The NBA trade deadline is a couple weeks away and heading into the All-Star break, names like Greg Monroe, Roy Hibbert, Pablo Prigioni, Gerald Green, Jordan Hill, Miles Plumlee, David West and Lance Stephenson have been gaining heat along with Arron Afflalo, Jose Calderon and Tyler Hansbrough and teams like the Portland Trail Blazers, Toronto Raptors, Clippers, Boston Celtics, Phoenix Suns and Pistons could be active at the deadline.
The Denver Nuggets have been active on the phones according to Marc Stein at ESPN.com, as they have players in Arron Afflalo, Wilson Chandler and Randy Foye that could get moved. Stein reports that the Blazers are interested in Chandler, while the Bulls, Clippers and Miami Heat have all expressed interest in Afflalo. The Suns could look at offloading some players, as ESPN.com reports that Miles Plumlee is being shopped and Gerald Green also could be dangled.
The Suns have Goran Dragic heading towards free agency, but most recent reports have him staying with the team through this season over a trade. Teams like the Lakers, Knicks and Rockets all are interested in Dragic and they likely will have to wait until the summer to sign him. The Suns could consider trading Dragic if they get the right deal, as there is a good chance that he will not be signing back with the team this offseason.
The Suns also have Green and Plumlee and they could look at moving those players at the deadline for draft picks. The Suns have done a good job building up their offense, but Chris Sheridan reports that the team wants a veteran big on the roster. Names like Taj Gibson, Roy Hibbert and David West could be options and the Suns would be willing to trade those players to get a deal done. Jordan Hill is a potential target for the Lakers, as the team is trying to finish low in the standings so they can keep their lottery pick.
The Knicks hope to be active at the deadline, as they have been looking to trade Jose Calderon and Pablo Prigioni for weeks. The team likely will not be able to move Andrea Bargnani or Amar'e Stoudemire due to their contracts and that is why the Knicks are exploring buyouts instead. The Knicks have already traded a number of players, including Iman Shumpert, JR Smith and Tyson Chandler and now they could look at moving more.
Phil Jackson is trying to clear out cap space to help the team sign free agents in the offseason and he is hoping to find takers for Calderon and Prigioni. Prigioni has mostly fallen out of the rotation for the Knicks, while Calderon has over $10 million dollars left on his deal and Jackson would like to get rid of it. The Knicks reportedly will chase Marc Gasol and Rajon Rondo in free agency, but since those players are not likely to leave their teams, Greg Monroe and Goran Dragic could become the main options.
Arron Afflalo is also getting attention at the trade deadline and the Nuggets could look at moving him for a pick. Reports from ESPN.com and other website have the Chicago Bulls, Houston Rockets, LA Clippers and Portland Trail Blazers interested in a deal for the guard.
