NBA Today: 3 Players that could still be traded ahead of the 2019-20 NBA season

Andre Drummond is among the big names that could move ahead of the new season
Andre Drummond is among the big names that could move ahead of the new season

The 2019-20 NBA season is just two weeks away, and teams around the league are well underway in preparing for the new campaign. The entire NBA returned to training last week and much of the league has begun their preseason schedules.

Nevertheless, teams still need to finalize their rosters ahead of the new season, and plenty of players will be on the move over the next two weeks. Notable free agents such as Carmelo Anthony and J.R. Smith remain available, while the Miami Heat are among the teams hopeful of completing a significant trade.

Evidently, most contenders around the league won't entertain losing their top talent on the eve of the new season, although there are a few players that could be available. So, with the new season quickly approaching, here are three NBA stars that could be traded ahead of opening night.


#3 Serge Ibaka - Toronto Raptors

Serge Ibaka impressed during the 2019 NBA Finals
Serge Ibaka impressed during the 2019 NBA Finals

The Toronto Raptors enter the season as defending champions, although the team lost both Kawhi Leonard and Danny Green during the offseason. The Raptors didn't make any noteworthy additions, and much of the current roster is on the wrong side of 30. Marc Gasol, Serge Ibaka, and Fred VanVleet will all hit free agency next summer, and the Raptors are likely to be active in the market as the season progresses.

While Gasol and VanVleet still have a big role to play, the Raptors still haven't established Ibaka's best position on the team, and the veteran will once again struggle for minutes due to the presence of Gasol. Ibaka is owed $23 million for the 19-20 season, although he is available on an expiring deal, and could prove to be a valuable addition to a team looking to contend.

#2 Andre Drummond

Andre Drummond continues to be linked with a move away from the Detroit Pistons
Andre Drummond continues to be linked with a move away from the Detroit Pistons

Andre Drummond was selected by the Detroit Pistons with the ninth pick in the 2012 NBA Draft and the New York native has already made almost 550 regular appearances for the team. With the Pistons, Drummond has established himself as a 2-time All-Star and has also led the NBA in rebounds in three of the last four seasons.

Nevertheless, Drummond has failed to create a dominant pairing with fellow All-Star Blake Griffin, and the Pistons remain desperate to compete during Griffin's remaining prime years. With no cap-space available, the Pistons' only path to improving their roster is trading Drummond, and the 26-year-old has stated his intention to hit free agency next summer.

Pistons owner Tom Gores has stated that keeping hold of Drummond is a priority. However, with his long-term future in doubt, Detroit is likely to be open to making a bold move, and plenty of teams around the NBA require a big man of Drummond's quality.

#1 Chris Paul

Chris Paul (right) joined the Thunder as part of the blockbuster trade for Russell Westbrook
Chris Paul (right) joined the Thunder as part of the blockbuster trade for Russell Westbrook

The Oklahoma City Thunder have remained adamant that Chris Paul has an important role to play for the franchise going forward, although multiple reports have suggested that general manager Sam Presti is determined to offload the veteran point guard.

Paul is not only among the NBA's highest earners but is also under contract for another three seasons, and his presence at point guard will also disrupt the development of the highly-rated Shai Gilgeous-Alexander. Paul himself won't want to see out his remaining prime years on a team that is unlikely to challenge for a playoff spot, and the Miami Heat have been backed to make a move.

The 34-year-old would link up with the recently acquired Jimmy Butler in Miami, and the Thunder are likely to do everything in their power to offload CP3 to the Heat ahead of opening night.

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Edited by Raunak J