3 Most Likely Players to Be Traded by NBA Trade Deadline

The NBA rumor mill is churning ahead of Thursday's NBA Trade Deadline, with a few players and big names are expected to switch teams as contenders gear up for the stretch run. There could be plenty of movement at the deadline as playoff and Finals hopefuls look to solidify their rosters with no clear favorites penciled in yet.

With that in mind, these three players seem the most likely to be traded by Thursday.

NBA Trade Rumors

3. Lonzo Ball

It's becoming clear that Lonzo Ball no longer fits well with the New Orleans Pelicans, and teams are interested in the promising young guard. While he'll always be a solid passer and rebounder, Ball has taken a step in his scoring with a career-high 14.2 points per game this season. It's no surprise that Ball's scoring has shot up with the guard improving his 3-point shooting to the best mark of his career (38.5%) so far. Any team trading for Ball will receive his Bird Rights ahead of free agency, which will be valuable to prospective trade partners if they see him part of their long-term plans. The Chicago Bulls, New York Knicks and Golden State Warriors have all been linked to the guard in recent days, so it wouldn't be shocking to see one of those teams make a move.

2. Aaron Gordon

Orlando Magic forward Aaron Gordon has made his trade request from the team official, likely spelling the end to his tenure. While teeming with potential, the high-flying forward has never seemed to be properly utilized while in Orlando. His career year in 2017-18 -- where he averaged 17.6 points and 7.9 rebounds per game -- showcased flashes of what he could develop into, but a change of scenery could be what unlocks him. Gordon has been linked to the Houston Rockets recently, with the team looking to start fresh, but a contender like the Portland Trail Blazers makes a ton of sense as a destination, too.

1. Kyle Lowry

It looks like the end of an era is approaching in Toronto. With the team struggling and far from contention, trading impending free agent Kyle Lowry to a contender seems like the best course of action. Averaging 17.9 points, 7.4 assists and 5.6 rebounds per game with 39.1% shooting from deep, Lowry would immediately elevate any contending team's roster as an impact veteran. Lowry's championship experience could be valuable to teams like the Philadelphia 76ers and Miami Heat that are looking to get over the hump. As a Philly kid, Lowry ending up there wouldn't shock anyone, but Pat Riley and the Heat remain aggressive in pursuing upgrades with the team needing a boost to get back to the Finals.

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Isaiah De Los Santos is not a FanDuel employee. In addition to providing DFS gameplay advice, Isaiah De Los Santos also participates in DFS contests on FanDuel using his personal account, username zayyy05328. While the strategies and player selections recommended in his articles are his personal views, he may deploy different strategies and player selections when entering contests with his personal account. The views expressed in their articles are the author's alone and do not necessarily reflect the views of FanDuel.