NBA 2017-18: 5 players who could be traded before the mid-season trade deadline

As of Dec. 15, more to 90% of the players in the league become eligible to be traded before the mid-season trade deadline on Feb. 8 (3 PM ET). Obviously, it's rare for any trades to go down in December, as the franchises like to feel out their teams as long as possible before pulling the trigger on a trade.

Only 4 trades (since 2012-13) have occurred between Dec. 15- Dec. 31.Rajon Rondo to Dallas (2014), Corey Brewer to Houston (2014), Anthony Tolliver (2014) to Detroit and Ish Smith (2015) to Philly.

— Bobby Marks (@BobbyMarks42) December 15, 2017

More often than not, teams wait until the final day of the mid-season trade window to seal a deal. Another not so surprising fact about these deals is that it's common for players that are traded to be in the final year of their deals as no team's want to let their players walk to another franchise without getting anything in return.

So let's not beat around the bush anymore and get to the list of five players, who could most probably be traded this trade window. The players are ranked on the basis of how likely they are to be traded:

#5 Paul George

Paul George

Through 30 games, the Oklahoma City Thunder are 15-15. That's certainly not what the Thunder management or fans expected when they had traded for Paul George or Carmelo Anthony this past summer. Unlike many previous super teams, the defense isn't a problem for this one (101.3 Def. rating, tied 2nd). It's their offense that's struggling (), even more in clutch situations.

Through all these struggles, George has been the talk of the town. One, because there is a general belief that the team needs to allow him to be more assertive on the offensive end of the floor and second because of his looming 2018 free agency. He has a player option on his current deal for next season (2018-19).

It's highly unlikely that the Thunder would trade George and that's the current stance they've taken but should they reconsider given what happened last year - Kevin Durant leaving to the Golden State Warriors as a free agent?

There were quite clear indications last year from George's camp, regarding the 4-time All-Star's desire to play for the Los Angeles Lakers. If OKC doesn't trade him, their gambling on the fact that he will opt-in for the final year and stay with the franchise for another year at least.

#4 Tristan Thompson

#13 Tristan Thompson

In 2015, after the Cleveland Cavaliers made the first of their three consecutive Finals trips, Tristan Thompson was a hot commodity. So much so, that the team was almost forced to sign him to a 5-year $82 million deal. However, his value has only depreciated since.

A lot of that has got to do with his failure to be in tune with the current style of basketball in the league. There's not a lot that he's done wrong though, it just seems to be the evolving style of play his team wants to embrace. It began with the Cavaliers trying to match the Warriors in lineups in the 2017 Finals. That clearly didn't go well, having lost the series 4-1.

Prior to the start of this season, Cleveland decided to start Kevin Love at center and bring Thompson off the bench. That has led to limited minutes and thus a negative efficiency for Thompson. To make matters worse, he has only just returned from a calf strain, that kept him out for a month.

He makes this list primarily because Cleveland believes there are better options out there for them - DeMarcus Cousins or DeAndre Jordan (only one of these names make the list).

#3 Nikola Mirotic

The Chicago Bulls' "1-2 Punch" - Bobby Portis and Nikola Mirotic

This was supposed to be the season the Chicago Bulls tanked. Instead, since the return of Nikola Mirotic, the team is unbeaten, currently riding a six-game win streak. Although the streak should be bad for the franchise, it's certainly raising the Mirotic stock.

In these six games, Mirotic has averaged 20.3 points and 7.3 rebounds while shooting 51.9% from the field and 50.0% from beyond the arc. After an initial two below-par coaching seasons in the league, the Bulls have been meaning to give head coach Fred Hoiberg a team that suits his style and Mirotic is among the last players of the previous regiment.

In addition, he costs the team around $12.5 million - the second highest paid player on the team. With the young player's revolution, the Bulls are bound to witness in the coming years with Denzel Valentine, Bobby Portis, Zach LaVine and Lauri Markkanen, they don't really want to be owing Mirotic that much money.

#2 Robin Lopez

#42 Robin Lopez

Digest this - Robin Lopez is the highest paid player on the current Bulls roster ($13.5 million).

And he's owed $14.3 million next year in 2018-19, which is also the final year of his 4-year deal that he signed with the New York Knicks in the summer of 2015. He might not be an offensive threat in the post but can be a good defender individually in the post and even in a system.

It would be difficult, however, for the Bulls to find a landing spot for Lopez but surely some non-contending team would love to take up his contract if they are getting back anything of considerable value.

#1 DeAndre Jordan

DeAndre Jordan

DeAndre Jordan is an expiring deal worth 22.6 million dollars, which the LA Clippers need to ship because that number jumps to 24.1 million dollars for next year. The team would already close to $53 million next year to Blake Griffin and Danilo Gallinari and given that they are undergoing a mini-rebuild, it would be preferable to move on from Jordan.

Cleveland is a good place to start making calls.

Although Jordan is in his 10th year in the league, he is still quite effective on both ends of the floor. He ranks second in the league in FG% with 64.8%, second only to Clint Capela and on the defensive end of the floor, he's grabbing 14.8 rebounds a game (second in the league (14.9 is best) and 0.2 short of a career-high).