NBA Trade Rumors: 3 players in the Eastern Conference that could be traded next week

The NBA trade season is currently hotting up, and we could see a number of big trades in the next few weeks. We are at the point of the season where NBA teams have had enough time to examine their current rosters, and a lot of players around the league also became eligible for trade on the 15th of December.

Some teams are already planning for the next season after a bad start, while others are gearing up for a playoff push, and want new additions. So as we approach the end of 2018, here we will look at three players in the Eastern Conference that could soon trade teams..

#3 Kent Bazemore - Atlanta Hawks

Action from Atlanta Hawks v New York Knicks

Kent Bazemore spent four years playing college basketball at Old Dominion University before entering the NBA draft in 2012. Despite being announced as the best defensive player in college basketball the year prior, Bazemore was undrafted, before eventually signing a contract with the Golden State Warriors.

The guard made little impact during his two years with the Warriors, although Bazemore has since established himself as a reliable player at both ends of the court. Due to this, Marc Stein of the New York Times is reporting that the 29-year-old is attracting interest from around the league:

The Hawks like Bazemore for both his on-court production and his veteran presence in a young Atlanta locker room. But he’s generating interest from contending teams that covet a versatile swingman. In this marketplace, he’s regarded as a difference-maker.

Back in 2016, Bazemore signed a $70 million four-year contract, which was the biggest ever for an undrafted player. He is currently averaging 13.2 points while shooting .443 from the field, and the likes of the New Orleans Pelicans could enter into negotiations with the Hawks as early as next week.

#2 Jabari Parker - Chicago Bulls

Action from Chicago Bulls v Indiana Pacers

Jabari Parker signed with the Chicago Bulls this summer, after spending four years with the Milwaukee Bucks. The Bucks drafted him with the second overall pick of the 2014 NBA draft, and during his four seasons on the Bucks, Parker averaged 15.3 points, 5.7 rebounds, and 2.1 assists. Parker, however, opted to join the Bulls on a two-year $40 million deal, after the Bulls retracted their qualifying offer.

So far this season, Parker has averaged 15.2 points per game, while shooting 45% from the field. Despite this, the Bulls have recently omitted Parker from the team's rotation, and it is believed that the team is willing to trade him.

Despite being only 23, Parker already has four seasons of NBA experience behind him, and he is likely to continue to develop. The Utah Jazz and New York Knicks have both been credited with an interest, and discussions for Parker could begin in the next few days.

#1 Wayne Ellington - Miami Heat

The Miami Heat have an aging roster of players, and after years of underperforming, the team could be heading towards a rebuild this summer. Nevertheless, the Heat are open to trading away talent before the February trade deadline, and Wayne Ellington could be among the players that leave.

Ellington has featured in just four of the Heat's last ten games, and his absence has coincided with his team recently returning to form, as the Heat have won 7 out of their last 10 games.

Despite this, the 31-year-old is attracting interest from teams such as the Los Angeles Lakers. Ellington's contract will expire in 2019, so he will be available for little in return, and the veteran will be an offensive help to nearly every team battling for a playoff place. Ultimately, there is no doubt that there will be intense competition for Ellington's signature in the few weeks.