NBA Trade Rumors Roundup, January 23rd: J.R. Smith's NBA future in doubt, Knicks clear out and more 

We have now passed the halfway point of the 2018/19 NBA season, and teams are starting to get a good idea about where they currently stand. Up until this point, both Conferences have remained competitive, with eleven teams in playoff contention in the Eastern Conference, whereas every team except the Phoenix Suns has a shot in the West.

The February trade deadline is also quickly approaching, as the NBA has made changes to the deadline so that it will now always occur 10 days before the All-Star game. This has been done so that players, who get traded, have time to settle into their new teams, and this year's trade window will close on February 7th.

So with the deadline just three weeks away, here are the biggest trade rumors you need to know for January 23rd.

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New York Knicks departures

Action from Milwaukee Bucks v New York Knicks

The New York Knicks are already well out of playoff contention and the franchise has now turned their attention to the 2019 offseason. Due to this, a number of the Knicks roster could leave before the trade deadline, and The Athletic is reporting that Tim Hardaway Jr and Courtney Lee are attracting interest:

Teams have asked the Knicks about Hardaway Jr. and Lee, according to league sources, but the Knicks have been adamant about not attaching assets to move them. Maybe a playoff team in need of scoring or wings will accede at some point and offer the Knicks a worthwhile return, or maybe the pressure of the trade deadline can make things move along

Hardaway Jr. is currently in the second year of a four-year deal, and so far this season has averaged 19.6 points, 3.3 rebounds and 2.7 assists per game. Meanwhile, Lee has played just 10 times this season, averaging 5.3 points, 2.4 rebounds and 1.4 assists.

Teams around the NBA have doubts about J.R. Smith

Action from Atlanta Hawks v Cleveland Cavaliers

After publicly criticizing the Cleveland Cavaliers organization, J.R. Smith was handed his wish to leave the team. Nevertheless, more than two months have past and Smith is still a member of the Cavs roster. While his career in Cleveland is still seemingly over, The Athletic is reporting that teams around the NBA are hesitant to add J.R. Smith to their roster:

Trading for Smith is said to be Easier said than done. Good shooter, but hasn't played up to standards in the last two seasons. Has a partial guarantee for next season, but concerns about locker-room morale are real.

During his more-than-a-decade-long career, J.R. Smith has had a history of issues both on and off the court, although, before this season's drama, the shooting guard was praised for his role in the Cavs locker room.

Teams have interest in the Cavs trio of Jordan Clarkson, Ante Zizic and Cedi Osman

Action from Cleveland Cavaliers v Los Angeles Lakers

Staying on the topic of outgoings for the Cleveland Cavaliers, Amico Hoops is reporting that a number of players are attracting trade interest ahead of the February trade deadline:

Opposing teams also like some of the Cavaliers’ younger players, such as swingman Cedi Osman and center Ante Zizic. Spark-plug reserve Jordan Clarkson is also on a few teams’ radar. That said, it wouldn’t make sense to move any of them for what the Cavs would likely get in return.

Jordan Clarkson joined the Cavs in February of last year and has performed well from the bench, averaging 16.8 points, 3.2 rebounds and 2.3 assists per game. Meanwhile, Cedi Osman has been a regular starter, averaging career highs in points (11.7), assists (2.1) and rebounds (4.5), while Ante Zizic is managing a career-high 13.7 minutes per game.