No superstars are expected to change teams at this season’s trade deadline, but that doesn’t mean that former All-Stars or even All-NBA players won’t be on the move in the coming weeks.
Five-time All-Star and two-time All-NBA forward Kevin Love is among the players whose name has frequently come up in trade rumors in recent months. And while Love’s overall value to a franchise is up for debate as a result of his $30MM-per-year long-term price tag, the Cavaliers‘ veteran remains a positive contributor on the court, averaging a double-double (16.9 PPG, 10.3 RPG) with a three-point percentage north of 37% for the fifth time in his career.
Love isn’t the only All-Star big man in the Eastern Conference who looks like a realistic trade candidate. The Pistons have reportedly shopped Andre Drummond, a two-time All-Star who is leading the NBA in rebounding for a third consecutive season, with 15.9 RPG. Like Love, Drummond’s value is complicated by his contract situation – he can opt out this summer – but he’s still one of the league’s best traditional big men.
2019 All-Star D’Angelo Russell is a trade candidate, though the Warriors may be more likely to consider a move during the summer. LaMarcus Aldridge, DeMar DeRozan, Chris Paul, and Jrue Holiday have earned a combined 21 All-Star berths and 15 All-NBA nods, and have been at least mentioned in passing in trade rumors, but the Spurs and Pelicans remain in the playoff hunt in the West, and probably aren’t looking to trade their stars. The Thunder, meanwhile, firmly hold a playoff spot and might have trouble getting fair value for CP3’s contract even if they wanted to move him.
If none of those players end up changing teams, players like Marcus Morris, Kyle Kuzma, or Evan Fournier could be headliners at this year’s trade deadline.
On the other hand, if 2020 is anything like 2018 and 2019, it’s possible we’ll get an out-of-nowhere blockbuster that involves a bigger name later this month. Blake Griffin was acquired by the Pistons on January 29, 2018, while Kristaps Porzingis was sent to the Mavericks on January 31, 2019. Neither player was widely known to be on the trade block when those deals were made.
With the February 6 trade deadline inching closer, we want to get your two cents on who will be the biggest-name player dealt this season. Will it be Love? Drummond? Holiday? Russell? A lesser player? Or an even bigger-name star who hasn’t been at the center of many rumors so far?
Vote below in our poll, then head to the comment section to share your thoughts!
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It will be the ghost of JR Smith’s career .
Russell when he gets traded it’ll be in the offseason.
Fournier isn’t a big name, no one is taking CP3 this season, don’t think spurs have decide to win or rebuild yet so they’ll keep DeRozan and Aldridge unless something big comes, Holiday should go to the Nuggets but I think the pelicans view him really high and the nuggets don’t want to give up heaps. Morris is also not a big name, Kuzma should stay, Drummond is the only near guarantee to leave and Love probably moves in the offseason
They asked what the biggest name would be, not who on this list is a big name.
Is it possible that cp3 is delt while okc retain half his salary? If possible would trading team only have to find salary to match for the half they are taking on? Thinking if okc traded cp3 for kuzma, rondo kcp/dudley/bradley it would be close. Just a thought
Umm. No.
So the Lakers need to be like the Astros or Sox to win another title?
Guess how the Warriors won the past few years. Right about now you are wishing Capela lived up to the hype.
What are you on about Capela was picked 25th in th draft and this year averages 14.5 points and 14.5 rebounds. ….. those are better numbers than most centres
This Rockets fan continuously makes himself look like a fool.
No, this isnt mlb.
What about the forgotten man, Iguodala? Memphis will get desperate as the deadline approaches.
Kuzma isn’t going anywhere since there aren’t good trading options plus he’s a great long term piece. When Kuzma is your current fifth or sixth option, you are in great shape.
Except hes the 3rd option, and that’s not good.
LMA if the Spurs are actually willing to finally make an in season trade of some size, Morris if not.
I think the question really boils down to which team is most likely to make a trade and I would say either the Knicks or the Pistons.
I would throw the Cavs it as well but as far as the list is concerned I think Love’s contract would be more difficult to move.
Lakers can do better than Kuzma. His salary is a small number to move. He is not bad so somebody surely values him. Cut the cord to the old Lakers!
Derozan is not having a good effect on Aldridge; one should go.
Most should stay except Fournier, whose mgmt is lethargic and Russell is for the offeason regardless.
Russell gets moved draft night. Drummond, Morris I think get moved. Love, Holiday, Aldridge should get moved. Celtics get Aldridge I see them in east Finals. Maybe even Finals.