NBA Trade Deadline rumor tracker

With the NBA trade deadline fast approaching, we are here to keep you on top of the ever-churning rumor mill.

We all love NBA trade rumors. What would the NBA be without them? It’s non-stop race from here to the Feb. 23 trade deadline which is why we have set up this running blog to keep you updated on all the breaking rumors. Keep checking in as the trade deadline approaches.

Boston likes Bogut, at the right price

According to Steve Bulpett of the Boston Herald, the Celtics are looking at obtaining Andrew Bogut from the Dallas Mavericks, but the front office is unsure of what the Mavs will ask for the big man, who is on the last year of his current contract.

Brooklyn is having a fire sale

The Brooklyn Nets are starved for draft picks. According to Marc Stein of ESPN, the Nets have lowered expectations on their lone valuable trade asset. Previously, the Nets were asking for two first-rounders for Brook Lopez, but now Stein reports that the Nets are willing to accept a first and second round pick for the rights to Lopez.

Pacers thinking big?

The Indiana Pacers have been actively shopping for help for Paul George and, according to ESPN’s Ramona Shelburne, may be looking at the Philadelphia 76ers’ Jahlil Okafor.

Remember those Blake Griffin to the Celtics rumors?

The Celtics are not looking to sit tight at this year’s trade deadline. According to ESPN’s Zach Lowe, Boston has been in talks with the Clippers about obtaining Blake Griffin. The Clips, meanwhile, have reportedly said that it would take Jae Crowder, Avery Bradley or Marcus Smart and some drat picks in order to get him.

Carmelo wants a plan in place

Carmelo Anthony isn’t leaving the Knicks “without a plan.” That’s what the Knicks star forward told The Undefeated after the NBA All-Star Game on Sunday. “I haven’t figured out a situation that makes sense for both parties,” Melo said. Adding: “I am not the kind of guy who just goes out there and says, ‘Get me outta here … get me outta here.’ without having a plan. It’s bigger than that.”

Isaiah Thomas is the leak you’ve been looking for

The Boston Celtics are reportedly inquiring about Jimmy Butler and Isaiah Thomas set Celtics’ fans on fire with this tweet Monday night:

https://twitter.com/Isaiah_Thomas/status/833849682656796673

So far, not follow up on Isaiah’s googly eyes.

Indiana Pacers looking for help

The Indiana Pacers are upping the ante in finding a big man to support Paul George. According to ESPN’s Chris Haynes, the Pacers front office has reluctantly put their 2017 first-round pick up for sale in hopes of getting a big man to Indianapolis.

Derrick Rose out in New York?

It seems like the love affair between Derrick Rose and the Knicks are all but over. According to ESPN’s Ian Begley, the Knicks are open to trading Rose and have had conversations with the Minnesota Timberwolves. According to The Vertical’s Adrian Wojnarowski, trading for Rose would more than likely mean giving up Ricky Rubio. That may open up a starting opportunity for rookie PG Kris Dunn, who has performed well this season for the young Wolves.

Reggie Jackson to the Magic?

ESPN’s Marc Stein is reporting that the Detroit Pistons and Orlando Magic have talked about a deal that would send Reggie Jackson to Orlando, in exchange for D.J. Augustin and Jeff Green. Jackson has been a disappointment this season and the Pistons have supposedly been taking calls on him. Still, Green and Augustin brings nothing more than cap relief which makes one think there may be more pieces involved.

Cavs are still shopping

The owners of the Cleveland Cavaliers have given their front office permission to up the payroll. According to Sam Amico, the bump in payroll gives the Cavs flexibility to work on several trades possibilities before the Feb. 23 trade deadline. This is especially important with the news that Kevin Love will require knee surgery and be out at least six weeks.

We have a deal!

The Toronto Raptors got their starting power forward, and the Orlando Magic received more shooting. According to Adrian Wojnarowski of The Vertical, the Magic have agreed to trade Serge Ibaka to the Raptors for wing Terrance Ross and a 2017 first-round pick. The trade suited both needs as the Raptors upgraded their power forward position by adding defensive presence and a big who can stretch the floor. The Magic benefited by gaining a young swingman who can create his own offense and shoot from the outside. As a bonus, Ross has two more years left on his contract, providing Orlando with some stability at the forward position.

Paul Millsap is staying put

The Atlanta Hawks are doing everything possible to let the rest of the NBA know that Paul Millsap will still be in a Hawk uniform after the NBA Trade Deadline. According to Marc Stein of ESPN.com, the Hawks, who have been getting calls about Millsap’s availability, are not willing to let Millsap, go despite the fact that he will be an unrestricted free agent in July.

Ibaka is all but gone

The Orlando Magic have several pieces they could trade in the next week. According to Marc Stein of ESPN, the Magic are giving off strong hints that Ibaka will more than likely be the one heading out of town before the trade deadline. The question is, where? Two teams that have thrown heavy interest in Ibaka are the Miami Heat and the Toronto Raptors, both of which need a defensive-minded power forward who can also stretch the floor.

The Raptors are looking for an upgrade

The Toronto Raptors are struggling, and the NBA’s northernmost team could be one of the biggest players before the NBA Trade Deadline. The Raptors need a power forward to anchor their struggling defense, and names that have been leaked as potential targets for the Raptors include Taj Gibson and Serge Ibaka, according to Sean Deveney of Sporting News.

