Basketball news: Five names to watch ahead of the NBA trade deadline
With just over 48 hours remaining until the NBA trade deadline, the futures of stars across the league remain unclear as rumours continue to circulate.
Four-time All-Star Trae Young getting moved to the Washington Wizards in exchange for CJ McCollum remains the biggest deal so far. However, a certain Greek superstar continues to make headlines.
Sports News Blitz writer Oliver Powell looks at five of the biggest names on the trade market ahead of the Thursday, February 5, deadline.
Giannis Antetokounmpo (Milwaukee Bucks)
You can’t start anywhere else, can you really?
The ‘Greek Freak’ has been the talk of the league since it became clear the two-time league MVP was open to moving on from Milwaukee, given the team sit 12th in the Eastern Conference.
Whilst the Bucks are believed to want a package including top young talent and draft picks, the teams most strongly in pursuit don’t have that to offer, meaning the Giannis saga is likely to drag on into the summer.
The Golden State Warriors, New York Knicks, Miami Heat, and Minnesota Timberwolves are the frontrunners should the 31-year-old be traded.
However, the offers presented to the Bucks so far are believed to have been rebuffed or counter-offered.
James Harden (Los Angeles Clippers)
It’s become almost a yearly tradition for Harden’s name to crop up around the trade deadline, although this time the reports feel more of a shock.
Harden and the Clippers had clawed their way back into playoff contention after a poor start to the season.
However, news broke last night that both parties are discussing a path out of LA for the 2018 MVP.
The Cleveland Cavaliers are in discussions, with Darius Garland rumoured to be sent in the other direction for the 36-year-old who’s putting up 25.4 points and 8.1 assists per game this season.
It would be a move to launch the Cavs into win-now territory after an underwhelming start to the season, and the Clippers would gain a younger all-star to build for the future.
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Karl-Anthony Towns (New York Knicks)
Despite only arriving in the Big Apple last year, Towns is subject to more trade discussion this season amid the Knicks pursuit of Giannis Antetokounmpo.
Reports suggest Towns was unhappy at his name being included in Giannis talks in the off-season, and as the Knicks went through a run of winning just two out of 11 games, it was believed the team were open to moving KAT.
Any surprise late deal for Giannis to the Knicks would almost certainly see Towns head to either Milwaukee or a third team in the deal.
A separate deal can’t be ruled out, though, with the Chicago Bulls and Charlotte Hornets said to be interested in the 30-year-old.
Domantas Sabonis (Sacramento Kings)
Sabonis and the Kings sit bottom of the Western Conference, hold the worst record in the league and have lost eight in a row...it might be time to blow it up.
Sabonis would be the most valuable trade asset Sacramento hold, and rumours have begun over a move with the Toronto Raptors, who have been a surprise package of the season.
Toronto could massively use an all-star-calibre centre as they push for a spot in the top four of the East, and a deal would likely include Jakob Poeltl and RJ Barrett.
Still only 29, a move to the North could be perfect for Sabonis to begin playing meaningful basketball again as the Kings move towards a rebuild.
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Michael Porter Jr (Brooklyn Nets)
Porter Jr arrived in Brooklyn as a salary filler for the Cam Johnson-Denver Nuggets trade. However, averaging 25.6 points for the young Nets has surely spiked the market for MPJ.
Whilst Porter Jr has been a key piece for Brooklyn this season, the team still sit 13-35 as they continue their rebuild, and a potential trade could add further assets to a stacked collection of picks and talent.
The high-flying Detroit Pistons have been rumoured as a potential landing spot for MPJ, with a package including picks and Jaden Ivey, an intriguing return to add to the Brooklyn rebuild.
The trade makes sense for the Nets to allow their younger talent to play and develop, whilst accepting ‘tanking’ as they have control of their own draft pick this season.
Meanwhile, Detroit get a high-volume scorer in their battle to win the East.
Other names to keep an eye on
Jonathan Kuminga (Golden State Warriors) has been reported to want out of San Francisco.
However, he may remain with the team after Jimmy Butler’s season-ending injury and the Warriors' pursuit of Antetokounmpo.
Ja Morant (Memphis Grizzlies) was said to be available earlier in the season. Although given both on and off-court issues, it’s unclear how much interest there will be in the star point guard.
Both DeMar DeRozan and Zach LaVine (Sacramento Kings) could join Sabonis on their way out as the Kings move on from a failed veteran team and look to the future, though their salaries may make both difficult trade candidates.
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