16 Players that will likely change teams by the NBA trade deadline
By Cal Durrett
Nearly 50 games into the NBA season, fans and front offices should have a good idea of where their teams stand, especially with the trade deadline looming. The deadline presents teams with their last chance to significantly improve their team ahead of the stretch run.
However, with the standings tightly packed, teams that might otherwise be sellers at the deadline might decide to stand pat, while others will look to break away from the pack with a midseason trade. Meanwhile, the few teams that are already out of the playoff race may look to solidify their spot in the NBA draft lottery by moving some of their best players.
That could make for an interesting trade deadline where a few teams hold most of the desired players, possibly leading to multiple bidding wars and a record exchange of draft picks. Every trade deadline is unpredictable, and this year will be no different. That being said, there are more than a few players who seem likely to change teams. Here are the 13 players most likely to change teams at this year’s NBA trade deadline.
16. Serge Ibaka, Milwaukee Bucks
We already know that veteran center Serge Ibaka and his team, the Milwaukee Bucks, are working to find him a new team, taking some of the mystery out of whether he’ll be traded or not. Still, we don’t yet know who will trade for him, though the Los Angeles Clippers and Brooklyn Nets have both been mentioned as possible landing spots.
Whether he has enough left in the tank remains to be seen, considering that he’s 33 years old—or older, depending on who you believe. Still, there are quite a few playoff teams that could use backup center help, and it makes sense that the Clippers and Nets would be interested for that reason, as should the Miami Heat.
That being said, Ibaka has only appeared in 16 games this season, and teams may not be willing to give up much for him. In fact, he may even be included as salary filler in a Bucks deal with the Phoenix Suns for Jae Crowder. Considering that they already have a solid center rotation, Ibaka may find himself in a similar situation on a new team.