Album of the Week: “Ghetto Fabolous,” Fabolous (2001)
Trade it all!
The bar for blockbusters was set extra high at this time last year with the De’Aaron Fox trade. (I’m just playing; I know Markieff Morris was also traded last year.) We have underwhelmed so far, but we all know that Nico Harrison would have already traded Giannis Antetokounmpo to the New York Knicks if he were running the Milwaukee Bucks, and he would not have leaked anything either. Can’t have outrageous outcomes every year.
This is one of my favorite weeks of the season. Not because of the trades that will happen, but because Friday will reset the clock on the ridiculous trade ideas that ultimately went on a boat with the rest of the failed conference championship merchandise.
Keyboard (Golden State) warriors have been making ostentatious trade ideas for weeks with no reprimand. This week, I’m giving every team a trade candidate that would be an ideal fit in the short-term future. For some teams, that’s this season. For teams like the one that traded for Trae Young, perhaps that’s not this season. (And to be clear, we’re not reporting that these deals are likely or even on the table. Just highlight scenarios and potential fits that feel possible!)
Fine print: These Power Rankings won’t just rank every team. We’ll retain the tiers that teams will be promoted into and relegated out of. There will be five tiers each week:
- Top Contenders – Locked at five, these are the class of the league
- In a Good Place – Could be one team, could be seven teams
- The Bubble – Not to be confused with Walt Disney World. The middle of the pack
- Not the Tier to Fear – Not playing the worst ball in the league, but with a lot of work to do
- Basement Floor – Bringing up the rear
What to expect from Power Rankings:
- These are my subjective rankings. I will consider a variety of objective measures, but it’s my final call.
- These rankings are not just a review of the past week — we are projecting forward as well, so it is a balance of the two.
- These are subjective, but not biased. There are no agendas in the Power Rankings, and we strive for an inclusive meritocracy
- The one quality that these rankings possess: “Ruthless aggression.”
- Enjoy the games, and enjoy the rankings, please!
For Week 16 of The Athletic NBA Power Rankings, we will explore dream trade targets for each team. Win-loss records and other statistical data are through Sunday’s action.
Tier 1: Top Contenders
1. Oklahoma City Thunder (39-11)
Last ranking: 1
In the last week: W vs NO, L at MIN, W at DEN
Offensive rating: 117.9 (fourth place)
Defensive rating: 105.8 (first place)
Trade deadline Photoshop: PF Guerschon Yabusele
Obviously, some teams don’t need to do much of anything. Oklahoma City is one of those teams, and it still has the best record in the league despite another beatdown at the hands of its Western Conference finals foe, the Minnesota Timberwolves. The Thunder did well to bounce back with a win at Denver, and they’ll have another statement win opportunity with San Antonio and the Rockets on the schedule. I’ve included Yabusele as a potential trade target since he’s attainable and could give the Thunder an offensive rebounding option in the unlikely event the Thunder ever care about offensive rebounds (they allow the fewest fast-break points in the league for a reason).
2. Detroit Pistons (36-12)
Last ranking: 2
In the last week: W at DEN, L at PHO, W at GS, W vs BRK
Offensive rating: 116.1 (11th place)
Defensive rating: 108.3 (second place)
Trade deadline Photoshop: SG Malik Monk
Congratulations to J.B. Bickerstaff, who went from being fired by Cleveland to succeeding Cleveland head coach Kenny Atkinson as Eastern Conference All-Stars head coach. Bickerstaff also has two All-Stars, with center Jalen Duren joining MVP candidate Cade Cunningham. Now, I wonder if the Pistons add some firepower to the backcourt. Monk could be a good target who could handle extra ballhandling opportunity and be a solid complement to Cunningham if the Pistons were willing to part with Caris LeVert or Jaden Ivey.
