The Tribune

By INIGO 'NAUGHTY' ZENICAZELAYA

THE NBA trade season is in full swing now that we’ve reached December 15, the unofficial starting point. Here are a few big names that could be on the move to new NBA homes, in very short order.

Cavaliers:

Hassan Whiteside,

Nassir Little

Trail Blazers:

Kevin Love

Kevin Love-to-Portland has long been one of the hottest trade rumours in the NBA.

As the third option, Love’s offensive responsibilities would be minimal, and so he would have maximum opportunity to succeed.

The Blazers are not as deep as many of their competitors, but they have all star PG Damian Lillard. Adding Love should be enough to push them back into playoff contention in the stacked Western Conference.

From Cleveland, just offloading Love’s massive contract is a win. Yes, the Cavaliers would bring back Whiteside’s $27.1 million, but he’s a free agent this summer.

In addition, a look at a tantalising young prospect like Little could be quite valuable.

Knicks: Joe Harris, Rodions Kurucs, Protected First-Rounder

Nets: Kevin Knox II, Taj Gibson, Second-Rounder

Joe Harris is the best player in this trade and a great fit in Brooklyn.

So why would the Nets want to trade him, especially to their crosstown rivals?Well, it comes down to money. Harris is a free agent this summer and has earned a massive raise over his current $7.7 million salary.

Centre Jarrett Allen is also eligible for an extension starting next summer. If the Nets feel they will limit their financial flexibility by committing to Kevin Durant, Kyrie Irving, Caris LeVert, DeAndre Jordan, Harris and Allen, then they may want to explore trading their sharp shooter.

The Knicks are a big man-ladened team without many shooters, so they could use Harris, even for just a few months.

Acquiring him also gives them the opportunity to jettison several of those forwards. Knox showed potential as a rookie but has been come back to the pack this season.

The Nets development system that has turned the likes of Harris himself and Spencer Dinwiddie into valuable NBA players, so Knox could shine under their guidance.

Grizzlies:

Reggie Jackson

Pistons: Solomon Hill, Josh Jackson

Despite two All-Stars in Blake Griffin and Andre Drummond, the Pistons have been struggling in the Eastern Conference.

Reggie Jackson’s play hasn’t been great, but it’s largely his massive contract that has limited Detroit from building effectively around its stars.

The point guard has only played two games due to a stress reaction in his back, yet the Pistons have the league’s eighth-best offensive ranking.

This essentially makes him a non factor when he returns.Jackson’s contract finally ends after this season, so he’s a classic trade candidate.

For instance, Memphis could use him.

Jackson would be a good interim mentor for Ja Morant and competent injury replacement, as the rookie has been injury-prone this season and the Grizzlies are 1-5 without him.

The Pistons also get a chance to address their wing weakness.

Hill is shooting 40 per cent from three this season and has the third-best net rating on the Grizzlies but the real intrigue is a low-cost look at former top-five pick Josh Jackson, who disappointed in Phoenix but has been great in the G League, averaging 21.8 points, 8.3 rebounds, 4.2 assists, 1.6 steals and 1.2 blocks per game.

Timberwolves:

D’Angelo Russell, Alec Burks

Warriors: Robert Covington, Gorgui Dieng, First-Rounder, Two Second-Rounders

There’s a reason that Russell-to-Minnesota rumours keep popping up.

The Timberwolves pursued him relentlessly this summer, up until the moment he was traded, per The Athletic’s Anthony Slater. They are also in need of a point guard, and Russell is close with franchise face Karl-Anthony Towns.Though he hasn’t been quite as good as last season, Russell has still played fairly well for the Warriors and would command a hefty return.

The Wolves would have to include Covington, as he is their only starting-calibre player with a high enough salary to match with Russell.

Dieng is a filler contract, and the picks make the deal relatively equal.This deal works for both teams in the short and long term, especially Minnesota.

Towns, Russell and Andrew Wiggins could be one of the best young Big Threes in the NBA and would be set up for years of potential contention.

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