NBA trade deadline: 10 teams to monitor in the final 20 days - ESPN

Although last week's Trae Young deal was the first trade of this NBA season, Thursday marked an important milestone on the league's calendar. That's when nearly every player — Bradley Beal and LeBron James, who have no-trade clauses, are two notable exceptions — became trade-eligible.

The league's three-week sprint to the Feb. 5 trade deadline is here, with front offices making calls, discussing trade scenarios and crunching numbers on salary cap aprons. But plenty of contenders are still deciding on a direction.

Our weekly trip around The Association focuses on those teams trying to add to their rosters, those looking to subtract and, perhaps most impactful, those still pondering.

Jump to a team:
Bucks | Warriors | Raptors
Wolves | Grizzlies | Mavericks
Nets | Hawks | Lakers | Celtics

What we're watching: How aggressively they pursue help for Giannis

Among league executives contacted by ESPN, the Bucks were a near unanimous pick to be major players at the deadline. General manager Jon Horst and his front office's creativity in stretching assets is well known and, frankly, well respected throughout the league. Horst has canvassed the league in recent weeks for talent at basically any position, again looking to bolster the supporting cast around two-time MVP Giannis Antetokounmpo.

«Milwaukee still has a first-round pick they can trade, and they're $14 million under the luxury tax,» an Eastern Conference executive said. «I've seen teams make chicken salad with less.»

The Bucks are a staggering 21 points per 100 possessions better when Antetokounmpo is on the court — roughly the difference between the Oklahoma City Thunder and the Sacramento Kings. That's why the Bucks remain hopeful for a deep playoff run in the wide-open