3. San Antonio Spurs (33-16)
Last ranking: 4
In the last week: W at HOU, L at CHA, W vs ORL
Offensive rating: 116.2 (10th place)
Defensive rating: 111.1 (third place)
Trade deadline Photoshop: PF Sam Hauser
The Spurs earned an elevated trip in these standings mostly on the strength of a comeback win in Houston, and head coach Mitch Johnson will join Victor Wembanyama at the All-Star Game. The Spurs have a lot of interesting scenarios, but I do wonder what happens at power forward. You can never have too much shooting, so I have a Jeremy Sochan for Hauser swap here; I’m sure there would be some outgoing picks from San Antonio to complete a deal like this. Just keep an eye on the power forward spot for the Spurs, whether that’s Sochan or even starter Harrison Barnes.
4. Denver Nuggets (33-17)
Last ranking: 6
In the last week: L vs DET, W vs BRK, W vs LAC, L vs OKC
Offensive rating: 120.8 (first place)
Defensive rating: 116.5 (22nd place)
Trade deadline Photoshop: PG Jose Alvarado
Teams love to refer to their own injured reserve as trade deadline acquisitions. In the case of the Nuggets, getting Nikola Jokić back before the end of February qualifies as a midseason addition. And now, Jokić can finally say he has an All-Star teammate, with Jamal Murray being a first-time selection. Murray could use a better backup who can be a pest defensively. If Denver could acquire someone like Alvarado, it would make the Nuggets that much more of a factor come playoff time.
5. Houston Rockets (30-17)
Last ranking: 3
In the last week: W vs MEM, L vs SA, W at ATL, W vs DAL
Offensive rating: 117.8 (fifth place)
Defensive rating: 111.9 (fifth place)
Trade deadline Photoshop: PG Ja Morant
Let’s get blasphemous. Houston could trade Fred VanVleet and Steven Adams, both out for the season, to a Memphis Grizzlies team that could tank accordingly. I realize this trade would not happen for a variety of reasons (moving on from a culture guy like VanVleet for the wild card that is Morant would be nasty work), but the alternative is doing nothing while the Rockets struggle to run offense in clutch time. The Rockets are a powerful basketball team, but they are as shaky as it gets if they have to play relevant fourth-quarter minutes.
Tier 2: In a Good Place
6. New York Knicks (31-18)
Last ranking: 7
In the last week: W vs SAC, W at TOR, W vs POR, W vs LAL
Offensive rating: 118.9 (third place)
Defensive rating: 113.5 (12th place)
Trade deadline Photoshop: SF Ousmane Dieng
New York got its act together this week, so potential Karl-Anthony Towns trades can be put away. Instead, the focus will be on shuffling bench pieces such as Yabusele or Jordan Clarkson. Dieng was actually drafted with a Knicks pick technically before it fell into the hands of Oklahoma City, just like every draft pick in the NBA in the 2020s. Dieng was the one Thunder lottery pick from 2022 that didn’t become a rookie contract All-Star, unlike Jalen Williams last year or Chet Holmgren this year, and he would be an intriguing buy-low candidate for New York in place of Yabusele due to his length and tools.
7. Minnesota Timberwolves (31-19)
Last ranking: 13
In the last week: W vs GS, W at DAL, W vs OKC, W at MEM
Offensive rating: 116.6 (ninth place)
Defensive rating: 111.8 (fourth place)
Trade deadline Photoshop: PG Coby White
The Timberwolves answered a very difficult stretch, both for the basketball team and the city, by sweeping the week of games. The win over the Thunder highlighted a four-game win streak after the Timberwolves lost five straight games. Still, it would be interesting to see how Minnesota’s offense could work with 6-foot-4, 210-pound White in place of 6-foot-4, 203-pound Donte DiVincenzo. White has a lower floor than DiVincenzo, especially defensively, but Minnesota has the right kind of infrastructure to mitigate that and unlock the rest of the lineup because of White’s brand of shot creation.
8. Boston Celtics (31-18)
Last ranking: 5
In the last week: W vs POR, L vs ATL, W vs SAC, W vs MIL
Offensive rating: 120.7 (second place)
Defensive rating: 113.1 (11th place)
Trade deadline Photoshop: PF Jeremy Sochan
It’s a big week for the Celtics. Boston went into this season acknowledging the financial considerations of the roster. But here it is battling for a top-two seed, as usual, even after parting ways with Jrue Holiday, Kristaps Porziņģis and Al Horford while Jayson Tatum recovers from Achilles surgery. Anfernee Simons was thought of as a rental, while Sam Hauser looked to be on borrowed time. This roster has been quite connected. If they do shake things up, an activity forward (on an expiring contract) makes sense, and Sochan would be an intriguing fit with Joe Mazzulla.
