NBA Trade Deadline 2022: Date, Potential Targets, Players To Watch
The first half of the NBA season has been quiet in terms of trades, but that is expected to change. With the date for the 2022 trade deadline fast approaching, multiple All-Star-caliber players could find themselves on new teams soon enough.
The NBA trade deadline is set for 3 p.m. ET on Feb. 10, giving teams only a few more weeks to decide if they should shake up their roster. Several big names have been in trade rumors for months and are likely to be targeted as the deadline approaches.
Ben Simmons has been on the trade block since the summer. While the Philadelphia 76ers have been steadfast in not lowering their asking price, the team could be more motivated to make a trade as Feb. 10 gets closer.
Joel Embiid has kept the 76ers in the playoff picture, and Philadelphia could be a championship contender by turning Simmons into a few rotation players. If Simmons remains away from the team and doesn’t get traded, the 76ers probably won’t have much chance to reach the NBA Finals.
The Atlanta Hawks and Indiana Pacers might want to shake up their rosters. Both teams have playoff aspirations and have been out of the postseason picture for most of the season.
Hawks General Manager Travis Schlenk has admitted that Atlanta might be forced to make a trade. John Collins is the team’s most obvious trade candidate, given his reported frustrations and offensive talent. Collins is averaging his fewest field-goal attempts per game since he was a rookie. The 24-year-old is signed to a five-year contract and averaged 21.6 points and 10.1 rebounds per game just two seasons ago.
For the Pacers, it might make sense to trade Domantas Sabonis or Myles Turner. Both big men have been in trade rumors at various points in recent seasons, and The Athletic reported in early December that Indiana was receptive in trade talks on the two players. Sabonis has made consecutive All-Star teams. Turner leads the NBA with 2.9 blocks per game.
Pacers guard Caris LeVert could also reportedly be had for the right price.
The Sacramento Kings are out of the playoff picture and quickly falling completely out of contention. There is speculation that guards De’Aaron Fox and Tyrese Haliburton are potential trade candidates. Fox is one of the highest-scoring small guards in the league, while Haliburton has been one of the best players from the 2021 draft class.
A record number of players were traded on the day of last year’s deadline.
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