During the holidays, it’s always about taking things to the next level. The 14-year-old needs the PS5 connection, while the 7-year-old demands every LEGO Sonic the Hedgehog set possible.
Parents are no better. The house must have the best lights on the street, and if these cookies don’t knock Santa’s stockings off, what’s the point?
NBA general managers are no different. While they publicly declare their endless support and confidence in their rosters, it’s all about plugging holes, improving, and progressing to a place where you’ll be the envy of the league.
So let’s take a look at how teams in the Southwest Division should prepare for the February 6 trade deadline.
Previous divisions: Atlantic | Central | Southeast | Northwest | Peaceful
Dallas Mavericks
Status: Competitors
Approach: Buyers
You can’t make drastic additions to a roster that reached the NBA Finals and not be fully committed to winning right now.
The Mavs signed Klay Thompson, shipped out two one-way players, Tim Hardaway Jr. and Josh Green, and should now look at every possible option to improve further.
Dallas ranks favorably on both ends of the court, despite a somewhat difficult year for superstar Luka Dončić, who will now be out for at least a month with a calf injury.
This is one more reason to go all-in. If the Slovenian All-Star returns to form as the season progresses, Dallas would have a good chance of returning to the Finals, especially since the Denver Nuggets currently seem unstable.
The Mavericks’ biggest challenge by far is how they will best match up against the Oklahoma City Thunder. Is the answer a more dynamic offense or a more switchable defense? Maybe a teaspoon of both?
Regardless of the recipe, Dallas is all-in and so should be expected to be aggressive, even if it’s only about half a million below the first apron.
Probability of exchange: It would be disappointing if it wasn’t significant
Houston Rockets
Status: Competitive
Approach: Buy at the right price
The fact that the Rockets didn’t give up much of their youth over the past summer has been a huge plus for them, as any attempt to accelerate their rebuild should be a sure-fire hit.
No such trade existed, but that doesn’t mean the team should panic and do something to get out before the deadline. If anything, this team’s success, with so many young players taking on major responsibilities, proves that patience is key in Houston.
That said…
If the aforementioned slam-dunk trade happens, general manager Rafael Stone better open the door. Because while these Rockets have captured our imagination, they have a small ceiling.
There isn’t a single A-list star on the roster, at least not yet, but if one suddenly becomes available, Houston will have ample opportunity to present an attractive offer to whoever sells.
But it has to make sense. If the Rockets start reaching, they could risk falling back a few years.
Probability of exchange: Small to decent
Memphis Grizzlies
Status: Competitive
Approach: Flexible
The Grizzlies are in an ideal situation these days. Not only do they rank in the top half of the Western Conference, but they also don’t face huge expectations from the outside.
Ja Morant has missed a good portion of games this season after playing only nine last year, while Desmond Bane has changed his game somewhat dramatically, sacrificing some of his scoring to help in others domains.
These Grizzlies, after a hellish season last year, are essentially reinventing themselves on the fly, while incorporating new elements such as Zach Edey and Jaylen Wells, and realizing just how good Scotty Pippen Jr. is.
All of these moving parts give them the luxury of taking a step back, if they choose, or acting as buyers before the deadline, likely to find a veteran wing capable of bridging the backcourt and front line .
The fact that the Grizzlies are more than $6 million below the first apron is also a major plus, as that buffer gives them the opportunity to rake in cash, which in today’s financial climate is a major boon.
Probability of exchange: Significant
New Orleans Pelicans
Status: Oh boy
Approach: Sell everything
There is simply no need to get into the meat of this season for the Pelicans. It’s ugly, and it’s time for a major roster overhaul. In short, it’s time to dismantle the entire roster.
Brandon Ingram is set to become an unrestricted free agent this summer, which means it’s time to make a decision regarding his future. If he isn’t moved and the Pelicans lose him for nothing this offseason, that would be a big blow from an asset accumulation standpoint.
Zion Williamson is also fair game now. He’s not healthy and his contract is only partially guaranteed the rest of the way, making it easier to cut him, if New Orleans wants to — and they should.
Outside of Herb Jones, Yves Missi, Trey Murphy and maybe Jordan Hawkins, the Pelicans shouldn’t just answer calls. They should make calls aggressively, looking to rebuild this team.
It simply will not be enough to circumvent the margin, and this must be the ideology before the deadline.
Probability of exchange: Huge
San Antonio Spurs
Status: Competitive
Approach: Flexible
In many ways, the Spurs might be the more interesting team to follow before the deadline. They can go a lot of different routes, due to the fact that they have a 20-year-old who isn’t necessarily far from MVP consideration.
They can justify playing for a talent that makes them better immediately, just like they can justify being patient and looking for a guy next summer.
The Spurs also have the option to part ways with Keldon Johnson, who made a team-friendly deal this year and the next two. They can accept money, just as they can send money to maximize their chances in free agency.
What allows them this luxury is not only Victor Wembanyama, but also the fact that they have several incoming draft picks, including an unprotected first rounder from Atlanta this season, as well as a top 10 protected first of the Chicago Bulls.
Even though the Spurs are in no rush, they are good candidates to make something happen. What “something” means is for them to show us, but they have many paths to take.
Probability of exchange: Big
