2023 NBA trade deadline buzz: Feb. 6 edition | NBA.com
As we close in on the official trade deadline (Feb. 9, 3 p.m. ET), keep up with the latest rumblings around the NBA — and the latest deals that have been agreed to — as deadline day approaches.
Philadelphia 76ers guard Furkan Korkmaz has requested a trade from the team, per Keith Pompey of the Philadelphia Inquirer. Korkmaz, the No. 26 overall pick by the Sixers in 2016, had become a solid contributor for the team over the last three seasons, averaging 7.6 ppg, 2.6 rpg and 1.9 apg last season in 67 games (19 starts). However, his role has changed drastically in 2022-23 and he is averaging 3.8 ppg, 1.2 rpg and 0.7 apg, his lowest stats since his rookie season.
At No. 9 in the Eastern Conference heading into Monday’s slate, the Chicago Bulls might seem like a prime candidate to make a big trade. Jamal Collier of ESPN reports, however, that the Bulls are not looking to deal star guard Zach LaVine, but might listen to potential trade offers on fellow Bulls guards Alex Caruso and Coby White.
Kyrie Irving has reportedly been dealt, and while the Lakers were reportedly in the mix to land him, that never came to be. Per Kyle Goon of the Los Angeles Daily News, if the Lakers want to deal their former All-Star guard, Russell Westbrook, any such trades likely require at least one unprotected first-round pick and perhaps more.
When Kevin Durant made his trade request known last summer, the Phoenix Suns were one of several teams thought to be in the running for the Brooklyn Nets’ star forward. Now that Kyrie Irving has reportedly been dealt to the Dallas Mavericks, Chris Haynes of the NBA on TNT reports the Suns are ready to pursue Durant should the team make him available via trade. Durant has been out of the Nets’ lineup since mid-January because of a right MCL injury.
The Utah Jazz are staying in the thick of the West’s Play-In Tournament chase and could be active at the trade deadline. Per multiple reports, the Portland Trail Blazers have interest in big man Jarred Vanderbilt, while Steve Bulpett of The Heavy.com reports the Miami Heat and Boston Celtics are both interested in veteran Jazz center Kelly Olynyk. Lastly, Michael Scotto of HoopsHype.com reports the Jazz may have interest in acquiring Obi Toppin from the Knicks.
The Philadelphia 76ers are one of several teams reportedly interested in acquiring big man Nerlens Noel from the Detroit Pistons, per Keith Pompey of the Philadelphia Inquirer. Noel is averaging 2.5 poings, 2.8 rebounds and 0.7 blocks in 11.4 minutes per game. He was a former lottery pick of the 76ers in 2013, spending 2 1/2 injury-plagued seasons there. Per Pompey, the Pistons may be open to buying out Noel if he goes untraded, which could land him in Philadelphia. However, the Boston Celtics, Sacramento Kings, Miami Heat, Dallas Mavericks and Denver Nuggets are also interested in Noel, too.
