Likewise, struggling teams use the trade deadline to get salary off their books and land some draft capital in return. And we don’t expect this current season to be the exception to that ruleby any means.

With the NBA trade deadline zooming in by the day, some of the league’s finest big men could be available and ready to find a new team. Here, we let you know about the three likeliest candidates to be traded.

NBA Rumors: 3 Big Men That Could Be Traded Soon

3. Jakob Poeltl

Jakob Poeltl has been on the trade block for quite some time now. The San Antonio Spurs aren’t looking to compete, and he’s been one of the few bright spots on their team on both ends of the floor.

Poeltl is a solid pick-and-roll defender, a dominant rebounder, and a guy who won’t try to do too much on offense. He’s an intelligent team-defenderand has improved his rim-running skills as well.

2. Pascal Siakam

Pascal Siakam never took that leap forward as a franchise player, but he’s still one of the best power forwards in the game right now. He doesn’t mind taking a step back and being the no. 2 or 3 option, and he’s very efficient regardless.

Siakam can put the ball on the floor and create for others. He can also play in the low post with his back to the rim, pull up and knock down three-pointers, or play as a small-ball center if needed, but the Toronto Raptors need to get younger and get salary off their books.

1. Christian Wood

Following a breakout season, Christian Wood has struggled to establish himself around the league. He’s a serviceable big man, albeit he’s making way too much money to be just ‘serviceable.’

Perhaps, all Wood needs is to find a place that suits his skill set. He’s a solid rebounder on both ends of the floor, but he’s been a defensive liability for the Dallas Mavericks this season. Still, his offensive skills make him an intriguing player for multiple contenders.

Moreover, chances are that they just don’t have the personnel they need to win consecutive championships. So, as much as they love their prospects, they might have to part ways with a couple of them.

With that in mind, and considering their salary cap limitations, let’s take a look at the three likeliest trade candidates that could help Stephen Curry and the Warriors straighten the ship once and for all.

NBA Trade Rumors: Potential Targets For The Warriors

3. Jakob Poeltl

The San Antonio Spurs have no interest in competing right now. All they think about is getting the first-overall pick in the upcoming NBA Draft to get Victor Wembanyama, so they’ll likely trade most of their veterans.

Kevon Looney has been outstanding for the Dubs, but they just cannot trust James Wiseman. They need a backup big man who could anchor the defense and not be an offensive liability, and Jakob Poeltl fits that mold.

2. Bojan Bogdanovic

The Detroit Pistons struck gold with Bojan Bogdanovic. He’s playing the best basketball in his career and has been a solid veteran influence for their young players. Nonetheless, he doesn’t fit their timeline.

So, as much as they love him, they’d be better off getting whatever they can in return for him. He’s a smart player, solid passer, efficient shooter, and solid team defender, so he’s perfect for Steve Kerr’s system.

1. Gary Trent Jr.

The Toronto Raptors are reportedly considering blowing their roster up, and Gary Trent Jr. figures to draw plenty of interest in the trade market, which should come as no surprise at this point.

Trent Jr. is one of the most efficient three-point shooters in the league, not to mention a stout backcourt defender. He’s got the 3-and-D skills the Dubs have craved all season long, and he could be a major catalyst for them, just like Gary Payton II.

That means that several veterans should be on their way out of San Antonio. They started their overhaul with Dejounte Murray. Now, some expect them to move Doug McDermott and Josh RichaRdson as well.

However, none of them has gauged as much trade interest as Jakob Poeltl. And with them looking to draft Victor Wembanyama, he’s a lock to be moved. So, here, we’ll take a look at the likeliest destinations for him.

NBA Rumors: Potential Trade Destinations For Jakob Poeltl

3. Chicago Bulls

Fans and analysts alike are urging the Chicago Bulls to just blow it up. They need to give up, rebuild, and reshape their roster while they still can. However, it seems like they’re reluctant to do so right now.

So, if they look to give it another shot at contention, they could look to swap Nikola Vucevic’s expiring deal to try and land Poeltl. He’d be a better fit for his defensive expertise and solid screen-setting.

2. Toronto Raptors

The Toronto Raptors sent Poeltl to the Spurs as a part of the Kawhi Leonard trade. Poeltl was an important rotation piece up north, but he didn’t get enough playing time to develop and blossom.

So, now that they’re reportedly looking to go through a roster overhaul, some reports state that they’re looking to bring the Austrian big man back to Canada. Still, it’d be interesting to see what Masai Ujiri will give up to get him.

1. Golden State Warriors

The Golden State Warriors desperately need to make some trades. They won’t be able to hang on with Stephen Curry out with a shoulder injury, and it’s not like they were dominating even with him on the floor.

James Wiseman may never turn out to be the player they thought he’d be, and the same goes for Moses Moody. So, the Warriors have no shortage of options when it comes to pulling the trigger.

We already know better than to count the Warriors out. They’ve come back from the dead over and over and have proven to be the team to beat out of the Western Conference until proven otherwise.

But there are some evident issues they need to address sooner rather than later. That’s why NBA insider Eric Pinus believes they could be in the mix for a big man like Spurs’ Jakob Poeltl or pacers’ Myles Turner.

NBA Rumors: Golden State Warriors Could Trade For Myles Turner Or Jakob Poeltl

(via Eric Pinus – Bleacher Report)

“Kevon Looney is a championship role player, but he and Draymond Green seem overmatched by the league’s size. The Warriors were seventh in the league in rebounds a year ago but have fallen to 25th overall. Golden State needs additional help up front, and Wiseman doesn’t appear ready to fill that gap.

Beyond adding a versatile defensive wing in Crowder, competing executives believe the Warriors covet additional size in a player like Jakob Poeltl of the San Antonio Spurs or Myles Turner of the Indiana Pacers.”

Both Turner and Poeltl are prime trade candidates this season. Their teams will most likely blow out their rosters ahead of the deadline looking to gather as many draft picks as they possibly can.

But the Dubs will face some steep competition to acquire either of those players. They have more than enough resources and young players to pull the trigger, but whether they’re ready to give up on Jonathan Kuminga, Moses Moody, or even James Wiseman remains to be seen.