Grading 4 NBA trade deadline targets from no-brainer to most-avoid

With less than 48 hours until the NBA trade deadline, many teams are no doubt scouring the trade market, looking for potential deals. Some teams will look to be buyers, hoping to land an impact player or two who can make a difference in the playoff race and the postseason.

On the other hand, several teams could look to be sellers as they eye a high selection in the upcoming NBA draft. With a number of talented players available in trade talks, now is the perfect time to take a look at the best trade targets and the others that, well, aren't.

4) Tyus Jones

The Washington Wizards are finally bottoming out after years of mediocrity. With them currently having the second-worst record in the NBA, and with the San Antonio Spurs and Charlotte Hornets hot on their heels, they could look to trade their best players to improve their lottery odds.

That may mean that they trade starting point guard Tyus Jones, even though he will be an unrestricted free agent this summer. Thus far, teams such as the Spurs, Minnesota Timberwolves, and Los Angeles Lakers have inquired about Jones with the Wizards asking for a first-round pick in return for him. Despite that, that appears unlikely.

Instead, Washington may receive multiple second-round picks, though they turned down an offer from the Timberwolves that included multiple seconds. One potential trade may see the Spurs deal them the Lakers' 2024 second, and Charlotte's 2024 first (which is unlikely to convey and would convert to two seconds).

Receiving three potentially good second-rounders for a player who is unlikely to re-sign makes plenty of sense. It would also make sense for the Spurs or whatever team trades for him. They would get a starting point guard and they would have his bird rights, enabling them to re-sign him this summer. As a result, he is a no-brainer for any team in need of a starting point guard and has multiple seconds.