Report: Kyle Lowry, Kristaps Porzingis, and Andre Drummond Are Among Three Of The Top 10 Players That Could Be Traded By The Deadline. Who Will Be Traded First?
With the first half of the season almost coming to a close, the NBA always has players rumoured to be traded by the deadline. Last season, some of these names rumoured to be traded and ended up being traded were D'Angelo Russell, Clint Capela, Andrew Wiggins, Robert Covington and Andre Drummond. However, this season, the list of players that are rumoured is overwhelming!
Before diving into some of the bigger names, here is a look at some of the best roleplayers that could be traded before or at the deadline.
Carmelo Anthony
Gary Harris
Tristan Thompson
JJ Reddick
James Johnson
Lonzo Ball
Austin Rivers
Thadeus Young
Cody Zeller
Lou Williams
Kelly Oubre Jr
PJ Tucker
Upon reflection on this list, a few players are playing some of their best basketball while others are playing their worst. For example, Austin Rivers has played above expectation which has drawn attention from other contending teams, while JJ Redick is averaging career lows on terrible efficiency. Regardless of highs and lows, this part of the season is always the most intriguing as a player who is currently struggling could thrive on a different team and vice versa. As far as where these players go, there is a high chance that most of them will stay with their current teams due to contracts or lack of tradable assets.
10. LaMarcus Aldridge
Although the San Antonio Spurs are currently one of the best teams in the Eastern Conference, their early success has been due to every player except LaMarcus Aldridge. Even though that may sound harsh, the former All-Star has struggled to remain healthy while being out of his prime. Aldridge was once one of the best power forwards in the NBA, but unfortunately, he is no longer that same player.
Considering how unavailable Aldridge has been this season, his trade value is close to none. However, contending teams could use a player like Aldridge as he does possess offensive value. From his mid-range shot to his ability to score inside, Aldridge is still a valuable weapon when healthy. The only problem for trading for Aldridge is his contract as he is getting paid 24 million dollars! For most contending teams, that is too high of a price hence why Aldridge will most likely remain a San Antonio Spur this season! If there were a contender that could trade for him while not giving up so many assets, it would be the Denver Nuggets. A trade of Paul Millsap and Gary Harris for Aldridge and a draft pick would certainly do the trick.
9. Spencer Dinwiddie
Even though Dinwiddie is sidelined for the remainder of the season due to an ACL injury, reports have surfaced that Brooklyn is shopping him around. Assuming that he comes back close to the same player as last season, the Nets could receive a hefty package that could upgrade their bench or starting center position. Brooklyn has proved this season that they are the best offensive team in the NBA without a sixth man of the year candidate.
Trading Dinwiddie for more role players or a better starting center is definitely worth it. DeAndre Jordan, the current starting center for the Brooklyn Nets, is not the same player he once was in Los Angeles and is just a role player. The only reason he was signed in Brooklyn, to begin with, was his locker room presence and his great relationship with Kevin Durant and Kyrie Irving. Even though Dinwiddie will not be traded by the deadline, he could be suiting up for a different team once the playoffs come to a close!
8. Blake Griffin
Before all the injuries, Blake Griffin was a walking highlight reel with the Los Angeles Clippers. His dunks were explosive, and the way he played the game when healthy was dominant. Blake, at one point, was arguably the most entertaining player to watch in the NBA, which might sound hard to believe when looking at him today. Unlike the lob city era in Los Angeles, Blake is currently rotting on one of the NBA's worst teams. It's hard to play competitively when the organization you represent struggles to figure out what being competitive means. This is most likely one reason why Detroit decided to sit him out until he either gets traded or is bought out. The organization is in a rebuilding position while Blake Griffin is at the stage where every game matters.
At this point in Blake's illustrious career, it's time for the former All-Star to be traded to a team where he can contend. Blake has received much criticism this season, making every organization in the NBA hesitant to trade for him. This means that either the Pistons will buy-out his contract to become a free agent or Blake would stay with the Pistons until his contract is over.
7. Kemba Walker
Although there haven't been any discussions regarding a trade for Kemba Walker, the Boston Celtics have not closed that topic. After his disappointing production in last year's playoffs, Danny Ainge, being the savvy GM, probably contacted a few teams without Kemba knowing. Ainge has had a history of going beyond ethics or common decency to get what he wants hence why a trade for Kemba Walker could happen soon.
While Kemba is a fan favourite in the NBA, he has struggled to return to his old self. Entering this season, Kemba was unavailable due to a knee surgery and hadn't looked the same. With his pricey contract and slow start to the season, a trade for Kemba may not happen unless Boston attaches a draft pick or some of their young talent.
6. Victor Oladipo
After being traded to the Houston Rockets in the James Harden trade, there have been reports that Oladipo could be traded again by the deadline! Being traded twice in one season would be a tough pill to swallow, but since being drafted in the NBA, Oladipo has always been tested with some form of adversity. With Victor seeking a max-contract this off-season, a different environment could help his chances despite just being traded!
