NBA Trade Rumors Roundup, January 20th: Beal to the Celtics, Lonzo Ball trade news and more

We have now passed the halfway point of the 2018/19 NBA season, and teams are starting to get a good idea about where they currently stand. Up until this point, both Conferences have remained competitive, with eleven teams in playoff contention in the Eastern Conference, whereas every team except the Phoenix Suns has a shot in the West.

The February trade deadline is also quickly approaching, as the NBA has made changes to the deadline so that it will now always occur 10 days before the All-Star game. This has been done so that players who get traded have time to settle into their new teams, and this year's trade window will close on February 7th.

So with the deadline just three weeks away, here are the biggest trade rumors you need to know for January 20th.

Lonzo Ball won't be traded by the Lakers this month

Lonzo Ball's future in Los Angeles has been the subject of intense speculation ever since the Lakers acquired Rajon Rondo last summer. Nevertheless, Ball has managed to retain his place in Luke Walton's lineup, and Bleacher Report is reporting that Ball will be staying in LA this month:

In the West, the Lakers have to be part of the conversation because of the LeBron James factor, though it's not clear to rival executives whom they're willing to trade in any deal and whom they aren't. "At one point a month ago, they were dangling Lonzo a little bit, but now they don't want to trade him," one of the execs said.

Lonzo Ball was selected by the Lakers with the second overall pick of the 2017 draft. In his rookie season, the point guard was named to the All-Rookie second team, and so far this season, Ball is averaging 9.9 points, 5.3 rebounds and 5.4 assists per game.

Bradley Beal linked with the Celtics

The Washington Wizards have endured a miserable season both on and off the court, and Bradley Beal has continuously been linked with a trade away from the team. The Wizards guard has been linked with the Los Angeles Lakers, although Ken Berger is reporting that the Celtics have the assets to make their own move:

With the Celtics struggling to find an identity and defined roles for their plethora of wing players, there could be a path to a deal. Jaylen Brown, the expiring contract of Marcus Morris or Aron Baynes and a first-round pick would have the makings of a compelling offer, according to one executive. The C's could win the East with a core of Kyrie Irving, Beal, Jayson Tatum, and Al Horford. Whether the Wizards would want to help Boston is another story.

Beal has been with the Wizards since being drafted by the franchise back in 2012. The 25-year-old is a one-time All-Star, and so far this season is averaging 24.9 points, 5.0 rebounds, and 5.0 assists-per-game.

The New York Knicks could still trade away Frank Ntilikina

Frank Ntilikina was selected by the Knicks as the eighth overall pick during the 2017 NBA draft, and the Frenchman went on to play 78 games during his debut campaign. However, during the current season, Ntilikina has failed to see an increase in minutes and has started just 14 times. The 20-year-old's future in New York is unclear and the New York Daily News is reporting that Ntilikina has already been offered to teams around the league, including the Atlanta Hawks:

He (Ntilikina) was drafted by Mills and has supporters in the front office. But, according to a source with knowledge of the situation, (Knicks General Manager) Perry, who took the job after Ntilikina was drafted, recently approached the Atlanta Hawks to gauge whether the team was interested in dealing for the guard

Ntilikina has appeared in 37 games so far this season, and the point guard is averaging 6.0 points, 1.9 rebounds and 2.6 assists per game.