Best Fits for 9 NBA Players Who Could Get Traded

If you’re rooting for the kind of mayhem we’ve enjoyed in the NCAA Tournament to seep into Thursday’s NBA trade deadline, I’ve got bad news for you.

There’s a good chance one of the most frenetic and consequential days on the annual NBA calendar could ultimately end up being a dud. That’s because with the league’s play-in tournament debuting this spring allowing more teams to consider themselves playoff contenders than ever before, there are decidedly less sellers than years past.

Of course, that doesn’t mean we won’t see some trades go down. And a few of the recently rumored and imagined transactions could easily end up being highly consequential. As front offices fire up their trade machines, select NBA squads vying for their first playoff appearance in years and serious title contenders alike will look to negotiate necessary roster improvements. We’re just trying to temper your expectations and don’t want you to be too disappointed if some of the bigger names on the trading block—like we’ve identified here—end up sticking it out with their current teams.

Below you’ll find nine of the sexiest/best players rumored to available before Thursday’s deadline and their ideal fits around the league. Notably, we could’ve included Chicago’s Thaddeus Young and Lauri Markkanen as well as Cleveland’s Kevin Love and Oklahoma City’s Al Horford as trade candidates. All have loosely been brought up as bait, but ultimately we declined to include those names because we didn’t need to get that crazy. It sounds exceedingly unlikely those names are dealt before the deadline so let’s stick to highlighting the ones receiving the most noise days away from the big day.

Kyle Lowry

Best fits: Sixers, Clippers, Heat

Clearly Lowry’s the most notable name on the trading block since he owns the best resume of anyone rumored to (potentially) be on the move. While the Raptors venerable point guard refuted recent reports that he was expecting to be traded, he may have to sweat it out on the 25th, which just happens to be Lowry’s 35th birthday.

The Sixers arguably make the most sense—Danny Green and Matisee Thybulle among the most popular candidates to be shipped in exchange for Lowry who would return home to his native Philadelphia to help the Sixers make a serious run in the Eastern Conference. His massive salary ($30.5 million) would require the Sixers to take a luxury tax hit, but if Philly thinks Lowry puts them over the top in the East it has a pair of future first-round picks it can dangle, a trade exception valued at $8.3 million, and, most serendipitously, seven players on expiring contracts that nearly total Lowry’s salary.

The dollars owed to Lowry and a lack of cap flexibility/non-existent draft assets are why the Clippers reportedly aren’t seriously in the running to land the Raptors legend, despite the fact he’s a perfect fit for what ails them. Lowry’s a durable, seasoned point guard who could more competently run the offense down the stretch of games and take some of the load off Kawhi Leonard and Paul George compared to LA’s current options.

The Heat would have to finesse a lot to land Lowry, according to The Ringer, but if his reported close relationship with Jimmy Butler sways things he undoubtedly would be a massive addition to the defending Eastern Conference champions.

Victor Oladipo

Best fits: Knicks, Heat

The former All-Star and All-NBA player isn’t going to be around Houston for much longer—he’s a free agent this summer—after he ended up a Rocket as part of the massive James Harden deal. Oladipo has been inconsistent and, quite frankly, a different looking player two seasons removed from that devastating injury. Playing in a miserable situation in Houston (20 straight losses, sheesh) has to be numbing and the abysmal Rockets would be wise to get something for Oladipo.

The Knicks have been rumored to be a landing spot since they need all the playmakers they can get chasing the franchise’s first playoff appearance since 2013, they have ample cap space to bring on larger contracts, and the backcourt has been plagued by injuries recently.

Oladipo continues to be tied to Miami where his skills—when he’s healthy and humming on all cylinders—would absolutely enhance the defending Eastern Conference champions chances of making the Finals again. Some would argue the Heat’s lack of future second-round picks could seriously inhibit their pursuit of Oladipo. While Oladipo’s value is certainly up for debate—does he warrant a decent player in return, could the Rockets get a heavily protected first-round pick for him?—whoever pulls the trigger on the No. 2 pick in the 2013 NBA Draft will own his Bird rights.

Lonzo Ball

Best fits: Knicks, Clippers, Warriors, Hornets

With Ball a restricted free agent this summer and the Pelicans needing to preserve dollars for Zion Williamson’s future max extension, conventional wisdom has it that New Orleans—floundering in the Western Conference—will look to dump the point guard before losing him this summer for nothing. A rugged defender and a better 3-point shooter than when he entered the league as the No. 2 pick in the 2017 NBA Draft, Ball could fit nicely into a bunch of different places as a distributor and much more reliable scorer.

The Knicks’ backcourt is ailing right now with many of their regulars dealing with injuries and coach Tom Thibodeau has reportedly urged New York’s front office to get him some reinforcements. The New York Times reported that Clippers would look into Ball before the deadline. But they may not have the draft capital to secure Ball and bring him back to his native Los Angeles. Ball would be a nice addition in the Warriors since Steph Curry needs all the help he can get trying to drag his team into the postseason. According to The Ringer, Ball has reportedly received interest from the Hawks and Bulls. And, hey, the Hornets need a point guard after LaMelo’s season-ending injury…

Harrison Barnes

Best fit: Celtics

Barnes could fit in just about anywhere, but all the talk is about Boston taking a swing at landing him because of the declining money in his contract, he’s signed for two more seasons after this one, and is having a nice campaign for the Kings (16.4 PPG, 6.4 RPG, 37.4 3FG%). Those plugged in to Sacramento’s thinking have reported that the franchise is reluctant to let Barnes go and might need to be bowled over with an offer. All the talk about a potential landing spot seems to be centered on the Celtics because Barnes absolutely makes sense in Boston—he’s a very reliable role player at forward who can score, is only 28 years old, and has a fortuitous quirk in his contract. Scoff all you want at this prediction, but if Boston decides to level with Sacramento, Barnes could be the biggest difference-maker moved at the deadline. Especially if it’s a dud the way many are predicting.

