Atlanta Hawks: 3 players most likely to be traded before deadline

2. Jeremy Lin

Jeremy Lin is another player rumored to be on the trading block, with the Sacramento Kings reportedly interested, according to Stein. Lin could provide some productive backup point guard minutes for any team that chooses to acquire him.

Lin has served as a nice understudy to Young this year, averaging 10.8 points and 3.6 assists a night with a career-best 60.6 true shooting percentage through 39 games this year. While no one should expect Linsanity 2.0 or anything like that, he could fill a role similar to what former Hawk Dennis Schroder is doing right now with the Oklahoma City Thunder — providing steady offense once the starters go to the bench.

Sure, he’s basically a turnstile on defense (-2.1 defensive box plus/minus, 114 defensive rating), but his ability to create his own shot and facilitate should offset any concerns teams have for his play on the other side of the floor.

Like Dedmon, Lin’s contract expires after this season, which makes him merely a temporary fix for any club that trades for him. But if a team needs a credible reserve guard, then Lin is arguably the best option.