NBA Trade Rumors Roundup, January 22nd: Lakers interested in Carmelo Anthony, Trevor Ariza future 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 22nd.

Los Angeles Lakers remain interested in Carmelo Anthony

After months of speculation, Carmelo Anthony finally departed the Houston Rockets last night. Despite this, Melo's trade to the Chicago Bulls has done little to answer questions about his future, as the 34-year-old is set to be either traded or waived.

The Bulls clearly have no plans to use Anthony, and when speaking about the 10-time All-Star's future, ESPN's Adrian Wojnarowski stated that the veteran is still interesting the Lakers:

The Lakers have an interest in Anthony but have no plans to waive a player to create an available roster spot for him, league sources said. If a roster spot becomes available with the Lakers before or after the trade deadline, they'll be a possible destination for Anthony, league sources said.

During his time in Houston, Anthony played just 10 times for the Rockets, averaging 13.4 points and 5.4 rebounds per game. He is currently signed to a one-year veterans minimum deal.

Reggie Bullock is attracting trade interest

The Detroit Pistons have lost seven out of their last ten games and currently sit 9th in the Eastern Conference standings. Due to the team's poor form, the Pistons may be willing to make a trade this month, and the Detroit Free Press is reporting that Reggie Jackson is currently attracting interest from around the league:

A Pistons source told the Free Press recently Bullock, along with backup point guard Ish Smith, is garnering trade interest. Bullock would be a great addition for any team jockeying for playoff position or looking for an additional piece to contend, a team like the Philadelphia 76ers. Bullock, making $2.5 million this season, will be an unrestricted free agent this offseason so the Pistons must weigh re-signing him, trading him or risk losing him for nothing.

Bullock has been with the Pisonts since 2015, and so far this season the 27-year-old is averaging 12.3 points, 2.6 rebounds and 2.4 assists per game.

Trevor Ariza set to stay with the Washington Wizards

When the Washington Wizards acquired Trevor Ariza earlier this season, the franchise hoped that the veteran could help with the team's playoff push. Despite this, the Wizards currently sit outside of the playoff places, although NBC Sports is reporting that Washington will look to keep Ariza:

We can assume by that Wizards owner Ted Leonsis means the Feb. 7 NBA trade deadline will be pretty quiet for Washington. But it doesn’t mean teams won’t be calling - especially those looking at two-way perimeter players like Trevor Ariza. Sources (close) to NBC Sports Washington coupled with other factors indicated the Wizards’ plan to keep Ariza for the remainder of the season, despite the impact of John Wall’s season-ending heel surgery.

Since joining the Wizards from the Phoenix Suns, Ariza has played 16 times, averaging 14.7 points, 6.3 rebounds and 4.5 assists per game.