Latest NBA Trade Rumors Involve 3 Big-Name Players

With the NBA set to start the second half of its season and the 2021 trade deadline just two weeks away, a few big names find themselves at the center of rumors. Nikola Vucevic and Victor Oladipo are drawing interest from playoff contenders.

Vucevic is being sought after by several teams in the postseason race. According to The Ringer’s Kevin O’Connor, the Miami Heat, San Antonio Spurs, Boston Celtics and Charlotte Hornets have all shown “significant interest” in adding the Orlando Magic star.

With the second-to-worst record in the Eastern Conference, Orlando is a candidate to be a seller before the trade deadline. It might take a lofty price for the Magic to give up Vucevic, O’Connor reports, considering how well the center has played.

Under contract for two more seasons after this one, Vucevic is averaging a career-high 24.6 points per game. The 30-year-old big man is grabbing 11.6 rebounds per contest while shooting 48.3% from the field and 41.2% from 3-point range.

Unlike Vucevic, Oladipo is having a disappointing season and set to become a free agent this summer. Still, the former All-Star is reportedly being targeted by the Golden State Warriors and could serve as a key scorer for a team making a playoff run.

In 24 games, Oladipo is averaging 20.0 points, 5.2 rebounds and 4.5 assists. The 28-year-old guard is shooting a career-low 39.9% from the field.

The Houston Rockets acquired Oladipo as part of the four-team James Harden trade. Oladipo recently turned down a contract extension from Houston, who is expected to deal him before the March 25 deadline.

Stephen Curry is having an MVP-caliber season for Golden State. Curry is the Warriors’ only reliable scorer because of the torn Achilles that has kept Klay Thompson out for the entire season.

Golden State is a half-game out of the No. 8 seed in the West.

Lonzo Ball was once among the players most mentioned in trade rumors. The New Orleans Pelicans guard might be staying put, however, with trade talks involving Ball having “fizzled,” according to O’Connor.

It's still unclear if the Pelican are going to be buyers or sellers at the trade deadline. New Orleans is currently tied for 11th in the West and is just one game ahead of the 13th-place Sacramento Kings.

Ball is averaging a career-high 14.0 points to go along with 4.2 rebounds, 5.1 assists and 1.3 steals per game. The 23-year-old is in his fourth season in the league and second with the Pelicans after being drafted by the Los Angeles Lakers.