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Teams, players who could be dealing at the NBA trade deadline
Will the Chicago Bulls trade away Jimmy Butler? Joe Murphy/Getty Images

Teams and players who could be dealing at the NBA trade deadline

Now that we’ve had our fill of dunks, alley-oops and zero defense at the All-Star Game, it is time to get back to business in the NBA. 

The season is midway through, and everyone’s favorite hype train is rolling by: the NBA trade deadline. Sometimes, the trade deadline results in some major player movement that shifts the power of conferences and maybe the league as a whole. Other times, we get a dud-filled day of second-round picks, benchwarmer movement and cash considerations. 

Prior to the deadline, we've already seen some huge moves. Serge Ibaka was traded to Toronto, and the New Orleans Pelicans are in win-now mode after acquiring DeMarcus Cousins from the Sacramento Kings. One can hope things are only going to get better as the trade deadline approaches. 

We won’t really know who goes where until announcements are made, but there are a number of players and teams that have been active in trade talks and could make moves sooner rather than later. 

Look for these teams and players to be mentioned a lot in your newsfeeds in the coming days. 

Philadelphia 76ers 


With Joel Embiid the team's centerpiece, Jahlil Okafor and Nerlens Noel are on the trade block for the Philadelphia 76ers. Bill Streicher/USA TODAY Sports

NBA fans laughed when the 76ers ended three consecutive drafts with three centers. We’re still laughing a little bit because Philly is 21-35, but at least one of them panned out to be a star and the others have become valuable assets to trade. 

Jahlil Okafor has gotten regular minutes at time in his second year and shown enough to garner the interest of teams looking for a solid offensive center who can continue developing. Nerlens Noel’s defensive prowess has not waned, but he has been the odd man out in the sardine can that is the center position in Philadelphia as far starting goes. Expect either or both of those players to be moved for some point guard or wing help. 

Jimmy Butler


Teams like the Boston Celtics have been rumored to be interested in Chicago Bulls All-Star Jimmy Butler. Mark D. Smith/USA TODAY Sports

One winner from the James Dolan-Charles Oakley feud before the All-Star Game was the Chicago Bulls, who had attention diverted away from their tumultuous locker room situation. The Rajon Rondo and Dwyane Wade signings have not worked out, and Jimmy Butler may be on the move. 

Even with his gigantic contract, the Boston Celtics have expressed interest in trading for him. Isaiah Thomas could definitely use some help on the wing so he doesn’t have to run the show the whole game. It’ll take a lot of draft picks and players, but the Celtics love Butler enough that this trade could go down. 

New York Knicks 


Carmelo Anthony has a no-trade clause, but his name, along with Derrick Rose, has been floated in trade rumors all season. Mark J. Rebilas/USA TODAY Sports

Who knew that throwing together a team made up of washed-up All-Stars wouldn’t work? Throw in an executive who’s totally not coaching (but still kind of coaching) and an owner who loves to spar with beloved former players, and you have a team whose dysfunction rivals "The Simpsons." Heads are going to roll or at least be traded to other places. 

Carmelo Anthony has been clashing with Phil Jackson, and it appears that Anthony’s time in New York may be up. He has that pesky no-trade clause, but if the right (championship-contending) team were to make a good offer, he would at least consider waiving that clause. Derrick Rose has also been the subject of trade rumors because he is in the final year of his contract and has been performing well. He is definitely not back to MVP form, but he can help another team that fits his style of play better. 

With the front office structured the way it is and so many veteran players, the Knicks should look to go into full-on rebuild mode around Kristaps Porzingis. If they want to stick with triangle offense principals, might as well build it from the ground up. 

Ricky Rubio 


Will the Minnesota Timberwolves move on from guard Ricky Rubio? Mark J. Rebilas/USA TODAY Sports

The Spaniard is scheduled to make just under $29 million over the next two years. That’s a lot of money for a player who is in his sixth year in the NBA and hasn’t learned how to shoot. 

He still has quick hands and great vision, but he does not appear to be in future plans for the Minnesota Timberwolves. The team has first-round pick Kris Dunn waiting in the wings at a fraction of the price. Rubio might not fetch a lot, but it’ll be a lot better than getting nothing when they let him walk in a few years. 

Wilson Chandler 


Denver Nuggets forward Wilson Chandler has not been shy about his frustrations this season. Chris Humphreys/USA TODAY Sports

Chandler is another victim of the lineup shuffle in Denver. He found himself on the bench for a while and was frustrated by his role despite being the third-leading scorer on the Nuggets. 

Owed $36 million for this and the next two seasons, Chandler’s contract isn’t big enough to be immovable, and he could find himself on another team where he will get the minutes he feels he deserves. The Oklahoma City Thunder is desperately looking for any help shooting from the perimeter and has inquired about his availability. 

Lou Williams


Los Angeles Lakers point guard Lou Williams is averaging a career high in points this season. Tom Szczerbowski/USA TODAY Sports

Although he is coming off the bench and only playing 24.2 minutes a game, Lou Williams is still leading the Los Angeles Lakers in scoring. His explosive 18.6 points per game is really attractive to teams looking to shore up their benches for a playoff run. 

The Washington Wizards have reportedly offered a first-round pick for Williams’ services, which gives the Lakers insurance for their top-three protected pick in this year's draft. With Williams only making $7 million next year, he is very cheap and very dangerous weapon who can help put a team over the top. 

Cleveland Cavaliers


LeBron James has been pushing for the Cleveland Cavaliers to beef up their roster before the trade deadline passes. Brian Spurlock/USA TODAY Sports

LeBron James wants a playmaker off the bench, and what LeBron wants he usually gets. It's a perk of being one of the greatest players to ever play the game. 

The Cavaliers have a lot of red tape to go through in order to pull off a trade, but they need bench playmaking so bad that they will make it work. The Cavs have been tracking Deron Williams, Jose Calderon and Andrew Bogut to potentially take a roster spot on their way to defending their championship in the playoffs. 

Reggie Jackson


Detroit Pistons guard Reggie Jackson is reportedly on the trade block. Brett Davis/USA TODAY Sports

With Reggie Jackson out, the Detroit Pistons went 11-10. When he returned to the lineup, the Pistons have gone 16-20. Jackson’s numbers are also down in every category this year, causing head coach and president of basketball operations Stan Van Gundy to openly question Jackson’s fit with the team.

He is still young and has been through some battles as a starter for the Pistons. That experience and track record of production will get him a lot of looks in a market that is always looking for effective point guards.

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