Down to the wire
Just about a week after the Knicks sent Kristaps Porzingis to Dallas, the NBA is about to get even crazier. Rumors are flying, general managers are jockeying for deals and the trade deadline is quickly approaching.
GMs have until 3 p.m. Thursday to finalize any trades. Here are six players who could be on the move: Anthony Davis
The Pelicans’ All-Star center is among the top players in the league, and New Orleans isn’t giving him up without a sizable return. The Lakers, Clippers, Bucks and Celtics are among the interested parties.
Davis, a free agent at season’s end, will be looking for a max contract worth $240 million for five years this summer. The superstar forward sent the Pelicans a list of teams he would be willing to sign long-term deals with — which included the Lakers, Knicks, Bucks and Clippers, according to The Athletic.
Though the Lakers seem to be Davis’ preferred destination, pairing the All-Star center with LeBron James seems unlikely before Thursday’s deadline. Conflicting reports have emerged about where the two sides left off, and which side is to blame. The Los Angeles Times reported Lakers president Magic Johnson pulled back on the deal because of the Pelicans’ high demands. ESPN.com, though, has reported the Lakers are still waiting to hear back on their offer to New Orleans.
The Lakers’ proposals have included Lonzo Ball, Kyle Kuzma, Brandon Ingram, Josh Hart and draft picks.
Even with some other suitors left, speculation is growing he could end the season in New Orleans given the Pelicans’ demands.
Marc Gasol
Looking at a potential rebuild, the Grizzlies have reportedly been busy. The Hornets remain in the lead for the 34-year-old center, according to the New York Times. Gasol next season will be owed over $25 million, which is complicating the deal.
Gasol did not travel with the Grizzlies on their trip to Oklahoma City, according to The Athletic.
Mike Conley
The Jazz and the Pistons are said to be the two front-runners for Conley (left), who has been a backbone for the Grizzlies since they drafted him fourth overall in 2007. Memphis is looking for multiple first-round picks in exchange for the point guard, the New York Times reported.
Kyle Lowry
There have been rumblings the longtime Raptors’ guard could be on the move. The Raptors offered Lowry and Jonas Valanciunas to the Grizzlies in exchange for both Conley and Gasol, Sports Illustrated reported. The offer was rejected, but Lowry is said to be aware Toronto is shopping him elsewhere.
Markelle Fultz
The 76ers on Wednesday acquired Tobias Harris, Boban Marjanovic and Mike Scott in a trade with the Clippers, but another deal might be on the horizon.
This time, Markelle Fultz could be on the move. Both the Hawks and Magic have expressed interest in the former No. 1 draft pick, according to ESPN. Fultz’s role with the 76ers has grown increasingly unclear in the past few months after he lost a spot in the starting lineup to Jimmy Butler.
Trevor Ariza
In anticipation of no deal for Davis at the deadline, the Lakers are interested in a deal for the Wizards’ Ariza, according to The Ringer. He played for the Lakers from 2007-09.
For the Wizards, the trade deadline comes just after John Wall ruptured his Achilles tendon, an injury that will take at least a year to recover from.