The Washington Wizards and Orlando Magic are still competing for a playoff berth, but both teams are preparing for the deadline with the awareness their moves will be made based upon whether the team is trending upward or down as Feb. 7 approaches, sources said.
Wizards star guard Bradley Beal is not going anywhere, which Washington has made adamantly clear, league sources told The Athletic. Depending on how the next week to two weeks shape up, the Wizards could look more aggressively toward moving Otto Porter. The Utah Jazz have been an interested suitor for Porter, league sources said. Beal has helped lead the Wizards to seven wins in their past 10 games, carrying a squad that lost All-Star John Wall to season-ending heel surgery before the New Year.
The Hawks have engaged with teams on veteran players Kent Bazemore and Dewayne Dedmon, but also have discussed forward Taurean Prince, league sources said. In his third season, Prince is averaging 14.1 points and 4.1 rebounds. Also worth monitoring: guard Tyler Dorsey. Dorsey chose to play for the Hawks’ G League affiliate, Erie, last Wednesday in order to receive more playing time and repetition on the court. Dorsey posted 36 points, 13 rebounds and five assists in 43 minutes in a victory for Erie, using the G League to showcase himself ahead of the trade deadline.
The Grizzlies have attempted to engage several teams in a deal to move Chandler Parsons — most notably the Atlanta Hawks, league sources said. The sides have yet to build the necessary traction toward a trade. The move would free Parsons from Memphis, which has decided not to play him even though he has been cleared for basketball since Dec. 21. Expect forward JaMychal Green to attract significant interest entering the deadline.
The Bulls and Knicks have discussed scenarios to send Jabari Parker to New York, but both sides have wanted to involve a third team to take center Enes Kanter — which has not appeared yet, league sources said. The team also is in no rush to release the contract of Carmelo Anthony.