As the Feb. 6 NBA trade deadline draws near, plenty of teams are expected to make a splash. With Brandon Ingram, Jimmy Butler, Cameron Johnson, Zion Williamson and even LeBron James included in rumors and mock trades, it’s hard to imagine a move that would be shocking.
For much of the season, centers have dominated the news cycles. Brook Lopez, Walker Kessler, Jonas Valančiūnas and Myles Turner are all seen as premier trade targets, and with the Phoenix Suns, Los Angeles Lakers, Los Angeles Clippers, New York Knicks and others all showing some degree of interest in fortifying their frontcourt, it’s only a matter of time before another domino falls.
The Indiana Pacers got trade season kicked off, making a move to add Thomas Bryant from the Miami Heat, but that trade will quickly be overshadowed. Kelly Olynyk, Nic Claxton and Valančiūnas are all expected to be on new teams, although the Atlanta Hawks might get their hands dirty.
“There’s a rather robust trade market coalescing for centers this winter. With many names and situations to monitor,”NBA insider Jake Fischer wrote on “The Stein Line” on Thursday.
In the same report, Fischer said that the Hawks have the utmost faith in 24-year-old Onyeka Okongwu and are eager to deal away the last year of Clint Capela’s contract.
Capela is averaging 10 points, 9.4 rebounds and a block this season and would be an excellent backup center for a contender like the Lakers. For about a month, Valančiūnas and Olynyk were seen as the only affordable, quality options for the Lakers, although if Capela is indeed on the market, expect contenders to be ready to make a move before the limited options get snapped up.
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