Several contending teams in the Eastern Conference are reportedly expected to take varying approaches to the Feb. 5 NBA trade deadline.<\/p>\n
According to ESPN’s Tim Bontemps and Brian Windhorst<\/a>, the Cleveland Cavaliers have been engaged in trade talks as they sit fifth in the East, with an anonymous Eastern Conference executive saying, “Cleveland is active [in trade talks]We’re not sure what they’re trying to set up\u2014and they may not be either\u2014but they’re active.”<\/p>\n Per Marc Stein<\/a> of The Stein Line, the Cavs are one of several teams that have discussed acquiring Sacramento Kings guard Keon Ellis.<\/p>\n The Stein Line’s Jake Fischer<\/a> added that the Kings could look to add either forward DeMar DeRozan, guard Malik Monk or both to a trade package involving Ellis.<\/p>\n Bontemps and Windhorst noted that sources believe Celtics president of basketball operations Brad Stevens will look to make improvements at the deadline as usual, particularly in the frontcourt.<\/p>\n The expiring contract of guard Anfernee Simons is reportedly expected to make a major trade chip for the Celtics, although they aren’t considered likely to take a big swing by trading for Milwaukee Bucks forward Giannis Antetokounmpo or Memphis Grizzlies center Jaren Jackson Jr.<\/p>\n As for the first-place Detroit Pistons and sixth-place Philadelphia 76ers, neither is reportedly expected to do anything big.<\/p>\n Per Bontemps and Windhorst, a “blockbuster isn’t likely” for the Sixers, and the Pistons are considered “more likely to be a facilitator at the deadline” than a team making a big add.<\/p>\n This article will be updated soon to provide more information and analysis. For more from Bleacher Report, check out our\u00a0B\/R app<\/a>,\u00a0homepage<\/a>\u00a0and social feeds\u2014including\u00a0Twitter<\/a>,\u00a0Instagram<\/a>,\u00a0Facebook<\/a>,\u00a0TikTok<\/a>\u00a0and\u00a0YouTube<\/a>.<\/p>\n
Make Bleacher Report one of your preferred sources on Google by selecting Bleacher Report on the “source preferences” page\u00a0here<\/a>.<\/p>\n