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Predicting landing spots for top NBA trade targets: Ja Morant to Bucks?
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- Predicting landing spots for top NBA trade targets: Ja Morant to Bucks?
The NBA trade deadline is fewer than two weeks away, and teams are assessing the market, potentially working up viable offers.
It has been a fairly quiet leadup, with the lone trade so far being the one that sent Trae Young to the Wizards and CJ McCollum and Corey Kispert to the Hawks .
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Still, there are plenty of stars and big names who may be available in deals , if the price is right. None is bigger than Giannis Antetokounmpo , though a lot has to happen for him to not only become available, but also for the Bucks to find an offer that works and move him.
In any case, here's a look at possible landing spots for the biggest NBA trade targets:
Giannis Antetokounmpo
Things appear to be deteriorating by the day in Milwaukee , with Antetokounmpo clearly frustrated . But even if he does ask out — and he would need to do so soon — he's a generational player that Milwaukee wouldn't move for just any offer. The Bucks, who are lacking draft capital, would need to ensure that they're getting appropriate value for the two-time MVP.
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Most likely landing spot: Stays in Milwaukee
This comes with a massive caveat: if Antetokounmpo is eventually moved, a deal in the offseason would be far easier to execute. But if the relationship really sours, and Antetokounmpo does ask out, the Heat, Warriors and Lakers are viable spots, though — frankly — just about every team will be lining up for his services.
Anthony Davis
According to ESPN, Davis wants to be moved to a team that is in position to contend. Davis, 32, may not be an ideal fit in Dallas ' timeline, so it could look to move the veteran big who has struggled to stay on the floor for the Mavericks . In fact, his hand injury appears to be significantly impacting his trade market.
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Most likely landing spot: Warriors
Golden State will be looking to maximize the window to win with Stephen Curry , and Jimmy Butler's injury doesn't help. The Warriors have Jonathan Kuminga to offer, and they have desperately needed a center for years.
Other options include the Hornets, Pistons, Bulls, Hawks, Raptors and Kings.
Ja Morant
His recent return to form after he sat with a right calf contusion is helping his trade value, and Memphis may be looking to rebuild, with rumors also swirling about the future of Jaren Jackson Jr. Morant, despite his injury history and off-court issues, is still only 26 and explosive. His shooting has taken a massive step back, but he can inject athleticism into the right offense.
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Most likely landing spot: Bucks
Milwaukee could try one last-ditch attempt to sway Antetokounmpo, and Morant is an athletic player who thrives in the pick-and-roll.
Other options include the Timberwolves , Kings, Raptors and Clippers .
Michael Porter Jr.
This appears to be a case of a team that loves draft capital wanting to leverage value for more picks. Porter is having a career year and his offense could help teams that struggle to score.
Most likely landing spot: Pistons
Detroit is No. 1 in the East and the temptation may be to not shake things up, but the Pistons, who rank 25th in offensive rating (110.3) in January, need some more shooting and offensive production.
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Other spots include the Mavericks, Bucks, Grizzlies and Wizards.
Jonathan Kuminga
The Warriors simply haven't found a way to seamlessly incorporate Kuminga into the lineup. And now with Jimmy Butler hurt, Golden State may be looking to aggressively ramp up its efforts to trade Kuminga.
Most likely landing spot: Mavericks
Other spots include the Lakers and Bucks.
Domantas Sabonis
He has dealt with injuries and has seen his scoring and assist numbers drop significantly. Sabonis does best when he's the anchor of an offense, distributing the ball from the top of the key and engaged in pick-and-rolls with a capable point guard.
Most likely landing spot: Raptors
Other spots include the Clippers, Celtics and Pistons.
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: NBA trade deadline predictions, landing spots for top targets
