The NBA trade deadline is coming up next month and some players that could get traded include Timofey Mozgov, David Lee, Roy Hibbert, Nick Young, Brandon Bass, Ryan Anderson, Channing Frye, Ty Lawson, Lance Stephenson, Josh Smith, Jamal Crawford and Brandon Jennings. DeMarcus Cousins and Dwight Howard have come up in trade rumors, but those deals are very unlikely to happen.
Markieff Morris has been mentioned in trade reports since the summer and the Suns likely will shop the forward as the deadline gets closer. According to Basketball Insiders, the team will not simply trade Morris in a bad deal just to get him out of Phoenix. Morris was benched for a spell and has returned to the starting lineup and recent reports had the Houston Rockets interested in a deal.
Morris also could be a target for teams like the Cavaliers, Pelicans and Toronto Raptors. Cousins is highly unlikely to get traded despite his name coming up in reports since the summer, while Howard could potentially get moved since he has an opt-in for the summer and is technically going to be a free agent. The Rockets are also unlikely going to make a major deal with Howard.
David Lee was traded to the Celtics over the summer and he potentially could be a trade target for Bastion at the deadline. Basketball Insiders reports that the Celtics are "actively" seeking a trade for Lee and that the Toronto Raptors could be a potential landing spot. Lee has a $15 million contract and that could mean that a third team would have to get involved to make a deal happen. The Celtics also may consider a deal with Jared Sullinger this season.
The Cleveland Cavaliers could look at shaking things up at the deadline, as the team has been struggling lately on offense. According to Yahoo Sports, Adrian Wojnarowski reports that the Cavaliers have "started to make calls" regarding Timofey Mozgov. The team previously denied that they were looking to deal Mozgov, but with the team struggling and Mozgov heading to free agency, there is a chance the Cavs could pull off a move. Woj also reports that the Suns have been working on "multi-team trades" regarding Morris.
The Pelicans have been looking to deal Ryan Anderson this season, as he is heading towards free agency and New Orleans may not be able to keep him. Brandon Jennings has come up as a potential target for teams, as the Pistons have Reggie Jackson as the starting point guard. The Knicks have been mentioned as option for Jennings. The Nets would like to trade Joe Johnson, but a deal is unlikely at this point with his contract at over $24 million.
Other names that have come up in trade rumors this season include Roy Hibbert, Nick Young, Brandon Bass, Channing Frye, Ty Lawson, Lance Stephenson and Josh Smith. Contending teams could be looking to deal for some of those players and the Lakers may try and push some deals to get draft picks or clear cap space moving forward.
The Bulls looked like they would be active at the trade deadline with players like Joakim Noah, Taj Gibson and Pau Gasol potentially moving, but the team may be backing off of that idea now. Noah is out for the season with a shoulder injury and his absence opens things up more for Gasol and Gibson, which could keep the Bulls from pulling off deals with those players at the deadline.
Check here for more on the NBA trade deadline and potential targets.
