4 NBA Trade Deadline Targets Not Named Ben Simmons Or Domantas Sabonis

Every NBA trade deadline, aspiring teams constantly inquire about the availability of certain players. They know that one trade can be the difference between a championship and an early exit. The big names dominate trade rumors – Ben Simmons, Myles Turner, Domantas Sabonis, Jerami Grant, Christian Wood, Eric Gordon – but important role players are often overlooked. PJ Tucker, an integral part of the Bucks championship run, is a prime example of the effects a role player can have during a playoff run. Here are 4 under the radar players that could bolster depth charts and improve a team’s championship odds.

Cory Joseph | Detroit Pistons | Guard | 6’3”

Cory Joseph’s role is a spot up threat off the bench that can handle the ball. His 45.3 3PT% would space the floor for many teams in dire need of shooting. Although Joseph is not a primary ball handler, he has the capability to create for teammates (3.9 APG). The 30-year-old veteran has extensive playoff experience from his 14.5 MPG across 82 playoff games. Joseph knows the sacrifices necessary to win a championship through his days on the Spurs when they won the title in the 2013/14 season. Joseph is a weapon on catch and shoot threes, but his ability to shoot jumpers off the dribble is limited. On defense, Joseph has been very efficient at shutting down spot up shooters. He is not a good defender in the pick and roll though, and teams can target him in isolation. He would thrive on a team that has ball handling and defense but lacks shooting. 

His salary is reasonable and easy to move at around $4.9 million this season with a $5.1 million Player Option next season. The rebuilding Pistons shouldn’t ask for more than a second round pick or two, so Joseph is highly gettable for any team. The Lakers and Mavericks are quality fits for Joseph. The Lakers have ball handling, but they are 27th in Spot Up offense. Joseph would accentuate Westbrook’s strengths as a slasher since opponents cannot shade towards the paint with Joseph waiting to launch a three. The Mavericks are 19th in Spot Up offense and 25th in 3PT%; the bench needs an infusion of shooting talent. Reggie Bullock has been a disappointment for the Mavericks bench spacing. With Tim Hardaway Jr sidelined for the moment, Joseph would stop the bleeding and boost the bench depth for the playoffs. Luka will dominate the ball in the playoffs so having players space the floor will maximize their success. 

Terrence Ross | Orlando Magic | Guard/Forward | 6’6”  

Terrence Ross has made a living being a scorer off the bench. For his career, he averages 11.4 PPG on a 41/36/83 shooting split. Ross is comfortable spotting up for a three, but his talent lies in the pick and roll. His handles allow him to create for himself off the dribble and exploit centers that switch onto him. Ross is a subpar playmaker who can create shots for himself but not for others consistently. He’s played in 41 playoff games and averaged 21.5 MPG across them. His numbers have dipped in the playoffs from defenses tightening up, but the talent is there for Ross to hit some big shots and keep the bench afloat. He is best suited for a team that has defense and shooting on the bench but needs players that can create their own shot. 

The Magic are rebuilding by hoarding picks and young talent. The 30-year-old Ross does not fit their timeline, so look for the Magic to shop him. Since he is a decent scorer, the Magic may seek a protected first round pick. His salary is around $12.5 million this season and $11.5 million next year. The Celtics and Raptors are logical landing spots for Ross. The Celtics have a trade exception that would cover Ross’ entire salary and young players or picks they could entice the Magic with. Schroder and Pritchard can create for themselves on the bench, but the Celtics as a whole are too inconsistent. Ross would provide another outlet the Celtics can lean on when players are having a rough shooting night. A Raptors reunion would revamp the disappointing bench. The Raptors lineup of VanVleet, Trent Jr, Barnes, Anunoby, and Siakam can compete with any team, but the bench is barren apart from big men Achiuwa and Boucher. Ross would give the bench a perimeter threat while elevating Achiuwa’s play in the pick and roll. Khem Birch would be in the deal to help balance the salary, and Isaac Bonga could be an intriguing piece for the Magic. The Raptors are fighting for their playoff lives currently, so the addition of Ross would potentially be the move that ensures their playoff berth. 

