NBA Trade Deadline 2018: The 20 best players available

With the NBA Trade Deadline rapidly approaching, find out which big names could be on the move between now and Feb. 8.

The NBA’s decision to move its trade deadline up a few weeks this year could grease the wheels on even more deals than usual. Whereas teams generally had a sense of whether to buy or sell by late February given their place in the standings, the early February deadline could convince fringe playoff teams to make one final ill-advised push toward a postseason run, costs be damned.

The vulnerability of top contenders should help spur some action, too. As they were heading into the season, the Golden State Warriors remain overwhelming favorites to win this year’s championship, but one long-term injury to Stephen Curry, Kevin Durant or Draymond Green could blow the title race wide-open. In the Eastern Conference, meanwhile, LeBron James and the Cleveland Cavaliers are going through their annual mid-January swoon, although their glaring defensive issues may not be as easily fixable as they have been in years past.

With the Houston Rockets, San Antonio Spurs, Boston Celtics and Toronto Raptors all fancying themselves as potential title contenders this year, buckle up. These next few weeks could get wild.

Who might you see on the move between now and the Feb. 8 deadline? Based on production to date, current contract and future upside, the following 20 players are the biggest names to be monitoring in the days to come.

Next: Honorable mention: Willy Hernangomez