LaMarcus Aldridge

Best fits: Lakers, Celtics, Blazers, Heat, Suns

The Spurs and Aldridge deciding it was best to part ways shouldn’t have been terribly surprising. Aldridge is 35, an unrestricted free agent this summer, and previously had some issues with the organization. He’s an older center, less productive than his prime, and making a ton of money ($24 million) so there are some serious obstacles to Aldridge actually getting traded. The Spurs have reportedly fielded plenty of offers for Aldridge, but haven’t felt compelled to pull the trigger. The more likely route to another team appears to be San Antonio buying him out, allowing the seven-time All-Star to sign wherever he wants.

Even though the Spurs want to move on from him, it ain’t like Aldridge is washed—he can still make a difference on team looking to make noise in the playoffs. A reunion in Portland would be heart-warming since Aldridge left the Pacific Northwest years ago. And with Jason Collins possibly not back until May, he fits a need. The Celtics could use his rebounding and offensive prowess on a frontline that has largely been underwhelming this season. The Lakers can’t swing a deal since they have so few assets to offer, but should Aldridge enter the buyout market he’d be a massive offensive upgrade over Marc Gasol. In Miami, Aldridge could backup Bam Adebayo and if the Suns aren’t too keen on playing Deandre Ayton down the stretch, what about taking a flyer on Aldridge?

Andre Drummond

Best fits: Nets, Raptors, Lakers Hornets

While Drummond’s offensive skills don’t necessarily mesh with today’s NBA, he’s still a rebounding beast who can defend at a high level and he can absolutely help out teams with glaring holes underneath the basket. And there are more than a few playoff teams that could use his services. The Raptors could use Drummond, but a trade could get clunky and require a third team with all the money he’s owed ($28 million). The Nets definitely need another big body to help out DeAndre Jordan underneath, but Brooklyn ain’t trading for Drummond—he’d almost assuredly be a target should be hit the buyout market. The Hornets have a real need at center and Drummond would’ve been a lethal pick-and-roll partner with LaMelo Ball down the stretch had the Rookie of the Year frontrunner not fractured his wrist. Charlotte, arguably, might be the ideal spot for the UConn product who is a two-time All-Star. Talk of Drummond and the Lakers has cooled, but we all know LA could use some Anthony Davis insurance.

John Collins

Best fits: Celtics, Mavericks, Nuggets, Warriors

Maybe the most intriguing name that’s (kind of) available because Collins is so gifted offensively and an elite roller to the basket. Only 23 and making nothing ($4 million), the Hawks are in a weird spot with the restricted free agent this summer after he reportedly turned down a $90 million extension offer. He wants max money. And he’s arguably worth it. Does Atlanta get something of high value for the gifted 6’9” forward who wants to be paid in free agency or roll the dice and hope he can help carry them to the playoffs now that the Hawks are back in the thick of it? Collins would immediately improve every team in the NBA, but Atlanta is reportedly adamant about getting a young stud in return for him. With so much uncertainty regarding his future free agency desires, that could seriously inhibit a trade. ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski believes Collins doesn’t get moved at the deadline.

Boston makes the most sense because of the trade exception Danny Ainge has at his disposal ($28.5 million) and because the Celtics really could use a dynamic scorer like Collins who can also block some shots. The Nuggets, based on reports, appear intent on not coughing up the necessary assets to land Collins, even though he’d make that Denver offense beyond lethal. Never say never. Probably far-fetched as well, but pairing him with Steph Curry would be awesome. How about a Luka Doncic-John Collins pick-and-roll tandem? He fits in nicely everywhere.

Aaron Gordon

Best fits: Warriors, Blazers, Nuggets, Celtics

Will the Magic pull the trigger on shipping off their talented 25-year-old forward? They kind of don’t need him if they’re going to run their offense through Nikola Vucevic and he could net Orlando a nice return on the open market. But will the Magic demand too much of the No. 4 pick in the 2012 NBA Draft who has only appeared in 23 games this season and watched his numbers plateau over the past two seasons? Gordon could undoubtedly provide a scoring boost at the four for a number of teams around the league looking to bolster their interior. And he does play some defense when the time calls for it. Two teams out west that make complete sense to reportedly have interest in Gordon are Golden State and Portland with maybe the Blazers being a slightly better fit for his skills. It sounds like Boston could be the front-runner to land Gordon, based on multiple reports, and he would certainly be a nice addition for the middling Celtics. According to The Athletic’s Shams Charania, who you can watch host Stadium’s Inside The Association: Trade Deadline Special on Thursday that will be broadcast on various platforms, the Rockets offered up two future first-round picks to the Magic for Gordon.

JJ Redick

Best fits: Celtics, Sixers, Knicks, Mavericks

Boston needs more shooting behind Jayson Tatum, Jaylen Brown, and Kemba Walker and Redick—notably on the trading block since the 36-year-old 3-point specialist hasn’t had much impact with the Pelicans but absolutely could help contending teams—could be that guy. He’s on the mend following a non-surgical procedure on his ailing foot and he’s not exactly cheap ($13 million this season), but as stated above the Celtics have assets at their disposal to upgrade a roster that probably is a notch or two below Philly’s and certainly Brooklyn’s in the Eastern Conference. We all know Redick would likely welcome a return to the Northeast since he’s Brooklyn-based during the offseason so that’s why we’ll also throw in the Sixers and Knicks as fits, too, since those two could use another threat from beyond the arc. The Mavericks are shooting much better from deep than their abysmal start to the season, including Doncic, but they’re still searching for someone who can replace what Seth Curry previously provided off the bench.