As the NBA trade deadline looms on Thursday, February 5, the spotlight is naturally on the big names and potential blockbusters. But behind the scenes, a few teams are quietly working the phones, not for splashy headlines, but for smart, strategic tweaks. Think less fireworks, more fine-tuning.
According to NBA insider Marc Stein on the ALL NBA Podcast, the Charlotte Hornets, Brooklyn Nets, and Utah Jazz are among the teams actively exploring smaller-scale trades. These aren’t the kind of deals that shake up the league’s power structure-but they’re meaningful in their own way.
The goal? Roster flexibility.
Whether it’s clearing cap space, opening up a roster spot, or converting two-way contracts into standard deals, these teams are focused on the margins-where the right move can still make a difference.
“Charlotte, Brooklyn, and Utah. Those are three teams that are all very willing to take up and do the kinds of trades that you suggested,” Stein said. He also pointed to other teams like the Nuggets and Raptors as franchises with similar motivations-Denver needing to make a move, and Toronto potentially shedding salary to duck under the luxury tax line.
In other words, while the league waits to see if a Giannis-sized domino falls in Milwaukee, teams like the Hornets, Nets, and Jazz are operating independently, focused on internal development and long-term positioning rather than headline-making trades.
Let’s break down where each of these teams stands heading into the final days before the deadline:
Charlotte Hornets: Riding Momentum, Eyeing Flexibility
Don’t look now, but the Hornets are heating up. After a 102-95 win over the Pelicans on Monday night, Charlotte has won seven straight and now sits at 23-28-just outside the play-in picture at 11th in the East. They’re 9-3 over their last 12 games and playing with a level of cohesion we haven’t seen from them in a while.
Still, the front office isn’t getting ahead of itself. The Hornets are reportedly open to smaller moves that could open up roster space or create financial flexibility. With a two-game road trip starting Thursday night in Houston, the timing is right to quietly improve the margins without disrupting their current rhythm.
Brooklyn Nets: Rebuilding with Patience
The Nets are in a different phase of their journey. At 13-35 and sitting 13th in the East, Brooklyn is clearly in rebuilding mode. They’ve dropped 16 of their last 20 games, and Sunday’s 130-77 loss to the Pistons was a low point in what’s already been a tough season.
That said, the Nets aren’t expected to make any panic moves. Instead, they’re looking at ways to open up roster spots or reposition themselves for the future. Hosting the Lakers on Tuesday night, Brooklyn’s focus is less about immediate results and more about setting the stage for what comes next.
Utah Jazz: Searching for Stability
Utah finds itself in a similar spot out West. The Jazz have lost six straight and are 15-35, also 13th in their conference. They’re in the middle of a five-game road trip, with a matchup against the Pacers on Tuesday night, and they’ve gone just 4-16 over their last 20 games.
Like Charlotte and Brooklyn, Utah is reportedly open to smaller moves that could help restructure the roster. Whether it’s converting a two-way player, clearing a logjam at a position, or simply creating cap flexibility, the Jazz are looking to adjust without overhauling.
The Bigger Picture
While these teams aren’t expected to dominate deadline coverage, their moves could still matter. In a league where depth, development, and cap management are just as important as star power, the Hornets, Nets, and Jazz are playing a different kind of game. They’re not chasing headlines-they’re playing the long game.
And sometimes, it’s those under-the-radar moves that end up making all the difference down the line.