NBA trade deadline 2020: Rumors and breaking news

Follow Us
By 
·Updated:

Jayne Kamin-Oncea-USA TODAY Sports

The NBA trade deadline is quickly approaching. A lot has been made about numerous high-profile players on the block.

Things will certainly start to heat up in the days and weeks leading up to the February 7 deadline.

It’s in this that we give you the latest player rumors, teams in the market and a few potential trade scenarios.

Updated rumors: Tuesday, Feb. 4

Knicks make front office change

In a bit of weird timing, the downtrodden Knicks decided to fire president Steve Mills days before the trade deadline. Mills oversaw general manager Scott Perry in that role. It seems to suggest that owner James Dolan wants to see some dramatic roster changes.

Could this lead to New York pulling off a blockbuster or two? The Knicks have trade assets in that of Julius Randle, Taj Gibson and Bobby Portis. They have also discussed a trade with the Warriors for D’Angelo Russell. We’ll find out soon enough if this firing changes the landscape in Broadway ahead of the deadline on Thursday.

Nuggets make Gary Harris available

We previously focused on the possibility that the surprising Nuggets could pull off a blockbuster trade ahead of Thursday’s deadline. Michael Malone’s squad has the assets to make that work.

Now, according to Chris Mannix of Sports Illustrated, Denver has made wing Gary Harris available in trade talks. Harris, 25, is averaging just 10.5 points on 41% shooting from the field. Though, he is just 25 years old and averaged 17.5 points just three seasons ago.

Warriors turn down massive offer for D’Angelo Russell

It looks like Golden State is going to be holding on to its All-Star guard through at least the end of the season. The Warriors were offered up Minnesota’s first-round pick in 2020 (unprotected) and another first-rounder in 2020 as part of a larger four-team trade. They turned it down.

The Dubs are obviously valuing Russell at a high clip. They also want to see how he looks once Stephen Curry and Klay Thompson possibly return from injury later in the season.

Clippers chasing after big man

Despite boasting the second-best record in the Western Conference, these Clippers know full well that they need to add some talent to the low post. That’s why it should not be considered too surprising that Los Angeles has discussed a trade for Detroit Pistons All-Star center Andre Drummond.

Averaging north of 17 points and once again leading the NBA in rebounds, Drummond would fit in extremely well with the Clippers’ core group fo Kawhi Leonard, Paul George and Lou Williams.

Updated rumors: Monday, Feb. 3

Rockets shopping Clint Capela

It looks like the Houston Rockets are indeed looking to make a splash ahead of Thursday’s NBA trade deadline. According to ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski, the team is engaging with several Eastern Conference teams about the possibility of dealing starting center Clint Capela.

Woj specifically mentions the Atlanta Hawks as a possibility. Despite boasting one of the worst records in the NBA, Atlanta has been looking for upgrades around Trae Young. The team just acquired former All-Star Jeff Teague in a trade with the Minnesota Timberwolves. Capela is averaging 13.9 points and 13.8 rebounds on the season.

Knicks interested in D’Angelo Russell

One name that could potentially be moved ahead of the trade deadline is Golden State Warriors All-Star D’Angelo Russell. While recent reports suggest that the Warriors will likely hold off until the summer to deal Russell, suggestions are that they are engaged on several fronts.

We already know the Timberwolves are interested in Russell. We can now add the New York Knicks as another team showing interest, via Shams Charania of The Athletic. Given the Warriors are said to be asking for significant draft pick compensation in return for Russell, we’re not sure how much of an interest New York has. Would the team be willing to give up its first-round pick in the 2020 NBA Draft, likely of the top-five variety?

Updated rumors: Sunday, Feb. 2

Price for Robert Covington seen as steep

As one of the best three-and-d wings in the NBA, Covington is highly coveted ahead of the trade deadline later this week. According to Anthony Slater of the Athletic, the asking price for Covington is seen as too steep. The NBA insider specifically mentions the Philadelphia 76ers as a potential landing spot. But Philly might not want to dole out the asking price.

There’s been some rumors linking Covington to the Golden State Warriors in a trade for D’Angelo Russell. Minnesota’s decision to pursue Russell adds another layer to that.

