It is that time of year again. The NBA trade deadline is looming—specifically February 5, 2026—and the desperation in front offices is becoming palpable. You can see it in the way certain GMs are working the phones. One thing is becoming crystal clear: if you don’t have a legitimate seven-footer who can protect the rim and grab a contested board, you’re basically a high-speed car without any brakes.
Looking at the landscape right now, several nba teams that need a center are reaching a breaking point. It’s not just about height anymore. It’s about surviving the gauntlet of the West or matching the size of the East favorites like the Knicks and Cavs.
Honestly, the "small ball" revolution feels like it’s being pushed into a locker. Teams are realizing that while switching everything is cool in November, getting bullied in the paint in April is a death sentence. Let's get into the teams that are one big man away from actually mattering.
The Pelicans and the "Big" Problem in the Big Easy
New Orleans is in a weird spot. They’ve got talent for days—Zion Williamson is still a force when he’s on the floor, and Dejounte Murray (when healthy) gives them that point-of-attack bite they’ve lacked. But look at their depth chart at the five. It’s... thin.
They’ve been leaning heavily on rookie Derik Queen and the young Yves Missi. Now, Queen has been a bright spot, putting up double-doubles and showing he belongs. But he’s 21. Expecting a rookie to anchor a playoff defense against Nikola Jokic or Joel Embiid is a lot. It’s too much, actually.
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The Pelicans basically have a "center by committee" approach that feels like a temporary fix. Kevon Looney is there providing veteran stability, but his limitations are well-known. They need a rim protector who can actually scare people. When opponents see New Orleans on the schedule, they aren't worried about getting their shots blocked. They're thinking about layups. If the Pels want to capitalize on Zion’s prime, they have to find a defensive anchor. Fast.
Golden State’s Search for the Missing Piece
The Warriors are currently living in the "last dance" era of Stephen Curry’s greatness. Steph is still playing like an MVP candidate, which almost makes the roster holes more frustrating. The team is reportedly active in trade talks involving Jonathan Kuminga, and it’s no secret why. They need size.
Currently, the Warriors are relying on a mix of Draymond Green playing "undersized five" and Quinten Post. Draymond is 35. He’s still a genius on defense, but he can’t be your primary rim protector for 35 minutes a night anymore. It wears him down.
There are strong rumors linking Golden State to Nikola Vucevic or even looking at someone like Robert Williams III if the Blazers are selling. Vucevic would be a fascinating fit. He’s a veteran who can punish teams for switching and keep the offense moving—something the Warriors value above all else. Without a real center, the Warriors are forced to play a perfect game every night to win. That’s not a sustainable way to live in the Western Conference.
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Why the New York Knicks Aren't Done Yet
Wait, didn't the Knicks just get Karl-Anthony Towns? Yes. Is he a center? Technically. But the Knicks are a unique case of nba teams that need a center even when they have a star at the position.
Tom Thibodeau’s system is built on rim protection. While KAT has been great offensively, the Knicks’ defensive identity took a hit when Isaiah Hartenstein left for OKC. Mitchell Robinson is still in the mix, but his health is a constant question mark.
- The Knicks need a backup five who can play "Thibsy" basketball.
- They need someone who can eat 15-20 minutes of dirty work so KAT doesn't have to bang with the league's heaviest centers all night.
- Rim protection stats show a significant dip when Robinson isn't on the floor.
It wouldn't be surprising to see Leon Rose make a move for a specialist. Think of someone like Nick Richards from Phoenix or a veteran on a rebuilding squad. The Knicks are "all-in," and you don't go all-in with a hole in your secondary rim protection.
The Oklahoma City Thunder and the Hartenstein Factor
OKC made the biggest splash of the 2024 offseason by signing Isaiah Hartenstein. It looked like a masterstroke. Then the injuries hit. With Hartenstein and Chet Holmgren both dealing with various ailments earlier in the season, the Thunder's lack of "traditional" size was exposed again.
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When they are healthy, they are terrifying. But the Thunder are proof that you can never have enough big men. They have a mountain of draft picks and a roster full of young talent. If they feel like they need one more insurance policy behind Chet and Hartenstein, they have the assets to outbid anyone.
Finding Value in the 2026 Trade Market
So, who is actually available? The market is shifting. We're seeing names like Walker Kessler in Utah and Jakob Poeltl in Toronto being mentioned in whispers. These aren't just "bodies"; they are impact players who change how an entire defense functions.
For a team like the Suns—who are surprisingly playing well under Jordan Ott—getting a guy like Nick Richards could be the difference between a play-in exit and a deep run. The Blazers are also sitting on Robert Williams III, who is the ultimate "high risk, high reward" trade chip. When he's healthy, he's a defensive player of the year candidate. When he's not, he's a very expensive spectator.
Actionable Insights for the 2026 Deadline
If you're following the trade market, keep these three things in mind:
- Watch the Salary Match: Many of these teams, like the Warriors and Pelicans, are flirting with the luxury tax aprons. They can't just "add" a center; they have to swap salary perfectly. This makes 3-team trades much more likely.
- The "Vucevic" Tier: Don't look for superstars. The 2026 deadline is about the "mid-tier" centers. Players making $15-25 million who provide specialized skills (rebounding or floor spacing) are the ones who will actually move.
- Rebounding Percentage Matters: If you want to know which team will pull the trigger first, look at their Defensive Rebound Percentage. Teams like the Timberwolves have plummeted in this stat, and it usually precedes a major roster shakeup.
The center position was supposed to be "dead" ten years ago. Now, it’s the most sought-after insurance policy in the league. As the February 5 deadline approaches, expect the bidding war for the league's remaining "bigs" to reach a fever pitch. Whether it's the Warriors trying to save Steph's window or the Pelicans trying to solidify their identity, the path to a championship in 2026 still runs through the paint.