Looking around, we've already got a few teams teetering on the brink. Teams that were trying to win but aren't and would be likely places to find guys that are getting sold off for expiring deals.
Washington Wizards have lost a million games in a row and sit at 11-18. Kuzma would be the obvious prime target but I don't think the Cavs have what it takes at this time to get a deal done.
Another wild, potential target? Porzingis, straight up, for Kevin Love's expiring deal. Would save the Wizards a bunch of money next season and allow them to reset. That's far out there, I know, but just something to keep in mind.
Chicago Bulls are 11-17 and well over the cap and into the luxury tax. I understand Ball hasn't played, but who knows when that changes. Obvious guys who will be on the block if things don't change are DeRozan, due to his age and contract, and Vucevic, due to his contract being an expiring.
Patrick Williams would be a dream scenario but again, I don't think the Cavs have the pieces to get that done. You could begrudgingly talk me into DeRozan, but I'd prefer Alex Caruso to take on that Okoro role.
Detroit Pistons are 8-23. They may have not had designs on a winning record, but probably thought they could challenge for a play-in seed. Now that looks bleak and Cunningham is gone for the year. Bogdonavic would be another dream target, and more gettable, though I'm not sure if they'd be looking to move on from him so quickly after extending him.
Likelier target would be Alec Burks, to upgrade the wing off the bench role with a more well rounded player and eat into Osman and Stevens minutes.
Those are the three teams right now that are way underperforming expectations and aren't even close to contending.
There are other teams on the cusp, like the Warriors and Timberwolves, but not quite in that same desperate territory those three are in.
