2025-26 NBA trade deadline: Best fits for East and West contenders - ESPN

The trade deadline is a month away, and though a deal is yet to be made this season, teams are checking on players around the league with the hopes of making the right move to go on a title run.

The top of the East is separated by only a few games, and the conference is wide open as several teams deal with injuries to their stars. At the top of the East, the Detroit Pistons, New York Knicks and Boston Celtics will keep an eye on potential moves as February approaches.

Further down the standings, the Milwaukee Bucks and Giannis Antetokounmpo have been at the forefront of early trade speculations. Can the former champions appease their superstar? And how can the Philadelphia 76ers add to a roster that has emerged as a contender?

Meanwhile, the Oklahoma City Thunder's hold on the West looked unbreakable just a few weeks ago, but recent stumbles have opened the door for other teams. Will the defending champs make any moves to stay atop the West? What other moves could define the playoff picture?

Our ESPN insiders break down what each contender needs ahead of the deadline and plausible moves they could make.

East:
DET | NYK | BOS | TOR
ORL | CLE | MIA | PHI | MIL

West:
OKC | SA | DEN | LAL
HOU | MIN | GS | PHX | LAC

Detroit Pistons

Biggest need: Shooting and shot creation should be first on Detroit's list. Heavily relying on MVP candidate Cade Cunningham, who ably handles the responsibility, can haunt the Pistons if he begins to wear down. He's by far the best shot creator on the roster, and the attention he creates allows teammates to get open looks on the perimeter and at the rim. But the Pistons aren't a high-volume or efficient 3-point shooting team. Teams that have recently gotten to the conference finals have done