It’s that time of the year again.
NBA teams are scrambling to position themselves for either a championship push or a draft lottery boost as the February 6 trade deadline creeps closer.
There’s already been some movement, but you can expect more wheeling and dealing in the coming weeks.
Some teams, like the Golden State Warriors, hope to add a superstar to boost their title chances.
Others, like the Lakers and Knicks, are working to fix their weaknesses to stay competitive.
Let’s take a look at the top rumors and how teams are planning to improve.
- Jonathan Kuminga could be part of a deal for a star like Jimmy Butler.
- Los Angeles is looking for stronger frontcourt players like Jonas Valanciunas.
- Mitchell Robinson’s injury has put New York in a tough spot ahead of the trade deadline.
The Warriors Are Saving Kuminga for the Right Deal
The Golden State Warriors started the trade season by getting Dennis Schroder from the Brooklyn Nets.
In return, they gave up De’Anthony Melton, Reece Beekman, and three second-round picks.
Schroder is a solid backup guard who can bring some energy off the bench, which the Warriors need right now after a rough 3-7 stretch in their last 10 games.
But there was talk of a bigger deal.
According to reports, the Warriors could’ve added Cameron Johnson if they had included Jonathan Kuminga in the trade.
Golden State chose not to do that, and that clearly shows how much they value Kuminga right now.
Oh, and it’s not the first time they’ve held onto him.
Last summer, they turned down offers for Lauri Markkanen because they didn’t want to give up Kuminga.
He’s been playing a bigger role recently—he started in six of their last seven games.
However, the Warriors might change their minds if they can add a big star like Jimmy Butler, who reportedly has Golden State on a short list of teams he’d prefer to play for.
Butler is exactly the type of All-Star player the Warriors need to make a deep playoff run.
And Kuminga would almost certainly be part of that deal if they decide to go all-in.
But for the time being, the Warriors seem to be waiting for the right opportunity.
The Lakers Need More Depth in the Frontcourt
The Los Angeles Lakers are currently 13-12 and sitting in 10th place in the West.
And that’s not where they want to be if they plan on making a playoff run.
Instead of chasing another superstar, the team’s main focus is adding depth to the roster, especially in the frontcourt.
One name that has come up is Jonas Valanciunas.
The Washington Wizards center could give the Lakers more size, rebounding, and defense.
He’s a reliable player who would help take some pressure off Anthony Davis.
There’s also talk about a possible reunion with Brandon Ingram.
He’s been in trade rumors for a while now, and he’d add scoring and flexibility to the Lakers’ offense alongside LeBron James and Davis.
The Lakers know they need to improve their roster if they want to move up in the standings.
And Valanciunas or Ingram could be the right pieces to make that happen.
Mitchell Robinson’s Injury Could Change the Knicks’ Plans
The New York Knicks just got some bad news about center Mitchell Robinson.
Robinson had ankle surgery and was expected to return in January, but now his timeline has been pushed back to late January or February.
Without Robinson, the Knicks’ defense has taken a hit, and they haven’t been getting enough from Jericho Sims, his replacement.
This puts the Knicks in a tricky spot:
- They could try to trade Robinson to get a healthier big man like Jonas Valanciunas.
- Or, they could stay patient and wait for Robinson to come back.
The problem is that trading Robinson won’t be easy.
Other teams might not want to take a risk on an injured player, especially so close to the trade deadline.
And if the Knicks want to make a deal, they may have to give up extra players or picks to make it happen.
So, the Knicks have a tough decision to make.
Either they gamble on Robinson’s return or try to find a quick fix before it’s too late.
The Pelicans Are Open for Business—But Not Everyone’s Available
The New Orleans Pelicans are having a rough season.
They’re 5-22—the worst record in the Western Conference—and injuries have only made things worse.
Now, they’re listening to trade offers for almost everyone on their roster.
There are only three players they don’t want to trade:
- Herb Jones (11.2 points, 2 steals per game)
- Trey Murphy III (18.1 points, 4.6 rebounds)
- Yves Missi (9.2 points, 8.5 rebounds as a rookie)
Everyone else, including Brandon Ingram and Zion Williamson, is on the table.
But trading them won’t be easy.
Ingram has struggled with injuries, and Zion’s history of missing games makes him a risky player to trade for.
Teams like the Houston Rockets, Atlanta Hawks, and Miami Heat could take a chance on Ingram.
Meanwhile, Zion’s potential could draw interest from teams like the Charlotte Hornets or the Miami Heat, but his value isn’t as high as it once was.
For the Pelicans, they’re focusing on reshaping their team and preparing for next season.
Anfernee Simons Is Getting Lots of Attention
One of the hottest names in the trade market right now is Anfernee Simons from the Portland Trail Blazers.
In the third year of his $100 million contract, Simons is averaging 17.1 points, 4.5 assists, and 2.6 rebounds this season.
The teams showing the most interest are the Orlando Magic and the Miami Heat.
According to betting odds, the Magic are favorites at +400, followed by the Heat at +500.
For Orlando, Simons could carry the load while stars Paolo Banchero and Franz Wagner are out.
Miami sees Simons as a player who can add scoring and help them during the regular season and playoffs.
Other teams, such as the San Antonio Spurs, Denver Nuggets, and Golden State Warriors, also monitor the situation.
But Simons won’t come cheap.
Any team that wants him will likely need to give up a young player and some draft picks.
Expect Big Trades Before the Deadline
With the NBA trade deadline coming up, teams are working hard to improve their rosters or plan for the future.
The Golden State Warriors might trade Jonathan Kuminga to land a star like Jimmy Butler to improve their chances in the playoffs.
The Lakers are focused on fixing their frontcourt, and they are considering players like Jonas Valanciunas or even bringing back Brandon Ingram.
The New York Knicks have a tough choice to make regarding Mitchell Robinson, as his injury recovery has taken longer than expected.
And the Pelicans are open to trading most of their roster except for a few young players they want to keep.
At the same time, Anfernee Simons is a hot trade target, and teams like the Magic and Heat are ready to make offers for him.
Over the next few weeks, there will be plenty of trades and surprises as teams try to improve their rosters.
The trade market is getting more exciting, and every move will affect the rest of the season.
