The All-Star break is over, and we all know what that means, the trade deadline, one of the most exhilarating times in the NBA, is right around the corner. With the clock ticking down, there are already plenty of trade whispers going around in the league, and Thursday’s deadline could be a huge one.
On Sunday night right after the All-Star Game, Amar’e Stoudemire and the New York Knicks parted ways by agreeing to a buyout, making Stoudemire an unrestricted free agent. He now has agreed to sign with the Dallas Mavericks, further deepening Dallas’ championship caliber roster.
Additionally, many teams have already made key moves involving big name players, such as Rajon Rondo, J.R. Smith, Iman Shumpert, Mo Williams, Jeff Green, and more.
Who else will be dealt before the deadline?
The Denver Nuggets are surely going to be one team that will be extremely active ahead of Thursday’s deadline. They are willing to ship anyone on the roster for the right price, even Ty Lawson. Though, Denver’s top priority is to find suitors for veteran swingmen Wilson Chandler and Arron Afflalo. At this time, the Chicago Bulls, who were once interested in Afflalo when the Orlando Magic were shopping him, are considered heavy suitors for the 29-year-old defensive ace. Denver’s asking price for any of the two is a first-round draft pick.
Kenneth Faried, who most recently signed a five-year, $60 million contract extension with Denver, could also be on the move. He has not lived up to his expectations this season after an amazing run with Team USA during the summer. With Faried’s newly signed large contract, the Nuggets may have a tough time dealing him.
Goran Dragic’s name has been tossed around in trade rumors for quite some time, and he could be on the move only if he does not commit to re-signing with the Suns. Dragic is reportedly going to meet with Phoenix on Tuesday to iron out any wrinkles. Meanwhile, ESPN’s Marc Stein is reporting that Phoenix would much rather trade Isaiah Thomas. The team is adamant on keeping Dragic alongside Eric Bledsoe for years to come, but Thomas hasn’t fully panned out as the third point guard on their roster. In any case, the Houston Rockets and Los Angeles Lakers are two teams interested in either point guard.
Norris Cole has also been mentioned in trading circles for a while now, and he seems to be the likeliest player to change scenery. The Miami Heat have a log jam at the point guard position with Mario Chalmers, Norris Cole, and the up-and-coming rookie Shabazz Napier. Moving Cole will give Napier an opening to showcase his potential. In the process, the Heat could add a potent shooting guard to play backup to Dwyane Wade. Many teams in need of a point guard have shown strong interest in Cole, and it would not be surprising if the Heat deal the 26 year old.
Another player who may almost certainly be traded is Sacramento Kings’ Jason Thompson. In already his seventh season with Sacramento, Thompson has not met his expectations, averaging a mere 5.6 points and 6.3 rebounds in 24.7 minutes per game. The Kings have been frustrated with Thompson’s inability to develop and, by now, have lost patience. Interestingly enough, Thompson’s camp hopes the Kings deal him before the deadline, which gives Sacramento no reason to hold on to him any longer.
After making hordes of deals during the offseason and earlier in the season, the Boston Celtics may not be finished just yet. Brandon Bass, Marcus Thornton, and Tayshaun Prince could all be moveable pieces, and the Celtics would possibly ask for more draft picks in exchange. It’s not a guarantee that all three would be traded, but at least one of those guys could head out.
A minor name swirling in trade rumors is Andrew Nicholson. The two-year man has rarely seen playing time this season with the Orlando Magic. In any potential move, the Magic will certainly ask for a draft pick in return. Unfortunately, Nicholson hasn’t drawn much interest around the league.
Reggie Jackson has also been a hot topic in trading circles this year. He is going to be a restricted free agent during summer, and has shown displeasure coming off the bench. Since the Thunder cannot promise him a starting role over Russell Westbrook, the best thing do to is trade Jackson, who could land Oklahoma City valuable assets.
Lastly, the biggest trade rumbles are coming from Brooklyn, where the Nets are looking to unload several of their veteran players. Deron Williams, Brook Lopez, and Joe Johnson are all available, but they each include toxic contracts. The Sacramento Kings have had interest in Deron Williams, as have the Houston Rockets. But a trade to acquire Williams is going to be complicated, salary wise. The Thunder has had interest in Brook Lopez, and earlier in the season, the Charlotte Hornets, Nets, and OKC came close to making a team-way deal sending Lopez to Oklahoma City. Perhaps the three teams will revisit that trade once more.
Other minor moves include Larry Sanders and Andrea Bargnani’s buyouts. Sanders and the Milwaukee Bucks are currently progressing on a buyout agreement, while the Knicks, after reaching an agreement with Amar’e Stoudemire Sunday night, will look to part ways with Bargnani as well.
In all likelihood, not all the aforementioned players will be moved, but there should be an ample amount of deals before Thursday’s trade buzzer sounds.