“Kyrie Irving Sets The Tone: 10 Big Names Who Could Be On The Move Before The Trade Deadline”

Kyrie Irving was the first domino.

What could have passed for a mild close may now be a little more enticing.

Irving’s upcoming move to the Dallas Mavericks is unlikely to have any league impact, but it does make a player’s future a compelling story that begins in the final days before the deadline.

Let’s look at 10 names who could be donning new jerseys in just a few days:

*Note: All contract data per Spotrac

Kevin Durant, Brooklyn Nets

The only marquee name making headlines right now is Irving’s former co-star. Since the Nets don’t want to trade with Irving inside the Eastern Conference, it’s entirely plausible that Durant, who hasn’t been a concrete trade candidate yet, could follow the West should he be traded.

It’s hard to imagine Durant feeling happy about his chances at a title considering who Brooklyn received in exchange for Irving, as the team’s level was only downgraded a few notches. He’s not going cheap, of course, as he’s set to make a surplus of $53 million in 2025-26 by age 37. But it’s a deal you make if you think you’re just one complement away from a legitimate shot at a title shot.

Someone from the Chicago Bulls

The bulls are massively underperforming this year. That’s not exactly surprising as the signs last season pointed to it. They’ve outperformed and hit a clear cap thanks to the heroic performances of DeMar DeRozan, but they haven’t upgraded the roster to improve last season’s positioning and are now paying the price.

Zach LaVine, Alex Caruso and Nikola Vucevic are all names to keep an eye on, with the latter on an expiring contract. DeRozan could be the blockbuster name if we’re going to get there. However, given the lack of draft assets, emerging young talent and lack of ability to compete with this roster over the long term, moving away from key players and reloading could be the best scenario.

OG Anunoby, Toronto Raptors

You could probably cite this as “Someone from the Toronto Raptors,” since they’re in the same boat as the Bulls: an underperforming Eastern Conference team that peaked last season.

The Raptors added a few bits to their wing-heavy system from last year, but it didn’t quite gel as hoped. That has speculated about the possible departure of some players including OG Anunoby, Fred VanVleet, Gary Trent Jr. or others.

Anunoby, 25, is the name making headlines here for being the group’s biggest difference maker. He’s on a reasonable contract, making an average of $18 million a year through 2025, and is a quality 3-and-D forward who could still develop his game.

Grant Williams, Boston Celtics

The Celtics may have a decision to make. The big man Grant Williams has reportedly sought out teams for his availability, and for reasons beyond his production.

He’s on his way to limited free agency this summer and could seek a long-term extension with a substantial pay rise, putting Boston in the position of either fulfilling a potential offer sheet or letting him run for nothing if it can’t agree.

Williams, 24, is as solid as befits a 3-and-D forward who doesn’t need the ball to be effective and who’s a crucial rotation figure in playoff time. But since the C’s are also linked to other great men like Jakob Pöltl, perhaps it’s a sign for the future, even though the two could theoretically coexist.

Jakob Poeltl, San Antonio Spurs

This is a perfect transition to the next player. One of the few big men on a weak Spurs team, Poeltl could definitely fill a gap for rivals who need more depth.

Poeltl, ranked No. 9 overall in 2016, has an expiring contract worth just over $9 million and is averaging 12.0 points, 9.1 rebounds, 3.0 assists and 25.9 minutes per game 1.1 blocks. San Antonio should be able to amass assets — most likely draft picks — in a potential trade, which would make sense for all parties.

Bojan Bogdanovic, Detroit Pistons

The Pistons’ off-season acquisition of Bojan Bogdanovic was a bit confusing from the start. Detroit had been hoarding young talent for the future, but acquired Bogdanovic through a trade from the Utah Jazz.

Bogdanovic, 33, has an expiring contract worth just over $19 million and, as a pure sniper, averages 21.4 points on a 49/42/88 shot split at high volume in 31.7 minutes. Any contender hoping to land a goalscorer like him for a playoff push should be all-in, and Detroit would wisely get assets for a short-term player.

Jae Crowder, Phoenix Suns

Do you remember Jae Crowder? The 10-year veteran has yet to play in 2022-23 because he wants a trade away from Phoenix, but no such deal has materialized.

The 32-year-old all-round forward is on an expiring contract worth $10m and the Suns would be happy to find a way to get off him as soon as possible. Of course it would help their depth a lot given the current lack of quality but that doesn’t seem likely. His 3-point shot can be stubborn most of the time, but he’s a solid 3-and-D veteran with NBA Finals experience under his belt.

Eric Gordon, Houston Rockets

The Rockets are like the Pistons in that they embrace young talent and build for the future, as evidenced by both teams’ records this season. Gordon differs from Bogdanovic in the sense that he’s been in the franchise for a long time, but is now best going his separate ways.

Gordon, 34, will have a non-guaranteed expiring contract next season. It’s fully guaranteed should he make the All-Star team or play 500 regular season / 750 playoff minutes should Houston win the title. It’s safe to say his contract isn’t guaranteed.

That makes it easier for teams to get his contract on the financial books, and he’s an experienced two-guard who can also initiate an offense. His shot counts have declined this year, but he would make a better impact in a smaller role for a rival team.

Kelly Olynyk, Utah Jazz

Back to the big men, Olynyk is one of the most underrated names out there. The 31-year-old stretch-big averages 11.5 points, 5.0 rebounds and 3.3 assists on a 49/40/83-shot split in 28 minutes with the Jazz.

Next season he is finally under contract, which is also not guaranteed. Only $3 million of the $12 million is guaranteed, but he would owe the full amount on June 6, 2023, or three days before the start of the 2023-24 season.

Again, if a team is looking to make some short-term money, Olynyk could definitely boost an offense with his versatility. The fully guaranteed price of $12 million could turn into a bargain if it turns out.

Matisse Thybulle, Philadelphia 76ers

Like Williams in Boston, the 76ers are in a similar position to Thybulle, No. 20 overall in 2019. He is slated to enter the restricted free hand but wants Philadelphia to be the team that pays him good money, though he doesn’t developed on offense as hoped?

Instead, the Sixers could accumulate assets and use that money elsewhere. The Golden State Warriors and the Sacramento Kings have been rumored to be linked, so the excitement is already floating.

The 25-year-old may never develop a consistent attacking game, but he does bring an elite defense on and off the pitch that the aforementioned teams could certainly benefit from.

recognitions

Cam Reddish, New York Knicks — New York used a first-round pick to land Reddish from Atlanta last year and then rarely used the No. 10 overall pick from 2019. Little has changed this season, so it is quite possible the Knicks will switch from the 23-year-old, although he is also earmarked for a limited free hand in the summer.

Kevin Love, Cleveland Cavaliers — The 34-year-old big man has been dropped from Cleveland’s rotation and is on an expiring $28 million contract. It may not trade, but it appears to be a prime takeover candidate after the deadline. In a limited catch-and-shoot and rebound role, another contender can see treasure in another team’s trash. He’s also a Los Angeles, California native if you want to make the connection.

Russell Westbrook, Los Angeles Lakers — Westbrook is included here because the Lakers haven’t been able to pull the trigger for a big stride yet. Even though Westbrook has an expiring contract worth over $40 million, who knows which team would be willing to squeeze that contract while helping the Lakers by potentially sending back better roster adjustments.

Source: www.nbcsports.com