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NBA: Six Players Who Could Get Traded

Dr. Roto

Published

3 days ago

The NBA trade deadline is inching closer to February 6. Teams need to decide if they are buyers or sellers, and more importantly, it represents another chance to stash first-round picks before the 2025 draft, which is loaded with talent. Here are 6 names that could very well get traded in the next week:

Jimmy Butler, Heat

SALT LAKE CITY, UTAH – DECEMBER 30: Jimmy Butler #22 of the Miami Heat looks on during the second half of a game against the Utah Jazz at Delta Center on December 30, 2023 in Salt Lake City, Utah. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Alex Goodlett/Getty Images)

Butler wants to get out of Miami so badly that he is missing practices, games, and team flights. Memphis is willing to give up a package, including Marcus Smart and others, but Butler has said that he’s not interested. Will he change his mind?

De’Aaron Fox, Kings

LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA – FEBRUARY 25: De’Aaron Fox #5 of the Sacramento Kings reacts to a play during the fourth quarter against the Los Angeles Clippers at Crypto.com Arena on February 25, 2024 in Los Angeles, California. The Sacramento Kings defeated the Los Angeles Clippers 123-107. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Katelyn Mulcahy/Getty Images)

Sacramento will have no choice but to move their star point guard, who has already said that he will leave in free agency in 2026. He should be able to get them multiple first-round picks as well as a player or two, but knowing the Kings, they will find a way to screw the deal up.

Brandon Ingram, Pelicans

PHILADELPHIA, PENNSYLVANIA – MARCH 08: Brandon Ingram #14 of the New Orleans Pelicans dribbles during the second quarter against the Philadelphia 76ers at the Wells Fargo Center on March 08, 2024 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Tim Nwachukwu/Getty Images)

New Orleans is not making the playoffs, and they are above the luxury tax, making Ingram a likely trade target. San Antonio has moved up its win-now mode with Wemby playing a such a high level. Pairing Ingram with him would be a huge upgrade.

Cameron Johnson, Nets

NEW YORK, NEW YORK – DECEMBER 01: Cameron Johnson #2 of the Brooklyn Nets dribbles the ball against the Orlando Magic during the first half at Barclays Center on December 01, 2024 in New York City. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Evan Bernstein/Getty Images)

Brooklyn is hoping to get first-round picks that they can pair with a lot of salary cap to improve rapidly. Johnson is their last tradeable commodity. Expect him to be out of Brooklyn soon.

Jusuf Nurkic, Suns

Phoenix needs to manage its cap better and get picks that it’s lost in various recent deals. Acquiring Nick Richards shows that they are willing to move Nurkic and his bloated contract. A team like the Clippers could be interested.

Mitchell Robinson, Knicks

New York has a tremendous starting five but is desperate for bench depth. Robinson is valuable when he’s healthy but he might have even more value as a trade chip to add a few guys to the Knick playoff rotation. Big men are hard to find in the NBA, and some teams will be willing to overpay.

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