The DeMarcus Cousins trade proved to end All-Star Weekend with a bang. Just minutes after Anthony Davis was hoisting the MVP trophy, news broke that Cousins would be staying in New Orleans for the foreseeable future. Cousins joined Serge Ibaka as notable NBA players that have been traded in recent days. The NBA trade deadline is Thursday, February 23 at 3 p.m. Eastern. Some of the biggest names being mentioned in trade rumors are Jimmy Butler, Carmelo Anthony and Jahlil Okafor. Whether any of these players will be moved remains to be seen. For the Knicks to move Anthony, he would have to approve any deal since he has a no-trade clause. There is some thought that teams will be hesitant to make moves given the Warriors have a stronghold on the league so far this season. With the 2017 NBA Draft shaping up to be one of the deepest drafts we have seen, teams near the bottom of the NBA standings are going to be looking to unload players to stockpile additional draft picks with their team's limited chances of competing this season. Heavy has put together five trade ideas we would like to see happen. While the specific trades are not exact trade rumors, the core pieces of each trade are based on players who are reportedly on the market. Take a look at ESPN's trade machine and send me your favorite trade ideas on Twitter @JonDAdams. Click the arrow on the right side of the above image to see Heavy's top five NBA trade ideas. (Getty)
No. 5 Nets Trade Bojan Bogdanovic to the Wizards for Trey Burke & a 2017 First Round Pick
Wizards Receive: SG Bojan Bogdanovic, Isaiah Whitehead
Nets Receive: PG Trey Burke, 2017 1st Round Pick
Why the Deal Works: The Wizards get the best player in the deal, but the Nets get another first round pick. Trey Burke's contract is expiring so the Nets have no obligation to keep him past this season if they choose not to. It looks like the Nets are going to have to swap first round picks with the Celtics. This trade would give the Nets two first round picks to try to package to move up into the late lottery. Washington has made it clear they are willing to part with their first round pick to strengthen their bench depth. They also acquire Whitehead to plug into Burke's backup point guard role. The Wizards sit as the three seed coming out of the All-Star break and are five games back from the Cavs. They are just two games back from the Celtics, and are looking to make a deep playoff run with their best team in recent memory. (Getty)
No. 4 Magic Trade Nikola Vucevic for Dante Exum, Trey Lyles & a 2017 First Round Pick
Jazz Receive: C Nikola Vucevic
Magic Receive: PF Trey Lyles, PG Dante Exum, 2017 First Round Pick
Why the Deal Works: The Magic might think the market for Vucevic is bigger than it actually is. The time to move him was after the 2014-15 season when his value was at his highest. Orlando has tried to make him their number one option, and he is not that. He is also a defensive liability. That said, he is a great fit for the Jazz who can pair him at times with Rudy Gobert. He gives the Jazz another offensive weapon to go with Gordon Hayward. Orlando may be talking publicly about making a playoff push but the team lacks the talent to make it happen. This trade gives them two young assets and another first round pick in a deep draft. It would give them three first round picks this summer as they continue in their constant state of rebuilding. The Jazz have an additional first round pick from the Warriors that gives them some flexibility in a trade. Vucevic is on a cap-friendly deal that was signed before the new CBA. (Getty)
No. 3 Suns Trade Brandon Knight to the Spurs for Danny Green & a 2017 First Round Pick
Spurs Receive: PG Brandon Knight
Suns Receive: SG Danny Green, 2017 First Round Pick
Why the Deal Works: The Suns have a logjam at point guard and are looking to move Knight. The Spurs have some talented young wing players that allow them to move Green. Knight potentially gives San Antonio their point guard of the future once Tony Parker hangs it up. He also gives them another scoring guard to throw at the Warriors in the playoffs. The Suns get the benefit of an additional first round pick and another solid young player. Phoenix is looking to move Knight a year too late, but at least least they get something in return for a redundant player on their roster. A lineup featuring Green and Devin Booker at times would prove to be tough for opposing defenses to defend on the perimeter. While the Spurs are not apt to making mid-season deals, this one could make a lot of sense. (Getty)
No. 2 Heat Trade Goran Dragic to 76ers for Jahlil Okafor
Heat Receive: PF Jahlil Okafor
76ers Receive: PG Goran Dragic
Why the Deal Works: Both the 76ers and Heat share the similarity of actively shopping a star player. The 76ers have a plethora of big men and have been looking to deal Okafor. The market may not be to their liking for a big man who is a defensive liability without the ability to knock down 3-pointers. Things have gotten bad enough with the Okafor rumors that the team opted to not have Okafor travel on a recent road trip. Dragic immediately upgrades their backcourt and adds more of a veteran presence. It gives the Sixers a more balanced roster. For the Heat, the move gives them a talented young asset who is just two seasons removed from being the third pick in the draft. Okafor gives the Heat a nice offensive option down low to pair with Hassan Whiteside. (Getty)
No. 1 Knicks Trade Carmelo Anthony to the Celtics for 4 Players
Knicks Receive: PF Amir Johnson, SF Jae Crowder, SF Jaylen Brown, PG Marcus Smart
Celtics Receive: F Carmelo Anthony, PF Kyle O'Quinn
Why the Deal Works: The Knicks are looking to move Anthony, but it is complicated. Anthony has a no-trade clause which means he can veto any trade that would send him out of New York City. He has been vocal about his desire to stay with the Knicks. New York would like to get a star in return for Anthony but find themselves with limited options. This trade gives the Knicks three young players (Crowder, Brown and Smart) to pair with Kristaps Porzingis who is the future of the franchise. Why would the Celtics mess with a good thing? Boston sits at the two seed in the East just three games behind the Cavs. There is a window to gain ground on Cleveland with Kevin Love looking to be on the sidelines for the majority of rest of the regular season. Anthony gives the Celtics a legit number one option to pair with Isaiah Thomas who has been filling that role nicely for Boston. Ultimately, the Celtics sacrifice depth and young talent to add more offensive firepower for their postseason run. The Celtics have been unable to attract a superstar in free agency (although Al Horford was a nice signing), and would benefit from getting Anthony's rights via trade. The Celtics have a good chance to make the NBA Finals, and it should give Anthony reason to ponder a move to Boston. (Getty)
NBA Trade Rumors 2017: Top 5 Best Trade Ideas for Deadline