The NBA trade deadline is here and names like Omer Asik, Luol Deng, Steve Nash, Jameer Nelson, Greg Monroe, Josh Smith, Danny Granger and Evan Turner could be moving for teams and they all could be trade bait on Thursday.
Names like Luol Deng, Jimmer Fredette, Danny Granger, Steve Nash, Iman Shumpert, Evan Turner as well as Omer Asik, Thaddeus Young and Kendall Marshall.
The Boston Celtics and Philadelphia 76ers are two teams that should be in the mix come deadline time, as they both are expected to be in the bottom of the eastern conference by then. The Celtics could be dealing Rajon Rondo at some point this season, although many have felt that it would be an unwise move, while the Sixers have already been mentioned in numerous reports, including with Evan Turner and Thaddeus Young, while Spencer Hawes could also be a name that gets moved.
The Celtics may look to move Gerald Wallace or Kris Humphries and there also have been reports that the team is interesting in acquiring someone in Kendall Marshall, although those reports also say that the team can't really afford to get his contract under the cap unless they make other moves.
Young is one of the most interesting options and so is Jameer Nelson, as both players could contribute significantly to contending teams this season and while they are more under the radar than let's say a Steve Nash or a Luol Deng, they are the ones that could end up impacting things more than anyone else. Young is one of the most talented players on the Sixers and while that isn't saying much, he has a nice contract that's controllable and that could make him a prime target for teams. These are just some of the players that have been thrown around in the early season trade buzz.
The Chicago Bulls are expecting to have a solid playoff run this season and while they would like to have Luol Deng for it, there is a chance they could decide to deal him after tabling contract negotiations with him and his reps before the season started. When that happened, many speculated that Deng could get dealt and while that is still a big possibility, the team likely will not do it unless the package is a great one, as they would rather go through the postseason with him in the fold and they also hope to try and retain him after the season is over.
Danny Granger could be a name that gets moved from the Pacers after missing all of last season with a knee injury, while Omer Asik is also likely to move if the "Dwight Howard and Asik on the floor at the same time" experiment does not work out.
Deng is a primary player to move and get mentioned in rumors, even if the Bulls relent, as teams love to snag expiring contracts and if Chicago really thinks he will leave, they could try and deal him to ensure that they get at least something in return. Deng is 28-years-old and is in that wheelhouse of being fairly young but not old enough to be out of the woods for a nice contract, so the primary question for the Bulls will be to see how much Deng is worth to them and whether they can afford to allow him to leave as a free agent while getting nothing in return.
