Three months remain until the NBA trade deadline on Feb. 11, and contenders across the league are evaluating roster adjustments for the 2026-27 season, ESPN México reported.
Injuries across the league are affecting top rosters, forcing front offices to decide whether to stand pat or add depth. ESPN analysts evaluated six playoff contenders using the Basketball Power Index rankings from Nov. 10.
The Spurs project for a 62-20 record and hold a 58.5% probability of reaching the conference finals. General manager Brian Wright controls multiple draft assets, including an unprotected 2027 first-round pick from Atlanta and three additional movable first-round picks.
San Antonio faces upcoming financial constraints with Victor Wembanyama’s contract extension and Keldon Johnson entering free agency, leaving the team just $11 million below the luxury tax threshold for 2027-28. Head coach Mitch Johnson noted the internal roster logjam.
“No hay suficientes minutos para todos,” dijo el entrenador Mitch Johnson. “Desafortunadamente, tengo que jugar como el malo y no siempre voy a tener razón.”
Projected for a 58-24 record with a 43.5% chance at the conference finals, the Thunder face lingering injuries to rotation pieces. General manager Sam Presti acquired Nique Clifford on Nov. 8, but may target another defensive-minded wing.
Oklahoma City operates above the first apron and holds expiring contracts including Nikola Topic at $5.4 million alongside three trade exceptions ranging from $5.8 million to $17.7 million. Tim MacMahon said that a major mid-season trade remains unlikely given Presti’s historical preference for patience.
Boston holds a 59-23 projected record and a 57% chance of reaching the conference finals. Joe Mazzulla’s squad ranks 22nd in defensive rebound percentage, an uncharacteristic defensive dip for the franchise.
The Celtics possess a $27.7 million trade exception generated prior to February, though the first apron restricts them from using more than $10 million of it. Vincent Goodwill reported that managing Mitchell Robinson’s workload and keeping Jayson Tatum fresh following his 2025 Achilles tendon injury remain central priorities.
The defending champions project for a 54-28 record and a 42% chance at the conference finals. New York sits $809,000 below the second apron and cannot sign any player until Feb. 14.
Projected for a 54-28 record with a 13.9% conference finals probability, the Lakers rank near the bottom in defensive rebounding at 28th overall. Los Angeles parted with draft capital in the Walker Kessler trade, leaving their 2028 first-round pick swap as their primary remaining trade asset.
On Wednesday, Nov. 18, the NBA schedule features the Milwaukee Bucks visiting the Miami Heat at 7 p.m. ET, followed by the Golden State Warriors at the Dallas Mavericks at 9:30 p.m. ET.
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