NBA Trade Rumors: Magic, Hawks Are Sellers, Nuggets Looking For Deadline Deals

Dennis Schroder Elfrid Payton — Dennis Schroder #17 of the Atlanta Hawks drives against Elfrid Payton #2 of the Orlando Magic at Philips Arena on Dec. 9, 2017 in Atlanta. Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images

It isn’t likely than any superstars will be dealt before the 2018 NBA trade deadline, but that doesn’t mean there won’t be any significant moves. A few teams that are out of the playoff race are looking to deal away some of their top players.

The Atlanta Hawks and Orlando Magic have the two worst records in the Eastern Conference, and they are expected to be sellers. The Denver Nuggets would actually make the postseason if it began before Thursday’s deadline, but they could be in the market to trade some important pieces, as well.

Sources have told Yahoo Sports’ Chris Mannix that Atlanta is willing to trade anyone on their roster. Teams have shown interest in veterans Marco Belinelli and Ersan Ilyasova, as well as second-year player Taurean Prince. Atlanta could deal Dennis Schroder, who leads the Hawks with 19.4 points and 6.4 assists per game, but the three years and $46.5 million left on the point guard’s contract might make him difficult to trade.

There also continues to be considerable trade interest in Hawks forward Ersan Ilyasova, but Ilyasova can veto any trade as a One-Year Bird and to this point has shown little interest in relocating
— Marc Stein (@TheSteinLine) February 7, 2018

Who knows what’s the deal now but #Knicks GM Scott Perry has shown interest in trading for Magic point guard Elfrid Payton whom he drafted https://t.co/Ghh1YYTBhB
— Marc Berman (@NYPost_Berman) February 7, 2018

According to Mannix, Orlando likely won’t trade Aaron Gordon or Jonathan Isaac, but two other recent first-round picks are on the table. The Magic are reportedly shopping Elfrid Payton and Mario Hezonja, who were both lottery selections. Payton is averaging 13 points and 6.3 assists per game, while Hezonja’s 7.9 points per game are a career-high.

Denver is in a much different situation than Orlando and Atlanta, having won 12 more games this season. They are only four games in the loss column behind the No.3 seed San Antonio Spurs, though the team is reportedly looking to trade away a couple of players.

Emmanuel Mudiay and Wilson Chandler can both be had at the right price, according to Mannix, because the team could have some salary cap problems next season. Mudiay is in just his third NBA season, while Chandler is 30 years old with a $12.8 million player option for next year.

The Nuggets aren’t looking to trade their most productive players like Gary Harris, Jamal Murray, Nikola Jokic and Paul Millsap, all of whom score more than 15 points per game. Denver is interested in acquiring Marcus Smart from the Boston Celtics, though they appear unwilling to trade the first-round pick that Boston wants.

NBA NBA Basketball NBA