Tier 3: The Bubble
9. Phoenix Suns (30-20)
Last ranking: 9
In the last week: W vs BRK, W vs DET, W vs CLE, L vs LAC
Offensive rating: 114.3 (15th place)
Defensive rating: 112.0 (seventh place)
Trade deadline Photoshop: SF Bennedict Mathurin
The Suns had an impressive week of wins, blowing out both the Pistons and Cavaliers without All-Star Devin Booker. Keep in mind, this is a Suns team that won one game all of last season without Booker in the lineup, and Jalen Green has only played five games this season. I do wonder if they could use a free-throw merchant like Mathurin for the bench in the playoffs, especially if it would only cost them Jordan Goodwin and seldom-used center Khaman Maluach. Green’s and Booker’s returns to health are going to squeeze small guard minutes, and Mark Williams has played well enough to be considered the team’s center of the future; would that change how the Suns approach the deadline?
Would The King return home for one final season? David Richard / Imagn Images
10. Cleveland Cavaliers (30-21)
Last ranking: 8
In the last week: W vs ORL, W vs LAL, L at PHO, W at POR
Offensive rating: 116.8 (seventh place)
Defensive rating: 113.6 (13th place)
Trade deadline Photoshop: SF LeBron James
Now we’re cooking. I can’t see James agreeing to go back to Cleveland by this deadline, and Cleveland has already made its move, breaking up De’Andre Hunter’s contract to acquire guards Dennis Schröder and Keon Ellis. A James acquisition is something that would probably be a better conversation for the offseason. Finding a legal trade doesn’t really work either, to say nothing about James’ no-trade clause. But I would not be surprised if James is back in Cleveland at some point in 2026 after the Cavs made him tear up this week.
11. Los Angeles Lakers (29-19)
Last ranking: 10
In the last week: W at CHI, L at CLE, W at WAS, L at NY
Offensive rating: 116.7 (eighth place)
Defensive rating: 117.1 (25th place)
Trade deadline Photoshop: C Jarrett Allen
If there’s a player the Lakers could really use from the Cavaliers, it’s Allen. Deandre Ayton is a solid finisher who is capable of great rebounding games, but the Lakers have had a whale of a time trying to defend with Ayton on the floor. Allen’s mobility and selfless rim protection would be a perfect fit. Trading Ayton and Jarred Vanderbilt would get this done.
12. Toronto Raptors (30-21)
Last ranking: 11
In the last week: L vs NY, L at ORL, W vs UTA
Offensive rating: 113.4 (20th place)
Defensive rating: 112.1 (eighth place)
Trade deadline Photoshop: SG Cam Thomas
Thomas can veto trades, but he’s in such a bad situation in Brooklyn that a move to Canada can’t be too bad. Toronto could acquire Thomas’ expiring contract by trading Ochai Agbaji, a solid defender whose offense has completely abandoned him. Thomas would give the Raptors another offensive option if he clicks with Darko Rajaković’s system, and another benchable guard headed to free agency if he doesn’t. For a Toronto team that has struggled offensively with RJ Barrett, Brandon Ingram or All-Star Scottie Barnes off the floor, adding another shot creator would be worth it.
13. Philadelphia 76ers (27-21)
Last ranking: 14
In the last week: L at CHA, W vs MIL, W vs SAC, W vs NO
Offensive rating: 115.0 (13th place)
Defensive rating: 114.0 (14th place)
Trade deadline Photoshop: PF Kevin Love
The 76ers already needed to make some maneuvers to create roster spots before Paul George caught a 25-game suspension. Acquiring Love would simply give the 76ers a player to waive so that they can promote at least Dominick Barlow to a standard contract. Fellow two-way contract Jabari Walker hasn’t started a game since Christmas and only played 15 minutes or more twice in January, so his status would not be as pressing.
