Ahead of the NBA trade deadline on February 9, we’re taking a look through potential trades that could go through as teams finalise their rosters for the rest of the season.
Last season’s trade deadline saw plenty of action with James Harden becoming a Philadelphia 76er in exchange for Ben Simmons and Seth Curry, as well as Dallas trading Kristaps Porzingis to Washington for Spencer Dinwiddie.
Derrick White joined the Boston Celtics’ charge through the Eastern Conference with Josh Richardson, Romeo Langford, a 2022 first-round pick and 2028 first-round swap going the other way to San Antonio.
The biggest question on everyone’s mind is whether the Los Angeles Lakers will bite the bullet and trade Russell Westbrook, or will they hold on to their Sixth Man of the Year candidate who becomes an unrestricted free agent this offseason?
5 Potential Trades Ahead Of NBA Trade Deadline
1. Lakers trade Westbrook to Indiana for Turner and Hield
Russell Westbrook’s last 5 games:
24.0 PPG
7.6 RPG
6.2 APG
50% FG
39% 3PHis first 5-game span averaging those numbers or better since February 2020. pic.twitter.com/4Oiiic9Ryn
— StatMuse (@statmuse) January 21, 2023
Rumours have floated for months over Los Angeles Lakers owner Jeanie Buss’ reluctance to include Russell Westbrook in a trade to the Indiana Pacers for Myles Turner, Buddy Hield and two first-round picks due to his improved play off the bench.
A trade for Myles Turner could potentially open up the floor for big man Anthony Davis, who was enjoying an MVP-calibre season before an untimely injury put a halt to his season.
The 26-year-old, who has been with Indiana since being drafted in 2015, is shooting a career-best 40% from downtown in 39 games this season and would be a welcome addition to LeBron James’ side alongside Hield who leads the NBA with 181 made three-pointers on 42%.
2. Spurs trade Poeltl to Celtics
“I’m told there are several teams beginning to engage with significant interest in Jakob Poeltl, that includes the Raptors and Celtics.”
NBA Insider @ShamsCharania reports on the trade interest in the Spurs center. pic.twitter.com/FQ9oPO4xSC
— The Rally (@TheRally) January 17, 2023
According to The Athletic’s Shams Charania, there are two teams heavily interested in trading for San Antonio Spurs big man Jakob Poeltl before the February deadline – the Boston Celtics and Toronto Raptors.
The 27-year-old center becomes an…