NBA trade candidates: Out of rotation players

We are deep into the 2023-24 NBA season and teams have just about established the rotations. Some teams like the Timberwolves had it mostly figured out before the season started, while others like the Suns needed time to figure out their guys. Every …

We are deep into the 2023-24 NBA season and teams have just about established the rotations. Some teams like the Timberwolves had it mostly figured out before the season started, while others like the Suns needed time to figure out their guys. Every year there are a handful of players who are good enough to get regular minutes but for one reason or another aren’t playing. Below is a list of players that are either out of their team’s rotation, or don’t project to be in it when their team is fully healthy and could become trade candidates this season.

Utah Jazz 2023-24 depth chart: Starters and backups

HoopsHype presents the Utah Jazz’s 2023-24 depth chart, from projected starters to backups and more.

The 2023-24 Utah Jazz boast a strong frontcourt, primarily thanks to one-time All-Star Lauri Markkanen, an excellent floor-spacing 4-man who can play some small forward, too. Alongside Markkanen, second-year big man Walker Kessler is already one of the best rim protectors in the NBA, using his fantastic size, length and instincts to get stops near the bucket.

Offseason pickup John Collins, finally out of Atlanta after years of trade speculation, will help round out the frontcourt with his outstanding athleticism. Utah might lack some playmaking but guards Collin Sexton and Jordan Clarkson are confident bucket-getters. Key backup Kelly Olynyk is also one of the better backup bigs in the NBA.

Below, the 2023-24 Utah Jazz’s depth chart: starters and backups.

Key: • Non-guaranteed / • Two-way contractOut

Washington Wizards 2023-24 depth chart: Starters and backups

HoopsHype presents the Washington Wizards’ 2023-24 depth chart, from projected starters to backups and more.

The 2023-24 Washington Wizards have some solid bucket-getters on the roster, primarily in the form of veteran power forward Kyle Kuzma and newly acquired 2-guard Jordan Poole from Golden State. They may not get many stops but the duo scores often, and usually in a flashy manner.

The team’s projected starting point guard, Tyus Jones, is more risk-averse, a smooth floor general with a high assist-to-turnover ratio who can hit some shots off the dribble. Frontcourt players Deni Avdija and Daniel Gafford will also help the team thanks to their defense and overall energy.

Below, the 2023-24 Washington Wizards’ depth chart: starters and backups.

Key: • Non-guaranteed / • Two-way contractOut

Toronto Raptors 2023-24 depth chart: Starters and backups

HoopsHype presents the Toronto Raptors’ 2023-24 depth chart, from projected starters to backups and more.

The strength of the 2023-24 Toronto Raptors is the team’s versatility and length, as the team is set to start Scottie BarnesOG Anunoby and Pascal Siakam, all at least 6-foot-7, long and able to handle the ball, create for others or score for themselves.

Of course, the Raptors did have a huge hole to fill at point guard this offseason after losing Fred VanVleet to Houston, and they did so by signing Dennis Schroeder from the Los Angeles Lakers in the summer. Schroeder does have huge shoes to fill after years of steady point guard play from both VanVleet and Kyle Lowry. Big man Jakob Poeltl rounds out the Raptors’ projected starting 5 while Chris Boucher and Gary Trent Jr. are set to be key reserves.

Below, the 2023-24 Toronto Raptors’ depth chart: starters and backups.

Key: • Non-guaranteed / • Two-way contractOut

San Antonio Spurs 2023-24 depth chart: Starters and backups

HoopsHype presents the San Antonio Spurs’ 2023-24 depth chart, from projected starters to backups and more.

The 2023-24 San Antonio Spurs will receive as much attention as any team that went 22-60 the year prior has ever gotten – and the reason why is obvious.

Incoming rookie and former No. 1 overall pick Victor Wembanyama is arguably the most exciting prospect to ever get to the NBA, at least up there with the likes of LeBron James and Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, and will have fans glued to their televisions from Day 1 to see how his first NBA campaign will go. Wembanyama is already one of the tallest players in the NBA, as well as one of the longest, but also boasts a high level of off-the-dribble-shooting capability and ball-handling while being an otherworldly defender.

Other Spurs to watch this upcoming season are recently extended swingman Devin Vassell and solid two-way forward Keldon Johnson.

Below, check out the 2023-24 San Antonio Spurs’ depth chart, from starters to backups.

Key: • Non-guaranteed / • Two-way contractOut

Portland Trail Blazers 2023-24 depth chart: Starters and backups

HoopsHype presents the Portland Trail Blazers’ 2023-24 depth chart, from projected starters to backups and more.

