We’re a little over a week away from the Feb. 5 NBA trade deadline. It’s a little quiet out there, which means either teams are terrified of the first- and second-apron ramifications or it’s the calm before the trade storm.

In mid-December, we introduced our first version of trade deadline tiers, which organized every team into one of five tiers of teams that will likely have different motivations for completing (or not completing) any deals.

Today, we’ll update those tiers and see if anybody should have new motivations heading into the deadline. Teams in each tier are ordered from most to least interesting, according to yours truly.

Message to aggregators: This is not reporting unless I specifically mention it for teams and their interests. I’ll say something along the lines of “according to league sources” or “according to people I’ve talked to around the league.” This is how I am viewing the landscape and using semi-educated guesses for how things may play out. Or what I think should happen. Thank you for your consideration!

Tier 1: Buyers to compete

Who’s in since last time? Golden State Warriors, Minnesota Timberwolves
Who’s out since last time? New Orleans Pelicans, Toronto Raptors, San Antonio Spurs

Golden State Warriors

The Warriors are still very limited by how close they are to the $207.8 million second-apron payroll threshold (less than $300,000 away), but the injury to Jimmy Butler should change their intentions. That injury leaves them at a massive disadvantage on a nightly basis. They don’t have nearly enough scoring or playmaking around Stephen Curry if they’re going to be even semi-serious in the Western Conference. Couple that with the ongoing Jonathan Kuminga issues, and it may be time to move him to bring in some help.

Maybe that means going after someone like DeMar DeRozan? Maybe it’s taking a bigger swing? But Golden State’s books make it difficult to take any kind of significant swing.

Minnesota Timberwolves

I’m moving the Wolves into this tier because their pursuit of another playmaker is very much needed. Rob Dillingham still isn’t ready to contribute consistently, and we’re seeing them go to Bones Hyland instead when needed. Mike Conley hasn’t been what they need, although they hope he’ll perform when the playoffs come. They’ve reportedly explored adding Coby White, but that’s not an easy deal to manufacture with their roster/cap constraints.

Detroit Pistons

The Pistons really need a second offensive option next to Cade Cunningham. Jalen Duren on the roll isn’t enough of an option right now. Jaden Ivey is nowhere close to where they need him to be. And they can’t just rely on offensive rebounding and free throws when it comes to the playoffs.

New York Knicks

I don’t think they need to overreact and start making drastic changes, despite this horrendous stretch of basketball. But the Knicks could use someone more reliable than Guerschon Yabusele or Tyler Kolek off the bench.

Milwaukee Bucks

This Giannis Antetokounmpo thing seems to be headed where most people outside of Milwaukee want it to head, but any massive relocation wouldn’t happen until summer. Or so I assume. If that’s the case, you might as well try to see what you can do to improve the Milwaukee roster now, just in case it’s enough to persuade Giannis to stay with an extension. His being out for a month makes it likely the Bucks will miss the Play-In Tournament.

Atlanta Hawks

The Hawks have three good expiring contracts they can flip in a bigger move. Kristaps Porziņģis, CJ McCollum and Luke Kennard can all be used for cap relief elsewhere before the deadline if the Hawks are trying to bring in more help now. Or they can let those guys’ deals expire this summer and see what roster flexibility they have.

Miami Heat

This team is still looking to have roster flexibility moving forward, so it can try to go get a big fish, but the Heat could be dangerous in the postseason if they can get another reliable outside shooter.

Portland Trail Blazers

Maybe the perimeter help they need for Deni Avdija is just getting their guards healthy, but the Blazers desperately need a creator on offense.

Chicago Bulls

I’d like to see this team get a star such as Ja Morant, but I’d settle for any type of scorer who can take over. Even a short-term option would be great. Not Norman Powell, because he’s not available, but a Powell-type player.

Tier 2: Sellers for lottery night

Who’s in? New Orleans Pelicans
Who’s out? No one

New Orleans Pelicans

This team could be setting itself up for some real future rebuilding success if it did make guys such as Trey Murphy III, Herb Jones and even Zion Williamson available in a deal. They may need to relax a bit on the asking price, but teams would be willing to give up a good amount for Murphy or Jones. I’m not fully sure I understand the intent of looking at a roster that wins less than a quarter of its games and reach the conclusion, “We need to keep this group together.”

