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NBA Trade Rumors: Houston may not be done dealing

Profile Picture: Dan Halverson

Dan Halverson

January 26th, 2021

The NBA trade deadline has been extended this season to March 25, and for true fans of the league that's like extending Christmas Day.

Let’s take a look at some of this week’s most intriguing trade rumors from around the Association as teams look to wheel and deal.

Has Julius Randle played his way out of New York?

The Knicks had one of their best starts in years thanks in part to Julius Randle. The versatile big man is leading the team with 22.7 points, 11.3 rebounds, and 6.1 assists per game. He is a strong force in the paint, and can't be bullied on the low block. The Knicks, on the other hand, have been pushed around plenty lately. They've slipped to 8-10, and are now the eighth-seed in the East.

One team that needs help at the position is the Denver Nuggets. The Nuggets advanced to the Western Conference Finals last season, but succumbed to the Los Angeles Lakers and then lost Jerami Grant in the offseason.

Nikola Jokic is playing at an MVP-level at the moment, but adding a player of Randle's caliber would make Denver virtually impossible to stop in the low post and could lead to the team's first NBA Finals appearance in franchise history. 

Houston may not be done dealing

The Rockets made the biggest move of the season in getting rid of James Harden, and they may not be done yet. Victor Oladipo reportedly wants to end up in Miami at some point, and several teams are lining up to pluck P.J. Tucker. The rugged forward is the kind of low maintenance, high-upside player who can defend multiple positions and slide seamlessly into nearly any team. Get used to hearing his name in trade rumors for the next two months.

Will Boston make a "Smart" move?

It may seem a little far-fetched that the Celtics would part with one of the more recognizable players on their team. However, Marcus Smart is an appealing trade chip because he’s an affordable option that can instantly improve any squad he ends up on.

The main reason the Celtics may be willing to entertain the idea is that Smart isn’t named Jayson Tatum or Jaylen Brown. With the lack of star power in their front court, Boston badly needs a versatil big man to compete with the Bucks and Nets, and Smart is their best ticket to landing one.

 Could JaVale McGee put Brooklyn over the top?

JaVale McGee has been one of the most entertaining players over the last decade and has spent time on a number of rosters, winning championships with the Warriors and Nets. He currently finds himself on a lackluster Cleveland Cavaliers team, but could be on a top contender again soon.

The Nets are looking at potentially adding the athletic big man to compliment their "Big Three" of Kevin Durant, James Harden, and Kyrie Irving. While McGee is perhaps best known for his infamous Shaqtin' A Fool moments, he's an above-average role player who protects the rim, switches well on defense, and plays with high energy. Those are qualities Brooklyn could seriously use. 

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