The season is still months away but some superstars' fates are hanging in the balance. According to an analyst, three big names could be on the move this season.
DeMarcus Cousins and Carmelo Anthony were on the trading rumors scene this summer but their teams managed to hold on to them. Still, uncertainty hangs like a black cloud hovering above them.
In a Bleacher Report video, Howard Beck cited three big names: Carmelo Anthony, Joe Johnson and DeMarcus Cousins as players possibly on the move before the trade deadline.
Joe Johnson is no secret, the Nets have been shopping since last year. Carmelo Anthony has mentioned that he's pleased with the Knicks off-season moves but a big "what if?" lingers on how they perform.
The DeMarcus Cousins' situation is like a ticking time-bomb about to explode. Beck said:
"DeMarcus Cousins. Look, again, Sacramento I think wants to hold onto him. Certainly, owner Vivek Ranadive absolutely wants to hold onto DeMarcus Cousins. But I've been told that if you polled the rest of the organization, the vast majority are in favor of trading DeMarcus Cousins and that would include, though he denies it, Coach George Karl."
The situation with George Karl is a rocky one and it seems like a no-brainer that a team should hold on to the young superstar center instead of the aging coach. But what if the right offer came along?
There were already numerous trade machine possibilities for Cousins in social media gathered by the Sun Times. Some were in jest but they are theoretically workable.
A blockbuster deal may be in the offing if both Carmelo Anthony and DeMarcus Cousins wind up disgruntled early in the season. Is it possible for them to be traded for each other?
One caveat is that Carmelo Anthony has a no-trade clause and it's unlikely he'll waive that to go to Sacramento. But what if there's a three-way trade that could bring him to the Bulls, as his college coach, Jim Boehiem suggested?
These are just speculations but crazier trades have happened in the NBA.