It’s that time of the year again. Phone lines rarely get as busy as they are now, courtesy of team GMs around the NBA who are either making phone calls, brokering last-minute deals, whiffing on proposed trades, and generally being both the cause and product of the chaos that comes with each trade deadline. 

One can hardly predict Danny Ainge’s next move when it comes to trading players, so Boston is a good place to start. The Boston Celtics are languishing in 12th place in the Eastern Conference, and they will shed close to $20 million in salary heading into the 2015 season. It’s not unlikely for Brandon Bass and Jeff Green to be dealt (to create even more cap room) should Ainge find the right mix of picks and players in return. 

Elsewhere, the Brooklyn Nets have already dealt Jason Terry’s decomposing corpse together with Reggie Evans to the Sacramento Kings for 26-year-old shooting guard Marcus Thornton. The East’s contenders – Miami Heat and Indiana Pacers – will probably stand pat with their current roster. Miami, as usual, do not have any assets to deal, while Indiana’s midseason acquisition of free agent center Andrew Bynum appears to be their final move heading into the second half of the season. 

Over in the West, it is no secret that Houston Rockets’ backup center Omer Asik wants to be traded. San Antonio, ravaged by injuries, is also actively trying to secure much-needed wing depth in Kawhi Leonard’s absence. According to Project Spurs, Gregg Popovich and gang are very interested in wings Ersan Ilyasova and Thaddeus Young. Oklahoma City is looking strong, and the only player they need right now is a healthy Russell Westbrook. Likewise, baring any last minute shockers, the Warriors will be hedging bets on their current core come this postseason. 

Buckle up, it’s going to be a roller coaster up till the deadline itself on Thursday, February 20. 

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Now for an in-depth breakdown on the 2014 NBA Trade Deadline: 

 

Much love for Love: CBS’s Ken Berger reports that Minnesota’s Kevin Love is getting a lot of attention from the Mavericks and Lakers. 

 

Sports Illustrated: For the most up-to-date news on the rumors, talks, and trades around the league. 

 

Sports Illustrated: Chris Mannix breaks down all 30 teams in the league.

 

CBS Sports: Matt Moore rounds up the trade deadline’s key players (and teams) to watch

 

USA Today Sports: Sam Amick wonders if Danny Ainge will be ballsy enough to part with Rajon Rondo come Thursday. 

 

 

Reach Executive Producer Andrew Seah here.