster the rosters of numerous playoff contenders. But would his acquisition put a team over the top? Probably not. If the Bulls wanted to pry Grant away from their Central Division rival, it would probably cost Chicago its young dynamic defender in Patrick Williams, who’s out for the season.

Terrence Ross

Best fits: Jazz, Celtics, Bulls, Suns, Mavericks, Clippers

It feels like the Magic reserve is rumored to be a trade deadline candidate every season, but maybe Orlando finally pulls the trigger? Terrence Ross would make for an excellent addition on a number of teams that have their sights set on the conference semifinals and beyond.

Dennis Schröder

Best fits: Cavaliers, Bulls, Suns, Knicks, Jazz, Clippers

An unrestricted free agent this summer, it’s widely assumed that Dennis Schröder does not fit into Boston’s long-term plans. And as the Celtics are yet again mired in mediocrity, Schröder​​​​​​​​​​​​​​ is easily attainable since he’s only making $4.9 million this season for any squad that would like to bolster its backcourt. Interestingly, the Cavaliers were granted a $9 million injury exemption by the NBA that gives Cleveland greater leeway to acquire backcourt depth.

Eric Gordon

Best fits: Cavaliers, Timberwolves, Suns, Jazz, Mavericks

The shot-maker has largely been forgotten playing in Houston while balling with a big contract that’s made him toxic to a lot of squads looking to bulk up their backcourt. But Eric Gordon only has one more year of guaranteed money left on his four-year, $75 million pact and he’s attractive enough as bucket-getter and underrated perimeter defender to elicit interest via a number of contenders.

Domantas Sabonis

Best fits: Wizards, Sixers, Hawks, Hornets, Raptors

Chances are the Pacers end up keeping their two-time All-Star at the deadline unless they are wowed with an offer that nets them an All-Star in return and some valuable future first-round draft picks. But he’s undoubtedly attractive to a lot of teams who would hypothetically love to slot in Domantas Sabonis into their starting lineup and watch him score and rebound with ease.

Myles Turner

Best fits: Hornets, Knicks, Raptors, Kings, Mavericks

The Pacers center, who’s dealing with a stress reaction in his foot, is out until after the trade deadline which will complicate his ability to be dealt. Contenders who need a difference-maker now, rather than later, may not be too hyped to trade the assets the Pacers want in return for their excellent defensive center hoping to return to the hardwood soon. Turner has one more season left on his four-year, $80 million deal before he becomes a free agent in the summer of 2023. As of right now, consider it highly probable that Turner is still a Pacer post-deadline.

Spencer Dinwiddie

Best fits: Clippers, Mavericks, Knicks, Timberwolves

After an unexpectedly hot start, the Wizards have reverted to, well, being the Wizards. Breaking up what Washington built over the summer could start with trading Spencer Dinwiddie to someone willing to take back the talented point guard who only has one more season of guaranteed money left on the 3-year, $54 million pact he signed as a free agent.

Montrezl Harrell

Best fits: Pacers, Hornets, Knicks, Thunder

Again, since the wheels have fallen off the Wizards’ wagon, and Washington appears to have more big men than they really need right now, and he has an expiring contract, Montrezl Harrell could be a name that teams take a serious look at. A big body off the bench who rebounds, can score, and provides a shot of energy can easily find a home elsewhere.

Jalen Brunson

Best fits: Clippers, Celtics, Knicks, Cavaliers, Pistons

You would think Dallas doesn’t want to deal away Jalen Brunson—barring an unexpected blockbuster—because he’s a vital cog and without the services of Tim Hardaway, he becomes even more important. But he’s on an expiring deal and there are a bunch of teams who would love to boost their backcourt with the former second-round pick who’s going to earn a handsome contract this summer.

Evan Fournier

Best fits: Jazz, Nuggets, Cavaliers, Mavericks

Why New York’s front office thought paying Evan Fournier $73 million over four seasons was the right move will never make sense to me. Rumors are the Knickerbockers would love to move on from the shooting guard who—like just about every one of his teammates in the starting lineup—hasn’t exactly lit it up this season. It’s not like the Knicks would get much in return for Fournier. But if another squad wanted someone to occasionally go off for 20 points or more, he’s available.

Kemba Walker

Best fits: Magic, Cavaliers, Clippers, Jazz, Timberwolves

Has Kemba Walker worked out in New York the way many of us envisioned when the Knicks signed him as a free agent this summer? Not really. Walker’s been hot and cold when he hasn’t been buried on New York’s bench. Regardless, he can still light it up in spurts.

Christian Wood

Best fits: Hornets, Knicks, Pacers, Wizards

Is Christian Wood part of the future in Houston or is he expendable? I guess we’ll find out, but since he’s making reasonable money (roughly $14 million a season and signed through 2023) and playing at an All-Star level, Wood could be had for the right package if the Rockets decide. He was recently suspended a game for conduct detrimental to the team so maybe the seeds of an in-season exit have already been planted.