Change is the only constant. There’s no loyalty in sports. The grass is always greener on the other side.
Pick a cliche, any cliche, and it can likely be applied, in some capacity, to the NBA trade deadline. As this year’s deadline approaches (Feb. 8), teams are scrambling to either consolidate power and make a playoff push or strip their roster down to the studs in order to rebuild. Or, if you’re the Clippers, take some weird middle road that will leave you eternally lingering in mediocrity.
The biggest trade may have already come and gone, with the Clippers shipping Blake Griffin, Brice Johnson, and Willie Reed to the Pistons for Avery Bradley, Tobias Harris, Boban Marjanovic, a (top-four protected) first-round pick, and a second-round pick. But there are still big names being crunched and churned in the rumor mill, including Griffin’s former teammates DeAndre Jordan and Lou Williams. There is also hints of discontent on the ever-steady Spurs ship, with Kawhi Leonard potentially at odds with management.
Is there any chance the Spurs try to sell high on the injured star?
Below, we set the odds on where the hottest names on the trade market will be playing — or, at least, who will own their rights — when Feb. 9 rolls around.
Kawhi Leonard (Spurs)
Kawhi Leonard skies for a dunk against the Magic. (Photo by Jose Garcia (wikipedia) CC License)
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Spurs: 1/100
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FIELD: 100/1
Kemba Walker (Hornets)
Kemba Walker lays it up against the Wizards. (Photo by Keith Allison (flickr) CC License)
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Hornets: 11/9
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Pacers: 4/1
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Spurs: 7/1
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FIELD: 7/2
DeAndre Jordan (Clippers)
Clippers center DeAndre Jordan is likely to follow Blake Griffin out the door. (Photo by Keith Allison (flickr) CC License)
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Clippers: 2/3
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Cavaliers: 4/1
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FIELD: 4/1
Lou Williams (Clippers)
LA Clippers guard Lou Williams looks on during an NBA game against the Phoenix Suns. (Photo by Brian Rothmuller/Icon Sportswire)
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Celtics: 2/1
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Cavaliers: 9/2
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Wizards: 5/1
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Clippers: 7/1
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FIELD: 4/1
Tyreke Evans (Grizzlies)
Tyreke Evans, seen here during his time with the Pelicans, could be wearing another new jersey this deadline. (Photo by Keith Allison (flickr) CC License)
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Celtics: 13/7
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Heat: 3/1
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76ers: 5/1
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Grizzlies: 4/1
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FIELD: 25/1
Nikola Mirotic (Bulls)
Bulls forward Nikola Mirotic shooting a free-throw. (Photo by Rachael (wikipedia) CC License)
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Jazz: 1/1
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Pistons: 4/1
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Bulls: 9/1
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FIELD: 4/1
George Hill (Kings)
George Hill, former Pacer and current King, might be on the move to Cleveland. (Photo by joshuak8 (flickr) CC License)
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Cavaliers: 11/9
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Kings: 3/2
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FIELD: 17/3
Jordan Clarkson (Lakers)
Lakers reserve guard Jordan Clarkson could bring solid bench scoring to a contender. (Photo by Keith Allison (flickr) CC License)
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Mavericks: 3/2
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Pistons: 4/1
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Lakers: 5/1
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FIELD: 19/6
Derrick Favors (Jazz)
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Bulls: 13/7
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Cavaliers: 7/3
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Jazz: 4/1
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FIELD: 6/1
Rodney Hood (Jazz)
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Pistons: 3/2
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Bulls: 4/1
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Jazz: 3/1
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FIELD: 17/3
Julius Randle (Lakers)
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Mavericks: 3/2
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Lakers: 7/3
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Cavaliers: 4/1
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FIELD: 9/1
