The NBA trade deadline is less than two weeks away and while we are seeing a lot of rumors, we may not see a lot of movement at the trade deadline due to the new second-apron world we now live in.
Nonetheless, it is always fun to speculate which players we could see on the move as we enter the second half of the season. Here are four star players that we could see traded at the deadline (besides Jimmy Butler).
4) Zach LaVine
LaVine has had a resurgent season with the Bulls and has done everything he can to boost his trade stock. He is averaging 24 points per game and is shooting a career-high from the field (51.3 percent) and three-point range (45.1 percent). He has also been very durable, playing in 40 of the Bulls’ 45 games.
The problem with LaVine is his contract, as he has three years and over $130 million left on his contract. This includes a $49 million player option at the conclusion of the 26-27 season that he will almost assuredly pick up.
LaVine’s level of play is not the issue, but the question is whether or not a team is willing to go into the first or second apron to acquire him. His trade market is quiet at the moment, but things could change in the next two weeks if a contending team gets desperate.
3) Brandon Ingram
Ingram has missed almost two months due to an ankle sprain, but the Pelicans have made it no secret that they want to move on from the forward and with the team bottoming out in the Western Conference with a 12-34 record, a rebuild/tank job could be on the way.
In the 18 games he has played this season, Ingram has averaged 22 PPG, about 47 percent shooting, and 37 percent from three-point range to go along with about six rebounds and five assists.
Ingram’s all around offensive ability is rare to find in wings in the NBA today, but his interest around the league is low due to his defensive shortcomings and lack of durability. He is on an expiring contract though and is looking for a payday this summer, so whoever acquires him could get a highly motivated Ingram.
2) Zion Williamson
Williamson is another New Orleans player we could see on the move, but unlike Ingram, the Pelicans are reportedly not shopping Williamson.
Williamson has only played in 11 games this season, and the story of his career has been his lack of availability. He has missed 207 games in his career due to injury or illness and has had a number of leg issues, from his hamstring to his foot to his knee.
If the Pelicans made Williamson available for trade, they probably would not get a huge trade package, but they could acquire some assets that would help start their rebuild. They are better off punting this season given the huge amount of ground they would have, and that’ll start when they trade their two forwards.
1) Kevin Durant
A little bit of a curveball here at one, but hear me out: the Phoenix Suns season is fading away fast. They are firmly entrenched in play-in territory in the Western Conference. The core of Durant, Booker, and Beal is not working. They are in the Jimmy Butler rumors, but he may not be the missing piece they need.
We have seen Durant surprisingly request trades before (see his Brooklyn Nets tenure), and there is still two weeks until the deadline. Anything can happen.If Phoenix were to make Durant available, he would have a robust market.
He may be getting older, but he is still playing at an All-NBA level. He is averaging 27/6/4 on 5238/83 shooting splits and was just named an All-Star for the 15th time in his career. There has been no indication that he isn’t happy in Phoenix, but KD wants to win, and leaving the Suns may lead to that.