The NBA trade market heated up on Wednesday when the Phoenix Suns traded guard Eric Bledsoe to the Milwaukee Bucks in exchange for center Greg Monroe, a 2018 protected first round pick and a 2018 protected second round pick. Bledsoe wanted out for a while and the Suns finally found a deal that worked for them. With the first month of the NBA season in the books, it wouldn’t be a surprise if the movement continues to heat up with a couple of players in particular whose names have been involved in trade rumors. Here is a look at the top five NBA players that could be traded soon.
C: Jahlil Okafor, Philadelphia 76ers
The 76ers have openly explored trade options centered on Okafor over the past few months. It wouldn’t be a surprise if a deal materialized soon. Okafor is still on his rookie deal but management has already announced they won’t pick up his fourth-year option. At just 21-years-old, Okafor still has substantial upside. It will be interesting to see if Philadelphia is able to get a deal done for the former first round pick in the near future.
C: Hassan Whiteside, Miami Heat
ESPN’s Jackie McMullan reported that Miami attempted to move Whiteside “everywhere” in the past but wasn’t able to get a deal done. That could change if a team decided it needs help at the center position and calls the Heat about a trade. Whiteside has averaged 16.5 points, 12.0 rebounds and 1.7 blocks per game this season so he is still clearly a capable contributor. It will be interesting to see if a team is willing to take a chance on him and get a deal done with Miami.
PG: Dennis Schroder, Atlanta Hawks
Schroder’s situation is interesting because the Hawks might ultimately decide to keep him for their long-term rebuild. However, there is no doubt that teams would be interested in acquiring the 24-year-old point guard if they can find the right trade fit. Schroder has been linked to the Chicago Bulls and the Indiana Pacers in recent weeks. As one of the most intriguing guards currently on the market it won’t be a surprise if a team makes a substantial offer in order to acquire his services.
C: Tyson Chandler, Phoenix Suns
Chandler’s upside isn’t what it once was. However, he could still contribute at a high level in spurts including when it matters the most come playoff time. Chandler has been a popular name in trade rumors over the past couple of weeks and it will be interesting to see if Phoenix could swing another deal after moving Bledsoe this week. Chandler has averaged 7.5 points and 9.2 rebounds per game this season. He could still be a valuable addition to a team in need of help at the center position.
C: Meyers Leonard, Portland Trail Blazers
Leonard has appeared in just two games for Portland this season. He’s averaged 5.5 points and 3.0 rebounds in 8.5 minutes per game. Leonard injured his ankle playing one-on-one before a recent practice so it could take a little longer before the Trail Blazers are able to move him. However, Leonard is clearly expendable to Portland and would be that much more valuable to a team in need of depth at the center position. It won’t be a surprise if Leonard is traded by the Trail Blazers before the end of the 2017 calendar year.
PF: Greg Monroe, Phoenix Suns
The Suns recently acquired Monroe from the Milwaukee Bucks as part of the Eric Bledsoe trade. ESPN has reported that the Suns really have no plans in keeping Monroe. The question is whether or not they’ll buy him out or whether they’ll trade him.
Monroe is an expiring contract, so that makes him a valuable asset in more ways than one. He’s only 27 years old and could help someone in the frontcourt. He never fit in with the Bucks but during his time with the Pistons, he did average 15.4 points per game and 9.3 rebounds. There’s bound to be a team that finds that useful.
The 2017-18 NBA is well underway. It’s been a wild offseason already, but keep an eye on the betting lines as they move around at Diamond Sportsbook! Get the latest NBA betting lines right here.
