The Four Biggest Stars to Watch as the Trade Period Starts
The NBA trade period is here, and big names all around the league, such as LeBron James and Jimmy Butler, reign at the head of it. With the first small trades being processed today, such as Dennis Schroder to the Warriors and Thomas Bryant to the Pacers, this deadline is shaping up to be very important in terms of becoming contenders in a league headlined by star-studded teams like the Celtics and Thunder. As December 15th marks a significant date, 85 players who signed contracts in the offseason become eligible for trades, increasing the potential for impactful moves. Teams are expected to be active in the coming weeks as they look to strengthen their rosters ahead of the February 6th NBA Trade Deadline.
Jimmy Butler
The most likely candidate to be traded when it comes to the NBA’s stars is Miami Heat forward Jimmy Butler. Butler, who just turned 35 in September, has averaged a solid 18.6 points and 5.3 rebounds in an up-and-down year for the aging star. The Heat and Butler have discussed an extension for the star in the past, but besides Butler’s $52 million player option for next season, the star doesn’t seem to have any future in South Beach. The star has put a radar on teams such as the Warriors, Mavericks, Rockets, and even the Suns as the teams he would be willing to go to, but his agent has dismissed such reports in online feuds with NBA Insider Shams Charania. While most people think the star will be traded, owner and general manager Pat Riley won’t make it easy, as reports have said Butler will only be traded for “fair value and win-now players.”
LeBron James
The potentially greatest player of all time is a name that has once again come up in terms of a possible trade. The Lakers star has averaged 23 points, eight rebounds, and nine assists during his astounding 22nd season in the NBA and doesn't seem to be slowing down beside his potential retirement option in the upcoming years. The Golden State Warriors remain the main team that would be interested in such a trade, as they had investigated the option last year before it was shot down by James’ agent, Rich Paul. Reports coming from Paul say that he wouldn’t restrict such trade this year, and with James’ time with star Stephen Curry and Warriors coach Steve Kerr, the reunion in the NBA would be a shock to the league. It’s not likely that the 39-year-old will be traded, but with his mysterious absence from the Lakers, the possibility is now seemingly more likely than ever.
Zach LaVine
The Bulls starting shooting guard is a name that has been brought up in terms of trade for over a year now, and this deadline might be the time it finally happens. The 29-year-old former all-star has averaged 20.5 points, 3.9 assists, and 4.1 rebounds this year, including multiple 30-point outings, as he looks like more of his all-star self than ever. The Bulls have been trying to trade him for about a year, but conversations with teams such as the Warriors and Kings never came to fruition as the asking price seemed to be too extensive. Zach LaVine has continued to speak about his want to be a bull for his career, but with the team’s plan to keep building their young talent, LaVine might be too old to fit the timeline the owner has in mind. According to reports, the Bulls want to get value for both LaVine and star center Nikola Vucevic, and if the Bulls are willing to come down in asking price, a trade might get done.
De'Aaron Fox
The Sacramento Kings have had a disappointing first couple of months of their season, and with star point guard De’Aaron Fox still not having any type of extension details, rumors have started about a potential trade. The 26-year-old lightning-quick point guard is averaging a career-high 26.1 points, including a two-day stretch where he put up a combined 104 points in just 48 hours. Due to his contract, small rumors have been circulating in the NBA with teams that would be interested in the young star as a foundation piece. Teams, including the Golden State Warriors, Brooklyn Nets, and the Orlando Magic, have shown outside interest in the star, with teams like Brooklyn seemingly willing to all in on the Sacramento star as a foundational piece. While the Kings almost certainly won’t trade him, as they try to compete in a loaded Western Conference with newly acquired DeMar DeRozan, his name should be one on the team’s radars as it gets closer to the deadline and next offseason.
