Tomorrow marks the NBA's trade deadline, so prepare for a flurry of speculation and rumors. Should you also prepare for a host of splashy moves? Probably not. The trade deadline has been a bit anticlimactic in recent seasons. However, some intriguing names are on the block this year.
Here are three players that could be moved by tomorrow.
Brook Lopez, C, Brooklyn Nets
Lopez was almost shipped out of town last month before the Nets backed off from the deal at the last moment. But with the deadline looming and a potential buyout happening with Kevin Garnett, Brooklyn may finally be ready to pull the trigger. The simple fact is that Lopez and big man Mason Plumlee do not play well together. The Nets have been outscored by 17.7 points per 100 possessions in the 293 minutes the pair has played together, according to NBA.com/Stats. Brooklyn has failed to live up to expectations while spending an astronomical amount of money in the past few years. Trading Lopez and going back to square one may not be the worst course of action at this point.
So where would he end up? Probably with the Oklahoma City Thunder which bring us to our next player...
Reggie Jackson, PG, Oklahoma City Thunder
Okay, let's look at what we do know.
1. Jackson is unhappy in a backup role.
2. The Thunder went out and got Dion Waiters from the Cavs earlier this season and the fresh-faced implant has been eating up some of Jackson's playing time.
3. Jackson, 24, is scheduled to hit free agency this offseason and the Thunder are notoriously wary of losing an asset for nothing (See: Harden, James).
Jackson played out of his mind while stars Kevin Durant and Russell Westbrook were out with injuries back in November and December. Since the duo returned, he has struggled to fit in. Including him and possibly Jeremy Lamb in a trade (most likely for Lopez) would allow the Thunder to avoid paying the luxury tax for the first time in team history while also nabbing them a weapon for a playoff push.
Is this trade a slam dunk? Not at all. But OKC seems ready to part ways with Jackson.
Goran Dragic, PG, Phoenix Suns
The Suns are toying with the idea of moving Dragic, who is a free agent at season's end, or fellow point guard Isaiah Thomas. ESPN's Marc Stein hinted last week that the Los Angeles Lakers were preparing to offer Dragic a max deal this offseason. If Phoenix isn't willing to match that dollar amount, they could trade Dragic now and get some compensation.
The Houston Rockets have been mentioned as having serious interest in acquiring the 28-year-old PG, but their top trade asset (Terrence Jones) may not fit with the Suns. Still, as we've learned from Houston GM Daryl Morey, where there's a will, there's a way.
