NBA Trade Rumours Roundup, January 27th: Celtics trade update, Markelle Fultz trade 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, while every team except the Phoenix Suns and Memphis Grizzlies still have 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 are traded, have time to settle into their new teams, so this year's trade window will close on February 7th.

So with the trade deadline just two weeks away, here are the biggest trade rumors you need to know for January 27th.

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Markelle Fultz could leave the Sixers

Action from Utah Jazz v Philadelphia 76ers

Markelle Fultz endured a difficult first season in Philadelphia, and he has once again been hit by injuries this year. Due to this, Tom Haberstroh from NBC Sports is reporting that the Sixers will offer Fultz in trade talks over the next two weeks:

The Markelle Fultz situation remains unresolved, making the former No. 1 overall pick a logical trade target in coming weeks. For Philly, sending Fultz, Justin Patton, Wilson Chandler and a pick to Atlanta for Kent Bazemore, Kevin Huerter and Dewayne Dedmon would fill needs for both sides. The Cavs, with Channing Frye and J.R. Smith, are also an intriguing trade partner for the shooting-starved Sixers if they don’t want to gamble on the buyout market.

Fultz was drafted by the Sixers with the first pick of the 2017 draft. However, the 20-year-old has only played 33 games in two seasons due to injury and a lack of form.

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Celtics unlikely to make a trade

Action from The Detroit Pistons v New Orleans Pelicans

Entering the 18/19 season, the Boston Celtics were the heavy favorites to top the Eastern Conference standings. Nevertheless, the team is currently sitting a disappointing 5th due to an underwhelming 32-19 record. Despite the Celtics' struggles, NBC Sports is reporting that the franchise is unlikely to make a trade this month:

The Celtics could float Terry Rozier and Jaylen Brown on the trade market, but league sources tell NBCSports.com they are likely to sit sight and hope both bounce back to last season’s levels. With the chances of a midseason Anthony Davis trade lessening by the day, the Celtics have good reason to hold pat.

If the Celtics fail to make a trade this month, the team is believed to be willing to go all in on a summer move for Anthony Davis from the New Orleans Pelicans.

Thon Maker wants to leave the Bucks

Action from Milwaukee Bucks v New York Knicks

The Milwaukee Bucks have enjoyed a terrific season so far, as the team currently boasts the best record in the NBA. Nevertheless, ESPN's Adrian Wojnarowski is reporting that Thon Maker is looking to leave the team due to a lack of playing time:

The representative for Milwaukee Bucks center Thon Maker has told management that he would prefer the franchise to trade Maker to a team that would provide a larger role for the former lottery pick, league sources told ESPN.

As Maker's playing time has diminished under new coach Mike Budenholzer in the Bucks' surge to the NBA's best record, agent Mike George and Milwaukee general manager Jon Horst have discussed trade scenarios in recent weeks that would potentially make sense for both the player and team, league sources said.

Maker was selected with the 10th overall pick in the 2016 draft by the Bucks, and so far this season, the 21-year-old has averaged 4.7 points and 2.7 rebounds in 11.7 minutes per game.