Warriors not expected to trade D’Angelo Russell…for now

It’s been a continuing theme for the downtrodden Warriors this season. Speculation that the team will look to trade D’Angelo Russell more months after acquiring the All-Star. That doesn’t seem to be in the cards. At least, for now.

According to NBC Sports Bay Area’s Monte Pool, the expectation is that Golden State will wait until the summer to move Russell. This makes sense in that Russell’s trade value will likely be higher then. One of the few brights spots for the league-worst Warriors this season, Russell is averaging 23.8 points and 6.3 assists while shooting nearly 40% from three-point range.

Updated rumors: Wednesday, Jan. 29

Andre Iguodala could be an option for the Mavericks

We previously focused on Dallas looking to add a big man following the season-ending injury to Dwight Powell. The team did just that over the weekend, acquiring Willie Cauley-Stein from the Golden State Warriors.

The Mavs are now looking at a potential wing option in that of former NBA MVP Andre Iguodala, who has sat out the entire season with the Memphis Grizzlies after being acquired from the above-mentioned Warriors. Per ESPN’s Tim MacMahon, the Mavs could offer up Courtney Lee and their second-round pick in 2020 (originally acquired from Golden State) for Iggy. That could move the needle.

Celtics interested in veteran center?

The Boston Celtics are likely going to make a move or two to improve their roster ahead of the February deadline. That could reportedly include bringing in hometown boy Nerlens Noel in a trade with the Oklahoma City Thunder.

Noel, 25, is a former top-six pick of the Charlotte Hornets and was immediately traded to the Philadelphia 76ers on draft day back in 2013. He’s averaging 8.2 points and 5.3 rebounds on a stellar 68% shooting from the field this season.

Updated rumors: Thursday, Jan. 23

Mavericks looking for help after Dwight Powell injury

Dallas lost starting center Dwight Powell for the season with a ruptured Achilles earlier in the week. This is a massive blow for the playoff team. It also comes amid previous reports that Mark Cuban wants to find another big to go with the struggling Kristaps Porzingis.

The Mavs have reportedly shown interest in free-agent big man Joakim Noah. They are also seemingly in on Danilo Gallinari if the Thunder make him available. Either way, we’re expecting something to happen on this front. Dallas has two expiring contracts in that of Tim Hardaway Jr. and Courtney Lee to offer up as bait.

Sixers in play for Thunder star

According to Kevin O’Connor of the Ringer, Philadelphia has expressed interest in Oklahoma City Thunder forward Danilo Gallinari. It’s not a secret that the Sixers are looking for more perimeter help. Head coach Brett Brown has made that clear on more than one occasion.

An impending free agent, Gallinari is averaging 19.0 points on 41% shooting from three-point range this season. The issue here is that he’s counting $22.63 million against the cap. Does Philly have the salaries to match?

Updated rumors: Tuesday, Jan. 21

Rival teams intrigued by Myles Turner

Once the Indiana Pacers get Victor Oladipo back from his serious injury, there’s a chance the team could look to add another wing player to team up with him and Malcom Brogdon. According to rumors around the water cooler, big man Myles Turner could potentially provide that bounty in return.

Turner, 23, has not morphed into the superstar Indiana expected. But he’s still young and is averaging north of 12 points and 12 rebounds this season. Indiana might be more invested in fellow big man Domantas Sabonis, which could make Turner expendable.

Could the defending champs trade expiring deals?

We previously focused on the Toronto Raptors potentially looking to add a small piece ahead of next month’s trade deadline. While that still might be true, Dan Woike of the Los Angeles Times notes that Toronto could also look to trade the expering deals of Marc Gasol and Serge Ibaka as a way to avoid losing them for nothing like we saw with Kawhi Leonard during the summer.

Unless Toronto can get core pieces to go with Fred VanVleet and Pascal Siakam, this doesn’t seem to make a ton of sense. Toronto is still a top-end contender back east. Though, the idea of moving Kyle Lowry and his salary could potentially be in the cards.

Updated rumors: Monday, Jan. 20

Lakers, Sixers interested in former MVP

We already know the Los Angeles Lakers are interested in upgrading from Rajon Rondo at point guard. That could very well come to fruition ahead of the Feb. 7 deadline. According to Chris Haynes of Yahoo! Sports, Los Angeles has joined the Philadephia 76ers in showing interest in former NBA MVP Derrick Rose.

