NBA Trade Rumors: 5 Best Players Who Could Be Traded Before 2015 NBA Trade Deadline
With NBA All-Star Weekend complete, the next big event on the basketball schedule is the NBA trade deadline.
This entire season has been filled with NBA trade rumors, some of which have fallen through. With the trade deadline just one day away, teams have to make a move quickly.
Here are the five best players who could likely be traded this season:
1. Reggie Jackson
Reggie Jackson has been involved in trade rumors ever since Kevin Durant and Russell Westbrook came back. Jackson is a skilled young player who can certainly help any team in the league. Jackson has just one year remaining on his contract before a qualifying offer. He played very well earlier in the season when the Oklahoma City Thunder were without their two super star players.
Jackson won't turn around a franchise, but this 24-year-old point guard has great speed, dribbling skills, and he is a good distributor of the basketball. Despite starting just 13 games and playing 28 minutes per game this season, Jackson is still averaging 12.8 points per game and 5.5 assists per 36 minutes.
2. Goran Dragic
Just like Jackson, Goran Dragic's name has been all over trade rumors this year. It makes sense because Dragic recently told the Phoenix Suns that he would not exercise his player option for next year. If Dragic were to re-sign with the Suns, it would cost the team $7.5 million in salary cap space. Most likely the Suns will deal Dragic so they can get value while they still can.
The Suns currently hold the No. 8 seed in the Western Conference, but realistically speaking, it's extremely unlikely they will be able to knock off the San Antonio Spurs, Memphis Grizzlies, Golden State Warriors or Houston Rockets come playoff time. Dragic is shooting over 50 percent from the field this season.
3. David West
Even without Paul George, the Indiana Pacers still have a good defensive squad. Power forward David West leads the Pacers in rebounds per game this season and he can help a team with defensive issues. According to multiple reports, the Toronto Raptors are interested in acquiring David West.
Just like Dragic, West has a player option in his contract next year. If he decides to re-sign, West will make $12.6 million. The Pacers know West is a valuable defensive player who brings a lot of power and strength in the paint, but a $12.6 million cap hit may a bit too much for this 34-year-old forward.
4. Brook Lopez
Brook Lopez has played his entire for the Brooklyn/New Jersey Nets since being drafted by the franchise in 2008. However, that could soon be coming to an end. The Nets have been shopping the seven-foot center over the last two months. The Thunder have shown been interesting in adding Lopez this season.
The issue here for some teams is money. Lopez has one year remaining on his contract, in which he will make $16.7 million. After that, Lopez is an unrestricted free agent. Despite the big cap hit next season, it's only one year. Multiple teams can add Lopez and simply let him walk after just one year similar to the way the Los Angeles Lakers traded for Jeremy Lin last year. Lopez is one of the best free throw shooting centers in the game today.
5. Arron Afflalo
Keeping the theme going, Arron Afflalo is nearing the end of his contract, as well. Afflalo can exercise his player option and re-sign with the team next season for $7.3 million. Owners and general managers are releasing and trading players at the end of their contracts more than ever.
Afflalo is still just 29 years old and the Denver Nuggets have almost no chance at making the playoffs this season. Afflalo has shot very well in the past, but he is struggling from the perimeter this season at just 33.7 percent. Maybe a change of scenery is a good thing. The Thunder, Chicago Bulls, Sacramento Kings and Los Angeles Clippers have all shown interest in Afflalo.
The NBA Trade deadline is scheduled for Thursday, Feb. 19, at 3 p.m. EST.
Follow Damon Salvadore on Twitter
FOR MORE SPORTS NEWS AND UPDATES, CLICK ON THIS LINK TO VISIT LATIN POST.COM'S SPORTS PAGE