Report: Ricky Rubio, Robert Covington Could Be Traded by Pacers, Clippers at Deadline

Ricky Rubio and Robert Covington are among the names that could be traded ahead of Thursday's deadline despite having already been moved in recent days.

Brian Windhorst of ESPN reported the Indiana Pacers are exploring the market for Rubio, and the Los Angeles Clippers are doing the same for Covington.

The Pacers acquired Rubio as part of a trade sending Caris LeVert to the Cleveland Cavaliers. The Clippers brought in Covington in a multiplayer deal that also saw them acquire Norman Powell from the Portland Trail Blazers.

The Pacers acquired Rubio as part of a trade sending Caris LeVert to the Cleveland Cavaliers. The Clippers brought in Rubio in a multiplayer deal that also saw them acquire Norman Powell from the Portland Trail Blazers.

Rubio, 31, will miss the remainder of the season with a torn ACL, so any team acquiring him would be doing so likely as a measure to get out from under a long-term contract. The veteran point guard is an unrestricted free agent this summer, and it seems likely he'll miss at least part of next season while rehabbing his injury

Indiana (19-36) is in the early stages of a rebuild and could be willing to take on longer-term contracts if the team gets a draft pick in compensation.

The Clippers (27-28) could look to unload the 31-year-old Covington, who is on an expiring contract, to lower their luxury-tax bill. Their tax bill increased to $112.9 million in acquiring Covington and Powell, and the latter is far more likely to be a long-term piece. Powell is 28 and is under contract through 2025-26; he was the centerpiece of the trade from the Clippers' perspective. 

The Oklahoma City Thunder, forever thirsty for draft picks, could be a team to watch regarding Covington. They could take on his full $13 million salary and remain under the salary cap, likely requiring a future pick in compensation.