Currently on a bottom-feeding Detroit Pistons squad, Rose is in the midst of a career resurgence this season. The former NBA MVP is averaging 18.4 points and 5.8 assists while shooting 50% from the field. He’d be an absolutely huge get for any contending team.

Defending champs looking to buy?

At 28-14 on the season, the Toronto Raptors are right up there in the second rung behind the Milwaukee Bucks in the Eastern Conference. Even without the star power of Kawhi Leonard, this squad has repeat aspirations.

According to Eric Koreen of The Athletic, that could lead to Toronto buying ahead of next month’s trade deadline. Though, the expectation is that said deal won’t be a blockbuster. Toronto had in the past been linked to Cavaliers big man Tristan Thompson.

Bulls looking to sell off veterans

It’s already known that the Chicago Bulls are going nowhere fast this season. They head into the week’s action with a 16-28 record. That could lead to Chicago moving a couple veteran pieces, Thaddeus Young and Denzel Valentine included, reports Rob Schaefer of NBC Sports Chicago.

Signed this past summer, Young is averaging the lowest point total of his career (9.0) since the forward’s rookie season back in 2007-08. Meanwhile, Valentine is unhappy in Chicago after falling out of the rotation.

Updated rumors: Sunday, Jan. 19

Fallout from Kent Bazemore trade

The Portland Trail Blazers shedded north of $12 million in salary commitments this season by moving Kent Bazemore to the Sacramento Kings on Saturday in a five-player deal that included Trevor Ariza heading to the Pacific Northwest.

The deal will created two separate trade exceptions ($7.2 and $1.7 million). This could lead to Portland making a larger trade ahead of next month’s NBA trade deadline. At 18-26, Portland could also be mailing it in for the season.

Karl-Anthony Towns shoots down trade rumors

There’s been a lot made about All-Star big man Karl-Anthony Towns being upset with the trajectory of the organization. Speculation has included him potentially requesting a trade, much like what we saw from Jimmy Butler early last season. KAT shot down said rumors this weekend, taking a swipe at his former teammate in the process.

”I think you’ve been around me long enough to know I don’t go for all the shit. I just do my job, go home and I know what the real story is,” he told the Star Tribune’s Chris Hine. “There’s a reason those stories are made because people need to sell papers, sell links and clicks, whatever the case may be. I’m here to be a Minnesota Timberwolf.”

While there’s still a chance Towns will demand a trade during the offseason, it’s not going to be a public matter. Don’t expect a repeat of what we saw with both Butler and then-Pelicans star Anthony Davis recently.

Heat pursuing Spurs stars?

We’ve focused on just how brilliant of a season it has been for the Heat in South Beach. Staying true to his aggressive mentality, Heat president Pat Riley might now be going after Spurs All-Stars DeMar DeRozan and LaMarcus Aldridge.

Barry Jackson of the Miami Herald reported over the weekend that we can expect talks between Miami and San Antonio regarding one/both of these players. The Spurs have yet to make them 100% available. But given the team’s struggles this season, that seems imminent.

Updated rumors: Thursday, Jan. 16

Hawks add All-Star, eye another price

The league-worst Atlanta Hawks picked up former All-Star point guard Jeff Teague from the Wolves on Thursday, sending a pair of players to Minnesota in the process.

That might not be the extent of the wheeling and dealing as general manager Travis Schlenk looks to find Trae Young some help. Atlanta has moved on from the possibility of acquiring Andre Drummond, and is now targeting Thunder big man Steven Adams.

Wolves not done dealing?

After sending Teague to Atlanta in the above-mentioned trade, The Ringer’s Kevin O’Connor reports that Minnesota has been eying ball-dominant guards to find an upgrade in the backcourt.

The report suggests that the Wolves talked to Indiana about Aaron Holiday, but talks did not go too far. Dennis Smith Jr. of the New York Knicks is another possibility. Sitting at just 15-25 on the season, Karl-Anthony Town is now Minnesota’s leading assist man at 4.4 per game.

Updated rumors: Wednesday, Jan. 15

Bucks “very confident” in relationship with Greek Freak

Rumors continues to persist that reigning NBA MVP Giannis Antetokounmpo could bolt in free agency during the summer of 2021. Specifically, he has been linked to the Golden State Warriors.

