We're just a few weeks away from the NBA Trade Deadline, and there have been plenty of rumors swirling about big-name players that may or may not be available. There is one thing that we know for sure - we're going to see a flurry of moves as we move closer to the deadline. New York is openly trying to get rid of Carmelo Anthony, but given his no-trade clause and massive contract, it's highly unlikely that he gets dealt before the offseason. Here are five trades that could happen over the course of the next few weeks:
5) Trail Blazers get: Andrew Bogut
Mavericks get: Meyers Leonard, 2nd-round pick
Dallas will likely be looking to unload the aging Bogut as we get closer to the deadline and the Mavs seriously start to consider tanking over the second half of the season. Bogut is also in the last year of his deal, so Dallas would like to flip him for something instead of losing him for nothing in the offseason.
Portland is a team desperately looking for rim protection, and Meyers Leonard - who the Blazers gave a four-year, $41 million deal to this summer - has underachieved this year. That will be a fairly benign contract with the salary cap rise in the offseason, meaning Dallas could take a gamble on Leonard's potential.
4) Heat get: 2017 unprotected 1st-round pick, Elfrid Payton
Magic get: Goran Dragic
The Heat are bad - and don't really have hope of contending anytime soon. That leads many to believe that they will shop point guard Goran Dragic at the deadline, who is 30 years old. Miami also gave up two future first-round picks to Phoenix to get Dragic, and would like to get one of those picks back.
Orlando has told Miami they are interested in Dragic, and given their desire to contend sooner rather than later, they could be willing to give up a first-round pick. They are trying to get rid of Elfrid Payton, who several reports say they are done with due to his lack of shooting. The Heat could use Payton as the starting point guard this year and as a backup in the future.
3) Bucks get: Protected 1st-round pick
Pelicans get: Greg Monroe
The Pelicans were linked to Monroe this offseason, and have been interested in him going back to the trade deadline last season. They have been looking for a big man they can pair with Anthony Davis, and they believe Monroe's passing ability - and Davis' shooting ability - make him an ideal fit. With Milwaukee doing everything they can to unload Monroe, they'd jump at the chance to get a first-round pick.
2) Lakers get: Nerlens Noel
76ers get: Jordan Clarkson
It's no secret that Philadelphia is trying to get rid of one of their three big men, and it's no secret that Noel is unhappy. He has told the team that he doesn't plan to re-sign once he's a free agent, meaning he's the center who is the most likely to be traded.
Los Angeles has expressed interest in Noel, hoping to pair him as a shot-blocker with Julius Randle in their frontcourt. However, the Sixers have a high price tag attached to Noel considering how many teams are interested in him. With a huge need for backcourt help, they would likely only make this deal for Jordan Clarkson.
Los Angeles would prefer to keep Clarkson, but they don't put him in the same threshold as Randle, Brandon Ingram and D'Angelo Russell as a member of their core. Eventually, I think they could relent and swap Clarkson for Noel.
1) Mavericks get get: Ricky Rubio
Timberwolves get: Deron Williams, Devin Harris, 2017 2nd-round pick
The second trade Dallas is involved in on this list involves them finally getting a long-term point guard. Minnesota is openly shopping Rubio to make rookie Kris Dunn their starter, Yogi Ferrell and Seth Curry have played well for them this year, but Rubio is an upgrade over either player at the starting point guard position. Williams is in the final year of this contract and would likely be bought out by Minnesota, while Harris could give Minnesota a veteran presence in the locker room.
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