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NBA Trade Rumors: James Harden, Andrew Wiggins and this year’s most likely trade bait

By Rucker Haringey

LAKE BUENA VISTA, FLORIDA - SEPTEMBER 10: James Harden #13 of the Houston Rockets reacts during the third quarter against the Los Angeles Lakers in Game Four of the Western Conference Second Round during the 2020 NBA Playoffs at AdventHealth Arena at the ESPN Wide World Of Sports Complex on September 10, 2020 in Lake Buena Vista, Florida. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Michael Reaves/Getty Images)
LAKE BUENA VISTA, FLORIDA - SEPTEMBER 10: James Harden #13 of the Houston Rockets reacts during the third quarter against the Los Angeles Lakers in Game Four of the Western Conference Second Round during the 2020 NBA Playoffs at AdventHealth Arena at the ESPN Wide World Of Sports Complex on September 10, 2020 in Lake Buena Vista, Florida. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Michael Reaves/Getty Images) /
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The regular season is almost here, and with NBA trade rumors swirling, these are the five stars most likely to be included in blockbuster trades this year.

The dust of the NBA offseason has settled, and most front offices are done making moves before the start of the regular season. That doesn’t mean big trades won’t happen during the season itself, however. Quite a few big-name players should be on the move ahead of the 2021 NBA Trade Deadline.

The challenge is identifying which players are poised to move. This piece outlines the five stars most likely to be dealt. Expect the NBA rumor mill to sizzle when discussing the following five players.

5. Al Horford

The Philadelphia 76ers inked Al Horford to a big deal with the idea that he could give them the NBA’s best defense. Horford’s partnership with Joel Embiid failed miserably. That’s why he was moved to the Oklahoma City Thunder this offseason in what largely amounted to a salary dump.

Horford is a much better player than he showed last year in Philadelphia. The Thunder will use the start of the regular season to showcase his ability to be an above-average starting center. He’s still a heady defender that has an above-average ability to switch onto perimeter players. On offense, the combination of his passing ability and perimeter shooting stroke makes life much easier for his teammates.

Oklahoma City won’t get a king’s ransom in exchange for Horford at the deadline, but there will be multiple playoff teams interested in acquiring his services. That should give the Thunder an opportunity to deal him for a combination of bad matching salary and a first-round pick.

Horford won’t push a team from pretender to contender, but he can be a valuable rotation player for a franchise that already has the bones of a championship squad. If he isn’t traded this season, it will serve as a big disappointment for him and the Thunder.

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