The NBA trade deadline is coming and names like Reggie Jackson, Brook Lopez, Greg Monroe and Goran Dragic could be on the move and teams like the Miami Heat, Denver Nuggets, LA Lakers, New York Knicks, Portland Trail Blazers or Chicago Bulls could be interested as the deadline nears in February after the All-Star break.
Jackson has been mentioned in trade rumors for quite some time, as he is set to be a restricted free agent, while Lopez has been shopped along with Deron Williams and Joe Johnson. According to ESPN New York, the Nets are looking are reshaping their roster and they would like to move their most expensive players. Lopez is a target for a number of teams, as he was mentioned in connection with the Nuggets and the Miami Heat this season.
According to Frank Isola in the NY Daily News, the Nuggets have been interested in both Lopez and Jackson this season and those deals could happen closer to the trade deadline. The Nuggets and Thunder reportedly were close on a deal with Jackson last month, but the deal did not go down. Jackson is also a target for the Knicks, as the team may try and sign him over a bigger named point guard in free agency this summer.
Frank Isola added that Kevin Durant is a potential option for the Knicks, as he is not ruling them out and "loved" Carmelo Anthony, according to a source. The report also says that Durant is not that high on Jackson and that could lead the Knicks to look elsewhere, as they are hoping to woo Durant in the 2016 summer when he hits free agency.
Dragic has also been a target with the Suns, as he is heading towards free agency and could be moved if Phoenix thinks that he will leave. According to Pro Basketball Talk, Dragic is going to be targeted by the Knicks, Lakers, Houston Rockets and Pacers in free agency and those teams could price out the Suns. Phoenix would rather not trade Dragic, but after signing both Eric Bledsoe and Isaiah Thomas, it might be the best move going forward for the franchise.
The Pistons have Greg Monroe as a trade chip and now that Brandon Jennings has been injured, he is the main piece left the team can dangle. The team has been putting a high price on Monroe and that is why he likely will not be traded. The team wants at least a first round pick and most teams will not give that up knowing that Monroe can sign as a free agent over the summer.
The trade deadline has already seen some big names move, as Rajon Rondo, Jeff Green and Iman Shumpert have already been traded. Rondo will still be a free agent target for teams like the Knicks and Lakers this offseason, but it's likely that he will stay in Dallas after the Celtics traded him to the Mavericks.