In an NBA economy defined by optionality, asset management and a near-constant hum of trade speculation, the word “untouchable” is thrown around loosely. True untouchables are rare. They’re franchise cornerstones, cultural tone-setters or young players whose developmental arc is worth more than most returns. Everyone else exists in the gray area. A handful exist in between “untouchable” and “available,” players who aren’t being shopped unless their front office is presented a godfather offer.
With that framework in mind, here is how each NBA team stacks up entering the current cycle, separating the truly untouchable from the elite pieces who would only move under extreme circumstances.
The NBA trade deadline is Feb. 5 at 3 p.m. ET.
Atlanta Hawks
Untouchable: Jalen Johnson | Gray area: Dyson Daniels
Johnson has emerged as Atlanta’s most valuable long-term piece, offering size (6-foot-8), defensive versatility and improving offensive efficiency. His age (23) and contract timeline make him the ideal bridge between present competitiveness and future flexibility. Daniels sits just below that threshold. His elite point-of-attack defense and connective playmaking are difficult to replace, but Atlanta would listen if the return meaningfully upgraded its top-end talent.
Boston Celtics
Untouchable: Jayson Tatum | Gray area: Jaylen Brown, Derrick White
Tatum, who’s expected to miss the season with a torn Achilles, remains the engine of Boston’s title window, combining durability, shot creation and postseason reliability. Brown and White are elite secondary pieces. Brown is a Finals MVP scorer who can shoulder the offensive load, and White is a high-IQ defender and playmaker. Neither will be moved unless Boston is trading up into the league’s true superstar tier.
Brooklyn Nets
Untouchable: None | Gray area: None
Brooklyn’s roster reflects strategic flexibility. Without a franchise centerpiece, the Nets are positioned to absorb assets, continue to develop, chase upside and pivot quickly when a star becomes attainable.
Charlotte Hornets
Untouchable: Brandon Miller, Kon Knueppel | Gray area: None
Miller’s scoring versatility and size (6-foot-7) give Charlotte a legitimate franchise wing. Knueppel’s shooting profile and accelerated feel for the game place him firmly in the untouchable category as a long-term developmental bet.
Chicago Bulls
Untouchable: Matas Buzelis | Gray area: Josh Giddey
Forward Buzelis represents Chicago’s clearest future path, offering length and upside at a premium position. Giddey’s playmaking and rebounding keep him valuable, but his status will shift if Chicago can acquire a higher-ceiling lead option.
Cleveland Cavaliers
Untouchable: Donovan Mitchell | Gray area: Evan Mobley
Mitchell’s offensive gravity and late-game shot-making anchor Cleveland’s ambitions. Mobley, the NBA Defensive Player of the Year last season, still must expand his offensive responsibility, remains nearly untouchable and would only be moved in a deal that redefines the roster’s ceiling.
Dallas Mavericks
Untouchable: Cooper Flagg | Gray area: Max Christie
Rookie Flagg’s two-way potential, positional value and market appeal make him untouchable. Christie is a dynamic two-way wing, and since he arrived in the Luka Doncic trade as the only young piece, it’s hard to imagine Dallas moving on from him. It’s likely that Dallas would only trade him if it meant acquiring an elite fit next to Flagg.
Denver Nuggets
Untouchable: Nikola Jokic | Gray area: Jamal Murray
Jokic is the franchise, the system and the competitive advantage. Murray’s chemistry with Jokic and playoff shot creation make him functionally untouchable unless Denver receives a comparable offensive engine.
Detroit Pistons
Untouchable: Cade Cunningham | Gray area: Jalen Duren, Ausar Thompson
Guard Cunningham’s size (6-foot-6), vision and poise solidify him as Detroit’s cornerstone. An MVP is in his near future. Duren’s unstoppable in pick-and-roll and anchors the defense, and Thompson’s defensive ceiling gives the Pistons a young core they’re reluctant to disrupt.
Golden State Warriors
Untouchable: Stephen Curry | Gray area: Draymond Green
Curry’s shooting gravity still defines Golden State. Green’s defensive IQ and Warriors legacy make him difficult to replace, but he’s not completely immune to seismic roster changes to extend Curry’s championship window.
Houston Rockets
Untouchable: Amen Thompson, Alperen Sengun | Gray area: Steven Adams
Thompson’s defensive versatility and Sengun’s offensive hub potential form a rare dual foundation. Adams provides structure and toughness that embody Houston’s offensive rebounding and second-chance point identity. He would only be movable under the right circumstances.
