The NBA trade season is starting to heat up and with the trading deadline just over a month away, contending teams are starting to look at pieces to add to make championship runs, while other teams are looking to offload players and some names to watch this year includes Omer Asik, Pau Gasol, Kyle Lowry, Paul Millsap, Evan Turner, Paul Pierce and Danny Granger.
The names above have all been mentioned in trade rumors this offseason and during the season and while some of those have been more smoke than fire, players like Asik and Turner have been discussed in more real-world terms and moves could start happening more frequently as the deadline gets closer. Asik is a name that has been mentioned in rumors since the summer and while the Rockets were close to a deal with the Boston Celtics at one point, that fell through and now another move could be made at the deadline.
Once Dwight Howard signed with the Rockets, everyone assumed it would be a matter of time before the team decided to trade him and when December hit, those stories really started to heat up. Asik was on the block and nearly was sent to Boston, but the Rockets pulled back on the deal and now it is more likely they will trade him at the deadline. The Bulls could be an option, as he previously played for the team and the Rockets have shown interest in Mike Dunleavy, but right now there is not an official story or report about that deal going down. Asik averaged a double-double last season with 10 points and 11 rebounds and this year his numbers have fallen to four points and six rebounds and now the 27 year old is likely on his way out of Houston.
Pau Gasol has been put on and off the trade block for nearly every season he has played for the Lakers and this year is no different, as the Cavaliers and LA nearly pulled off a deal for Gasol and Andrew Bynum. Instead the Bulls came through and did that deal before waiving him and while the Lakers said that Gasol was off the trading block earlier this season, it looks like any possibilities are on the table with Kobe Bryant injured this year. Gasol is averaging 15.6 points, 9.5 rebounds and 3.3 assists and while he has been a bit banged up, he still could be a solid option for a contending team.
Kyle Lowry was mentioned in trade talks with the Knicks and is considered a target for the Warriors and so is Andre Miller, making the point guard position and interesting one heading into the deadline. The Knicks balked at giving up too much to the Raptors, but the teams still could make a deal. The Sixers look like a big trading team this season and Evan Turner could be a part of that, while Paul Millsap and Paul Pierce are also candidates to move.