Fewer than two weeks out from the 2024-25 NBA trade deadline, the leading candidates to land elsewhere are widely known: Jimmy Butler, Bradley Beal, Zach LaVine and Nikola Vucevic, as well as a handful of others. But there will certainly be more movement than just the splashiest and most logical of names. Plenty other players may be available to help teams make a postseason push, deep playoff run or, potentially, hoist the Larry O’Brien Trophy in June.
The Sportscasting NBA crew teamed up to each specify one overlooked player who may be dealt in the coming weeks and why they could help various potential suitors. Let’s get to it.
Guerschon Yabusele
Stuck in a downward spiral currently defined by an ugly seven-game losing streak, the Philadelphia 76ers’ hopes of a serious playoff run seem resigned to daydreams at this point. Franchise superstar Joel Embiid has no clear timeline for a return as he continually deals with knee swelling. At 15-27, the Sixers are 11th in the East and seven games back of a guaranteed playoff spot with only three months left to close that gap.
Chances of such an occurrence are slim. Their next 10 games all come against teams holding a Play-In spot or better, headlined by the Cleveland Cavaliers, Boston Celtics and Denver Nuggets. A quick turnaround, especially without Embiid, appears improbable.
So, as the trade deadline approaches, Philadelphia is best served operating with the future in mind rather than prioritizing anything this season. That means dealing away Guerschon Yabusele, whose NBA return has been delightful and presumably seen him play his way above the Sixers’ pay grade this summer.
The burly French forward is shooting 41 beyond the arc, including 42 percent above the break and 40 percent from the corners. He’ll let it fly anywhere. He pairs his comfort as a spacer with rolling prowess, shooting 70 percent at the rim (61st percentile among bigs) and is adept at adjusting in midair to score around help defenders. If teams stash or switch mismatches on him, he’ll punish them down low, generating 1.08 points per post-up possession this season (72nd percentile).
When opponents run him off the arc, he can drive closeouts to showcase playmaking chops, particularly on laydown feeds inside. He’s a sturdy screener who springs free ball-handlers and a useful secondary rim protector on the backline. His lack of size and vertical explosion limit him as a primary paint enforcer, but his technique is refined and his strength bothers scorers.
Yabusele is a malleable role player who could slot in well on numerous playoff contenders. I’d love to see the Denver Nuggets pursue him, given they would benefit greatly from better frontcourt play and shooting off the bench. –Jackson Frank
CJ McCollum
At 12-32 and 14th in the unforgiving Western Conference, it may be time for the New Orleans Pelicans to hit the reset button. For most people, that means fantasizing about trades involving Brandon Ingram or Zion Williamson, but the player prospective buyers should really be dialing in on is CJ McCollum.
He’s cheaper than both of them (two years, $64 million left on his contract), more reliable than Williamson and, as I see it, a better offensive player than Ingram.
Regarding that last matter, I’d rather have someone who makes a poor No. 1 option but a great secondary/tertiary option (McCollum) over someone who is a better, albeit still flawed, No. 1 option who can’t transition as cleanly to a complementary role (Ingram).
This year’s numbers are sullied by injuries (he’s missed 13 games) and a revolving door of supporting characters (the Pelicans have been one of the most battered teams in basketball). Last year, though, when he was able to wear a hat more in line with the role he’d be taking on a true contender, McCollum was absolutely money.
After years of letting long twos muddy his efficiency, he largely cut those shots out of his diet and replaced them with more 3-point shots (95th percentile 3-point volume, per Dunks & Threes). He also took the third-highest percentage of assisted field goals in his career (56.4 percent), proving his off-ball merit.
Those changes helped him post a career-high in scoring efficiency (59.3 percent true shooting) and an Offensive Estimated Plus-Minus sitting in the 94th percentile. Make the right move this trade deadline: avoid Ingram or Williamson, and go after McCollum. –Mat Issa
Bones Hyland
It’s easy to forget how promising of a rookie season Bones Hyland had with the Denver Nuggets in 2021-22. For the most part since then, he’s been buried on the Los Angeles Clippers’ bench after a rocky exit from Denver. If the Clippers don’t intend ever to feature Hyland, guard-needy teams could opt to buy low on the VCU product.
In his 11 minutes per contest, Hyland’s cobbled together a solid season. Per 75 possessions, he scores 23 points on a solid 55.9 percent true shooting clip, remaining an effective offensive option. His deep range shooting volume is the highest in the NBA, firing a league-leading 13.2 attempts per 75 possessions and knocking down 37.7 percent of them.
Hyland won’t score much inside the arc, but his burst, passing and improved defensive production (3.9 percent steal rate) suggest he could be an impactful rotation guard. Teams searching for extra backcourt production and shooting should approach the Clippers about acquiring Hyland. The Orlando Magic, Houston Rockets and Minnesota Timberwolves could all use the boost.
The Clippers don’t seem to value Hyland much and he’d likely be a cheaper option for teams at the deadline. Hyland has his flaws, but guard shooters and creators like him are worth betting on, especially given his relative youth at 24 years old. –Ben Pfeifer
