NBA 2017-18: 5 players who could be traded before the mid-season trade deadline
As of Dec. 15, more to 90% of the players in the league become eligible to be traded before the mid-season trade deadline on Feb. 8 (3 PM ET). Obviously, it's rare for any trades to go down in December, as the franchises like to feel out their teams as long as possible before pulling the trigger on a trade.
More often than not, teams wait until the final day of the mid-season trade window to seal a deal. Another not so surprising fact about these deals is that it's common for players that are traded to be in the final year of their deals as no team's want to let their players walk to another franchise without getting anything in return.
So let's not beat around the bush anymore and get to the list of five players, who could most probably be traded this trade window. The players are ranked on the basis of how likely they are to be traded:
#5 Paul George
Through 30 games, the Oklahoma City Thunder are 15-15. That's certainly not what the Thunder management or fans expected when they had traded for Paul George or Carmelo Anthony this past summer. Unlike many previous super teams, the defense isn't a problem for this one (101.3 Def. rating, tied 2nd). It's their offense that's struggling (), even more in clutch situations.
Through all these struggles, George has been the talk of the town. One, because there is a general belief that the team needs to allow him to be more assertive on the offensive end of the floor and second because of his looming 2018 free agency. He has a player option on his current deal for next season (2018-19).
It's highly unlikely that the Thunder would trade George and that's the current stance they've taken but should they reconsider given what happened last year - Kevin Durant leaving to the Golden State Warriors as a free agent?
There were quite clear indications last year from George's camp, regarding the 4-time All-Star's desire to play for the Los Angeles Lakers. If OKC doesn't trade him, their gambling on the fact that he will opt-in for the final year and stay with the franchise for another year at least.