Just because the 2022 NBA trade deadline is now behind us does not mean that trade rumors are going to be slowing down any time soon. While no more transactions can be made until the offseason, there will still be a ton of rumors swirling around about players that could potentially be on the move.
All-Star Weekend always provides a chance for new rumors to pop up and they certainly did.
A lot of them were centered around LeBron James, who left the door open about returning to the Cleveland Cavaliers, let it be known he will be finishing his career wherever his son, Bronny James, is playing and praised Oklahoma City Thunder general manager Sam Presti.
That will certainly set off a new round of rumors centered around Russell Westbrook, who was not traded ahead of the deadline. However, if Klutch Sports had their way, Westbrook would have been traded to the Houston Rockets in a deal for John Wall.
LATEST NBA NEWS & TRADE RUMORS: 3 NBA Coaches Close To Being On The “Hot Seat”
According to Sports Illustrated’s Howard Beck, the next NBA superstars that teams are monitoring as potential candidates to request a trade are Damian Lillard, Donovan Mitchell, and Zion Williamson.
“The teams that have a star are feverishly doing everything to keep them happy. The rest are plotting to poach them. Around the league, team executives are already bracing (and/or plotting) for the next disenchanted star to ask out, with speculation focused on Zion Williamson in New Orleans, Damian Lillard in Portland and Donovan Mitchell in Utah.”
Westbrook is far from the only big name that could be on the move this offseason. Several teams could be preparing for big moves in the coming months as multiple All-Stars could look for new teams to play for.
LATEST NBA NEWS & TRADE RUMORS: 3 NBA Coaches Close To Being On The “Hot Seat”
The one team that most people have their eyes on is the Portland Trail Blazers. They cleared a ton of cap space ahead of the NBA trade deadline by moving Norman Powell, Robert Covington, Larry Nance Jr. and CJ McCollum. They reportedly want to rebuild around Damian Lillard, but that is certainly easier said than done.
Is this the route Lillard wanted to take? The team has cap space but you need to find players willing to sign, attracting free agents to Portland has never been an easy thing. With a relatively barren roster, he could ask for a trade, which would likely mean the team-building around Anfernee Simons.
LATEST NBA NEWS & TRADE RUMORS: 3 NBA Coaches Close To Being On The “Hot Seat”
McCollum and Nance’s new team, the New Orleans Pelicans, are another team to keep an eye on. It would be hard to imagine Zion Williamson has much leverage as he has not played this season, but there have already been plenty of rumors about him wanting out of town. At least David Griffin is doing what he can to build up the roster to make Williamson happy.
McCollum, Brandon Ingram, Jonas Valanciunas and Devonte’ Graham make for a solid group to start alongside Williamson. That is a group that could do some damage, as youngsters Herb Jones and Jaxson Hayes are coming into their own and people like Trey Murphy III as well.
LATEST NBA NEWS & TRADE RUMORS: 3 NBA Coaches Close To Being On The “Hot Seat”
It would be surprising if Williamson demanded a trade, but you never know with the NBA. Another Western Conference team that could be on notice this offseason is the Utah Jazz.
Utah has experienced plenty of success in the regular season but has not found much in the postseason. Could this be the last season Donovan Mitchell is patrolling their backcourt? If the team doesn’t make a run in the postseason, it could very well be.
There were reports already this season of Mitchell being open to a deal to the Miami Heat or New York Knicks. Those trade rumors will get louder if Utah has another early exit from the NBA postseason in 2022.
