With fewer than 10 days remaining before the trade deadline, let's have a realistic view for every team based on what executives, agents and players are talking about.
One important ground rule: This is not fantasy basketball. Hypotheticals are a part of putting together every trade in NBA history and are taking place every hour of the day between teams until Feb. 8 at 3 p.m. ET. But that's different from simply making up a scenario that it's not outside the realm of possibility -- even if it sounds fun.
With that in mind, here's a team-by-team look at what could happen.
Eastern Conference
Most likely to be traded: Dejounte Murray
Trading for Murray in 2022 hasn't worked out as hoped for Atlanta. The Hawks potentially have an expensive roster, are out several first-rounders going forward and, worst of all, are underachieving.
Murray has been available for a month, but it shouldn't be assumed Atlanta will trade him. If it gets an acceptable offer, it most likely will be for draft compensation.
Most likely to be traded: $6.2 million trade exception from Grant Williams deal
The Celtics have made their deals but have two first-rounders they can trade. And because they have a $39 million tax bill at the moment, the largest in team history, the Celtics are more likely to fill their open roster spot with a buyout player.
Most likely to be traded: Spencer Dinwiddie
The Nets entered the trade season looking like they could be buyers. But a 5-12 record since Christmas Day has weakened their outlook, and now they're looking at all options. They have seven tradable first-rounders, which makes anything possible, but they could also end up being a part of a three-team deal that saves major assets for the future.
If they do make a deal, it would likely be for a guard -- former Nets All-Star D'Angelo Russell has been among those names floated. With an expiring $20.3 million deal, Dinwiddie is the likely fulcrum in any big move before the deadline.
Most likely to the traded: Miles Bridges and Kyle Lowry
It is questionable whether the Hornets will want to keep Bridges when he's an unrestricted free agent this summer.
If they move on now, they can get an asset. Contenders are interested because Bridges' $8 million salary has value compared to his production. However, Bridges has the power to veto any trade because he'd lose his Bird rights, and it would limit his ability to sign a bigger deal in the summer.
He would likely prefer a team that has cap space to pay him, such as the 76ers, but otherwise would likely want to be assured a significant role.
Lowry has a $30 million expiring deal and just joined Charlotte in the deal that sent Terry Rozier to Miami. He is a buyout candidate if he isn't moved again.
Most likely to be traded: Zach LaVine
It's no secret that LaVine wants to be traded and that the Bulls want to trade him. A match with the Lakers hasn't really developed, but there could be some interested teams out there. League executives have been watching the Pistons, who have expiring contracts that might appeal to Chicago.
Most likely to be traded: Caris LeVert
LeVert is having a strong season as the team's sixth man, and the Cavs (winners of 10 of their past 11 games) aren't actively looking to trade him. But his contract, signed last summer at two years and $32 million, was designed to be movable.
It is more likely the team waits for Darius Garland and Evan Mobley to return from injury before considering any major changes. The Cavs have two open roster spots and are $3 million under the luxury tax, so they are a buyout destination.
Most likely to be traded: Bojan Bogdanovic and Alec Burks
Last-place teams typically move players for future assets, but that might not be the case for the Pistons, who have indicated they could upgrade at the deadline as they look to avoid the worst record in NBA history.
Bogdanovic is attractive to contenders, but he has a team option for the final year of his deal. (The Pistons could also keep him and trade him in the summer.)
Burks, meanwhile, is in the final year of his deal and is a buyout candidate if he's not traded.
Most likely to be traded (and was): Bruce Brown
Indiana already made its major move, using Brown to acquire Pascal Siakam from Toronto. It's possible the Pacers could test the market for players with expiring contracts such as Buddy Hield or Obi Toppin, but they are building up and have plenty of salary flexibility to keep the majority of the roster together.
Most likely to be traded (and was): Lowry
The Heat have made their move by acquiring Rozier and sending Lowry to Charlotte. If they do anything else, it might be small and on the margins to reduce their current $13 million tax bill. Miami does have an open roster spot if it enters the buyout market.
Most likely to be traded: Pat Connaughton
Bucks general manager Jon Horst has made deadline deals in four of the past five years. But the Bucks have no tradable first-rounders, no trade exceptions, no roster spots and a $58 million tax bill.
They're probably going to have to stand pat, but if they get aggressive it will probably need to involve Connaughton and his $9 million salary -- perhaps combined with one of the lower-paid players on the roster.
Most likely to be traded: Evan Fournier
The Knicks are chasing a star, and they'll have eight tradable first-round picks to do so, but they'll need salary to attach to them to any large deal. Fournier's $18.8 million salary -- New York's biggest expiring contract -- has been kept on the Knicks' books for this exact reason.
If the Knicks don't swing a deal by the deadline, they will still need salary to trade in the summer; Fournier has a team option for $19 million next season.
Most likely to be traded: Gary Harris
Harris has a $13 million contract expiring, and the Magic have five tradable first-rounders. They also have Markelle Fultz's $19 million expiring contract as an option to trade if the Magic can find offensive upgrades.
Wendell Carter would have suitors if Orlando makes him available, but the signs point to Orlando keeping him and his attractive contract: four years, $50 million signed before the 2022-23 season.
Most likely to be traded: Marcus Morris and Robert Covington
The 76ers have three tradable first-round picks and created a $6.8 million trade exception when they dealt James Harden to the LA Clippers. Morris and Covington are two large expiring contracts that would be needed to match salaries in a significant deal and are most likely to be used.
