NBA trade guide: How 14 teams will approach the 2025-26 season - ESPN

Just over one year ago, the New York Knicks and Minnesota Timberwolves made a rare blockbuster move that involved seven players, including All-Stars Karl-Anthony Towns and Julius Randle. The trade was one of only two deals before the 2024-2025 regular season, and the next trade did not happen until Dec. 15.

The Feb. 5 trade deadline is four months away, and though the 118 players who signed contracts this offseason cannot be traded now, it is never too early to break down the top-14 teams to watch, as well as some quick-hit notes around the league.

We start with the Golden State Warriors, who are looking to extend the championship window of 37-year-old Stephen Curry.

Golden State Warriors

The Warriors were staring at an undesirable position — before signing Jonathan Kuminga on Sept. 30.

Golden State had the first-round draft capital — the Warriors can trade up to the maximum four first-round picks and also swap in the next seven years — to make a significant trade during the season. But, unlike the sizable contracts available in the Jimmy Butler trade last February (Andrew Wiggins, Dennis Schroder, Kyle Anderson), that did not exist this season. Curry, Butler and Draymond Green combine to earn more than 75% of the Warriors' team salary cap, leaving Golden State without enough salary to cobble together a deal if an impact player were available. The Warriors' three next highest-paid players — Moses Moody, Buddy Hield and Brandin Podziemski — have a total salary equal to $24 million.

Golden State benefits in multiple ways with Kuminga not signing the $8 million qualifying offer. Although he can't be traded until Jan. 15, the Warriors now have a $22.5 million trade asset. By waiving his one-year Bird restriction, Golden