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The NBA trade deadline is this week, but there don't seem to be many teams who are willing to sell off their players.
Sure, the New York Knicks just traded away Kristaps Porzingis, but the circumstances surrounding that situation were very different. As far as Anthony Davis? The New Orleans Pelicans probably won't move him until the summer, and for good reason.
But what about the rest of the NBA? What about the fringe playoff teams who have no chance of making any noise should they reach the postseason? Should they try to add more pieces just as a formality, or should they do the wise thing and throw in the towel?
Right now, a ton of clubs are still in playoff contention, but just because you are in playoff contention doesn't mean you are any good, and it also doesn't mean you should reject the idea of selling.
Here are five teams who should take a cue from boxing legend Roberto Duran and say “no mas.”
5. Orlando Magic
The Magic may be just three games behind the Miami Heat for the eighth and final playoff spot in the Eastern Conference, but, well, who cares?
The bottom half of the East is absolutely brutal, with seeds six through eight serving as nothing more than sacrificial lambs for the upper echelon teams in the first round.
So, Orlando should not care one iota about making the playoffs. As a matter of fact, it shouldn't want to, as prioritizing draft position should be the top thing on the Magic's minds right now.
Orlando has numerous pieces it can sell off who will actually be very useful to contending teams. Nikola Vucevic might end up being the best non-Porzingis player traded at the deadline, and D.J. Augustin and Terrence Ross represent great depth options for contenders.
Do the right thing, Orlando. Sell.
4. Detroit Pistons
The Pistons decided to go all in last year when they acquired Blake Griffin in a trade with the Los Angeles Clippers. While Griffin has been great, the rest of their team has not.
Once again, Detroit is a middling Eastern Conference team (at best), currently on the outskirts of the East's playoff picture. As it stands right now, the Pistons are not a playoff team, and even if they make the playoffs, they aren't going to truly scare anybody.
While I will say Detroit might end up being the toughest matchup out of the lower-seeded Eastern Conference playoff teams due to the tandem of Griffin and Andre Drummond up front, the lack of a consistent backcourt and a dearth of perimeter shooting will doom them.
The Pistons have some pieces they can move, as Ish Smith and Langston Galloway could help out some contenders. Reggie Bullock could end up being the most sought-after Detroit player, however, as he is actually a solid 3-and-D guy.
The Pistons probably won't be headlining any blockbuster deals, but there are guys on their roster who should generate some interest.
Let's stop the facade, Detroit. You aren't contending, and we all know it.
3. Washington Wizards
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There was a time when some felt that the Wizards were one of the best teams in the Eastern Conference.
Actually, that time was just a year and a half ago, as many thought Washington could potentially be a threat to come out of the East heading into the 2017-18 campaign.
Obviously, things have not panned out for the Wizards, as they have done nothing but spiral downhill ever since their thrilling seven-game playoff loss to the Boston Celtics in the second round of the 2017 postseason.
This year, Washington got off to a dreadful start, which was only compounded by season-ending injuries to John Wall and Dwight Howard. Now, all the Wizards really have left is Bradley Beal and Otto Porter Jr.
While neither of those two guys are likely to be moved due to their contract situations, the Wizards have players like Markieff Morris and Tomas Satoransky, both of whom may not be long-term pieces for a soon-to-be-rebuilding Washington club and can serve other contenders well.
You know who else Washington can move? Trevor Ariza, who was just recently acquired in December.
2. Charlotte Hornets
The Hornets currently find themselves in a precarious position, as Kemba Walker is set to become a free agent this summer.
While there has not been any talk of Charlotte moving Walker ahead of the trade deadline, it is something the team should seriously consider unless it knows that Walker will be back with the club next season.
And even if the Hornets don't move Walker, there are plenty of other things they can do, such as trading Marvin Williams or Tony Parker, two players who would be sure to have suitors on the trade market.
Charlotte has been running on a hamster wheel for the past couple of years, largely due to bad contracts like Nicolas Batum. The good news is that the Hornets are a year closer to opening up some cap room. The bad news is that they have a long way to go before they even begin to resemble a team that could threaten anyone in the Eastern Conference.
It might be time for Michael Jordan and co. to start rebuilding a little early.
1. Miami Heat
The Heat are done. Point blank. Period.
While Miami has some talented players on its roster, it is not going to be a team that pushes any of the top Eastern Conference squads in a seven-game playoff series.
The Heat are losers of three straight games to fall to a thoroughly mediocre 24-27, which is still somehow good enough for the No. 8 seed. But what they have just isn't working, and it might be time to start blowing it up.
Rodney McGruder and Wayne Ellington represent movable pieces for Miami, and while Kelly Olynyk has another guaranteed year on his deal, his contract is hardly bad, and he can be a valuable addition to a contending team due to his ability to spread the floor and actually play adequate defense.
Another guy the Heat can potentially move is Dion Waiters, who just recently returned from an ankle injury.
Whatever the case, Miami is in no position to win now and would be best served punting to the future, as making the playoffs and losing a lottery pick does not benefit this team at all.
