NBA Trade Rumors Roundup, January 24th: Bradley Beal future decided, Kemba Walker trade ruled out 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, while every team except the Phoenix Suns and Memphis Grizzlies still have 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 NBA trade deadline just over two weeks away, here are the biggest trade rumors you need to know for January 24th.

Kemba Walker set for Charlotte Hornets stay

Kemba Walker has spent his entire career with the Charlotte Hornets, although the point guard's future with the franchise is in doubt, as Walker will become a free agent this summer. Due to this, rumors have emerged that the Hornets may be willing to trade away Walker this month, however, The Athletic is reporting that Charlotte owner Michael Jordan, is desperate to keep Walker:

Similarly, the Charlotte Hornets are competing for a playoff berth, have Kemba Walker as the face of their franchise and are posited to have Walker representing the organization when the city hosts All-Star Weekend. Even last summer, several teams approached the Hornets on Walker, but were informed that he is off the table. Hornets owner Michael Jordan has a desire to re-sign Walker and keep the two-time All-Star in Charlotte

Walker has played 47 times for the Hornets so far this season and is averaging career highs in points (25.0) and rebounds (4.2).

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Beal set to stay in Washington, but the Wizards could trade away Porter Jr.

The Washington Wizards have been poor so far this season, although thanks to the current state of the Eastern Conference, the team still has an outside chance of making the postseason. Nevertheless, a number of Wizard players have been linked with a trade away, and The Athletic yesterday provided an update on Washington's plans:

Wizards star guard Bradley Beal is not going anywhere, which Washington has made adamantly clear, league sources told The Athletic. Depending on how the next week to two weeks shape up, the Wizards could look more aggressively toward moving Otto Porter. The Utah Jazz have been an interested suitor for Porter, league sources said. Beal has helped lead the Wizards to seven wins in their past 10 games

Bradley Beal has been with the Wizards since 2012 and is currently averaging 24.7 points, 5.0 rebounds and 5.0 assists per game. Meanwhile, Otto Porter has been with the team since 2013, and is averaging 13.0 points and 5.7 rebounds per contest.

Rodney Hood is attracting interest from around the NBA

Golden State Warriors v Cleveland Cavaliers

After making a disastrous start to the 18/19 NBA season, the Cleveland Cavaliers have quickly turned their attention to a rebuild. Kyle Korver has already been traded away, while J.R. Smith is also in the process of finalizing a buyout. Nevertheless, Shams Charania of The Athletic is reporting that there could be even more departures from the Cavs, as Rodney Hood is attracting interest:

Shooting guard Rodney Hood is garnering interest from several teams, and has a no-trade clause on the one-year, $3.4 million qualifying offer he signed with the Cavaliers before the season. Teams such as New Orleans, Oklahoma City and Milwaukee have looked into wing help. For a Cavaliers team with heavy salaries throughout the roster, Hood has emerged as a targeted piece.

Hood has played 40 times for the Cavaliers this season, averaging 12.7 points, 2.4 rebounds and 2.0 assists per game.