NBA teams can make changes to their rosters via trades, but time is of essence for those who want to do so as the annual trade deadline is drawing near.
Most teams in the upper half of the standings aren’t expected to make big changes since they’re in great shape, according to the SBOTOP NBA 2024 odds, but the same can’t be said for the teams in the lower half.
Among those who are expected to be active before February 8 are the Lakers, Bulls, Hawks, and Blazers, especially since some of their key players have been mentioned frequently in the rumour mill for quite some time.
So, without further ado, continue reading below to learn who these players are.
Dejounte Murray
According to the NBA 2024 updates, Dejounte Murray is one of the hottest names out there because he has been linked with a possible move to the Lakers.
The Lakers are in win-now mode because of the way their roster is currently constructed, with LeBron James and Anthony Davis leading the way. But they are struggling this season, so no wonder they feel the need to improve their overall talent, and adding Murray certainly helps.
This season, the 27-year-old combo guard is averaging 21.4 points, 5.0 rebounds, 5.1 assists, and 1.3 steals per game, making him the second-best player for the Hawks behind Trae Young.
With the Hawks also on pace for another mediocre campaign, a rebuild might be on the horizon, and trading away Murray will certainly bring them some much-needed assets in the form of expiring contracts and draft picks.
D’Angelo Russell
Any Laker trade centred on acquiring Dejounte Murray comes with losing D’Angelo Russell in the process, and the Hawks will probably ask for additional draft compensation to sweeten the deal.
D’Angelo Russell, who the Lakers picked second overall in the 2015 NBA Draft, has bounced around the league in recent years, with stops in Brooklyn, Golden State, and Minnesota before going back to LA last season via the Russell Westbrook trade.
But given how he has played well recently, averaging 22.7 points and 6.0 assists per game this month, several insiders have poured cold water on the idea of exchanging him for Dejounte Murray.
Whether he stays in LA beyond the trade deadline remains to be seen, but there’s no doubt that D’Angelo Russell is a capable starter for any team on any given night.
Zach LaVine
Another player that has been linked with the Lakers is Zach LaVine, who, like Dejounte Murray, is languishing with a mediocre team (the Bulls) this season.
LaVine hasn’t played for Chicago since January 18 due to an ankle injury. Prior to his injury, the high-flying guard’s scoring had dipped, averaging only 19.5 points per contest, his lowest since the 2017-18 season.
The two-time NBA All-Star was one of the biggest free agents during the summer of 2022, and for good reason. Zach LaVine is one of the league’s most tantalising talents when he’s healthy, although he may be best suited as a second or third option on a title contender.
Since he is under contract with Chicago until the 2025-26 season, the Bulls should take their time with LaVine. If the Bulls eventually decide to trade him away before the trade deadline, they should be able to fetch a great return to help them start retooling.
Besides the Lakers, the Heat have been tipped as another viable destination for Zach LaVine, especially after they missed out on Damian Lillard last offseason.
For selfish reasons, LaVine may prefer the Heat over the Lakers since Miami are the defending Eastern Conference champions.
Malcolm Brogdon
Malcolm Brogdon recently said that he’s happy where he’s at right now, but that’s what he also said last season before the Celtics eventually traded him to the Blazers, which he had no control over.
In Portland, Brogdon has taken on a mentorship role, which is in contrast to Boston last season, where he was their sixth man. To his credit, his numbers didn’t change much, as he is averaging 15.9 points, 5.5 assists, and 3.6 rebounds per game this season.
The 31-year-old is a versatile combo guard who can get buckets and defend at a high level. The only concern about Brogdon, however, is his injury history because he only has two seasons of playing at least 65 games.
Brogdon is making $22.5 million annually and has one year left on his current contract after this season. Like the other guys on this list, he has been linked to the Lakers, Knicks, and Rockets.
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