NBA Stars To Monitor As Trade Candidates: Stephen Curry Included?

Free agency is all but over. Most NBA stars have signed with new, or existing teams with some truly massive contracts coming into play. However, that doesn’t mean that player movement has come to a halt. Instead, now the trade market can once again ramp up.

While it is unlikely that major moves are made immediately, a few odd months to begin the year, and teams could jump the gun. Right around December, most players become trade-eligible, which trickles into the eventual trade deadline.

We take a look at three names, along with the likeliness of each of them getting a change in scenery.

3. Zach LaVine, Chicago Bulls (Very Likely)

The ongoing dissent between Zach LaVine and the Chicago Bulls is one of the worst-kept secrets in the league. However, thanks to diminishing values from the once promising All-Star, no deal has come to fruition. But, for a 29-year-old player of his caliber, not finding a new beginning is virtually an impossibility.

Throughout NBA history, we have seen some teams emerge that are willing to take a chance on the disgruntled star. The hope for the Bulls is they can find one such team in the near future.

NBA NEWS & TRADE RUMORS: Zach LaVine, Chicago Bulls Updates

The rebuild in Chicago is in full swing and Zach LaVine does not fit that timeline. So, it is more a question of when than if about the news of a potential Zach trade.

2. CJ McCollum, New Orleans Pelicans (Moderate)

Now, this one might seem unlikely. CJ McCollum by all accounts is a New Orleans favorite. Whether it be the front office, management, or even coach Willie Green, CJ is definitely in the good graces. However, reality might strike down on the Pelicans.

When they first got the expensive haul for Anthony Davis and then Zion Williamson, the team was building towards being a powerhouse. So far, however, that trajectory hasn’t come to pass. Instead, the team has plateaued, which is where the Dejounte Murray trade comes in.

Most reports before the offseason began were aiming toward a Brandon Ingram trade. However, with no moves coming so far, an extension would make Ingram ineligible for trade. That is where the McCollum piece comes in.

As a lead guard, McCollum hasn’t been as productive as many were expecting. Further, a CJ-Murray backcourt might well be a poor man’s Atlanta Hawks backcourt.

NBA NEWS & TRADE RUMORS: Brandon Ingram, New Orleans Pelicans Updates

The results in Georgia weren’t great, so it is hard to expect much change in New Orleans. Instead, a CJ McCollum trade could net the Pelicans a quality shooter and rotational center, both desperate needs. Further, it would allow Murray to assume the point guard role that made him an All-Star in San Antonio.

1. Stephen Curry, Golden State Warriors (Unlikely)

Well, this goes off the deep end. But, over the course of the Olympics, it has become a genuine question to consider. During the trip over to Paris, Stephen Curry spoke about the Golden State Warriors in depth.

From their achievements to the downfall, he was candid about his time in The Bay. But, for many, what became a major talking point was in regards to his future. Speaking on it, Curry inferred that he wouldn’t be okay with playing non-competitive basketball, despite wanting to be a Warrior for life. Obviously, Golden State hasn’t been close to contention over the past 2 seasons.

NBA NEWS & TRADE RUMORS: Stephen Curry, Golden State Warriors Updates

In 2022-23, they won just four road games in the entire regular season, before bowing out to the Los Angeles Lakers in the second round. Last season, the situation got worse as an aging core could not even make it to the postseason.

However, through it all, the lone bright spot on the team has been Curry himself. The two-time MVP continues to put up historic numbers while producing at a near-prime level. That dominance was in full display during the Olympics, especially over the last two games.

Despite The Avengers- level star cast that was representing Team USA, Steph was the savior in both the Semi-Finals and the Finals. Nailing 17 of 26 3-pointers over the two games, Curry was incendiary in the final 2 minutes, hitting 4 triples to secure the gold.

NBA NEWS & TRADE RUMORS: Stephen Curry, Golden State Warriors Updates

The talent is still undeniable in Curry and as long as he is producing at peak levels, it would be a disservice from the Warriors to not allow him a chance at competing. Whether that comes in the form of building a roster (unlikely given the new CBA) or trading him to a ready-made team. The latter might be the best case scenario for Steph’s career, and if this season starts off slow in Golden State, become a real possibility very soon.

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