NBA Trade Deadline 2018: The 20 best players available

Honorable Mention: Ersan Ilyasova, Atlanta Hawks

As much fun as superstar-laden trades are, role players such as Ersan Ilyasova are often the ones who find themselves on the move at the trade deadline.

In February 2016, the Detroit Pistons shipped Ilyasova and Brandon Jennings to the Orlando Magic for Tobias Harris. That marked the first of three times he’d be traded that year, as the Magic later sent him to the Oklahoma City Thunder in a package for Serge Ibaka, and the Thunder then turned around and flipped him with a top-20-protected 2020 first-round pick to the Philadelphia 76ers for Jerami Grant.

At last year’s trade deadline, Philly shipped Ilyasova and a second-round pick to the Atlanta Hawks for Tiago Splitter’s expiring contract and two second-round picks. History may repeat itself this year, as the rebuilding Hawks are looking to pawn veterans such as Ilyasova and Marco Belinelli off for a high second-round pick, according to Basketball Insiders’ Michael Scotto.

Teams in need of a veteran stretch 4 could do far worse than Ilyasova, who’s currently playing on a one-year, $6 million deal. Considering Atlanta’s relatively low asking price, expect contenders desperate for extra bench help to come calling about Ilyasova in the weeks ahead.

Next: 20. Nerlens Noel