As wild with rumors as NBA free agency was, the approaching trade deadline has been just as rampant and maybe even more. When the day actually gets here on Feb. 18, it looks to be a great possibility that there will be plenty of activity. With more teams than usual still in the race for a potential playoff spot, at this point in the season there are many more buyers than sellers. This has led to some extreme rumors surrounding star players. These are the biggest ones.
15. David Lee Wants Out Of Boston
Getty ImagesThe worst kept secret in the NBA right now is that David Lee won't be a Boston Celtic by the time the trade deadline comes. He will either be traded or have his contract bought out, as due to his being bumped out of the rotation, Lee wants to find a home elsewhere. Lee has remained a professional throughout, as the former All-Star and his representatives are searching for an amicable solution.
14. Brooklyn Nets Are Finally Getting Rid of Joe Johnson
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According to multiple reports, Joe Johnson will not force his way out of Brooklyn by asking for a trade, unfortunately for the Nets. There has been talk, however, that the Nets will attempt to trade Johnson anyway, and if that fails they will opt for the more likely scenario of buying out his contract.
13. Phoenix Suns' Markieff Morris To Toronto Raptors
Getty ImagesBefore the 2015-16 season, Markieff Morris' name would have been a hot commodity if brought up during trade discussions. After his off the court behavior and mediocre play since his return, Morris' value has sunk, and the Suns should be desperate to unload him before he dips any further. It's clear that the Pistons would be a good match — his brother Marcus is there — but the more interesting deal is the report of Morris to the Toronto Raptors. If he can regain his 2014-15 form, he will make the Raptors' offense even more formidable.
12. Denver Nuggets' Danilo Gallinari To Boston Celtics
Getty ImagesThe Denver Nuggets reportedly rejected the Boston Celtics' initial offer for Danilo Gallinari, but Boston is very interested and has plenty of assets to obtain him. The Celtics are seemingly always the center of trade rumors, and they will likely be in the running for another star if they miss on Gallinari.
11. Detroit Pistons' Brandon Jennings For Brooklyn Nets' Thaddeus Young
Getty ImagesChris Sheridan reported a swap between Brandon Jennings and Thaddeus Young which was quickly rebuffed by Detroit Pistons head coach Stan Van Gundy in his classic fashion. SVG's defensive behavior aside, Jennings will be on the move come deadline time, whether it's for Young or not.
10. Sacramento Kings' Rudy Gay To New Orleans Pelicans
Getty ImagesAccording to Fox Sports, the lowly New Orleans Pelicans have discussed bringing in Rudy Gay with the Sacramento Kings' likely targets being Eric Gordon or Ryan Anderson. Both Pelicans players are free agents, and Gay's contract doesn't make sense with a Kings team that should be rebuilding.
9. Sacramento Kings' Rudy Gay To Los Angeles Clippers
Getty ImagesThe Los Angeles Clippers have lacked a wing scorer during the Doc Rivers era. It's not likely that they have the assets to obtain a player of Rudy Gay's caliber, but the thought of it on a Hoops Habit report was very interesting.
8. Milwaukee Bucks Fielding Offers For Greg Monroe, Michael Carter-Williams
Getty ImagesThe Milwaukee Bucks have gotten a pass for the incredible disappointment that this season has been. They have gone from a team on the rise to one without a point guard or direction, as they have placed Michael Carter-Williams and their prized free agent signing Greg Monroe on the trading block.
7. Atlanta Hawks' Jeff Teague To New York Knicks
Getty ImagesThe New York Knicks are still searching for their point guard, and the latest candidate is Jeff Teague. Because the Atlanta Hawks have a capable backup in Dennis Schroder, they are reportedly willing to deal their All-Star point guard.
6. Chicago Bulls Have Made Pau Gasol Available
Getty ImagesThe idea that the Chicago Bulls are willing to trade Pau Gasol — who is coming off an All-Star season in 2014-15 and is now arguably playing even better — is crazy, but according to multiple reports it's true. According to the Chicago Suns Times, two rival executives aren't convinced that the Bulls are done gauging the market for Gasol.
5. Miami Heat's Hassan Whiteside To Los Angeles Lakers
Getty ImagesThis rumor would be No. 1 if it wasn't so laughable. When the tweets started about a potential trade between the Miami Heat and the Los Angeles Lakers involving Hassan Whiteside and a package centering on Julius Randle and Jordan Clarkson, it got even more ridiculous.
4. Houston Rockets' Dwight Howard To Boston Celtics
Getty ImagesYou could make a top-15 list with solely Boston Celtics trade rumors, and Dwight Howard is just the latest in a long line of superstars to be linked with the historic franchise. Howard's impending free agency will temper his value, but if Boston is willing to take the chance in the hopes of signing him to an extension, he could be the missing piece to the championship puzzle.
3. Atlanta Hawks' Al Horford For Los Angeles Clippers' Blake Griffin
Getty ImagesThe swap of All-Star big men Al Horford and Blake Griffin was reported by CBS Sports. It's been said before that if Doc Rivers were going to trade one of the big three it would be Griffin, but the possibility of him being moved for another high-profile guy like Horford is slim.
2. Los Angeles Clippers' Blake Griffin To Denver Nuggets
Getty ImagesBlake Griffin to the Denver Nuggets is the craziest rumor of them all. The Nuggets will move pieces around at the deadline, but to get Griffin they'd have to trade picks, which would be absurd for a rebuilding team and not necessary for the Clippers.
1. Everything Kevin Love
Getty ImagesNo matter how well Kevin Love plays his name comes up with trade rumors. It seems like the Boston Celtics rumors won't die until he actually ends up playing for them, but the Cleveland Cavaliers continue to deny he is available.
