NBA Trade Rumors: Latest Buzz on Potential 2020 Draft-Day Moves

While 2019's NBA draft was full of trades, those moves were bereft of true star power. That could change in 2020, as some of the league's bigger names are hotly discussed as possible trade candidates.

In 2019, the Atlanta Hawks and Minnesota Timberwolves made waves by trading up for top-10 picks, but Dario Saric and T.J. Warren were the biggest names moved around on draft day. A year (and some change) later, the biggest names could include stars like James Harden and Russell Westbrook.

Past those two, multiple guards appear to be prospective movers. Dennis Schroder appears destined to be a Los Angeles Laker, following a report by ESPN's Adrian Wojnarowski. But players such as Jrue Holiday and Eric Bledsoe haven't reached the same level of certainty.

Harden and Westbrook Go Their Separate Ways to the Big Apple?

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In news that shocked most of the basketball world, Woj has reported that not only does Harden want to be traded away from the Houston Rockets, but "the Brooklyn Nets are rising to the top of his list as a possible trade destination."

While he elaborates that there have been no discussions between the teams' front offices, Harden is increasingly interested in heading to Brooklyn, and his former teammate, Kevin Durant, appears intrigued by a reunion.

Although Durant may be inclined to bring Harden over, SNY's Ian Begley reported that not all Nets players are: "There was support for the idea among the Nets contacted, but the support wasn't universal." That is likely due to the fact that the Nets would need to give up some of their more coveted young players, like Caris LeVert and Jarrett Allen (as well as a frequently discussed Spencer Dinwiddie) to get the deal done—alongside a bevy of draft picks. 

On the other side of the East River, NY Daily News' Stefan Bondy has reported that New York Knicks head coach Tom Thibodeau "is pushing win-now moves." If that is the case, then the Knicks may truly be trying to pull off a deal for Westbrook. Woj has, more recently, said that the market for Westbrook is "relatively barren," so one has to wonder if there's a chance that New York gains enough leverage to obtain Westbrook without forking over too many assets. 

Denver Hopes to Be Contender with Pursuit of Holiday

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Jrue Holiday is a fantastic basketball player, and it should be no surprise that numerous NBA teams are interested in acquiring his services. With the New Orleans Pelicans seemingly unable to reach a contract extension with Holiday, they appear willing to shop him.

According to SI's Chris Mannix, Holiday "continues to generate significant league-wide interest, with several teams attempting to get into the top-ten to acquire a pick needed to deal for" him. Among those teams, though, Mannix cited the Denver Nuggets as the most viable candidate. 

The Nuggets have a clear use for Holiday, as a complementary backcourt partner to Jamal Murray, and they have some assets to swing a deal.

If the Nuggets are able to couple Gary Harris, Will Barton and some picks, they may be able to sell New Orleans on a package that helps the Pelicans' future while solidifying Denver's potential for deeper playoff runs.

Lakers Secure Schroder, but Bledsoe Remains Available

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Rajon Rondo is likely to opt out of his player option and receive more lucrative offers from elsewhere, leaving the Los Angeles Lakers devoid of a backup playmaker. That could change shortly, as Woj and others have reported that the Lakers will be acquiring Schroder from the Oklahoma City Thunder for 2020's No. 28 pick and veteran wing Danny Green.

While Woj stated that the trade may not lock in until after the Lakers make the pick for OKC, it appears to be a done deal nonetheless. Barring unforeseen changes, this adds to the Thunder a dazzling amount of draft picks over the next few years and a firm bag of options to play with whenever they look to improve through draft or trade.

The Lakers should get their creative playmaker off the bench for a second title run, as OKC heads into their rebuild with more assets than most could hope for.

One asset not getting moved, though, is the Milwaukee Bucks' Bledsoe. The Ringer's Kevin O'Connor reported that the Bucks attempted to move Bledsoe for Schroder earlier in the offseason, but the deal fell through. Still, O'Connor reported Bledsoe remains on the market as the Bucks look to move on from the veteran point. It's unclear how his market looks, but he may be moved sooner rather than later.