Indiana Pacers
Untouchable: Tyrese Haliburton, Pascal Siakam | Gray area: Andrew Nembhard, Aaron Nesmith
Haliburton’s orchestration and Siakam’s two-way consistency defined Indiana’s NBA Finals run last season. Nembhard and Nesmith are elite role players whose value peaks in a consolidation trade. Haliburton is out for the season with a torn Achilles.
Los Angeles Lakers
Untouchable: Luka Doncic | Gray area: Austin Reaves
Doncic is a franchise-altering superstar and untouchable. (Take note, former Mavericks GM Nico Harrison.) Reaves’ contract efficiency, scoring feel and adaptability almost make him untouchable. But if a trade for him would land a perfect front-court partner for Doncic, anything is possible.
Los Angeles Clippers
Untouchable: None | Gray area: None
The roster, built around past-their-prime former stars, remains fluid.
Miami Heat
Untouchable: None | Gray area: Bam Adebayo, Kel’el Ware
Miami rarely labels players untouchable, but Adebayo’s defensive versatility and Ware’s upside place them firmly in the gray zone. Any move would need to elevate championship odds. In Bam’s case, a trade would signal a full rebuild.
Memphis Grizzlies
Untouchable: None | Gray area: Cedric Coward, Jaylen Wells, Zach Edey
Memphis values its young, cost-controlled depth. The collective upside of these pieces outweighs most available trade returns.
Minnesota Timberwolves
Untouchable: Anthony Edwards | Gray area: Naz Reid, Jaden McDaniels, Rudy Gobert
Edwards is the face of the franchise and an ascending superstar. Minnesota’s supporting core is critical to its identity and only will be moved for transformative talent.
Milwaukee Bucks
Untouchable: Giannis Antetokounmpo | Gray area: Ryan Rollins
Giannis remains the franchise pillar (for now). All that could change should he ask out. Rollins is a rising developmental piece in an otherwise win-now ecosystem.
New York Knicks
Untouchable: Jalen Brunson | Gray area: Karl-Anthony Towns, OG Anunoby, Mikal Bridges
Brunson’s leadership and playoff performance have reshaped the Knicks. The surrounding core is elite but theoretically movable for a top-tier superstar.
New Orleans Pelicans
Untouchable: Derrick Queen, Jeremiah Fears | Gray area: Trey Murphy III
Queen and Fears represent long-term upside and control. Murphy’s shooting and defense make him highly valued but not immovable.
Orlando Magic
Untouchable: Paolo Banchero, Franz Wagner | Gray area: Anthony Black, Wendell Carter Jr.
Banchero and Wagner form one of the league’s best young duos. Black and Carter provide structure and versatility.
Oklahoma City Thunder
Untouchable: Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Chet Holmgren, Jalen Williams | Gray area: Cason Wallace, Ajay Mitchell, Alex Caruso
OKC’s core is the league’s cleanest long-term build. The dynasty is in full effect. The gray-area pieces amplify the stars without compromising flexibility.
Philadelphia 76ers
Untouchable: Tyrese Maxey, VJ Edgecomb | Gray area: Jared McCain
Maxey’s ascension and Edgecomb’s upside anchor Philadelphia’s post-Joel Embiid future. McCain is a valuable developmental asset.
Portland Trail Blazers
Untouchable: Donovan Clingan | Gray area: Toumani Camara, Yang Hansen, Deni Avdija
Clingan’s defensive impact gives Portland a foundational center. The supporting youth offers versatility and upside.
Phoenix Suns
Untouchable: Devin Booker | Gray area: Ryan Dunn, Dillon Brooks, Rasheer Fleming
Booker remains the franchise’s constant. The rest are valued role players rather than automatic trade pieces.
Sacramento Kings
Untouchable: None | Gray area: None
Time is truly a flat circle in Sacramento as the franchise continues to search for definitive hierarchy and long-term clarity.
San Antonio Spurs
Untouchable: Victor Wembanyama, Dylan Harper, Stephon Castle | Gray area: Luke Kornet, Carter Bryant
Wembanyama is the league’s clearest untouchable. Harper and Castle join him as long-term pillars.
Toronto Raptors
Untouchable: Scottie Barnes | Gray area: Collin Murray-Boyles
Barnes’ versatility anchors Toronto’s rebuild. Murray-Boyles is a promising developmental piece.
Utah Jazz
Untouchable: Ace Bailey | Gray area: Keyonte George, Kyle Filipowski, Walter Clayton Jr.
Bailey’s upside defines Utah’s future as the impending 1A. The supporting youth provides optionality.
Washington Wizards
Untouchable: Tre Johnson | Gray area: Alex Sarr, Kyshawn George, Bilal Coulibaly
Three-level scorer Johnson is the centerpiece of Washington’s reset. The surrounding length and versatility give the Wizards a foundation they are unwilling to sell low on.
