The NBA trade season is upon us, and the rumor mill is roaring.
From now until the trade deadline on Feb. 9, we’ll be tracking the most notable rumors from the league’s most trusted sources.
JANUARY
John Collins to the Rockets?
The Atlanta Hawks have explored a potential trade for Collins with Houston, which has real interest in acquiring the 25-year-old forward, per The Athletic.
Previously, the Utah Jazz, the Phoenix Suns and the Hawks had reportedly discussed a three-team deal that would have sent Hawks forward Collins to Utah, but that deal fell apart due to a disagreement with draft compensation — the Hawks wanted multiple first-round picks for Collins. In the proposed deal, the Suns would have received Malik Beasley and Jarred Vanderbilt, and the Hawks would have received Jae Crowder and other players to make the salaries work.
Lakers pick up Rui Hachimura from Wizards
Los Angeles is beefing up its frontcourt, reportedly bringing in the 24-year-old Hachimura from Washington. In exchange, the Lakers will send the Wizards guard Kendrick Nunn and multiple second-round picks, according to The Athletic.
Hachimura is averaging 13 points and 4.3 rebounds per game while shooting 48.8% from the field this season. He spent four seasons with the Wizards after being the No. 9 pick overall out of Gonzaga. He is a restricted free agent this summer, and the Lakers intend to sign him to an extension, ESPN previously reported.
Multiple teams want Cam Reddish
The Dallas Mavericks have joined the Milwaukee Bucks and Lakers as teams that are interested in acquiring Reddish from the New York Knicks, according to NBA writer Marc Stein. Stein noted that the Knicks seek a second-round draft pick for Reddish and are “angling” to acquire Reggie Bullock from the Mavericks. Bullock played for the Knicks in the 2019-20 and 2020-21 seasons. Reddish, 23, has appeared in just 20 games this season.
Luka Dončić wants to see upgrades
Dallas superstar Dončić is hoping that the Mavericks can make a move to upgrade their roster before the trade deadline, per ESPN.
“Sources said Dončić, who hasn’t shown a desire to be involved in personnel matters in the past, has strongly indicated he wants the Mavs to upgrade before the Feb. 9 trade deadline,” ESPN’s Tim MacMahon wrote.
Dončić is averaging 33 points per game this season as of Friday, Jan. 27. The Mavs’ second-leading scorer is Christian Wood (18.4 PPG).
Wolves, Clippers want Mike Conley Jr.
Conley is in the crosshairs off both the Timberwolves and Clippers, according to The Athletic. The Clippers are reportedly willing to part ways with John Wall in hopes of landing Conley.
Spurs want haul for Jakob Poeltl
Two first-round picks for Poeltl? That’s San Antonio’s asking price for the 27-year-old big man, per The Athletic.
Poeltl is averaging 12 points (62.6% shooting) and nine rebounds this season as of Friday, Jan. 27.
Raptors eyeing young big men, wing
In addition to Poeltl, Toronto is keeping tabs on Phoenix’s Deandre Ayton and Indiana‘s Myles Turner, per Yahoo Sports.
Ayton has been scuffling with the Suns and coach Monty Williams dating back to last season, and Turner has been the subject of trade rumors for well over a year.
Teams want Pistons‘ pieces
Miami, Denver and Dallas are looking to land Detroit’s Nerlens Noel, according to The Athletic. In addition, teams are reportedly beginning to kick the tires on Pistons wing Saadiq Bey. The 23-year-old had a breakout campaign last season, but was moved to a reserve role in November of this season.
Cavs interested in Bojan Bogdanović
The Cavaliers are “suitors” for Pistons forward Bogdanović, according to Yahoo Sports. The Pistons’ price for Bogdanović is set at a first-round pick and a young player with upside.
Gary Trent Jr. is available
Raptors guard Trent is reportedly available, though it’s unclear what it would cost to get him. He signed a three-year, $54 million contract with the Raptors in 2021 and has a player option for the 2023-24 season.