According to Sam Amick of The Athletic, the Bucks’ believe that won’t be the case. They are “confident” in the relationship they have built with Giannis and plan for their marriage to continue far beyond the 2020-21 season.

No Karl-Anthony Towns trade?

Rumors have picked up that this All-Star big man is not happy about the lack of progression with the Minnesota Timberwolves and could soon force a trade. While nothing concrete has come out on that end, the Wolves have made it clear they plan on building around Towns.

“We’re challenging him (Towns) as a player and as a leader to be the best that he can, and we have the potential to do something here that’s built around him to allow him to be the best player he can be,” president Gersson Rosas said Wednesday.

Updated rumors: Tuesday, Jan. 14

Andre Drummond staying put?

It sure looks like Andre Drummond will not be traded. As noted, the New York Knicks previously inquired with the Detroit Pistons about the All-Star center. The talks didn’t go too far when Detroit demanded first-round picks as part of the return.

Now, according to James Edwards of The Athletic, the Pistons have yet to be offered that type of deal leading up to the deadline. Drummond, 26, is averaging 17.4 points, 15.7 rebounds and 1.9 steals this season. Complicating things further is that he’s expected to opt out of his contract and become a free agent in July.

D’Angelo Russell for Aaron Gordon?

It was previously noted that the struggling Warriors wanted to hang on to Russell for the remainder of the season and see how he clicks with Stephen Curry once the former MVP returns from injury. That still appears to be the case.

According to Sam Amick of The Athletic, a rumored deal that would send Russell to the Orlando Magic for Aaron Gordon was a “hard no” from Golden State’s perspective. Russell brings a lot to the table in terms of trade value, and could very well be moved during the summer. Just don’t expect anything to happen ahead of February’s trade deadline.

Updated rumors: Monday, Jan. 13

Knicks looking to the future

According to Ian Begley of SNY, the Knicks are opposed to trading future first-round picks in any scenario ahead of next month’s trade deadline. That’s going to make it hard to add a star-caliber player that the Knicks are said to be seeking. They don’t have the assets in terms of players to pull off a blockbuster. If this is true, the idea of acquiring Andre Drummond can be thrown out the window.

Updated rumors: Saturday, Jan. 11

Sixers in the market

In hopes of upgrading their outside shooting game, the Philadelphia 76ers are reportedly showing interest in Detroit Pistons sharpshooters Luke Kennard and Langston Galloway. Both are shooting at 40% from distance on the season. Sixers head coach Brett Brown previously indicated that the team must find more consistency from the outside.

No urgency for the Celtics

At 25-11 on the season, Boston is sitting pretty as the third seed in the Eastern Conference. Youngsters Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown have been great. Kemba Walker has turned in a tremendous first half of the season in Beantown.

It’s in this that Celtics general manager Danny Ainge is showing no urgency in trading young players for a proven star. This shouldn’t be seen as too much of a surprise. Ainge has in the past pushed back against the idea of moving either Tatum or Brown. That was true even when it came to Anthony Davis this past summer.

Knicks targeting Andre Drummond

When it was reported earlier in the week that the Detroit Pistons were listening to offers for All-Star center Andre Drummond, a number of contending teams stood out as possible landing spots.

Little did we think that the downtrodden Knicks were going to get involved. According to Shams Charania of The Athletic, New York is targeting the veteran. The report noted that talks did not go too far once Detroit demanded multiple first-round picks in return. New York continues to swing for the fences, but is striking out at nearly every turn.

Kyle Kuzma remains on the block

According to Tania Ganguli of the Los Angeles Times, the Lakers are prepared to move anyone on their roster not named Anthony Davis and LeBron James ahead of next month’s NBA trade deadline.

This report fits in well with recent suggestions that star third-year forward Kyle Kuzma could be had in trade talks. Los Angeles is seemingly in the market for an upgrade at point guard. If moving Kuzma does that, expect general manager Rob Pelinka and Co. to pull the trigger.

