5 Players who are most likely to be traded before the NBA Trade Deadline

The 2019 off-season was among the most exciting in NBA history. In addition to a majority of the NBA's top talent moving teams in free agency, superstars such as Paul George, Russell Westbrook and Anthony Davis completed blockbuster trades to contending teams.

However, Westbrook's trade to the Houston Rockets back in mid-July remains the NBA's most recent trade, as the league has experienced a historically slow period of player movement.

Nevertheless, on 15 December, players that signed as free agents in the summer will finally become eligible for trades, and there is expected to be a flurry of moves in the weeks leading up to the February trade deadline. Several notable names around the league have been linked with an exit from their current teams.

Here, we take a look at the 5 players who are most likely to be traded before the NBA Trade Deadline:

#5 Andre Iguodala - Memphis Grizzlies

Following six hugely successful seasons with the Golden State Warriors, Andre Iguodala was surprisingly traded to the Memphis Grizzlies on the first day of free agency as the Warriors freed up the necessary cap space to sign D'Angelo Russell. But the 35-year-old has yet to play for the rebuilding Grizzlies as the organization attempt to offload him.

Iguodala is being paid $17.1 million for the season, and it has been reported that the veteran would prefer to secure a buyout in order to link up with LeBron James in Los Angeles. However, despite his bloated contract, Iguodala is still expected to attract trade interest from the likes of the Dallas Mavericks.

The 2015 Finals MVP should complete a trade to a contending team ahead of the trade deadline.

#4 Jeff Teague - Minnesota Timberwolves

Jeff Teague remains a solid contributor for the Minnesota Timberwolves, although it is evident that the team need a younger and more dynamic guard if they are to establish themselves as a contender in the West over the next few seasons.

The Timberwolves have reportedly targeted Golden State's D'Angelo Russell as their future starting point guard. And to complete a move, the Wolves will need to find a way to offload the final season of Teague's $19 million contract.

Teague is averaging 14.1 points and 6.9 assists this season, and he could play a prominent role from the bench for a contending team until the end of the season. Additionally, he could also be sent to an out-of-contention team as salary filler.

Whatever the outcome, the 31-year-old's time in Minnesota appears to be coming to an end.

#3 Marcus Morris - New York Knicks

Marcus Morris moved to the New York Knicks in controversial circumstances as he had previously verbally agreed to join the San Antonio Spurs, but the veteran has performed well for his new team. Over 23 appearances, Morris has averaged 19.0 points, 5.9 rebounds, 1.3 assists and 1.0 steal per game, and the former Boston man is also shooting 49 percent from three-point range.

Morris has stated his intention to see out the season in New York, although it makes little sense for the Knicks to retain the veteran when they could get a decent return for his expiring contract. Several playoff hopefuls in both the East and West will be interested in pursuing a deal thanks to his relatively affordable $15 million salary, which means Morris is unlikely to finish the season in New York.

#2 Danilo Gallinari - Oklahoma City Thunder

Danilo Gallinari was viewed as a future All-Star when he was drafted 6th overall in 2008 by the New York Knicks, but the Italian's first decade in the league was marred by injuries. That said, Gallinari played 68 times for the LA Clippers last season, and he was perhaps unfortunate to miss out on his first All-Star appearance after averaging 19.8 points on 43 percent from beyond the arc.

Gallinari was sent to the OKC Thunder during the summer as part of the trade for Paul George and the forward has continued to perform well, averaging 18.1 points and 5.8 rebounds. However, the 31-year-old has less than six months remaining on his current deal, and he is expected to be traded to a contending team that needs a reliable perimeter shooter.

#1 Kevin Love - Cleveland Cavaliers

The Cleveland Cavaliers spent much of the past year stating that they had no intention to trade Kevin Love, but reports emerged earlier this week suggesting that the Cavs were indeed attempting to trade their biggest star.

Love is only in the first season of the 4-year, $120 million extension that he signed last summer. However, the former All-Star doesn't fit on a rebuilding Cleveland team that has made a 6-19 start to the season.

At 31, Love's prime is narrowing, and the length of his contract is not ideal. The likes of Portland Trail Blazers and Miami Heat are desperate to contend this season, and while a trade may go down to the deadline, Love will most likely spend the second half of the season on a contending team.

Edited by Musab Abid