14. Golden State Warriors (27-23)
Last ranking: 12
In the last week: L at MIN, W at UTA, L vs DET
Offensive rating: 114.8 (14th place)
Defensive rating: 112.1 (ninth place)
Trade deadline Photoshop: SF Khris Middleton
Golden State needs a player who can make solid passing decisions. Trading Jonathan Kuminga and Buddy Hield to Washington for Middleton would give the Warriors a solid decision-maker who can work in the midrange while giving Golden State a clean cap sheet after the season. It’s not exactly the Jimmy Butler trade, but at least the Warriors could approximate a bit of what Butler did for them as a ball-in-hand wing.
15. Orlando Magic (25-23)
Last ranking: 15
In the last week: L at CLE, W at MIA, W vs TOR, L at SA
Offensive rating: 113.9 (16th place)
Defensive rating: 114.3 (15th place)
Trade deadline Photoshop: SG Dalton Knecht
There’s not much that needs to be said about the Magic. They are as uneven as it gets because of the recurring injury issues of their best players. Jalen Suggs is starting to play more consistently, but now Franz Wagner is out. Consistently good shooting remains a problem. Finding a way to get Jett Howard back to Los Angeles would be intriguing, as Howard’s All-Star father, Juwan, played with Lakers basketball president Rob Pelinka at Michigan and with LeBron James in Miami.
16. Miami Heat (27-24)
Last ranking: 16
In the last week: L vs ORL, W at CHI, L vs CHI, W vs CHI
Offensive rating: 113.8 (17th place)
Defensive rating: 112.0 (sixth place)
Trade deadline Photoshop: C Yves Missi
Congratulations to Norman Powell, a first-time All-Star at age 32 and in his first season with Miami. His next contract is going to be very interesting, particularly for a Heat team still floating just above .500 and out of games against the Chicago Bulls until they inevitably meet in April’s Play-In Tournament. Kel’el Ware seems to have a permanent residence in Erik Spoelstra’s doghouse, and perhaps the Heat would be better off with another center from the 2024 draft class, Missi.
17. LA Clippers (23-25)
Last ranking: 18
In the last week: W at UTA, L at DEN, W at PHO
Offensive rating: 115.9 (12th place)
Defensive rating: 115.6 (20th place)
Trade deadline Photoshop: SG Collin Sexton
The Clippers lose to the Nuggets on an annual basis in games where Denver seems to be at a logistical disadvantage; in this case, Nikola Jokić returned, but the rest of the Nuggets were on zero days’ rest and short-handed while the Clippers had two days off in the mountains to get ready. Alas, the Clippers continued their extreme regression to the mean and formally passed the Portland Trail Blazers in the West standings. LA needs more guard firepower, and Sexton began his NBA career under Tyronn Lue (for six games, but it counts all the same).
18. Charlotte Hornets (22-28)
Last ranking: 20
In the last week: W vs PHI, W at MEM, W at DAL, W vs SA
Offensive rating: 117.1 (sixth place)
Defensive rating: 115.3 (19th place)
Trade deadline Photoshop: PG Chris Paul
Twenty teams have a better record than the Charlotte Hornets, but only 12 have a better point differential. And while the Clippers had the best record of any team in January, the Hornets outscored foes by 187 points, 69 more than the next best team. I’ve been trying to find a team for Paul to complete what is presumed to be his final NBA season, and why not Charlotte? The Clippers could trade Paul, Bogdan Bogdanović and the contract of Kobe Brown for Sexton, a useful player who hasn’t played 20 minutes in back-to-back games in two weeks. All the Hornets need apparently is a fully healthy starting lineup of LaMelo Ball, Kon Knueppel, Brandon Miller, Miles Bridges and Moussa Diabate. Perhaps a little more experience on the bench would help Charlotte that much more, with Paul being given a chance to finish his career in his home state.