The players

The big six

Los Angeles Lakers

Sitting pretty at 30-7 on the season, Los Angeles can pick and choose what it wants to do in terms of an upgrade. The team has obviously been linked to Andre Iguodala. If the Lakers decide that moving Kyle Kuzma makes sense, Memphis could bite. Though, Los Angeles would likely want more than an aging veteran for Kuzma.

Reports out of Los Angeles indicate that the team is not happy with Rajon Rondo as an option moving forward this season. Moving Kuzma for an upgrade at point guard could make sense. Derrick Rose and Dennis Schroder make sense in this regard. Los Angeles has also been linked to the recently unretired Darren

Milwaukee Bucks

Bucks general manager Jon Horst did well to maintain a strong bench when it looked like the NBA’s best team would lose multiple free agents this past summer. It has Milwaukee at a league-best 32-6 on the season.

Despite this, rumors persist that the Bucks are looking for an elite-level point guard to team up with reigning MVP Giannis Antetokounmpo. This would include moving Eric Bledsoe and cap fillers. It’s pure conjecture, but Chris Paul of the Thunder or New Orleans Pelicans star Jrue Holiday would be good fits.

Denver Nuggets

Recent reports suggest that the Nuggets are in the market for rising Washington Wizards star Davis Bertans. This makes sense in that the stretch four would be a tremendous fit with Nikola Jokic, Paul Millsap and Jamal Murray. Bertans is shooting a robust 43% from distance this season.

The only question here is what Denver general manager Tim Connelly might be willing to offer up for someone of Bertans’ ilk. Could 2018 first-round pick Michel Porter Jr. be in the cards?

Houston Rockets

It’s no secret that Rockets general manager Daryl Morey is not afraid to make the big move. Just ask Russell Westbrook and Chris Paul. With Houston seemingly a step behind top contenders in the Western Conference, that could be the case ahead of February’s trade deadline.

The idea of potentially moving the expensive contracts of Eric Gordon, P.J. Tucker and/or Clint Capela to find a third star with Russ and James Harden might be appealing. For now, the Rockets have been linked to lesser-known role players.

Philadelphia 76ers

Sixers head coach Brett Brown has talked about it at nearly every turn. Philly needs to shoot more threes and find a perimeter game if the team hopes to contend for a title.

The elephant in this room is Ben Simmons, who Brown has called out multiple times in the past for ignoring the three-point line. While a Simmons trade makes very little sense, we’re expecting Sixers general manager Elton Brand to pull off a trade. Heck, Simmons could be part of a larger blockbuster. But as of now, the status quo is not working for Philly.

Dallas Mavericks

It’s readily apparent that Dallas is looking for another big to go with Kristaps Porzingis. It also has the financial resources in the bloated contracts of Tim Hardaway Jr. and Courtney Lee to make a big move ahead of February’s trade deadline.

Boasting potential NBA MVP Luka Doncic, the time could be now for these Mavericks to make that dramatic move. It just remains to be seen if anyone of the ilk Mark Cuban and Co. are seeking is available.

Trades we’d like to see

Derrick Rose and Markieff Morris to the Lakers

We know the Rose and LeBron James relationship didn’t work out with Cleveland back in the day. But the point guard has upped his game big time over the past couple seasons.

Adding Rose to the mix to split time with Rondo would make sense. Bringing in Morris as a top-end reserve would also make sense. In return, the Lakers can offer up Kuzma and a cap filler to make this work.

Chris Paul to the Bucks

This would take a lot of work from a financial perspective. It would also leave Milwaukee thin on the bench. Even then, the idea of teaming Paul up with Giannis might be too sexy to pass up on. It would create an elite one-two tandem with Khris Middleton waiting in the wings (almost literally).

In order to make this work, Milwaukee would have to deal the bloated contracts of Eric Bledsoe, Brook Lopez and Ersan İlyasova as well as multiple first-round picks. It’s the definition of shooting your shot.

Zach LaVine to the Nuggets

We focused on this possibility before, but it makes a whole lot of sense. Gary Harris and Will Barton are not getting any better. They’re good players. They just don’t have that star appeal to go with Murray, Jokic and Millsap.

In adding LaVine to the mix, that would change a great deal. Denver also has a tremendous trade bait in that of Michael Porter Jr. From there, it would have to make the contracts match by offering up a combination of Mason Plumlee, Gary Harris and Jarami Grant.

Exit mobile version