The 2021 NBA trade deadline on March 25th is coming up soon, and the speculation about which star players could be on the move is starting to heat up.
Speaking of, the Miami Heat are being linked with some of the biggest names on the trading block. Meanwhile, other top contenders – notably the Los Angeles Lakers – are also looking to add more reinforcements with the playoffs in mind.
So read on below as SBOTOP rounds up all the most intriguing pieces of NBA 2021 news ahead of the trade deadline.
Kyle Lowry hot on Heat radar
Kyle Lowry is perhaps the biggest star player who could be on the move by the trade deadline. With the soon-to-be 35-year-old on the final year of his contract and the struggling Raptors in the bottom half of the East, he has been strongly linked with a move to his hometown of Philadelphia to join the East-leading 76ers to compete for another championship.
But now, a new contender has emerged in the Miami Heat. The reigning East champions have expressed interest in acquiring Lowry, Michael Scotto of HoopsHype reports.
Lowry is averaging 18 points on 45 per cent shooting from the field, 40 per cent from downtown, along with 7.2 assists and 5.5 rebounds per game this season.
The Heat have been surging of late and are back up to fourth in the East after four straight wins. But Lowry’s addition would help boost their NBA 2021 betting odds to win the title even more.
Aldridge, Gordon, Tucker available and in-demand
San Antonio Spurs’ LaMarcus Aldridge tries to block an attempt from Brooklyn Nets’ Bruce Brown during an NBA game
Aside from Lowry, the Heat have also been linked with San Antonio Spurs big man LaMarcus Aldridge. The two sides agreed to part ways last week, so the Spurs are seeking a trade for the former All-Star big man.
The Boston Celtics and Portland Trail Blazers are reportedly the Heat’s leading challengers for Aldridge, who is averaging 13.7 points and 4.5 rebounds this season.
As for the Blazers, they are also competing with the Golden State Warriors, Denver Nuggets, and a host of other teams for Orlando Magic forward Aaron Gordon.
Houston Rockets forward PJ Tucker is similarly garnering a lot of interest around the league, especially among championship contenders. The Lakers, Bucks, and Heat are reportedly engaged in talks for the 35-year-old forward.
Tucker’s mix of experience, defensive versatility and 3-point shooting ability would be a perfect addition to any team with ambitions of winning the title.
The Nets were apparently also interested in Tucker, but they appear to be out of the running after signing former All-Star big man Blake Griffin.
However, the Nets would be ready to bring in Andre Drummond if he is bought out by the Cleveland Cavaliers. Although, they face stiff competition from the defending champion Los Angeles Lakers, where Drummond would be interested in playing.
And in case the Lakers miss out on Drummond, Sacramento Kings centre Hassan Whiteside would be their Plan B.
Davis, Durant expected to miss more time
The Lakers and Nets are looking for more frontcourt help because their superstars, Anthony Davis and Kevin Durant, are expected to miss more time due to their respective injuries.
Davis could miss three weeks more with his Achilles injury, while Durant is expected to miss 1-2 more weeks as he recovers from a hamstring injury.
The Nets don’t seem to be missing Durant all that much, though. They have won five straight games and are 9-1 in their last 10 as they battle the 76ers for the top seed in the East.
However, the Lakers are locked in a tough battle atop the West, with the Jazz, Suns, and Clippers all looking to secure the top seed.
Joel Embiid also joined the list of superstar big men on the sidelines after he suffered a bone bruise on his knee and will miss the next few months.
McCollum set to return, Thompson ramps up rehab
Amid all those injuries, one star is coming back: Portland Trail Blazers guard CJ McCollum.
McCollum is set to play on Tuesday against the New Orleans Pelicans for the first time since suffering a left foot fracture that kept him out for the last two months.
McCollum had been having the best season of his career, averaging 26.7 points and 5 assists before getting injured.
Meanwhile, Golden State Warriors guard Klay Thompson continues to ramp up his rehabilitation from his season-ending Achilles injury. Thompson is now out of his walking boot and has taken up swimming as he tries to get back to top shape after 21 months without playing.
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The post NBA Trade Rumors Heating Up as 2021 Deadline Nears appeared first on SBOTOP.
