BUYERS: Miami Heat

Needs: Play making

Potential targets: Chris Paul (Thunder), Kyle Lowry (Raptors), Bogdan Bogdanovic (Kings)

The Heat are playing brilliant basketball, but their a fragile ecosystem. They're (on the whole) young but are headed by a 30 year old star that has Thibodeau miles on the clock. Their system of Jimmy Butler surrounded by shooting (Now with added BAM!) clearly works. But what happens should Butler go down? Goran Dragic has found a late career niche controlling the 2nd unit. Justice Winslow is theoretically good, but no Butler.

Grand Poobah Pat Riley has never been one to die wondering. If a star like Paul or Lowry was available, he's surely throw the kitchen sink into trade negotiations. Don't sleep on him looking for a younger difference maker, though. Any combination of Winslow, Dragic, Kelly Olynyk, James Johnson and the ghost of Dion Waiters should be available.

SELLERS: Detroit Pistons

Possible Departures: Andre Drummond, Derrick Rose, Reggie Jackson, Markieff Morris

The Pistons have been chasing the 8 seed for years. They've added veteran after veteran with the expected results. Their injury woes this season have given the kids a chance to play. Whilst the results haven't been great in the wins column (currently 14-26, 11th in the East) players like Luke Kennard, Bruce Brown, Christian Wood and Sekou Doumbouya (the NBA's youngest player) have all shown some serious flashes. The recent Drummond rumours indicate that the Pistons are ready to lean into the youth movement.

As much as Detroit would like to find a way to get out of their Blake Griffin commitments, I'm afraid they're stuck with him. So it looks like Drummond, Jackson and Rose will be shopped.

Drummond and Rose will have their suitors at the top end of the table. Reggie Jackson is an expiring deal, which might be the only way Detroit can get rid. Markeiff Morris has one year after this at $3 million. If Detroit want to get something back for him, he's easily tradable.

BUYERS: Oklahoma City Thunder

Needs: wings

Potential Targets: Bogdan Bogdanovic, Kevin Knox, Robert Covington, Jae Crowder

The Thunder currently sit in 7th place in the Western Conference at 22-17. Whilst there was an expectation that the Thunder would fire sale their veterans at some point this season, their unexpected ascension means that GM Sam Presti will likely keep hold of his veterans and make a playoff push. To that end, the Thunder desperately need help on the wings. Their best wing, Andre Roberson, hasn't played for about 18 months. The rest of the rotation is the athletic, but thoroughly underwhelming young trio of Terrance Ferguson, Hamadou Diallo and Darius Bazley. That is not getting it done, folks. Bogdan Bogdanovic or Robert Covington would be ideal. Maybe they back themselves in as the team that can get Kevin Knox's career jump started.

SELLERS: Oklahoma City Thunder

(Seriously, who knows what the Thunder are going to do)

Potential Departures: Chris Paul, Danilo Gallinari, Steven Adams, Dennis Schroder.

The Thunder currently sit in 7th place in the Western Conference at 22-17 – stop me if you've heard this before. Despite their standing, OKC are not sitting at the NBA's top table. Given most of the Thunder's best players are older, and they own every draft pick in existence, it makes sense for the Thunder to sell off the high priced veterans and build from the bottom.

Chris Paul is the obvious upgrade for just about any contender, but that $38 million salary for this season and a contract that runs until CP3's age 37 season makes him difficult to fit into practically any contenders cap.

Danilo Gallinari should be very getable. The Italian is still a serviceable scorer and fantastic shooter. He'd look great in Dallas. Steven Adams is an interesting case. He's the heart and soul of the Thunder now that Russ is gone. A selfless teammate, Adams would slot into many a contenders plans. Boston would be a great fit, as would the Lakers. A trade for JaVale McGee, Avery Bradley and Boogie Cousins works.

BUYERS: Portland Trailblazers

Needs: two way wings (or alternatively, any real life NBA player with fully operating limbs)

Potential targets: Robert Covington (Timberwolves), Aaron Gordon (Magic), Jae Crowder (Grizzlies)

Portland are in an intriguing spot. They overachieved last season and are injury decimated this season. Their star back court is locked in through the 2023 season, so patience is perhaps a virtue, but Damian Lillard turns 30 in the off season with CJ McCollum's 29th birthday not long after – the Blazers feel that the clock is ticking.

Their clear need is two way wings. Carmelo Anthony has come as advertised on offense (good!) and defense (bad!). The Blazers need someone that can stop their opponent – which rules out Kevin Love - but is more reliable with the ball than former wings Mo Harkless or Al Farouq Aminu.

Jae Crowder fits the back courts timeline, but is he really a difference maker? If the Magic are serious about trading Aaron Gordon, Portland could do worse that the athletic combo forward.

Who would the Blazers give up? Hassan Whiteside is on an expiring contract and he becomes redundant once Jusuf Nurkic returns. Would a team dump an expensive asset for Kent Bazemore's expiring deal?

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