NBA Rumors 2017: Jahlil Okafor, Derrick Rose Among Players Most Likely To Be Traded, All-Stars Could Stay Put At Deadline

There’s been plenty of talk regarding the likes of Jimmy Butler, Blake Griffin, Carmelo Anthony and other All-Stars before Thursday’s NBA trade deadline. The odds might be against one of the league’s top players being dealt, but a few appear to be headed to new teams.

Jahlil Okafor has been on the trade block for weeks, and the Philadelphia 76ers seem committed to making a deal. The team already has two other big men in Joel Embiid and Nerlens Noel, and Okafor hasn’t lived up to expectations since being drafted third overall in 2015.

Okafor was nearly dealt to the New Orleans Pelicans before the team acquired DeMarcus Cousins, and now it looks like he might stay in the Eastern Conference. The 76ers and Chicago Bulls have discussed a trade for Okafor, while the Los Angeles Lakers and Sacramento Kings have also reportedly held talks with Philadelphia.

The New York Knicks are in a similar situation as Chicago before the trade deadline. Instead of trading their All-Star forward, the Knicks might deal a veteran in exchange for a younger player. New York is willing to deal Anthony, but they haven’t been able to find a suitable deal. Chicago has reportedly told other teams that they won’t trade Butler, though they could change their minds if they’re blown away by an offer.

The latest rumor involves the Minnesota Timberwolves. The two teams have reportedly discussed swapping point guards, with Derrick Rose going to Minnesota and Ricky Rubio going to the Big Apple. Other players could be involved, but ESPN New York’s Ian Begley seems to think a deal will be made.

Even if the Knicks can’t acquire Rubio, they might still be willing to trade Rose. The Vertical’s Adrian Wojnarowski has reported that some NBA teams have gotten the sense that New York would be willing to “give Derrick Rose away.” Rose will be a free agent in the offseason, and it doesn’t look like the Knicks will make him a sufficient contract offer this summer.

As far as All-Star players being dealt goes, that might come down to the Boston Celtics. Boston has been linked to the likes of Butler, Anthony and Griffin, and they have the pieces to make a deal. The Celtics currently have the best chance of any team to land the No. 1 overall pick in June’s draft, and they own the Brooklyn Nets’ 2018 first-rounder, which should also be near the top of the draft.

Boston trails the Cleveland Cavaliers by three games for first place in the East.