Tier 4: Not the Tier to Fear
19. Chicago Bulls (24-26)
Last ranking: 17
In the last week: L vs LAL, L at IND, L vs MIA, W at MIA, L at MIA
Offensive rating: 113.7 (18th place)
Defensive rating: 116.7 (24th place)
Trade deadline Photoshop: SG Donte DiVincenzo
Not a good week for the Bulls, as they had to play four games in five nights and were pummeled by the Heat in their final meeting of the season. In a hypothetical Coby White for Donte DiVincenzo trade, Chicago would be sacrificing some offensive juice for a tough defender in DiVincenzo. The Bulls have already been involved in one trade, acquiring Dario Šarić while waiving Jevon Carter.
Michael Porter Jr. could be an intriguing acquisition for the Atlanta Hawks. (Wendell Cruz / Imagn Images)
20. Atlanta Hawks (24-27)
Last ranking: 22
In the last week: W vs IND, W at BOS, L vs HOU, L at IND
Offensive rating: 113.4 (21st place)
Defensive rating: 114.5 (16th place)
Trade deadline Photoshop: SF Michael Porter Jr.
The Hawks acquired the injured Duop Reath from Portland while trading small forward Vit Krejčí. It’s a move that sets up another, and I am proposing a blockbuster that would land Porter in Atlanta from the Brooklyn Nets. It would cost the Hawks CJ McCollum, whose deal can’t be aggregated. But the Hawks would get a scorer who fits better, while the Nets get an expiring contract. Atlanta once again showed a high ceiling with a win at Boston that cost Onyeka Okongwu his teeth, only to turn around and lose at Indiana to end the week.
21. Portland Trail Blazers (23-27)
Last ranking: 19
In the last week: L at BOS, L at WAS, L at NY, L vs CLE
Offensive rating: 112.5 (23rd place)
Defensive rating: 115.2 (18th place)
Trade deadline Photoshop: PG Lonzo Ball
The Trail Blazers acquired Krejčí from Atlanta, but they need some good decision-makers. Ball has struggled to put the ball in the basket this season in Cleveland, but he would fit as a solid playmaker on both ends of the floor for Portland if the Trail Blazers are willing to trade Robert Williams. What the Trail Blazers really need is a return to health for Scoot Henderson, who has missed the entire season due to a torn hamstring.
22. Memphis Grizzlies (18-29)
Last ranking: 23
In the last week: L at HOU, L vs CHA, L at NO, L vs MIN
Offensive rating: 112.5 (22nd place)
Defensive rating: 114.6 (17th place)
Trade deadline Photoshop: C Domantas Sabonis
Ty Jerome is back, so that solves Memphis’ midseason acquisition question. But we already traded Ja Morant earlier in these Power Rankings, so let’s just blow it up in Memphis and trade Jaren Jackson Jr., too. In would come Domantas Sabonis, in the midst of an injury-riddled season for a Memphis team that may have an incentive to soft-launch a rebuild. Only three teams have a worse field goal percentage than the Grizzlies, and while the absence of Zach Edey has a lot to do with that, Sabonis would be a solid and efficient scorer in Memphis if the Grizzlies chose to pivot.
23. Dallas Mavericks (19-30)
Last ranking: 24
In the last week: L vs MIN, L vs CHA, L at HOU
Offensive rating: 110.3 (27th place)
Defensive rating: 112.6 (10th place)
Trade deadline Photoshop: PF Giannis Antetokounmpo
Jason Kidd winds up calmly crashing out once a season because of the ridiculous circumstances his teams wind up in during his tenure. While Cooper Flagg is figuring things out individually, it is clear that the rest of Dallas’ roster makes no sense. So sure, let’s just do a Giannis Antetokounmpo-Anthony Davis straight-up trade and call it a deadline.
24. Milwaukee Bucks (18-29)
Last ranking: 21
In the last week: L at PHI, L at WAS, L at BOS
Offensive rating: 112.1 (24th place)
Defensive rating: 116.6 (23rd place)
Trade deadline Photoshop: PF Anthony Davis
…Not that anyone asked for this. But hear me out on Davis to the Bucks. Davis is not only a short ride from his hometown of Chicago (this worked for Jabari Parker), but Davis is also a big Green Bay Packers fan. Myles Turner is there, which is objectively funny since Lakers fans definitely Photoshopped Turner in a Lakers jersey over multiple years so that he could play next to Davis. Darvin Ham is there! Kyle Kuzma is there! Get the gang all together. The Bucks may have better options to trade Giannis, and they may even take a cue from Davis’ exit from New Orleans, choosing to wait until the draft lottery to facilitate the best move. But I’d at least be entertained by Davis landing in Milwaukee with this version of the Bucks.