Dallas Mavericks

The Anthony Davis hand injury complicates things a lot, but the Mavericks should also dangle Naji Marshall and/or Daniel Gafford to see what teams are willing to give up. Those are valuable role players to acquire at the deadline, as Dallas proved a couple of years ago.

Utah Jazz

I don’t know if three straight Jusuf Nurkić triple-doubles are a showcase or a glitch in the matrix, but there isn’t a single veteran on this team that they should feel compelled to keep. I would start by calling the Pistons to see if I could interest them in Lauri Markkanen.

Sacramento Kings

Not a single member of the Kings should be untouchable. I understand that GM Scott Perry wants to bring in players who fit a certain mold, but he should 1) try to buy low on Morant and 2) just clear as much of this bad money as possible. Whatever gives them flexibility and a new start moving forward.

Brooklyn Nets

I don’t think you’ll be able to sell higher with Michael Porter Jr. than what he is right now. Don’t roll the dice and see if you can get more later. This is not a Mikal Bridges or Cameron Johnson situation.

Tier 3: Cutting apron strings

Who’s in? Toronto Raptors
Who’s out? Golden State Warriors

Toronto Raptors

Even with their success this season, it looks like the Raptors want to consolidate some payroll or just get off one of these contracts. Immanuel Quickley or RJ Barrett can be had. Not for nothing, but the Raptors would love to get away from one of these big-money deals. There is also reported interest in Domantas Sabonis, which would have to mean Jakob Poeltl is someone they would jettison. I don’t know if that’s the right approach, but they want to cut some salary.

Boston Celtics

There is a chance they decide to get aggressive and add a small piece, but the Celtics could also pretty much have this team, move Anfernee Simons for a cheaper option and shed the $4 million they need to shed to get under the first apron.

Cleveland Cavaliers

The Cavs might be a Play-In team, and they’re $22 million into the second apron. Any shedding of salary would have massive financial savings for them based on the tax breakout. No way governor Dan Gilbert wants to commit this money to a product this poor in comparison.

LA Clippers

The Clippers are only about a million under the first apron. I don’t think they’ll be adding salary if they do make a move. Chris Paul is still on the roster and could be moved to shed that salary, instead of eating it by buying out the deal.

Tier 4: Gaining Assets

Who’s in? No one
Who’s out? Phoenix Suns

Indiana Pacers

There could be an opportunity to get a big man for next season. Yves Missi? Gafford? Someone in that realm? They’re going to need frontcourt depth and a starting big man when Tyrese Haliburton is back.

Philadelphia 76ers

Sixers president Daryl Morey loves to do something on the margins that will land a draft asset or a role player fans love. See: Grimes, Quentin.

Memphis Grizzlies

The Morant injury will probably curtail an already sparse market. But the Grizzlies have been focused for some time on acquiring draft picks and young role players to develop.

Washington Wizards

Even with the Trae Young trade, the Wizards remain very focused on maintaining flexibility this summer and acquiring as many future assets as possible.

Charlotte Hornets

I almost moved them into a buyers category for competing because of their recent play. The Hornets will still likely treat this deadline as a time for asset acquisition, but they might have played themselves into a new existence.

Tier 5: Standing Pat

Who’s in? Phoenix Suns, San Antonio Spurs
Who’s out? Minnesota Timberwolves

Phoenix Suns

At this point, the Suns don’t really need to do anything to capitalize on this season or improve their situation. Everything after this midpoint in the season is gravy for them. The Suns can stand pat, have whatever postseason experience they earn and then reassess in the summer.

San Antonio Spurs

Historically, the Spurs don’t make a lot of in-season trades. I’d expect them to treat this deadline as Houston did a year ago. Yes, San Antonio can find ways to upgrade its situation, but really the club just wants to see what these players can do in the playoffs, so let’s see what happens.

Los Angeles Lakers

Maybe there’s a low-key perimeter defense option like a Keon Ellis to be had. But they’re not going to mortgage their first-round picks for anyone who isn’t a star this summer. This is still about building around Luka Dončić after this season.

Orlando Magic

The Magic have married themselves to this exact roster, and any further tinkering would probably be after they (hopefully) have a playoff run. However long that is.

Houston Rockets

Their focus is most likely getting healthy for the playoffs and then seeing how different it looks this time around, with Kevin Durant in the mix. They can address point guard issues in the offseason.

Denver Nuggets

They’re locked into getting this group to the playoffs with a healthy rotation.

Oklahoma City Thunder

I’d expect maybe some future draft pick scrambling, but nothing with the roster.