One big name player has already been traded, and a few more are reportedly available before the 2017 NBA trade deadline. Despite all of the rumors, DeMarcus Cousins might be the only All-Star that is dealt by Thursday afternoon.
Among the players that could change teams in the next few days, Carmelo Anthony and Jimmy Butler appear to be the two that have the chance to alter the balance of power in the NBA. A contender that acquires one of the All-Stars might greatly improve their chances to win a title. But the latest betting odds indicate that both Anthony and Butler will stay put this season.
Anthony has reportedly been on the market for weeks, with New York Knicks president Phil Jackson contacting the Boston Celtics, Cleveland Cavaliers and Los Angeles Clippers about a possible deal. Between the Knicks receiving little interest from other teams and Anthony’s no-trade clause, it seems more likely than not that he’ll finish the 2016-2017 season in New York.
LeBron James has been adamant that he wants the Cleveland Cavaliers to add a “playmaker,” sparking rumors that the team could acquire Anthony. But Cleveland reportedly rejected an Anthony for Kevin Love swap, and a realistic trade with the Knicks probably doesn’t exist.
It seems more likely than not that the New York Knicks’ game against the San Antonio Spurs at Madison Square Garden in New York City on Feb. 12, 2017 won’t be Carmelo Anthony’s last home game as a member of the team. Photo: Reuters/Adam Hunger-USA TODAY Sports
The Cavaliers and Golden State Warriors, who appear to be on a collision course for a third straight meeting in the NBA Finals, could both be active before the deadline in some capacity. While neither team is likely to acquire a star, both have been given -180 odds to make a trade.
Bovada.lv gives Anthony +160 odds of being traded, and the betting website puts his odds of staying put at -225. Butler is given even worse odds to be dealt (+325), even though there is plenty of speculation that the Chicago Bulls will trade their star small forward.
Butler’s -550 odds of remaining with Chicago might be influenced by the recent report by ESPN’s Brian Windhorst. According to Windhorst, the Bulls are telling teams that they are not willing to deal Butler.
Windhorst, however, notes that some teams believe Chicago would part with Butler if given the right offer. That offer would likely have to come from the Boston Celtics, who might end up with top picks in three consecutive drafts.
Jahlil Okafor isn’t an All-Star like Butler or Anthony, but he is one player that’s been mentioned in trade rumors that is expected to be dealt. He has -220 odds to be traded by the Philadelphia 76ers, who have a crowded frontcourt with the likes of Okafor, Joel Embiid and Nerlens Noel on their roster.
The odds of Okafor staying put (+155) appear to be greater than they might have been a few days ago. He was almost acquired by the New Orleans Pelicans, but the team instead traded for Cousins. The latest report, via ESPN’s Ramona Shelburne, has the Indiana Pacers interested in Okafor.
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