The Miami Heat need a high-scoring guard to return to the NBA Finals. Boston wants to add depth behind injury-prone Celtics center Robert Williams III. The defending-champion Golden State Warriors are facing their own depth issues behind reigning Finals MVP Stephen Curry. And the Minnesota Timberwolves are trying to regroup after their deal for center Rudy Gobert, deemed by Charles Barkley to be the ‘worst trade in NBA history.’
Whatever the need, the upcoming NBA trade deadline can offer solutions for all deal-making executives, be they buyers or sellers.
Now, with less than three weeks remaining until the February 9 deadline, here are the names rumored to be on the move before the season’s final stretch.
Atlanta’s John Collins has been a recurring subject of trade rumors throughout his six-year run, due largely to his athleticism and offensive skillset
Atlanta Hawks power forward John Collins: Still only 25, Collins has been a recurring subject of trade rumors throughout his six-year run, due largely to his athleticism and offensive skillset. At 6-foot-9, the Wake Forest product has been a reliable scorer, both inside (61 percent lifetime shooting percentage on 2-point field goals) and from deep (35.8 percent from three).
But Collins has fallen out of favor in Atlanta amid shooting woes in 2022-23. He’s making less than 25 percent of his 3-point attempts this season, and is attempting only 10.4 field goals a game – the lowest mark since his rookie season. As a result, his scoring average has dropped to 13.3 points a game – more than eight points below his career high of 21.6.
Moving Collins now as his production dips won’t be easy. He’s in just the second year of a five-year, $125 million contract, but there are teams with the financial flexibility to add the power forward.
Where could he go? Veteran NBA reporter Marc Stein recently shared a potential three-team trade, that would send shooting guard Malik Beasley from Utah to Cleveland, while Collins, a Beehive State native, goes to the Jazz, and the Hawks add spare parts, including Cavaliers swingman Caris LeVert. Stein previously reported that the Washington Wizards, Brooklyn Nets, and Indiana Pacers have expressed some interest in Collins as well.
Chicago Bulls shooting guard Zach LaVine: Still only in the first season of a five-year, $215 million contract, the 27-year-old LaVine may already be slowing down.
He’s coming off a pair of surgeries on his left knee, and while he’s still scoring 23.9 points a game and shooting a solid 38.5 percent from deep, the once-crowded market for the former UCLA star is suddenly waning.
‘If you are giving someone $45 million a year, you better make sure he is not going to have his knee break down on you,’ one West GM told Heavy.com. ‘Watch [LaVine] play, you can see he does not attack the basket like he used to, he does not dunk as much. Still a really good finisher but not as aggressive as he used to be.
‘If they tried to trade him now, there would be only a handful of teams interested, because we would not be willing to take that gamble on his health, not at that money. He has the red flags, too.’
Where could he go? Hoops Hype’s Michael Scotto has listed the New York Knicks, Dallas Mavericks, and Heat as potential suitors. ESPN’s Tim MacMahon has also reported Dallas’ interest, and claims that team star Luca Doncic is pressuring the front office to give him more help.
Still only in the first season of a five-year, $215 million contract, the 27-year-old LaVine may already be slowing down. He’s coming off a pair of surgeries on his left knee, and while he’s still scoring 23.9 points a game and shooting a solid 38.5 percent from deep, the once-crowded market for the former UCLA star is suddenly waning
The former Ohio State star likely wouldn’t even be mentioned in trade rumors, were it not for his expiring contract. But given the team’s off-season acquisition of Gobert – who is owed $130 million over the next three years – the Timberwolves are unlikely to keep Russell
Minnesota Timberwolves combo guard D’Angelo Russell: Still only 26 (although you could be forgiven for assuming that the nine-year veteran is older), Russell’s tenure in Minneapolis hasn’t been a disappointment or a success. He’s averaging 17 points a game this season, while shooting a respectable 36.8 percent from beyond the arc.
The former Ohio State star likely wouldn’t even be mentioned in trade rumors, were it not for his expiring contract. But given the team’s off-season acquisition of Gobert – who is owed $130 million over the next three years – the Timberwolves are unlikely to keep Russell.
Where could he go? Yahoo! Sports’ Jake Fischer reports that the Heat, Los Angeles Clippers, and Phoenix Suns are on the look out for established ball handlers, but Russell’s $31 million salary for the season isn’t going to make things easy for the Timberwolves.
Turner, who ranks third in the NBA in blocks, has an expiring contract and recently refused an extension in Indiana, prompting more trade rumors. He’s previously pushed for a deal to the Los Angeles Lakers, but they may not have the assets required to make a deal this season
Indiana Pacers center Myles Turner: Another perennial trade-rumor subject, the 26-year-old defensive menace offers a lot to contenders.
Turner, who ranks third in the NBA in blocks, has an expiring contract and recently refused an extension in Indiana, prompting more trade rumors. He’s previously pushed for a deal to the Los Angeles Lakers, but they may not have the assets required to make a deal this season.
Where could he go? The Lakers remain a possibility, according to multiple reports, but don’t count out the Toronto Raptors, who could be in the market for a center as part of their rebuilding effort.
Charlotte Hornets forward Jalen McDaniels: Teams looking to add depth can reach out to Charlotte about McDaniels, who is averaging a career high 10.9 points and 4.9 rebounds a game, while making a respectable 37.5 percent of his 3-point attempts.
The 24-year-old represents a better long-term investment than several other trade candidates, given his age and emerging talent.
Where could he go? The Suns could swing a deal for McDaniels, particularly as they look to unload veteran forward Jae Crowder, according to The Athletic’s Shams Charania. Whether or not Phoenix could also sign McDaniels to a long-term deal remains unclear.
Teams looking to add depth can reach out to Charlotte about Jalen McDaniels, who is averaging a career high 10.9 points and 4.9 rebounds a game, while making a respectable 37.5 percent of his 3-point attempts
Poeltl will be a free agent this summer, and at 27, could be at the peak of his earning potential
San Antonio Spurs center Jakob Poeltl: The Austrian-born seven-footer is having another efficient season for coach Gregg Popovich, scoring 12.3 points a game and adding 9.4 rebounds and 1.3 blocks, to boot.
The biggest issue, in terms of trading the former Utah Utes star, is his expiring contract. Poeltl will be a free agent after the season, and at 27, could be at the peak of his earning potential. Unless teams are comfortable with a potential rental on Poeltl, the Spurs’ reported asking price of two first-round picks may be too steep to facilitate a deal.
Where could he go? While The Athletic reports Poeltl will cost teams a pair of first rounders, ESPN claims there is a robust market for his services that includes the Celtics, who are reportedly looking for depth in case Williams injures his knee again. The Raptors are also reportedly interested, according to Yahoo! Sports.
Boston Celtics guard Payton Pritchard: A fan favorite in Boston, this soon-to-be free agent has been squeezed out of the rotation with the addition of combo guard Malcolm Brogdon.
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Still just 24, the former Oregon product is an excellent perimeter shooter, and while he’s not known for his defense or playmaking, would serve as a respectable backup on a playoff team.
Where could he go? MassLive is reporting that Pritchard has drawn interest from non other than the Warriors, who beat the 6-foot guard and the Celtics in the 2022 NBA Finals.
A fan favorite in Boston, this soon-to-be free agent has been squeezed out of the rotation with the addition of combo guard Malcolm Brogdon. Still just 24, the former Oregon product is an excellent perimeter shooter, and while he’s not known for his defense or playmaking, would serve as a respectable backup on a playoff team
