The untouchables: Every NBA team's cornerstone — from Luka Doncic to Jalen Brunson

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.