The Raptors would be interested in acquiring Charlotte‘s Jalen McDaniels, per Yahoo Sports.
Mavericks are fans of Zach LaVine
People that hold “prominent positions” within the Mavericks’ organization are fans of Chicago Bulls All-Star LaVine, according to ESPN. He signed a five-year, $215 million max contract extension with the Bulls in July 2022.
Kyle Kuzma is ‘gettable’
Kuzma, who is in the midst of a career season with the Wizards, is reportedly “gettable” before the Feb. 9 trade deadline. The 27-year-old will be a free agent after this season. The Wizards forward is a trade deadline target for the Hawks and the Suns, per The Athletic. The Hawks appear to pose the biggest threat, as the report said the Wizards have “seriously discussed a potential deal” for Collins, whose name has been on the trade block for years.
The Lakers have also reportedly inquired about Kuzma, who they sent to Washington before the start of the 2021-22 campaign. Kuzma recently spoke to FOX Sports’ Melissa Rohlin about his time in L.A., saying he wished he got the “fairer end of the stick” with the Lakers.
DECEMBER 2022
DeMar DeRozan staying put?
DeRozan took to social media to discredit claims that he has requested a trade and wants out of Chicago. The 33-year-old is averaging 26.3 points, five rebounds and 4.9 assists on 50.8% shooting this season, as of Friday, Jan. 27.
A family affair for Trae Young
Young reportedly got into a spat with head coach Nate McMillan that resulted in the 24-year-old getting benched, leading to rumors that the two-time All-Star wanted out of Atlanta and that he’s on the brink of demanding a trade. That isn’t the case, according to Young’s father, who said, “Trae doesn’t talk to other teams. He’s busy trying to win in Atlanta.”
Interest in Buddy Hield growing
Rival teams have expressed interest in the Pacers shooting guard this season, per The Athletic. Hield, 30, has been averaging 17.6 points and 4.9 rebounds, while shooting 42.4% from distance this season, as of Friday, Jan. 27.
Lakers want to keep Russell Westbrook?
A Westbrook trade is “increasingly unlikely” due to his recent uptick in production, according to The Athletic. Earlier this season, Westbrook was the only reserve in the league averaging at least 10 points, five rebounds and five assists.
Lakers still superstar hunting
In a perfect world, if the likes of Kevin Durant, Damian Lillard and Bradley Beal became available, the Lakers — like nearly every other team in the league — would aim to land one of the superstars, per The Athletic.
Arguably a more realistic idea would be what sportswriter Zach Lowe discussed on his “The Lowe Post” podcast, saying that the Lakers have had “internal discussions” about landing DeRozan or Nikola Vucevic from Chicago.
Knicks having fire sale
The Knicks have made Derrick Rose, Evan Fournier, Reddish and Immanuel Quickley available in trade talks, per Yahoo Sports. The Lakers were mentioned as a team that has been involved in discussions for both Fournier and Reddish, who is represented by Rich Paul of Klutch Sports, which also represents Lakers superstars LeBron James and Anthony Davis.
Sixers dangling Tobias Harris
In what feels like an annual NBA trade deadline tradition at this point, the 76ers have discussed Harris with rival teams, according to The Athletic. Harris, who signed a five-year, $180 million contract to remain in Philadelphia in 2019, is owed $36.7 million this season.
What’s up with Crowder?
Crowder continues to sit out as the Suns work to find him a new home. The Bucks nearly acquired the 32-year-old forward, according to Bleacher Report, but the deal never crossed the finish line. The Warriors, Heat, Hawks and Lakers are also said to be interested.
Rockets shopping young, veteran pieces
Houston is continuing to do its due diligence on veteran guard Eric Gordon, searching for a pick in exchange for the longtime reserve bucket-getter, per Bleacher Report. The Rockets are also poised to listen to offers for 21-year-old forward Kenyon “KJ” Martin Jr., who would reportedly like a more prominent role in Houston or elsewhere.
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