Thaddeus Young | San Antonio Spurs | Forward | 6’8” 

It seems as though the NBA world has forgotten about Thaddeus Young since his trade to the Spurs. Young is a tough, experienced veteran who can slide into any team seamlessly. Young thrives when he posts up because of his underrated passing and ability to finish at the rim. He is not an elite point-forward, but he can zip passes to the open man when he gets double-teamed in the post. On defense, he stifles the pick and roll when the center rolls to the basket. Young cannot switch on the perimeter, yet he can quickly flash out to stop a catch and shoot three. Across his long career, Young has played 29.2 MPG in 51 playoff games while starting in 33 of them. He understands how to handle playoff atmospheres. He is on his last legs at 33-years-old, so Young is extremely motivated to finally get that elusive ring. 

The Spurs effectively shut down Young because of their desire to play young talent. They are not a playoff team, so they have no need for Young. He has a salary of about $14.1 million this season, but he is an unrestricted free agent this summer. The Spurs won’t ask for much because of his flight risk and age; a couple of second round picks and a young player seems like a reasonable price to pay for the services of Young. Two teams that would benefit are the Suns and the Celtics. The Suns have Cameron Johnson, Jalen Smith, and JaVale McGee on the bench, but Young is the type of player they are missing. Johnson is an elite shooter who would thrive next to Young’s playmaking, while Smith and Young would form a formidable defensive duo. McGee would complement Young since the Spurs veteran is not an elite rebounder. Chris Paul does not have many years left, so the Suns should go for broke and upgrade their roster as much as possible. Dario Saric would have to be traded to make the money work, but Young is more impactful than Saric, who is recovering from a torn ACL. The Suns would have a forward for every situation with him on the team. Once again, the Celtics could use their trade exception and acquire the Spurs veteran. The Celtics have Grant Williams as their bench power forward, but his style is different from Young’s. Williams is a perimeter shooter (42.5 3PT%) who is a poor rebounder and roll man. Young’s toughness and offensive skill set would provide versatility. His leadership might ignite some life into the Celtics when they are flat (which is too often). 

Goran Dragic | Toronto Raptors | Guard | 6’3”

Goran Dragic is an excellent ball handler and playmaker who can also space the floor. He has scored at least 10 PPG for the last ten consecutive seasons (not including this season). For his career, Dragic has a shooting split of 46/36/76. He is a decent shooter off the dribble, but he is more comfortable in a catch and shoot situation. Dragic is subpar around the basket and prefers to operate on the perimeter. He has played 27.4 MPG in 56 playoff games, 37 of which he started. Dragic was a critical part of the Heat’s underdog run to the Finals in the 2019/20 season. He averaged 19.1 PPG and 2.8 APG in 17 playoff games that year. On defense, Dragic is diminished compared to a few years ago. He is a solid pick and roll ball handler defender, but teams can absolutely target him in isolation. Dragic needs to go to a team with excellent interior defense who lacks ball handling.  

Dragic and the Raptors agreed that he would not play for them, so the Raptors are completely open to trading him. He has a salary of about $19.4 million this season, and then he is an unrestricted free agent this summer. His salary is an obstacle, so the pool of teams that would trade for him is limited. The Raptors will look for any sort of compensation for him before he departs in the summer. With their own playoff run to worry about, they may also do a veteran for veteran swap instead of picks, but they would probably be glad to get anything useful for him. The Knicks are an ideal landing spot for Dragic and his contract. Taj Gibson and Alec Burks combined would be enough to trade for Dragic. The Knicks sorely need some ball handlers, and it is glaringly obvious that the Burks at point guard experiment was a failure. Whether it is in a starting role or on the bench, Dragic’s playmaking would elevate the ceiling of the Knicks and allow them to stay in the playoff conversation. It is unlikely he would be a flight risk in the offseason since the Knicks are now a desirable destination for free agents.

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