With the 2026-27 NBA regular season well underway, attention is turning to the February 11 trade deadline. Teams are assessing their current rosters to determine if they need to acquire additional talent or maintain their current status. Injuries have significantly impacted the league early in the season, particularly for Western Conference contenders like the Oklahoma City Thunder and Minnesota Timberwolves, both of which have lost key players for extended periods. The defending champions, the New York Knicks, have also had a shaky start, prompting questions about whether they should make roster moves to support a return to the Finals.
ESPN insiders have evaluated the top 10 teams based on the Basketball Power Index as of November 10. The San Antonio Spurs, currently leading the list with a 10-2 record, are on a winning streak despite the absence of their offseason acquisition Tobias Harris. While their roster is considered complete, their depth could be improved. General Manager Brian Wright has the draft assets to make a move, including an unprotected 2027 first-round pick and other tradeable assets, but the team has historically stood pat. Coach Mitch Johnson noted the challenge of allocating minutes among a deep roster, stating there are not enough minutes to go around.
The Oklahoma City Thunder, sitting at 8-4, are missing several rotation players due to injuries. General Manager Sam Presti may search for a defensive wing to backfill for the injured Jalen Williams and Cason Wallace. Although the team recently acquired Nique Clifford, they still have trade exceptions and multiple first-round picks available. Presti is expected to remain patient, as the Thunder have not made a major midseason trade since 2011. The focus remains on maintaining a strong supporting cast around Shai Gilgeous-Alexander while managing future financial commitments.
The Boston Celtics, also at 10-2, are dealing with an anomaly in defensive rebounding, ranking 22nd in the league. This is unusual for a team coached by Joe Mazzulla, who has previously led the Celtics to top-11 finishes in this metric. The team may look to add another big man to improve rebounding, especially as Jayson Tatum recovers from an Achilles injury. The Celtics possess a $27.7 million trade exception and an open roster spot, giving them flexibility to sign a waived player with a high salary if needed.
The Houston Rockets, holding a 9-3 record, are seeking additional shooting depth. Only two perimeter players are shooting above 37% from three-point range, and one of them, Bogdan Bogdanovic, has injury concerns. The Rockets have draft assets and a trade exception but are likely to refrain from making moves, similar to last season. They have revamped their roster with the addition of Marcus Smart and the return of Fred VanVleet, providing flexibility in lineups. The team may address center depth if injuries to Steven Adams and Clint Capela persist, but they are expected to stand pat unless a compelling deal arises.
The New York Knicks, currently at 6-5, are facing financial constraints with owner James Dolan indicating he will not enter the second apron. The team has limited flexibility and is putting off contract issues until the offseason. If Mikal Bridges continues to struggle, the Knicks may explore trading him, though he is owed a significant amount of money over the next three seasons. The hope is that Bridges can improve his performance to provide the shot creation the team requires.
The Los Angeles Lakers, with an 11-2 record, boast the league's best offense but rank in the bottom half in defense, specifically in defensive rebounding. The team may look to add another defensive big man to their bench. The Lakers depleted their draft assets in a previous sign-and-trade deal and have limited first-round picks remaining. Coach JJ Redick is managing a 10-man rotation and is evaluating younger players like Adou Thiero and Cameron Carr. An Eastern Conference executive noted that as long as Luka Doncic, Austin Reaves, and Walker Kessler stay healthy, the team will remain competitive.
The Minnesota Timberwolves, at 8-3, are navigating frontcourt depth issues after trading Julius Randle and Naz Reid in the offseason. However, second-year forward Joan Beringer and Trey Lyles have performed well as backups to Rudy Gobert. The Timberwolves have limited draft assets due to previous trades, including the acquisition of Ayo Dosunmu and the addition of LaMelo Ball. The team must decide whether to trust their current depth or pursue a more reliable option at the power forward position.