25. Indiana Pacers (13-36)
Last ranking: 26
In the last week: L at ATL, W vs CHI, W vs ATL
Offensive rating: 108.4 (30th place)
Defensive rating: 115.9 (21st place)
Trade deadline Photoshop: C Khaman Maluach
Some of you thought that the Pacers should get an All-Star in Pascal Siakam, and congratulations to Siakam for getting at least a little something out of this forgettable season. Siakam has started to begin games at center lately, and I suggested a Bennedict Mathurin to Phoenix trade that would give the Pacers a trial run with lottery rookie center Maluach, who has played a total of 95 minutes this season. Maluach wouldn’t help the Pacers win games this season, which is part of the calculus here. Indiana needs a center of the future, though, and this would be one way to determine whether or not Maluach fits that bill.
Tier 5: Basement Floor
26. Washington Wizards (13-35)
Last ranking: 30
In the last week: W vs POR, W vs MIL, L vs LAL, W vs SAC
Offensive rating: 109.5 (29th place)
Defensive rating: 119.8 (29th place)
Trade deadline Photoshop: PF Jonathan Kuminga
The Wizards knocked off three teams that failed to win a single game this week. It’s time for them to trade a veteran, because CJ McCollum had to go the last time Washington ripped off this many wins. Kuminga would give the Wizards an option for potential star power scoring, and pairing him with Trae Young could take pressure off Washington’s lottery endeavors while finally re-homing Khris Middleton.
27. Brooklyn Nets (13-35)
Last ranking: 28
In the last week: L at PHO, L at DEN, W at UTA, L at DET
Offensive rating: 110.5 (26th place)
Defensive rating: 118.0 (26th place)
Trade deadline Photoshop: SG CJ McCollum
It is really bad in Brooklyn these days. You never know when the Nets are just going to get smacked by a terrible amount of points. Michael Porter Jr. was an All-Star snub as well. Time to flip his deal before it gets too late.
28. New Orleans Pelicans (13-38)
Last ranking: 25
In the last week: L at OKC, W vs MEM, L at PHI
Offensive rating: 112.0 (25th place)
Defensive rating: 118.3 (27th place)
Trade deadline Photoshop: C Kel’el Ware
The Pelicans need more complementary pieces around bigs Zion Williamson and Derik Queen. A Ware-for-Missi swap gives the Pelicans more of an impact, especially offensively. Ware has made more 3s this season than Missi, Williamson, or Queen combined to make in their entire careers.
29. Utah Jazz (15-35)
Last ranking: 27
In the last week: L vs LAC, L vs GS, L vs BRK, L at TOR
Offensive rating: 113.5 (19th place)
Defensive rating: 122.1 (30th place)
Trade deadline Photoshop: C Andre Drummond
Not much to see here. The Jazz have started playing All-Star snub Lauri Markkanen a little more often, but even he is no match for what Utah has become. Acquiring Drummond would just open up minutes and roster spots for the Sixers while the Jazz seek talent in higher places.
30. Sacramento Kings (12-39)
Last ranking: 29
In the last week: L at NY, L at PHI, L at BOS, L at WAS
Offensive rating: 109.6 (28th place)
Defensive rating: 119.6 (28th place)
Trade deadline Photoshop: PF Jaren Jackson Jr.
We have mercifully come to an end, and the Kings have earned this placement, losing an NBA-high 39 of 51 games already. De’Andre Hunter is here now to pay for not being able to suit up next to Keegan Murray. There’s little chance that all three of Zach LaVine, DeMar DeRozan and Domantas Sabonis are all still in trouble. Bringing in Jackson would simply be intriguing for the Kings to build around. But keep in mind, this team is really bad. Jackson might go into witness protection if he gets traded to the state capital.