It’s all happening for Jahlil Okafor

Jahlil Okafor was held out of the Philadelphia 76ers’ game against the Miami Heat on Saturday, reportedly because trade talks were heating up. Now Keith Pompey of The Philadelphia Inquirer, is reporting that Okafor was not on the team’s Sunday flight to Charlotte for their Monday night game against the Hornets, implying that a deal could be finalized Monday. Both the New Orleans Pelicans and Chicago Bulls are rumored to be interested in Okafor.

Portland, we have a deal

The Denver Nuggets were expected to be one of the most active teams at the deadline and they didn’t even wait that long to get started. On Sunday, they reportedly agreed to trade center Jusuf Nurkic to the Portland Trail Blazers. According to The Vertical’s Adrian Woknarowski, the Blazers will ship Mason Plumlee and a 2018 second round pick to the Nuggets in exchange for Nurkic and a protected first-round pick.

All deals run through Philadelphia

The Philadelphia 76ers Sixers are receiving heavy interest for Nerlens Noel and Jahil Okafor. According the team’s GM, Bryan Colangelo speaking on 97.5 The Fanatic, numerous teams have called the Sixers front office to inquire about the former first-round picks (h/t NJ.com).

"“We’ve got three talented bigs. They all feel that they deserve to be looked at as a potential starter and be paid as a starter. The phones have been ringing. There has been a lot of conversations. There’s been some activity. Quite a bit actually in recent weeks. It’s not something that’s just come up in recent weeks because it’s something we’ve been looking to address since I got here. I‘ve always said that I’m looking to make a good deal for this organization. Not a bad deal. At some point, something’s got to give and we probably have to move in a different direction.”"

Both Noel and Okafor have seen their roles diminished in Philly, and both may be looking for fresh starts elsewhere. Okafor’s name has been linked in recent weeks to the Chicago Bulls and the New Orleans Pelicans, both of which could use an offensive-minded big man.

Everyone loves Ibaka

This looked to be a rebuilding year for the Miami Heat, but all of a sudden they are red-hot and possibly eyeing Serge Ibaka for a playoff push. According to Barry Jackson of the Miami Herald, the Heat have been interested in Ibaka for a while. Orlando is a team that could certainly be active at the deadline but there are no reports yet on whether the Heat and Pat Riley could assemble an offer the Magic are willing to listen to.

Marc Spears of The Undefeated is also reporting that the Toronto Raptors are interested in Ibaka and ESPN tabbed the Houston Rockets as being interested in the athletic big man as well. Everyone loves Ibaka.

The Celtics are chasing after big fish

The Celtics have a wealth of assets and are reportedly looking to make a significant upgrade for their playoff run. According to Adrian Wojnarowski of Yahoo Sports!, the Celtics are working on trying to pry Jimmy Butler from the Chicago Bulls, or Paul George from the Indiana Pacers. Both are two-way stars that would, if acquired, push the Celtics from up-and-comers to contenders in the East.

Jahill Okafor to the Big Easy?

This rumor has been circling for days now. With Joel Embid becoming the new franchise player and Nerlens Noel becoming his perfect sidekick, Okafor has become the odd man out in Philly.

There is no secret that the Sixers are looking to move Okafor, but a deal has yet to be worked out. Some rumors are saying the Bulls may be interested (they do need an offensive big man), but the New Orleans Pelicans are the latest team to be mentioned.

The Sixers need backcourt help, and the Pelicans have a guard that will pair up perfectly with ben Simmons — Jrue Holiday. Holiday has had a resurgent season so far in the Big Easy, and, according to Sam Amico, that’s exactly who the Sixers have their eyes on.

Serge Ibaka to Houston?

Buried in this Calvin Watkins report at ESPN is the nugget that the Houston Rockets have been looking for another shooter and the Orlando Magic’s Serge Ibaka is someone they’ve expressed interest in.

While Ibaka would be a perfect fit in Houston, and hasn’t exactly changed the fortunes of the Orlando Magic, a deal may be unlikely. The Rockets have had a fantastic season and shaking up their roster at this point is a risk that management may be unwilling to take.

Knicks keep pushing Carmelo Anthony

The Carmelo Anthony trade saga has been the biggest story of this trade deadline season, especially because it won’t seem to die. Anthony has a no-trade clause and has already stated that he wants to remain in New York. That doesn’t mean the feeling is mutual.

That tweet was courtesy of the president of the Knicks, Phil Jackson, who appeared to launch a shot at his own disgruntled star. What Jackson was referring to was Kevin Ding’s Bleacher Report column that criticized Anthony for his play in New York.

There is no secret that Jackson wants to ship Anthony to Cleveland to get Kevin Love, and his tweet may have been sent the message that Anthony isn’t wanted in New York anymore.

Kevin Love is not going anywhere

Kevin Love has been a frequent subject of trade rumors and had already been linked to a possible deal with Carmelo Anthony coming to Cleveland. However, LeBron James and Tyronn Lue have both said they don’t want Love traded. And ESPN reported that the Cavs told the Knicks that Love would not be included in any Carmelo Anthony deal.