NBA Trade Deadline: The 5 players most likely to be dealt

By Tom West | Feb 10, 2016

Feb 28, 2014; Phoenix, AZ, USA; Phoenix Suns power forward Markieff Morris (11) reacts after drawing a charging foul against the New Orleans Pelicans during the second half at US Airways Center. The Phoenix Suns won the game 116-104. Mandatory Credit: Joe Camporeale-USA TODAY Sports /

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PHOENIX, AZ – OCTOBER 07: Markieff Morris (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images) /

With the NBA trade deadline right around the corner and rumors heating up, which five players are most likely to be dealt?

Despite the 2015-16 NBA season being quiet in terms of trades so far, we could see that change in an instant with the February 18 deadline right around the corner. The rumors are heating up, the speculation is getting more ridiculous, and the trade machine experimentation is crazier than ever. If we step away from that craziness for a minute, though, which five players are most likely to be traded?

There are rumors that you’ll all be familiar with if you’ve been paying attention recently that may finally start to materialize in the coming days. Teams are at the point where time is running out and the time to act is now.

Just ask New York Knicks head coach Derek Fisher about that. Sorry, former Knicks head coach.

Besides giving Fisher the ax, team president Phil Jackson has also spoken very candidly this week on the Knicks’ desire to make something happen before the deadline (per Ian Begley of ESPN.com):

"“We’re looking to improve this ballclub, there’s no doubt,” Jackson said Monday during a news conference on the firing of Derek Fisher. “We know that we have some good guys. The chemistry is pretty good. The talent can still be better. It always can, so we’re looking.”"

Even though not all team executives talk to the press so openly about wanting to make some deals, Jackson is by no means alone in this thought process.

Whether it’s to avoid players walking in free agency or to finally pursue a star, it’s safe to say other front offices are going to start getting a lot more active. For this piece, though, we’re focusing on the players that aren’t just hypothetical trade pieces, but inevitable ones.

First, one player who will surely be dealt so his team doesn’t lose him for nothing when he hits free agency this summer. Because as much as they’d like to keep him, there are plenty of other teams who will want in.

Next: The stretch four everyone wants

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