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15 NBA Blockbuster Trades That Could Still Happen by 2015 Deadline

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By @MichaelTerrill

15 NBA Blockbuster Trades That Could Still Happen by 2015 Deadline

NBA Blockbuster Trades
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With the 2015 NBA trade deadline a mere two days away, the rumors are beginning to heat up at a rapid pace. Whether a team is a buyer or seller, there is plenty of action to be had before Feb. 19. Even though it’s unlikely for all 15 trade predictions on this list to occur, there’s no question many of them could very likely still happy by the deadline.

15. Wilson Chandler To Portland Trail Blazers

Wilson Chandler To Portland Trail Blazers
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15. Wilson Chandler To Portland Trail Blazers

Wilson Chandler To Portland Trail Blazers
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It’s no secret the Nuggets are prepared to unload their house in an effort to rebuild as soon as possible. Despite some of their trade demands being a tad ridiculous, it’s safe to say no one on the roster is expendable. Many teams are interested in Wilson Chandler, with the Trail Blazers emerging as the favorite to land him. Portland is rumored to be interested in trading Thomas Robinson, a first-round draft pick and another player for Chandler.

14. Enes Kanter To Milwaukee Bucks

Enes Kanter To Milwaukee Bucks
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14. Enes Kanter To Milwaukee Bucks

Enes Kanter To Milwaukee Bucks
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The Bucks have a lock on the No. 6 seed in the Eastern Conference and appear eager to make some noise at the deadline. With a desperate need for an offensive asset in the frontcourt and an absence created by Larry Sanders’ potential buyout, the Bucks are right to be looking at Utah’s Enes Kanter. Despite the Jazz unlikely to deal him, Milwaukee could acquire Kanter for the right price. Dealing Ersan Ilyasova or John Henson wouldn’t be a bad move.

13. Ty Lawson To Boston Celtics

Ty Lawson To Boston Celtics
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13. Ty Lawson To Boston Celtics

Ty Lawson To Boston Celtics
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Some have stated Ty Lawson is untouchable due to him playing at such a high level. However, the Nuggets would most certainly deal him if the right price came along. Even though it’s a long shot for the Boston Celtics to land Lawson, they could certainly have him if they made an absurd offer. There have been exploratory talks between the two teams, but I can’t imagine a trade actually gets done. Still, anything can happen in the final hours.

12. Andrew Nicholson To Dallas Mavericks

Andrew Nicholson To Dallas Mavericks
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12. Andrew Nicholson To Dallas Mavericks

Andrew Nicholson To Dallas Mavericks
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Andrew Nicholson isn’t blowing up anyone’s radar, but that hasn’t prevented the Magic from letting teams know that the big man is available for trade. Even though it looks like Amar’e Stoudemire is going to sign with the Mavericks, it would still be in Dallas’ best interest if they continued to improve their frontcourt depth, especially since it’s one of their weakest areas. Nicholson is loaded with potential, which makes him more intriguing.

11. Isiah Thomas To Los Angeles Lakers

Isiah Thomas To Los Angeles Lakers
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11. Isiah Thomas To Los Angeles Lakers

Isiah Thomas To Los Angeles Lakers
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Phoenix has the No. 8 seed in the Western Conference, but they’re going to have to decide if the playoffs this season is more important than building a bright future. With a surplus of talented guards, the Suns are looking to deal one of them at the deadline. The Lakers want a point guard they can build around, and Isiah Thomas fits the bill of a player who could do just that. Don’t be surprised if a deal gets done for the 26-year-old.

10. Nik Stauskas To Milwaukee Bucks

Nik Stauskas To Milwaukee Bucks
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10. Nik Stauskas To Milwaukee Bucks

Nik Stauskas To Milwaukee Bucks
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Nik Stauskas has quickly become one of the more popular names at the deadline. The Kings don’t appreciate the low production from their first-round pick. But, he has plenty of potential, which is why other teams are keen on him. Of all the teams, the Bucks have been linked to him the most, but unfortunately, they may have to give up a frontcourt piece to get him. Ilyasova would likely get the deal done.

9. Jameer Nelson To Cleveland Cavaliers

Jameer Nelson To Cleveland Cavaliers
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9. Jameer Nelson To Cleveland Cavaliers

Jameer Nelson To Cleveland Cavaliers
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Despite the news quieting down over the past week, the Cavaliers still seem interested in trading for Jameer Nelson. The veteran point guard would be a solid backup for Kyrie Irving. That is something Cleveland is very interested in because the depth will help them go deeper in the playoffs. Also, Nelson has historically had success from 3-point range, an area the Cavaliers need to improve in.

