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The opportunity for NBA teams to make trades will soon come to a close as the season heads into the 2019 All-Star Game in North Carolina. The trade deadline is set for 3 pm (Eastern Time) on Thursday, and teams around the league are currently gearing up to make some moves before the deadline comes into effect.
Anthony Davis continues to be linked with a trade to the struggling Los Angeles Lakers. NBA fans can also expect plenty of fallout from the blockbuster Knicks-Mavericks trade that resulted in Kristaps Porzingis, Tim Hardaway Jr., Courtney Lee, and Trey Burke exiting New York in exchange for Dennis Smith Jr., DeAndre Jordan, Wesley Matthews, and two future first-round draft picks.
So as we head into the final few days of the trade window, here are the biggest trade rumours circling the league for February 4th.
Knicks leading the pack to sign Kevin Durant
Kevin Durant will become an unrestricted free agent in the summer, and the Warriors star is reportedly keen to lead his own team. The Knicks are among the franchises that want to sign the 2014 MVP, and Dan Woike of the LA Times is citing league sources that claim the Knicks are the favorites to sign Durant:
The Knicks now have enough cap space to sign two players to maximum contracts. The Knicks have been considered by a lot of executives the favorite to sign Kevin Durant, and the trade might signal their confidence that he’s on his way. If Durant lands in New York, a second star could follow, with Kyrie Irving a favorite. Of course, if Boston were to somehow land Anthony Davis, Irving could re-up with the Celtics.
Since leaving the Oklahoma City Thunder for the Warriors in 2016, Durant has won back to back Championships, picking up two Finals MVP's along the way.
Also read: Celtics vs Cavaliers - Starting Lineup and Match Prediction
Also read: Bucks Trade Rumors Roundup, February 4th
Also read: NBA Games Today, Latest Results and Where to Watch, February 5th
DeAndre Jordan is interested in joining the Lakers
DeAndre Jordan was last week traded by the Dallas Mavericks to the New York Knicks as part of the deal that took Kristaps Porzingis to New York. Nevertheless, Dan Woike of the LA Times is reporting that Jordan is unlikely to stay with the Knicks and wants to return to Los Angeles:
A more immediate impact could come after the trade deadline, when the center-heavy Knicks could buy out Jordan’s contract, making him a free agent. Jordan would like to return to Los Angeles, and he’s still close with coach Doc Rivers. Some NBA scouts believe a pairing with the Lakers, perhaps next summer, makes sense for Jordan, too.
Jordan was named an NBA All-Star in 2017, and the 30-year-old is currently averaging 11.0 points, 13.7 rebounds and 1.1 blocks per game. The veteran center is also set to become an unrestricted free agent in the summer.
Sixers looking to add Nikola Mirotic
The Philadelphia 76ers have a need to add depth ahead of the trade deadline, and Sean Deveney of Sporting News is reporting that the team has turned their attention towards the New Orleans Pelicans Nikola Mirotic:
According to a league source, one team that has expressed interest in Mirotic is the Sixers, who have been eager to land a stretch-4 after having traded away Dario Saric in the Jimmy Butler package. New Orleans is seeking a first-round pick, and the Sixers have all their own first-rounders and a Miami first-rounder in 2021, plus an enormous stash of second-rounders: three (including Chicago’s) this year, three (including New York's or Brooklyn's) next year and four in 2021.
During the 18/19 season, Mirotic has averaged 16.7 points, 8.2 rebounds in 28.9 minutes per game. The 27-year-old will become an unrestricted free agent during the 2019 offseason, so the Pelicans may be open to trading him in the coming days.