Something to keep in mind: The 76ers are a little less than $3 million below the tax apron. If they make a deal that adds that much salary, the Sixers will be restricted in going after potential buyout players, such as Lowry.
Most likely to be traded: Brown
Interest in Brown, who just arrived in the deal for Siakam, is growing among contenders. Brown is multipositional, has championship experience and a team option in his contract for next season. Brown is a perfect player for a contending team, and the restructuring Raptors are likely to get a decent package in return.
Washington Wizards
Most likely to be traded: Tyus Jones
The Wizards are rebuilding and Jones is headed for unrestricted free agency. There are several teams interested, with the Wizards looking for draft compensation in return.
Western Conference
Dallas Mavericks
Most likely to be traded: Richaun Holmes
Holmes isn't playing regularly and could be combined with draft capital to find an upgrade. But his $12 million player option for next season is a stumbling block. The Mavericks have a $5 million trade exception but are only $3 million below tax -- it would probably take something special for them to dip into it.
Denver Nuggets
Most likely to be traded: No one
The Nuggets probably would be interested in moving off forward Zeke Nnaji, who is having a poor season after signing a four-year, $32 million extension last October. But that isn't realistic now. They will likely stand pat unless there's a minor deal to reduce their $23 million tax bill.
Most likely to be traded: Andrew Wiggins
The Warriors are in a tough spot, with an expensive and underachieving roster. It makes sense to shop Chris Paul's $30 million contract, which could potentially expire, but adding future salary to the Warriors' books is hard to fathom.
Wiggins is in the second season of a four-year, $109 million deal, and his value is low. It's not a good time to make a deal.
Most likely to be traded: Victor Oladipo
Oladipo's career has been wrecked by injuries, and his $9.5 million expiring contract could be used as the basis for constructing a deal. Houston would love to make the playoffs and has four tradable first-round picks with enough flexibility to take back salary. But its rebuild is proceeding and it isn't desperate.
LA Clippers
Most likely to be traded: P.J. Tucker
Tucker isn't playing much and is desired by contenders for his tough-minded defense and leadership. The Clippers aren't showing much willingness to trade the one first-round pick they are allowed to offer and Tucker, who will be 39 in May, has an $11 million player option next season that could make a deal harder.
Los Angeles Lakers
Most likely to be traded: D'Angelo Russell
Russell waived his right to veto trades as part of his deal last summer. Clearly, the Lakers viewed him as a possible trade option back then and his $17 million deal fits into that mode. Russell has been linked in talks over a potential deal for Murray, but Russell also just had his best three weeks of the season.
Most likely to be traded: Luke Kennard
The Grizzlies have seen their roster ravaged by injuries, and that includes Kennard. He is a strong shooter who has a team option for $14 million next season, but has been bothered by knee trouble. It's unlikely the Grizzlies will do anything significant.
Minnesota Timberwolves
Most likely to be traded: Shake Milton and Troy Brown Jr.
The Wolves could use an extra guard, but they have no tradable first-round picks and are facing a salary squeeze this summer. Milton and Brown, free agent signings last summer, don't have much of a market, and the Wolves are likely to stand pat.
Minnesota may be more involved in the buyout market with an open roster spot and about $2 million in room below tax.
Most likely to be traded: Jonas Valanciunas
The Pelicans have sniffed around some big deals with Valanciunas' $15 million expiring deal and some of their seven tradable first-round picks. But they'd want a starter-quality center in return, in addition to any other upgrades.
The team might be willing to part with lottery pick Dyson Daniels because of its depth at guard, if the deal was right. New Orleans also has two open roster spots and has dipped below the tax after recently trading Kira Lewis Jr., so the buyout market is an option.
Most likely to be traded: Davis Bertans
He's not in the team's plans, and only $5.25 million of his $16 million is guaranteed for next season. The Thunder have 11 tradable first-round picks and 21 tradable second-round picks, and while Bertans could still have some trade value this summer, OKC could use some rebounding and size for the postseason.
Phoenix Suns
Most likely to be traded: $6.5 million trade exception from Cameron Payne trade
The Suns can't trade any first-round picks, plus they have a full roster, very limited trade options and a $50 million tax bill. But owner Mat Ishbia is very aggressive, and the front office is creative.
Portland Trail Blazers
Most likely to be traded: Malcolm Brogdon
A valuable scoring guard who can start or come off the bench, Brogdon is one of the most talented players on the trade market. He has one year at $22.5 million left on his deal so the Blazers -- amid a youth movement -- could wait until summer if they don't have an enticing offer.
Sacramento Kings
Most likely to be traded: Harrison Barnes
Barnes is well-liked in Sacramento but the Kings have also searched for upgrades at the forward position, including discussions over Siakam before he was sent to the Pacers. Kevin Huerter, who's having a bit of a down offensive season, might also be an option if the Kings can find an upgrade.
Most likely to be traded: Doug McDermott
This is an ideal type of trade deadline deal. A 45% 3-point shooter on a team going nowhere this season with a $14 million expiring contract.
Utah Jazz
Most likely to be traded: Kelly Olynyk
A versatile big who can stretch the floor with a $12 million expiring salary, Olynyk is among a few intriguing trade candidates on the Jazz. They traded key players last season despite being in a position to make the playoffs.
The Jazz are in the postseason mix again but could acquire players this time as the team has a selection of expiring contracts, a low payroll and nine tradable first-round picks.