8. Terrence Ross To Indiana Pacers

Terrence Ross To Indiana Pacers
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8. Terrence Ross To Indiana Pacers

Terrence Ross To Indiana Pacers
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It’s crazy to think the Raptors are willing to break up the roster a bit considering the large amount of success they’ve had this season. However, it appears the team is eager to trade Terrence Ross to the Pacers for David West. Indiana desperately needs help at small forward, which is the position the athletic Ross has excelled at this season. The Pacers in all likelihood will need another piece to go along with Ross for a deal to happen.

7. David West To Toronto Raptors

David West To Toronto Raptors
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7. David West To Toronto Raptors

David West To Toronto Raptors
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Toronto knows if they want to continue having success as the No. 2 seed in the Eastern Conference, they will need to bolster their frontcourt production. For that reason, acquiring West in a trade certainly makes sense, even if it means getting rid of Ross and possibly messing with the team chemistry. At this point, the Pacers would need more than just Ross in return for a trade to happen.

6. DeMarcus Cousins To Boston Celtics

DeMarcus Cousins To Boston Celtics
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6. DeMarcus Cousins To Boston Celtics

DeMarcus Cousins To Boston Celtics
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It would be somewhat of a shocker if the Kings decided to trade DeMarcus Cousins at the deadline, but stranger things have happened. Considering the recent hiring of George Karl appeared to strike a nerve with Cousins, there’s an assumption the two won’t be able to work together. If that were the case, Sacramento would be better off taking Boston’s offer to acquire the center.

5. Brook Lopez To Charlotte Hornets

Brook Lopez To Charlotte Hornets
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5. Brook Lopez To Charlotte Hornets

Brook Lopez To Charlotte Hornets
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Back in January, a trade that would have sent Brook Lopez to the Hornets was nearly pulled off, with the Nets getting Lance Stephenson and Cody Zeller in return. Even though there are no indications this deal will reappear, Brooklyn is very much interested in getting rid of Lopez, which means Charlotte could make a similar offer for the center. The Hornets don’t want Stephenson and the Nets don’t want Lopez, which means a deal is likely to occur.

4. Arron Afflalo To Los Angeles Clippers

Arron Afflalo To Los Angeles Clippers
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4. Arron Afflalo To Los Angeles Clippers

Arron Afflalo To Los Angeles Clippers
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Another Denver player on the trade block is Arron Afflalo. Talks haven’t been too serious involving the shooting guard, but that doesn’t mean the Nuggets have been ignoring offers. With many teams interested, I believe the Clippers will be the ones who emerge victorious in acquiring him. Los Angeles desperately needs depth at shooting guard and small forward. More importantly, Afflalo would be a tremendous asset as a starter or off the bench.

3. Taj Gibson To Milwaukee Bucks

Taj Gibson To Milwaukee Bucks
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3. Taj Gibson To Milwaukee Bucks

Taj Gibson To Milwaukee Bucks
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If there is one player the Bucks would love to acquire at the deadline, it is power forward Taj Gibson. It has been reported Milwaukee has a strong interest in him, but unfortunately, it will be up to Chicago if they actually want to part ways with the veteran. Gibson is said to be upset with his role with the Bulls, and the Bucks would quickly implement him as a starter. Unfortunately, they don’t have much to offer that would entice Chicago.

2. Goran Dragic To Houston Rockets

Goran Dragic To Houston Rockets
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2. Goran Dragic To Houston Rockets

Goran Dragic To Houston Rockets
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Goran Dragic is one of the hottest names as the trade deadline inches closer, which has to make life for the Suns very difficult. There’s a good chance Phoenix will retain the free agent in the offseason, but at the same time it’s hard not to accept a great offer for him. If Dragic goes, I’m convinced it will be the Rockets who acquire him. Dragic could be the necessary piece Houston needs to make a serious push in the Western Conference.

1. Brook Lopez To Oklahoma City Thunder

Brook Lopez To Oklahoma City Thunder
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1. Brook Lopez To Oklahoma City Thunder

Brook Lopez To Oklahoma City Thunder
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As already mentioned, Brooklyn is looking at all offers to see if trading Lopez is a legitimate possibility. Considering the Thunder has been after the big man for some time, it would come as no surprise if they were the ones who acquired him at the deadline. The injury history aside, Lopez is a dominant force around the basket who could give Oklahoma City the final piece they need to storm into the playoffs.

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