NBA Trade Deadline: Expert Predictions and Last Minute Trade Rumors Before Feb. 10 Deadline
The NBA's annual trade deadline grows closer by the hour, and as such, the deals are beginning to trickle in.
Some of the key trades ahead of February 10 include Los Angeles Clippers swiping Robert Covington and Norman Powell from the Portland Trail Blazers on Friday. The Cleveland Cavaliers responded on Sunday by acquiring Caris LeVert.
Those deals are just the appetizers, as there is always a surprise or two before the buzzer sounds. Here are the latest rumors and predictions, along with some confirmed announcements until the 3 p.m. ET Thursday trade deadline.
Is Jerami Grant in Portland a Prospect?
One of the busiest teams ahead of the trade deadline has been the Portland Trail Blazers. According to recent NBA rumors, the Blazers are one of the teams keeping an eye on Detroit Pistons forward Jerami Grant.
For the longest time, Portland has been looking for a long, rangy forward who can both defend and score to compliment Damian Lillard and CJ McCollum.
McCollum, Norman Powell, Larry Nance Jr., and Robert Covington are no longer with the team. The goal was to remain under the luxury-tax threshold ($136.6 million) while reconstructing a roster that had likely reached its peak.
A rumor suggests that the Blazers will try to re-sign Lillard to a two-year extension and that Grant is an ideal long-term forward. A Bleach report predicts that the Pistons will hold on to Grant in the hopes of securing a better deal before the draft.
Russell Westbrook Likely to Stay in Los Angeles Lakers
Although Russell Westbrook is out tonight with lower back tightness, according to ESPN's Dave, a source said the Los Angeles Lakers are unlikely to trade the point guard at the deadline.
However, the Lakers might consider a deal with the Houston Rockets if LeBron James decides that fellow Klutch Sports client John Wall would be a better fit, and is willing to push hard for Westbrook's exit.
The Lakers are going through a disappointing season. Injuries had hampered the team, and the addition of Westbrook to James and Anthony Davis flopped.
The team, who chose not to re-sign defensive stalwart Alex Caruso, lacks the ideal mix of shooters who can also defend or defenders who can also shoot.
The biggest roadblock is Westbrook's $44.2 million compensation this season and $47.1 million player option for next. But Wall represents the one obvious escape route for the Lakers, with an almost identical contract of $44.3 million and a $47.4 million player option.
According to predictions, the Lakers ride out the storm with Westbrook, and they come together to earn a playoff spot via the play-in tournament or have a very long offseason. With an expiring contract, Westbrook may be simpler to trade, but the Lakers may still believe Wall to be the only viable option this summer.
Confirmed NBA Trades
In its official Twitter account, Miami Heat confirmed that they had acquired a 2026 second-round pick from the Oklahoma City Thunder in exchange for KZ Okpala.
In a press release, the Heat said the team and the Thunder have agreed to change the protections of the first-round pick already owing to Oklahoma City via the Clippers, which was initially from Miami to a 2025 first-round protected pick, with a 2026 unprotected pick if not conveyed.
According to Adrian Wojnarowski, NBA Insider for ESPN, the Jazz, Spurs, and Blazers have agreed to a three-way deal.
Utah gets Nickeil Alexander-Walker from Blazers and Juancho Hernangomez from Spurs, while San Antonio gets Blazers' Tomas Satoransky and a second-round pick from Utah.
Portland gets players Joe Ingles and Elijah Hughes from Jazz and a second-round pick, also from Jazz.
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This article is owned by Latin Post.
Written by: Jess Smith
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