NBA trade deadline day: Will Simmons find a new home?

It was the Pacers and the Kings who set trade talks alight after a mini-blockbuster trade that to be honest had many outraged (Haliburton… really Sacramento?), followed by the CJ McCollum exit out of Portland that we were all expecting to come.

Though there is still one name still dominating the rumour mill – that’s right, Ben Simmons.

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Will the exiled All-Star finally be removed from NBA purgatory into the welcoming arms of a new organistation?

We are about to find out – here is everything you need to know about tomorrow morning’s NBA Trade deadline.

NBA Trade Deadline: Friday 11th February, 7am (AEDT)

WILL BEN SIMMONS FIND A NEW HOME?

Will Ben Simmons find the trade he, and the hole in his pockets, desires? It’s tricky to say – though here is what we know.

Once the Kings pulled out of the Simmons hunt a trade for the disgruntled point-forward seemed unlikely.

Until the Nets entered the chat.

Brooklyn – a team widely considered as a title contender – are amidst a ghastly 9 game losing streak, worst in the competition.

Kyrie Irving can’t play at home, they’re without Kevin Durant until at least the All-Star break, and now reports have emerged that James Harden could walk in free agency.

Nets head coach Steve Nash has said Harden won’t be dealt before the deadline though this team has championship aspirations and the pressure of the trade deadline may force their hand.

Philadelphia want this and they can’t afford to waste Joel Embiid’s MVP calibre season.

The eastern conference is there for the taking and with $33M in cap space sitting on the couch at home this could be the move that finally has them knocking on the NBA Finals door.

The motivation for a move is there – now it’s up to Daryl Morey and Sean Marks to come together.

SACRAMENTO SENDS INTERNET INTO MELTDOWN

Well absolutely no-one saw this one coming.

Usually a trade between two non-contenders has you going ‘like-whatever’ but what went down between Sacramento and Indiana had everyone going ‘like-WOAH’.

The Pacers sent Domantas Sabonis, Justin Holiday, Jeremy Lamb and a 2027 second-round pick to the (insert disappointing adjective here) Kings for Tyrese Halliburton, Buddy Held and Tristan Thompson.

And the internet blew up.

If you’re Sacramento you are looking at it like this – we got multi-time All-Star Sabonis.

If you are everyone else you are confused.

Sabonis is by far the best player in this deal – a player who can take you inside, space the floor and control the glass. For the Kings to secure a player with his talent is commendable, but the price they paid to get him is questionable.

Tyrese Haliburton only two weeks ago said he wanted to be the man to change this exact culture in Sacramento – only to be traded out of town.

It’s a bold trade Cotton, let’s see how this plays out.

RUMOUR MILL – WHO ELSE COULD STILL GET TRADED?

The Knicks veterans:

This season has been a horror story for the Knicks. A year of promise has turned into another year of disappointment and the fans are growing frustrated. Julius Randle has been lacklustre, Kemba Walker has been a shell of himself and Evan Fournier has taken three months to show production. It seems the front office and the coach are at a divide of opinions – though Knicks president Leon Rose has a chance to right the ship and get the kids some minutes.

Clippers big men:

There is a logjam at the center position and the Clippers are ready to deal – Serge Ibaka, Ivica Zubac and Isaiah Hartenstein are all on the table. Their three-man rotation isn’t working and they are a club that is refusing to let their season slip.

Jerami Grant:

Pistons star Jerami Grant has long been linked with a move away from Detroit. There has been interest from multiple parties such as the Wizards, Lakers, Jazz, Bulls, Timberwolves and now Trailblazers all enquiring about the forward.

Myles Turner

It seemed almost certain that Myles Turner was on the move but the departure of Domantas Sabonis may have just changed that. Indiana had always hoped that both their big men could co-exist but the floor is now Turner’s.

As one of the most versatile defenders in the league the Pacers will be excited to see what he can do with Tyrese Haliburton, their promising young point guard of the future.

Ricky Rubio and Robert Covington

Ricky and RoCo have only just been moved on but they shouldn’t settle on new accomodation just yet – another move could be on their radars. The Pacers don’t have a need for Rubio who is out for the remainder of the season with a torn ACL and could take on a bad contract to bring in draft picks. Covington is on an expiring deal and LA will be looking to lower their luxury-tax bill. If they are will throw a pick in you just know OKC will be sniffing around.

Dennis Schroder

After a slow start to the season marred with criticism of their top guns – the Celtics are in the middle of a 6 win hot streak as they aim to solidify a spot in the play-offs while avoiding the play-in tournament. However, they are also a team wary of their luxury-tax bill.

Boston are looking to make a move without ruining their momentum, which has all signs pointing to Dennis Schroder. Starting 25 of their 48 games Schroder has been a constant minus on their box score. They have tested his value and are in talks with the Bucks who are willing to exchange Donte DiVincenzo – though any deal there will need to include Grant Williams.

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