Alofoke Deportes Analyzes: The NBA Draft Market and the Needs of the Contenders
With less than a month until the NBA trade deadline, anticipation is growing. Although no significant moves have been made yet, teams are already evaluating their options and available players. The goal: to make the master move that will propel them towards the championship. The Eastern Conference is proving to be highly competitive, with several teams vying for the top spot and dealing with injuries to their stars. The Detroit Pistons, the New York Knicks and the Boston Celtics, are some of the teams that will be watching for potential moves. In the case of the Milwaukee Bucks and Giannis Antetokounmpo, they have been the subject of early speculation. Will the former champions be able to satisfy their superstar? On the other hand, the Philadelphia 76ers are looking at how to strengthen their roster, already established as a strong contender. In the Western Conference, the dominance of the Oklahoma City Thunder, which seemed unshakable, has been challenged by some recent stumbles, opening the door to other teams. Will the current champions make moves to maintain their position? What other changes could define the postseason? Below, we analyze the needs of each contender and the plausible moves they could make, according to our experts.Eastern Conference
Detroit Pistons
Detroit’s main priority is to improve its shooting and playmaking ability. Cade Cunningham is the team’s main playmaker, and his performance is crucial. However, the Pistons do not excel in three-point shooting efficiency. Finding a player who combines both qualities could be costly, but improving at least one of them could boost their postseason performance. A possible target would be Michael Porter Jr., who would represent a significant upgrade for Detroit’s frontcourt. The former NBA champion brings playoff experience and is in the midst of an outstanding season, averaging 25.9 points with a 40.8% three-point shooting percentage. With all their picks available, the Pistons have the resources to sign Porter, although they wouldn’t need to offer as much as for other stars.New York Knicks
The Knicks need to reinforce their interior game. Mitchell Robinson’s health is a constant concern, and they don’t want to rely too much on Karl-Anthony Towns due to his foul trouble and defensive deficiencies. A solid forward to relieve OG Anunoby’s burden would be welcome on a team that is average in defensive efficiency. However, New York’s financial situation is complicated, which makes any incorporation difficult. A possible signing would be Nicolas Batum, from the Clippers, who would provide the Knicks with a reliable veteran in the frontcourt and would not require a large investment, something necessary given that New York cannot trade any of its future first-round picks.Boston Celtics
The Celtics need to get out of the luxury tax to reset their clock and assess the possibility of trading Anfernee Simons. Given that they have a roster with many players in the point guard position, adding a center would make sense. If the Celtics make a trade to gain financial flexibility, Ayo Dosunmu from the Bulls would be a good replacement. Dosunmu could bring fast-break points to the team with the league’s slowest pace, and his three-point shooting ability and solid defense would make him fit into Joe Mazzulla’s style.Toronto Raptors
Toronto needs to find a way to avoid the luxury tax, which they have exceeded by just over $2 million. They should look for another pivot, given Jakob Poeltl’s ongoing health problems. Nick Richards would be an acceptable backup who has been surpassed in Phoenix’s pivot rotation. He would fill a gap in Toronto and, with a salary of only 5 million dollars that expires after this season, would probably help with the Raptors’ finances.Orlando Magic
Orlando needs to score more from the bench. Health is one of the biggest needs for the Magic, with Suggs, Desmond Bane, Franz Wagner, Paolo Banchero, and Wendell Carter Jr. having only started in a third of the games this season. The Magic thought they would solve their perimeter shooting by adding Bane, but for the third consecutive season, Orlando is on track to finish in the top 5 in three-point shots. Cam Thomas from the Nets would be a great acquisition. His $5.9 million salary fits with Jones or Howard and gives Orlando a 20-point scorer off the bench.Cleveland Cavaliers
The Cavaliers could need major changes to the roster before the trade deadline. The core of Donovan Mitchell, Evan Mobley, Darius Garland, and Jarrett Allen hasn’t advanced past the second round in the last three seasons, and a major trade could be Cleveland’s biggest need if they fail to turn things around this season. The Cavs are the only team exceeding the second threshold, which will complicate any trades at the deadline. Otherwise, the Cavs could look to offload De’Andre Hunter and his $23 million contract in search of an upgrade or salary relief.Miami Heat
The rebound is Miami’s biggest need. The first month of the season served as a warning. Miami had the second-worst defensive rebounding percentage in the first 15 games of the season. Karlo Matkovic of the Pelicans is an option that might not cost the Heat much in a trade. Out of the rotation this season and with a $2.2 million expiring contract, Matkovic has 20 games with at least six rebounds this season and the previous one.Philadelphia 76ers
The Sixers could acquire another power forward. Jalen Smith of the Bulls has had a solid season, averaging 18.4 points and 12.7 rebounds per 36 minutes with solid efficiency. Able to play as a power forward and small-ball center, Smith would fit well in Philadelphia’s frontcourt.Milwaukee Bucks
The Bucks need talent. Bobby Portis and Antetokounmpo are still the only players from their 2021 championship roster. The Bucks still have very few offensive options besides Antetokounmpo, and they struggle a lot without him on the court. The Bucks have inquired about Zach LaVine and Malik Monk from Sacramento, as well as Jerami Grant from Portland. The three players could alleviate some of Antetokounmpo’s offensive burden. But Milwaukee has limited assets to make a move to improve the roster.Western Conference
Oklahoma City Thunder
The Thunder always welcome an additional shooter. With their fiscal situation, adding a player under contract beyond this season is probably not viable, and they can’t add much salary this season without entering the tax. A player who could make sense: Haywood Highsmith of the Brooklyn Nets, who should return before the deadline after offseason meniscus surgery. Highsmith, a career 37% three-point shooter who can defend multiple positions, would fit into Oklahoma City’s system.San Antonio Spurs
Instead of making a flashy signing, the Spurs will try to add impactful players on the margins. The Spurs rank 17th in three-point percentage with 35.5%, and in their last three games of 2025, the team only shot 27.4% from long range. If anything, San Antonio will look to add depth. Jaylen Wells, forward for the Memphis Grizzlies, would fit in as a young perimeter defender who adds a solid shot.Denver Nuggets
Denver urgently needs help at the center position. The buyout market is a more likely route for Denver. If the Nuggets can find a new home for forward Hunter Tyson, they will create a roster spot to fill mid-season. If that happens quickly, Drew Eubanks, Kings center, could help fill the void at center left by the injuries of Jokic and Valanciunas.Los Angeles Lakers
The Lakers need more two-way players who can help cover the defensive deficiencies of Luka Doncic, LeBron James, and Austin Reaves, while improving the trio’s effectiveness on offense by making open three-pointers. The Lakers rank 26th in three-point percentage and 24th in defensive rating.If I were managing the Lakers, I would call the Sacramento Kings daily to inquire about guard Keon Ellis, who has been in and out of coach Doug Christie’s backcourt rotation after averaging 24.4 minutes last season. Ellis is a career 41.6% three-point shooter who excels at defending the ball. Ellis would easily fit into the Lakers’ salary sheet now, and would give them the ability to address the frontcourt using other expiring contracts.
Houston Rockets
Houston needed a point guard before the season started. It’s unlikely the team will do much before the trade deadline because it’s limited by the salary cap, sitting $1.25 million below the first threshold. Payton Pritchard, Celtics guard, would make sense, given his familiarity with Rockets coach Ime Udoka.
