Prior to this year's NBA Trade Deadline, BasketballNews.com
rounded up its writers and asked them to share their thoughts and
predictions ahead of Thursday's flurry of moves. Over the next few
days, we'll be dropping a number of these Roundtable articles.
Today, we asked our staffers:
Which team should be a
seller?
Nekias Duncan: Aside from Toronto, it would be nice to see the
Orlando Magic finally sell off some stuff. Aaron Gordon isn’t a
long-term fit, nor is Terrence Ross, Evan Fournier, Khem Birch… you
get my drift. It’s time to make some moves so that a long-term
vision for this roster can become clear. Right now, there’s no
telling what the Magic are even trying to do.
Alex Kennedy:
The Detroit Pistons have the second-worst record in the NBA at
12-31, and the team clearly isn't going to be competing for a
playoff spot in the near future. With that in mind, I'd be looking
to move veterans like Wayne Ellington (33 years old), Mason Plumlee
(31) and Rodney McGruder (29) for young players and draft picks.
Moving Derrick Rose for Dennis Smith Jr. and a second-round pick
was smart; that's exactly what this team should be doing. I loved
the addition of Hamidou Diallo too. We'll see if Detroit continues
to make these kinds of moves on Thursday.
Spencer Davies: You
almost have to preface that question with its own question: “Who
has assets?” It’s no secret that the Houston Rockets want to get
the most they can for Victor Oladipo. We’ve heard the rumblings
surrounding the Orlando Magic with Aaron Gordon and Evan Fournier,
as that era is likely coming to an end. Are the Sacramento Kings
going to continue on that same path? Because Buddy Hield and
Harrison Barnes are good pieces that could return some value. It
also wouldn’t be surprising to see the Toronto Raptors cash in on
Norman Powell’s career season, as he’s going to look for a big pay
day in the summer.
Chris Sheridan:
The Orlando Magic. John Hammond needs to keep Nikola Vucevic and
get whatever he can for Aaron Gordon and Evan Fournier to engineer
a quick rebuild built around Vuc, Jonathan Issac and Markelle
Fultz. The Magic were a Murphy's Law victim this season, but even
at full strength were never going to be a championship contender.
They need one or two good, young coachable wing players and an
extra first-round pick. Gordon is in demand, and I expect Hammond
to be able to get good value in return -- the type of value that
enables a quick turnaround.
Moke Hamilton:
If you’re a team that’s under .500 without at least one young
superstar-caliber player who can conceivably lead you to the
playoffs, then you should be a seller. The Rockets seem to qualify,
as do the Wizards and Magic. If I had to pick one, I’d probably go
with the Magic, though. You can only try with Nikola Vucevic and
Aaron Gordon for so long before you decide to go in another
direction, and each have enough value to get a decent return back
in a potential deal. The Wizards at least have Brad Beal (and
Russell Westbrook), while Houston has assembled a nice collection
of future draft picks in recent months. It might be time for
Orlando to embrace rebuilding (again) around Markelle Fultz and
whichever of Cole Anthony, Jonathan Isaac or Mo Bamba gives them
the look and feel of a cornerstone.

Jannelle Moore:
I think the Toronto Raptors should sell. Kyle Lowry will be a
unrestricted free agent after the season and their best bet is
trading him now to get a player (and picks) to help them rather
than letting him walk in the offseason without getting anything in
return.
Ethan Fuller:
This might be an off-beat pick, but the Indiana Pacers should
absolutely sell. They are another East contender under .500, but
don't have the star power to inspire confidence. What they do have
are a number of solid rotation pieces (Myles Turner, Doug
McDermott, Jeremy Lamb, Justin Holiday, T.J. McConnell and more)
who could help teams chasing a title. It's time for Indiana to
reload the prospect chest and raise the franchise's
ceiling.
Danny Cunningham: The Toronto Raptors should be sellers this
year, although it’s unlikely that will actually happen. Banners
hang forever, and that franchise will always have the magical
playoff run of 2019, but it’s probably time for Masai Ujiri to
examine what the future of the team looks like and put in place
building blocks around Pascal Siakam to try and open up another
window of contention, because this just isn’t their
year.
Jonathan Concool: The Orlando Magic. It’s time to move on from
Nikola Vucevic and Aaron Gordon. These guys are far too talented to
be wasting their primes on a team that hasn’t won a playoff series
since 2010. Orlando could get real assets in return and start
rebuilding from scratch, as a fresh start is desperately needed
down in Central Florida.
Sharon Brown: I
believe the San Antonio Spurs might be sellers and will finally get
with the youth movement. LaMarcus Aldridge already isn't with the
team. Is it possible that we could see them part ways with DeMar
Derozan, Rudy Gay and/or Patty Mills next?