NBA Deadline Watch: Atlantic Division

Boston Celtics

The most appropriate question to ask would be who aren’t the Celtics aren’t interested in? The fortunate thing for the franchise, though, is that they are dealing with a position of power. With first-time All-Star Isaiah Thomas earning a berth in Toronto, there is objective evidence that the Celtics—who enter play on February 10 with a 31-23 record and the conference’s third seed—are progressing.

In terms of who is currently on the roster, David Lee and Evan Turner are each in the final year of their contracts – with Lee emerging as a logical candidate for a change of scenery. Despite being the team’s highest-paid player at just above $15 million, he is ninth in minutes played and hasn’t been able to stay healthy. Turner is a much more important piece of the team’s rotation, but the general sentiment surrounding these Celtics is that anyone can be had for the right price.

Armed with as many as three first round picks in this year’s draft (including the Brooklyn Nets’ unprotected pick), the Celtics will be ready to pounce on any All-Star caliber talent that finds himself on the trading block. To this point, there has been nothing more than conjecture as it relates to the likes of DeMarcus Cousins, Al Horford and Jeff Teague being dealt by the Sacramento Kings and Atlanta Hawks, respectively. It should come as no surprise, though, that Boston has been constantly mentioned as a potential landing spot.

Expect more of the same, as they are a team chock full of quality rotation pieces and a franchise whose treasure trove of draft picks is precisely what any team looking to divest itself of a talented player would look to raid in return for a potential difference maker.

Brooklyn Nets

Without a general manager in place, the Nets have priorities aside from making phone calls to gauge what may or may not be available for them on the trade market. With Jarrett Jack lost for the season, the Nets have primarily relied on Donald Sloan and Shane Larkin for their playmaking duties, so a more reliable lead guard would make a lot of sense in Brooklyn.

Up until very recently, the prevailing sentiment from some around the organization in Brooklyn was that the Nets would stand pat at the deadline and attempt to augment the team’s existing core of Thaddeus Young and Brook Lopez with a difference-making free agent or two. That was, of course, until a report surfaced suggesting that the Toronto Raptors had the hots for Thaddeus Young. With the team entering all-out rebuilding mode, the 27-year-old Young, one would think, could be had for the right price. As the Nets do not control their own first-round pick until 2019, it is safe to assume that any conversation revolving around trading Young and/or Lopez would have to begin with draft pick compensation.

Since Deron Williams was bought out by the franchise this summer, the clock has been ticking on Joe Johnson’s tenure as a member of the Brooklyn Nets. Johnson and his $24.89 million salary makes him the league’s second-highest paid player trailing only Kobe Bryant. That huge salary makes Johnson difficult to trade, but as seen in years past, him accepting a buyout after the passing of the trade deadline seems a very likely outcome. One source close to Johnson recently told Basketball Insiders that the 34-year-old marksman is “as miserable as he has ever been” and would welcome a change of scenery.

One way or another, it is incredibly difficult to imagine any scenario where Johnson is no longer a Net come March 1, as that is the playoff eligibility waiver deadline.

New York Knicks

With the firing of head coach Derek Fisher, the New York Knicks have probably already made their February headlines. Phil Jackson has made no secret of the fact that the Knicks would like to upgrade every position around Carmelo Anthony and Kristaps Porzingis (both of whom Jackson said are not likely to be traded), but he also admitted that the Knicks do not seem to have much of anything that any other NBA team wants. Jeff Teague and Brandon Jennings would both make a lot of sense in New York City. Still, it is difficult to see how the Knicks could get their hands on Teague and the Detroit Pistons may be inclined to hold onto Brandon Jennings through the trade deadline since he could pay dividends for them in what is seeming like a probable playoff run.

If the Knicks do manage to pull the trigger on a headline-making trade, it may have to include Arron Afflalo. Afflalo has emerged as a dependable contributor for the Knicks and has both restored his value and outplayed the $8 million he will earn this season. With a player option for $8 million for next season, Afflalo is likely to opt out. His productivity plus short obligation would make him an ideal get for a team that wants to improve its shooting guard spot for a playoff run.

Kevin Seraphin and Lou Amundson have little to no value on the open market and although Lance Thomas may, no team will return anything of value to the Knicks in a trade centered around anyone but Anthony, Porzingis and, to a lesser extent, Afflalo.

Although the Toronto Raptors currently own the Knicks’ first round pick in this year’s draft, fans of the team can look forward to July. Even without qualifying for the playoffs, with the progressing Porzingis and their improved play this season, the Knicks have returned to respectability and will certainly have their audience with difference-making free agents that hit the market this summer. The outlook is bright, even if the deadline ends up being quiet.

Philadelphia 76ers

The Sixers enter play on February 10 having gone 7-14 since Christmas Day and that is considered a major accomplishment. With the recent additions of Ish Smith, Jerry Colangelo and Mike D’Antoni, we are suddenly seeing the semblance of a competitive team. Nerlens Noel and Jahlil Okafor each seem to be players worth keeping, so it’s difficult to imagine the Sixers being willing to part with either easily. Like the Boston Celtics, the team has made a habit of stockpiling draft picks and will be ready should an opportunity to add an impact player present itself.

For the Sixers, the team currently has just $60 million on its books for this season, meaning that, if they chose to, they could absorb the contract of a player or two without sending out any salaries in return. Having that flexibility makes them a prime candidate to facilitate a multi-team trade by absorbing a contract or two. In terms of players that could be shown the door, objectively speaking, nobody seems more likely than any other. The team’s highest paid player is Carl Landry, who is earning just $6.5 million this season. Both Robert Covington and Isaiah Canaan have had their share of moments in Philadelphia, but we are willing to bet the it’s another fairly quiet deadline for these Sixers. In all likelihood, the team will roll into the post trade deadline season looking to build some momentum.

If there is a deal to be had, however, expect them to involve a pick swap or two. As it currently stands, the Sixers have a whopping eight first-round pick credits between now and 2018, not including their own picks. Although all of those picks may not turn into first rounders, for the Sixers, it has gotten to the point where they simply have too many picks over the next few years and will need to actively begin consolidating them into an impact player or divesting them.

Toronto Raptors

If it ain’t broke, don’t fix it.

Things are awfully quiet in Toronto on the trade front, and for good reason. The Raptors will enter play on February 10 at 35-16 and trailing the Cleveland Cavaliers by only two games for the top seed in the Eastern Conference. What makes that especially impressive is that Kyle Lowry and DeMar DeRozan have essentially carried the team to wins in 14 of 15 games with prized free agent acquisition DeMarre Carroll injured. Carroll hasn’t appeared in a game since January 3.

General manager Masai Ujiri has traditionally been active on the phone lines, but operates in stealth. If the Raptors do make any moves before the trade deadline, expect it to be inconsequential to Dwane Casey’s rotation.

As of right now, multiple sources familiar with the front office’s thinking tell Basketball Insiders that manufacturing a roster spot in order to call up D-League standout Ronald Roberts remains a priority for the team. There has been some gossip related to Anthony Bennett and Lucas Nogueira, with those two names seeming to be the most logical casualties to make room for Roberts.

In the meantime, one source confirms that multiple NBA teams are keeping an eye on Roberts, with a call up expected to occur fairly soon. Aside from that, the Raptors do not seem likely to make a big splash this trading season.