NBA Trade Rumours Roundup, January 31st: Knicks could sign Durant and Davis, Kyrie to Lakers and more

We are now approaching the final few months of the 18/19 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 are traded have time to settle into their new teams, so this year's trade window will close on February 7th.

So with the trade deadline just two weeks away, here are the biggest trade rumors you need to know for January 31st.

#1 Kyrie Irving to the Lakers

Kyrie Irving left LeBron James and the Cleveland Cavaliers back in 2017 due to his desire to run his own team, rather than playing in the shadow of James. Nevertheless, Bleacher Report is citing unnamed sources who claim that Irving is interested in reuniting with James this summer:

A source close to the Celtics confirmed that Kyrie Irving is genuinely interested in reuniting with his former Cavaliers teammate. 'That is for real' the souce said.

Irving has excelled for the Celtics during his 18-month stint with the team, and so far this season, the 26-year-old is averaging 23.7 points, 6.9 assists and 4.8 rebounds per game. Nevertheless, Irving will become an unrestricted free agent during the summer, and the former Cavs man has been strongly linked with a move away from the Celtics, who are hoping to sign the point guard to a new 5-year deal.

#2 Sixers interested in Dewayne Dedmon

The Philadelphia 76ers have lacked depth ever since trading away Jerryd Bayless, Robert Covington and Dario Šarić as part of the deal to acquire Jimmy Butler back in November. Due to this, Sixers are believed to be one of the most active teams ahead of the trade deadline, and ESPN is reporting that the Sixers are interested in bringing in Dewayne Dedmon from the Hawks:

As per the report, the 76ers believe that Dedmon would offer them athleticism, scoring prowess, and most importantly, defense. However, in order to get the Hawks' player, Philly might have to include Markelle Fultz in the trade package, something that they haven't been too keen on doing so far.

Dedmon has this season averaged 10.3 points and 7.4 rebounds per game and the 29-year-old will become an unrestricted free agent during the summer.

#3 Knicks are among the favorites to sign both Davis and Durant

New Orleans Pelicans v Golden State Warriors

The New York Knicks have once again endured a difficult season, although there is a growing belief around the NBA that the franchise could welcome major players during the 2019 offseason. In light of this, Ric Bucher is reporting that the Knicks are among the favorites to acquire both Kevin Durant and Anthony Davis:

The Knicks, on the other hand, haven't been a preferred destination for years, but there are indications of that potentially changing. League sources believe they have "a strong chance" of luring Durant should he leave the Golden State Warriors this summer and that Davis is "open" to New York as a landing place as well.

Both Davis and Durant are established All-Stars who are considered to be among the best players in the league. Davis is contracted to the Pelicans until 2020, although the 25-year-old earlier this week requested to be traded. Meanwhile, Durant will become a free agent this summer, and it is believed that the 30-year-old wants to lead his own team.

Edited by Raunak J