Trade rumors around the NBA swirl on a regular basis, season after season, so it’s not uncommon to see a few stars mentioned throughout the chatter. Now less than a week away from the all-star break, there are a number of players rumored to be either interested in other teams, or being used as trade chips by their respective organizations. Below are some of the biggest names on the market.
Carmelo Anthony
Recent controversy surrounding the New York Knicks has left the organization in turmoil. After an unorthodox scuffle between former player Charles Oakley and a security guard, the Knicks banned Oakley from Madison Square Garden, leaving most fans up in arms. That incident combined with the seemingly endless talk of Carmelo Anthony being traded has created a great amount of tension between the organization and its fans.
Now at the age of 32, Anthony is being consistently critiqued by both coaches and fans, who are concerned the once-beloved forward is now considered overrated. After 14 years in the league, Carmelo Anthony has won numerous awards, including the NBA scoring champion in 2013, and being named an NBA all-star 9 times. Though his talents seem to be slowing today, Anthony is still a very marketable trade prospect. Few players can shoot a 54.3 true shooting percentage while averaging 23 points per game; statistics that have left the Knicks organization undecided as to whether or not a trade will do them any good.
Jahlil Okafor
The only reason Okafor being on this list is surprising is the fact that the Philadelphia 76ers drafted the college star just two years ago. Aside from that, his past two seasons in the NBA have been average at best. Though his numbers were impressive during his short time at Duke University, the Sixers are looking to opt out of Okafor, as they already have a number of impressive centers on their roster.
Joel Embiid has been nothing short of a superstar in his first active season with the Sixers, solidifying his position as the team’s starting center. Him, Nerlens Noel, and Dario Saric all provide the power and height necessary for success in the paint, effectively rendering Okafor as nothing more than a backup. Both the New Orleans Pelicans and Chicago Bulls have expressed interest in the young center, so the Sixers have a number of options.
Wilson Chandler
The Denver Nuggets have had trouble utilizing Chandler’s role on the team, who joined after the Carmelo Anthony trade six years ago. Chandler remains a willing player with enough skill and physicality to take advantage of smaller defenders, as well as bigger ones. Only 46.3% of his two-point shots are assisted, showing his individual capabilities. The Nuggets, however, have switched his position over and over, making it look as though he is the one to blame for the team’s weaknesses; a possible reason as to why Chandler is rumored to be asking for a trade. Now at 29 years old, Chandler is no longer in his prime, but still brings a lot to the table. His skills would fit well with a younger, less versatile team that may be in need of leadership.
Jimmy Butler
Though it has yet to be confirmed that Butler is actually available for a trade, the Chicago Bulls have expressed interest in hearing what other teams would offer for the 27-year-old star. At the beginning of the 2016-17 season, trade rumors surrounding Butler began, though the Bulls reportedly decided otherwise after their strong start.
After acquiring 3x NBA Champion Dwyane Wade from the Miami Heat this past offseason, and trading their star player Derrick Rose to the New York Knicks, the team seemed to rely on Butler to step up and become even more of a playmaker. However, now that the upcoming draft class from this year’s NCAA basketball season has proved a number of players are more than capable of being successful in the NBA, the Bulls are reportedly in talks with the Boston Celtics on a potential trade for even more draft picks. If any team is able to offer more than what the Celtics can, Butler would most likely prove to be a true asset to any given roster.