NBA trade deadline rumors surrounding Lance Stephenson and Deron Williams

As the NBA trade deadline approaches, the Nets and Hornets are looking to deal away their star players.

February 19th marks the NBA trade deadline. This means that playoff ready teams looking to improve their roster are enticing the teams at the lower end of the standings to get rid of some of their stars.

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Some of the hot items out there on the market are Lance Stephenson, Brook Lopez, and Deron Williams. Any of the three stars would be huge additions to any team looking to make a serious playoff run this season.

Lance Stephenson has been under-achieving for the Charlotte Hornets since he left Indiana. The shooting guard is shooting just 37.7 percent from the field and averaging only 9.3 points.

The Hornets are beyond frustrated with Stephenson, who was supposed to be their saving grace alongside Kemba Walker. Consequently, a trade to get rid of Stephenson is likely in the works. Some probable destinations for Stephenson include the New York Knicks, Indiana Pacers, and Brooklyn Nets.

Stephenson makes a lot of sense for the Knicks. With the worst record in the NBA this season, the Knicks are having all sorts of issues that they never thought they would have.

Looks like it is time to rebuild in New York, again. What better way than to trade for a shooting guard who has the potential to provide some extra scoring behind one of the best scorers in the NBA in Carmelo Anthony. Not a bad idea for the Knicks as the trade deadline rapidly approaches.

Feb 5, 2015; Charlotte, NC, USA; Charlotte Hornets guard Lance Stephenson (1) drives past the Washington Wizards defense of forward Nene (42) and guard John Wall (2) and scores during the second half of the game at Time Warner Cable Arena. Hornets win 94-87. Mandatory Credit: Sam Sharpe-USA TODAY Sports /

Perhaps an even better fit for Stephenson would be with the Brooklyn Nets.

Trade rumors have been surrounding the Nets because of their sub-par start to the season. With an underachieving starting point guard in former all-star Deron Williams taking up a max deal, to go along with Brook Lopez and Joe Johnson also under max contracts, the 20-28 Nets are looking to do some wheeling and dealing before the deadline so they can start the rebuilding process.

Early in January there were rumors of a trade that would send Williams to Charlotte, Stephenson to Brooklyn, and Lopez to Oklahoma City. However, the trade was put on hold.

The Nets clearly have a desire to get rid of some of their dead weight with huge contracts, most notably Brook Lopez. But because the Nets have yet to have any buyers on the Lopez market, there is no reason to think that a Stephenson for Williams deal might be back in the works.

Feb 4, 2015; Toronto, Ontario, CAN; Brooklyn Nets guard Deron Williams (8) dribbles as Toronto Raptors forward Terrence Ross (31) tries to defend during the second quarter in a game at Air Canada Centre. Mandatory Credit: Nick Turchiaro-USA TODAY Sports /

The deal would be in the best interest for both teams. Stephenson would get to be the focal point of a Brooklyn offense and the Nets would get rid of that awful max contract with Williams. The Hornets would get a veteran guard who would more than likely produce more than Stephenson did to replace the injured Kemba Walker.

It might even be possible for Williams to revitalize the young Hornets and do something notable in the playoffs this year.

For now, we will have to sit back and wait until the Nets and Hornets can figure out a deal that is best for each party.

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