The NBA trade deadline is mere days away. It has yet to be active around the Association on this front.
We’re expecting that to change over the course of the next few days, leading up to the Feb. 6 deadline.
Multiple teams are in need of upgrades in order to be considered legit title contenders. On the other hand, bottom-feeding squads will soon look to flip veteran players for assets as a way to help them rebuild.
From a big man making his way from the Big Apple to Boston to an All-Star guard finally ending up in Minnesota, here’s a look at five realistic deals we’d love to see ahead of the NBA trade deadline.
Knicks trade Taj Gibson to the Celtics for Daniel Theis and Carsen Edwards
Two rivals making a deadline deal is not out of the question. A move of this ilk to rid themselves of a veteran that has no long-term future in New York makes perfect sense for a Knicks team that has embarrassed itself this season. In the process, they get back two youngsters with potential long-term futures in the Big Apple. Theis, 27, has started all but one game this season. He’s averaging 8.2 points and 6.1 rebounds. A rookie second-round pick, Edwards could fit into the rotation immediately.
In turn, Celtics general manager Danny Ainge gives his squad a big-bodied veteran with plus-level defensive ability to team up with the defense-absent Enes Kanter inside. Gibson is among the most underrated low-post defenders in the game and would dramatically change the perception of these Celtics on that end of the court.
Spurs trade DeMar DeRozan to the Pacers for Myles Turner, Doug McDermott and future first-round pick
It’s already been noted that the struggling Spurs are looking to start anew with a rebuild. Moving a player in DeRozan who will likely opt out this coming summer makes all the sense in the world. It would be a way to expedite said rebuild by adding a talented young center in Myles Turner who has seemingly fallen out of favor in Indiana. Turner, 23, is averaging 12.1 points and 6.0 rebounds on the season. Meanwhile, McDermott and his 46% three-point mark could fill some of the scoring void.
On the other side, Indiana gets a legit 20-plus point-per game scorer who can make buckets in waves. Teaming DeRozan up with the recently returned Victor Oladipo, Malcom Brogdon, T.J. Warren and an improved big in that of surprise All-Star Domantas Sabonis would make the 31-17 Pacers legit title contenders back east. It might be a lot to pay for a potential rental, but the Pacers are in win-now mode.
Warriors trade D’Angelo Russell and Glenn Robinson III to the Timberwolves for Gorgui Dieng, Robert Covington, Josh Okogie and 2020 first-round pick
It’s not a secret that Minnesota attempted to acquire Russell during the summer to team him up with best bud Karl-Anthony Towns. Once the Warriors showed interest in a sign-and-trade with the Nets for Kevin Durant, Russell pounced on it immediately. No one could have envisioned the struggles we’ve seen from Golden State this season. It could lead to Russell being nothing more than an ends to a means as a short-term option.
The Wolves nab that All-Star in Russell to build for the future. In turn, Golden State picks up one of the best three-and-d wings in the NBA in that of Robert Covington. It adds a young talent in Okogie while creating summer-time cap flexibility by taking on Dieng’s contract. Let’s not even mention a likely top-10 pick to go with their own selection in the 2020 NBA Draft. Win-win for both squads.
Pistons trade Derrick Rose, Luke Kennard and Markieff Morris to the Lakers for Avery Bradley, Kentavius Caldwell-Pope and Kyle Kuzma
A lot has been made about the Lakers’ need to go out there and get an upgrade at point guard over Rajon Rondo. In the midst of a career resurgence, Rose would more than provide that. He’s averaging 18.9 points and 6.0 assists on 50% shooting from the field. Adding to the intrigue from Los Angeles’ perspective, it picks up two solid bench options in Kennard and Morris. Kennard can provide more outside shooting while Morris would be a tremendous veteran presence at forward.
For the Pistons, this deal makes a lot of sense. These three outgoing players don’t fit into their long-term future. Given the Pistons have put Andre Drummond on the block, a full-scale rebuild could be in the cards. Why not add a long-term option in that of Kuzma for a combination of players that won’t be long in the Motor City?
Kings trade Bogdan Bogdanović and Richaun Holmes to the Sixers for Zhaire Smith, Mike Scott, Kyle O’Quinn, Raul Neto, 2020 first-round pick and two second-round picks
This would seem to be a pretty high price for Philadelphia to pay. That’s until we realize Bogdanović and his outside shooting ability would be a major boon for a team in need of a three-point shot. Head coach Brett Brown has covered that a ton in recent weeks. Adding Holmes to the mix creates more depth off the bench, especially with Philly sending four players to California’s capital city in this trade.
For the Kings, it’s rather obvious that the current iteration of this squad is not it. Adding Smith’s potential elite play-making ability moving forward would be an absolute boon. The team then takes on three expiring contracts while adding three valuable draft picks. It just makes too much sense.