Danny Granger, Luol Deng and LaMarcus Aldridge on Trade Block

Teams will use this time to acquire contracts and draft picks, and shed big salaries with the hope of freeing up some cap space for free agency and/or getting under the league’s luxury-tax line.

Three of the biggest names available, according to Comcast’s Ric Bucher are the Chicago Bulls’ Luol Deng, Indiana Pacers’ Danny Granger and Portland Trail Blazers’ LaMarcus Aldridge:

League source: three veterans who are candidates to be in deals leading up to, or during NBA draft are the Bulls’
Luol Deng, Pacers’ Danny Granger and Blazers’ Lamarcus Aldridge.

The Cavs apparently have interest in Deng and he certainly would be a terrific role model and leader-by-example for a young squad; the Cavs also have a gaping hole at that position and if they have interest in vying for a playoff spot next season, a rookie out of this draft isn’t going to move them appreciably closer. That said, there is skepticism that the Cavs are actually serious about parting with the No. 1 pick because they keep asking for assets as if it were the first pick in next year’s draft.

Granger’s availability isn’t catching anyone off guard. The Pacers came one win shy of making an NBA Finals appearance without him this season. Shedding his contract and the $14 million he’s owed in hopes freeing up additional funds to use on David West or another big-name free agent makes perfect sense.

Coming off an injury, however, don’t expect the Pacers to be able to move Granger. Don’t expect them to settle if they can either.

Finding a taker for Granger shouldn’t be difficult. He’s proved capable enough in the past to the point where plenty of teams would take on his expiring contract, knowing full well he may never be the same player.

The problem comes in the offer. It’s unlikely someone deals him straight up for a draft pick without looking to get rid of a contract of their own. Since he’s coming off an injury, interested teams may be leery about taking him without any financial relief of their own.

In that case, it would make sense for the Pacers to hold onto him, especially if the contract they’re taking back extends beyond next season.

Deng is another who it isn’t surprising to hear mentioned. His $14.3 million contract is set to come off the books as well and if the Bulls can use him to trim from their projected $73.2 million payroll, I’d imagine they would.

The Cleveland Cavaliers have an obvious need at small forward and would certainly be a good fit. They’re most definitely not going to deal their No. 1 pick for Deng, though. Not when they could easily get Paul Pierce from the Boston Celtics for much cheaper.

Also, I have my doubts that the Bulls would actually wind up dealing him. Sans Deng, they don’t have a reliable second scoring option behind Derrick Rose. Joakim Noah and Carlos Boozer can only get you far. That said, the Bulls may be confident at this point that Jimmy Butler can replace Deng—who was in the hospital during a good portion of Chicago’s playoff run—seamlessly.

Aldridge is the name to keep an eye on here, especially with regard to the Cavaliers.

Cleveland was reportedly interested in/fantasized about acquiring Aldridge from the Blazers in the past, and the first-overall pick in the draft could be just the bait the Cavs need to pry him out of Portland.

Though it’s difficult to imagine the Blazers getting rid of him, they could use a center like Nerlens Noel and Alex Len to build around moving forward. Knowing that Damian Lillard and Nicolas Batum are so young, Aldridge might be a price they’re willing to pay. I’d expect the Cavs would have to pair Anderson Varejao with the No. 1 pick to make it happen.

Now that you’ve digested all this information, understand that it’s unlikely any of these players are dealt leading into the draft. It’s possible, but very unlikely. Considering how thin this year’s talent crop is believed to be, the time for star-esque players to be traded will be during free agency, when other big names are likely to be involved.

Still, keep your eyes peeled for guys like these being on the move shortly. You never know, their teams could surprise you.