2023-24 will be the dawn of a new era for the Portland Trail Blazers, as the team starts a campaign without franchise GOAT Damian Lillard on the roster for the first time since 2011-12.

In his stead will be former No. 3 overall pick Scoot Henderson, a rookie with a lot of hype behind him considering his draft status. Henderson is an explosive, strong athlete who has the speed and strength to the basket with aplomb, and who has a solid touch on pull-up midrange jumpers.

Former No. 1 overall pick Deandre Ayton will also help usher in this new era for Portland, as the team acquired the former Phoenix player this summer. Perhaps a fresh start will be what Ayton needed to improve his nightly impact.

Veterans Malcolm BrogdonJerami Grant and Robert Williams will be the other names to watch for the Blazers, as they could help Portland win games this season… or be traded by the deadline for more future draft capital.

Below, the 2023-24 Portland Trail Blazers depth chart: starters and backups.

Key: • Non-guaranteed / • Two-way contractOut

Sacramento Kings 2023-24 depth chart: Starters and backups

HoopsHype presents the Sacramento Kings’ 2023-24 depth chart, from projected starters to backups and more.

The 2023-24 Sacramento Kings will look to build on their success last season when the franchise made the playoffs for the first time since 2005-06.

Sacramento brings back the majority of the team that helped it accomplish that feat, led by star point guard De’Aaron Fox and three-time All-Star Domantas Sabonis, both of whom are arguably coming off the best seasons of their careers.

Floor-spacing 4-man Keegan Murray will also be an important piece for the team, as his elite three-point shooting as a rookie provided the Kings’ offense with a huge boost in 2022-23. Dynamic Sixth Man Malik Monk will also be trusted with providing scoring bunches off the bench for Sacramento.

Below, the 2023-24 Sacramento Kings depth chart: starters and backups.

Key: • Non-guaranteed / • Two-way contractOut

Phoenix Suns 2023-24 depth chart: Starters and backups

HoopsHype presents the Phoenix Suns’ 2023-24 depth chart, from projected starters to backups and more.

The 2023-24 Phoenix Suns possess a loaded roaster this season but also a very unique one in that they don’t have a true point guard among their Top 8 rotation players.

Phoenix will rely on the ballhandling and playmaking of newly acquired star Bradley Beal as well as All-Star Devin Booker for those duties, which will be interesting considering the former’s turnover problems in the past. Along with their star backcourt, the Suns also bring back future Hall-of-Famer Kevin Durant, still in his prime though maybe at the twilight of it based on his injury problems over recent years.

The Suns also finally cut ties with former No. 1 overall pick Deandre Ayton, famously taken over Luka Doncic back in 2018, trading him to Portland in exchange for Jusuf Nurkic, a limited center defensively though a far better playmaker on offense.

Below, the 2023-24 Phoenix Suns depth chart: starters and backups.

Key: • Non-guaranteed / • Two-way contractOut

Philadelphia 76ers 2023-24 depth chart: Starters and backups

HoopsHype presents the Philadelphia 76ers’ 2023-24 depth chart, from projected starters to backups and more.

Reigning league MVP Joel Embiid returns for another season with the Philadelphia 76ers in 2023-24 with hopes of leading the team past the second round of the playoffs for the first time since the Allen Iverson era.

Alongside Embiid, blossoming guard Tyrese Maxey will be the player with the most expectations on him this season as the former Kentucky standout has All-Star potential thanks to his elite speed and ability to hit shots from deep, off-the-dribble or with his feet set. Other important players for the Sixers this season include PJ Tucker and Tobias Harris, two veteran forwards, the former an elite defender and the latter a versatile 4-man who can space the floor, face-up, dribble and defend multiple positions.

Below, the 2023-24 Philadelphia 76ers depth chart: starters and backups.

Key: • Non-guaranteed / • Two-way contractOut

Orlando Magic 2023-24 depth chart: Starters and backups

HoopsHype presents the Orlando Magic’s 2023-24 depth chart, from projected starters to backups and more.

The strength of the 2023-24 Orlando Magic will be in their frontcourt, as they are led by two young forwards with All-Star – if not eventual All-NBA – potential in World Cup champion Franz Wagner and reigning Rookie of the Year Paolo Banchero. It’ll be interesting to see the types of leaps Wagner and Banchero can make not only this season but over the next few years.

The big man anchoring that frontcourt, Wendell Carter, is no slouch either, as the former Duke standout is a versatile center who can block shots, shoot from the outside or drive it to the basket.

At guard, the Magic have the likes of Markelle FultzJalen SuggsGary Harris and incoming rookie Anthony Black leading the way.

Below, the 2023-24 Orlando Magic depth chart: starters and backups.

Key: • Non-guaranteed / • Two-way contractOut