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NBA trade rumors: Injuries to star players complicate deadline moves
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- NBA trade rumors: Injuries to star players complicate deadline moves
The 2026 NBA trade deadline is suddenly less than two weeks away and the clock is beginning to tick for teams trying to pull off a deal. The rumors and speculation have been a constant, from the preseason all the way up until now, and already one big star, Trae Young , was dealt earlier this month ahead of the deadline crunch.
There hasn't been a move since then. But Giannis Antetokounmpo , Ja Morant , Anthony Davis , Domantas Sabonis , Jonathan Kuminga and, more recently, Karl-Anthony Towns are among the former All-Stars and notable NBA players that have been dangled in potential trade scenarios . All could be on different teams in less than two weeks, but each is just as likely to wind up sticking around past the deadline in spite of their possible availability at the moment.
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The biggest reason for such uncertainty, beyond the salary cap and chemistry ramifications of pulling off a trade mid-season? Injuries.
Antetokounmpo , Morant and Davis are each not playing at the moment, with a decent chance none are back in the lineup by the trade deadline. Kuminga just suffered an injury last week as well . Sabonis, meanwhile, just returned after a lengthy absence from a knee injury. That means the days ahead will be filled with even more speculation to sift through.
Here's a look at some of the latest NBA trade deadline rumors:
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Giannis still in-demand despite injury, potential agent drama
Antetokounmpo continues to lead the conversation surrounding the NBA trade deadline, even after he suffered another calf injury on Friday, Jan. 23 that is likely to sideline him past Feb. 5. The Milwaukee Bucks star spoke afterwards about making a playoff push when he returns, and the team has reportedly been trying to beef up its roster around Antetokounmpo at the deadline, not trade him. But teams around the league are nonetheless still preparing as if he could become available in hopes the Bucks change their mind, according to NBA reporters Marc Stein and Jake Fischer .
Antetokounmpo's representation moving forward could also be an added layer in discussions about his future after a report from Henry Abbott of True Hoop that "Giannis was close to firing his longtime agent Alex Saratsis over his failure to get Giannis traded from the Bucks." The report also states LeBron James ' agent and longtime friend, Rich Paul, is believed to be trying to recruit Antetokounmpo to be his client with the pitch that "he's the guy who can get a star player where he wants to go."
Not so fast on Knicks , Karl-Anthony Towns trade talk
Forward Karl-Anthony Towns came up in trade speculation last week as the Knicks endure some unexpected headwinds and pressure mounts due to their NBA championship expectations. He was even floated as a possible piece in a potential trade for Antetokounmpo.
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But The Athletic reported Friday, Jan. 23 that the Knicks have "not engaged in any discussions about a possible Towns trade this season and plan to stick with him through this rough patch.
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New Orleans Pelicans not pursuing Ja Morant
The market for Ja Morant remains quiet, particularly now that the Memphis Grizzlies star is out at least three weeks with an elbow injury and likely won't return to action until after the trade deadline. You might be able to scratch the Pelicans off the list, too, despite social media scuttlebutt that suggested the Pelicans were pursuing Morant. Stein reported there are no discussions between the Pelicans and Grizzlies concerning a Morant trade.
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Though the Grizzlies are fielding offers for Morant for the first time ahead of the trade deadline, he could remain with the franchise past Feb. 5. Morant indicated previously he wants to stay in Memphis , and concerns about his durability and contract situation linger as obstacles for the Grizzlies.
Domantas Sabonis linked to four teams
It's been no secret the Sacramento Kings want to be active in trying to overhaul their roster at the trade deadline, and Sabonis is seen as one of the players most likely to change teams. The Toronto Raptors , Washington Wizards , Chicago Bulls and Phoenix Suns are teams that have expressed interest in acquiring Sabonis, according to The Athletic , with the Raptors of particular interest given their spot near the top of the Eastern Conference standings.
Sabonis has appeared in five of the Kings' past six games after missing nearly two months with a knee injury. He's averaging 12.6 points, 9.4 rebounds and 4.8 assists while averaging less than 23 minutes per game since his return.
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Boston Celtics looking to add 'big-time starting center'
The Celtics remain an Eastern Conference contender this season despite the absence of star Jayson Tatum , and they could be buyers at the trade deadline after spending this past offseason as sellers getting off the contracts of Jrue Holliday and Kristaps Porzingis .
"They've been in the marketplace, trying to go get a big-time starting center potentially," ESPN's Shams Sharania said on "The Pat McAfee Show" on Friday, Jan. 23 . "They're going to be aggressive in moving the needle. They've got assets. They've got contracts to play with."
Onyeka Okongwu ( Atlanta Hawks ), Daniel Gafford ( Dallas Mavericks ), and former Celtics big man Robert Williams III ( Portland Trail Blazers ) are potential targets, according to NBC Sports , if Boston can't land an elite option like Ivica Zubac ( Los Angeles Clippers ) or Jaren Jackson Jr. ( Memphis Grizzlies ).
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Sixers open to trading Andre Drummond , Eric Gordon
The Philadelphia 76ers are in a weird spot with a new star in Tyrese Maxey , one of the league's best rookies in VJ Edgecombe and the aging and expensive Paul George and Joel Embiid on the roster. It's come together functionally this season, with the Sixers sitting within the top-six of the Eastern Conference standings before games played on Jan. 26.
But the team is $7 million above the NBA's luxury tax threshold and only about $1 million from being a first-apron team and facing penalties under the league's collective bargaining agreement, according to the Philadelphia Inquirer . The report goes on to state the expiring contracts of Andre Drummond and Eric Gordon could be dealt to stay out of the luxury tax, although Philadelphia could be forced to attach a second-round draft pick to facilitate a transaction.
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: NBA trade rumors amid Giannis, Ja Morant, Anthony Davis injuries