The only teams that would trade for Oladipo would be title contenders or teams trying to make the playoffs. For instance, the New York Knicks are trying to make the playoffs and use Oladipo, while the Dallas Mavericks are a piece away from being real title contenders. By the deadline, Victor Oladipo will most likely be traded as his value is low due to having an expiring contract. A decent role player and a second-round pick are all the Rockets should expect for half a season of Victor Oladipo.
5. Andre Drummond
For a second straight season in a row, Andre Drummond is once again back in trade rumours! The former All-Star has been incredible this season as he was looking like the rebounding leader before being sidelined by the Cleveland Cavaliers. After Cleveland traded for Jarrett Allen, Andre Drummond's use depleted, hence why he is on the trade market. Despite his great averages, his trade value is low due to the notion of never having his stats impact wins.
The flawed idea of Drummond's stats not impacting wins has been one of the most confusing theories this season. While there is a lot of evidence of Drummond producing great stats while still losing, placing the blame all on him is not fair. Basketball is a team sport and not an individual sport. The organizations that he has played with constantly failed to build anything around Drummond. The best player that was ever placed alongside Drummond was an ageing Blake Griffin, who had only one season of true dominance in Detroit. If Andre Drummond were traded to a situation where he is around other All-Stars, his statistics would impact wins due to being around a winning system.
Drummond having low trade value means that contending teams such as the Lakers or teams that need a center to be contenders like the Raptors or Celtics would have an easy negotiation in trading for him. While many teams have reportedly expressed interest, the Toronto Raptors and Boston Celtics are the two most probable organizations that will successfully trade for Andre Drummond.
4. John Collins
Since the start of the season, John Collins has been rumoured to be traded as the Hawks did not offer him a contract extension. Even though he averaged a 20-point double-double last season in 41 games, Atlanta was still hesitant in offering Collins a max-extension. This was most likely due to a mixture of his failed drug-test last season and the lack of being available for all 82 games. Since being drafted, Collins has always missed a significant amount of time. However, the real indication of John Collins potentially being traded was this past NBA draft. Rather than drafting a shooting guard, the Atlanta Hawks selected Onyeka Okongwu, a pf/c for the Hawks.
When Atlanta selected Okongwu, it was clearly a foreshadowing of what could happen this season. By not offering an extension to Collins, it was clear that the Hawks were either looking to see if he would improve or would trade him by the deadline. With Collins being on the last year of his rookie contract, the Hawks could receive a decent package if they choose to trade him. While most contenders could use him, organizations that are in a rebuilding phase would be the most successful in trading for John Collins due to draft picks and young assets to trade.
3. Kristaps Porzingis
Recent reports have shown that general manager Mark Cuban has "shopped around" Kristaps Porzingis to other organizations. While the reason is unknown, Cuban has stated that these reports are false and that Porzingis is here to stay. Regardless, Porzingis is currently on a max-contract while averaging 21 PTS and 9 REB on great efficiency. Even though he had a slow start to the season, Porzingis is playing like an All-Star and would be a great asset to any contending team.
Despite all the reports, Porzingis will not be traded this season as it does not make any sense. The Mavericks have invested a lot in Porzingis and have been patient with his rehabbing stages. He may not be at 100%, but he is getting closer to returning to his All-Star days in New York.
2. DeMar DeRozan
The San Antonio Spurs are currently the fifth seed with a 16-12 record without having a healthy roster. Entering this season, the Spurs were projected to be a lottery team but have surpassed expectations due to the strong development and production of DeMar DeRozan. DeRozan this season is averaging the most assists in his career while shooting the basketball with high efficiency. DeMar was playing like an All-Star and was arguably the biggest snub in the Western Conference due to how well he and the Spurs have been playing.
A lot of good has happened in San Antonio, including the staggering improvement of DeMar DeRozan's game. However, the Spurs would need to decide if they want to either make the playoffs or trade DeRozan. Making the playoffs would be impressive, but the Spurs are nowhere near a contending team. Instead, the Spurs should trade DeRozan now while he has value to retain a young promising player to build with or a future draft pick. While the Spurs have not announced anything, DeMar DeRozan will most likely be traded to a contending team as it does not make sense to make the playoffs as a first-round exit.
1. Kyle Lowry
At the start of the season, the Toronto Raptors were among the worst teams in the NBA. Fast forward to the present day, and Toronto is currently the fourth seed in the Eastern Conference with a record of 17-17. Toronto is back to their playoff form and is looking like they will be returning to the playoffs for the seventh straight season in a row! However, many reports have surfaced regarding Kyle Lowry's future, who is in the last year of his contract. According to various sources, the Raptors guard has reportedly stated that he would want to return to his hometown if he were to be traded.
Trading Kyle Lowry will be very emotional for the Toronto Raptors, but it makes complete sense as to why Masai Ujiri would want to trade him. Lowry is a valuable asset to any team and could transform organizations from a mere playoff team to a contender. Even though Toronto hasn't accepted or made Lowry available for trade, the top franchises that have expressed interest in the former All-Star are the Miami Heat, Los Angeles Clippers, and Philadelphia 76ers. With all three of those teams projected to make playoffs and potentially the NBA finals, the addition of Lowry would make their chances stronger. If one of those organizations can offer a significant package, then the fantasy of Lowry playing for a different organization can become a reality.