As January draws to a close, the NBA trade deadline is getting closer, and fans can expect a slew of player transfers in the days leading up to the trade deadline. Many teams hoping to be Finals contenders at the start of the playoffs in June will have the next two weeks to address the weaknesses they present on their roster.
One of the most valuable assets of a playoff team is a two-way player because of their ability to influence the game on both offensive and defensive ends. There are a few two-way players that could be traded ahead of the NBA trade deadline. Here are the names that teams should look out for.
Rank of five talented two-way guards who could be traded before the NBA trade deadline
1. Bruce Brown (11.9 points, 4.6 rebounds per game, 48.1% shooting)
During the Denver Nuggets' journey to the championship, everyone recognized the value of Bruce Brown. As a result, he should be one of the most coveted players on the trade market this year.
He was recently traded by the Indiana Pacers to the Toronto Raptors in exchange for All-Star forward Pascal Siakam, and fortunately for rivals, the Raptors seem willing to trade him again.
Brown will be a valuable two-way player who can be a substitute for any team, but only a team with championship aspirations can make the most of his talent.
2. Dejot Murray (221.4 points, 5.0 assists, 1.3 steals per game)
The Atlanta Hawks are now ready to step out of Dejonte Murray-Trae Young's backcourt duo experiment and trade Murray for the right price. They reportedly asked for a couple of first-round picks and were willing to honor his request to send him to a team that has the ability to make the playoffs right away.
Because of Murray's influence on both ends of the floor, there are a lot of people who want him, and they don't limit themselves to contenders. The Milwaukee Bucks could use someone like Murray to rebuild one of their best defenses in the league, and the Los Angeles Lakers are looking to turn their season around with his help.
Meanwhile, the San Antonio Spurs are also reportedly interested in reuniting with him as they try to rebuild their roster around champion Victor Wembanyama.
If he does join a competitive team, he will greatly increase their chances of becoming champions this season. On the other hand, joining a team that is rebuilding is sure to speed up their timeline, which is why he's one of the most coveted players, and the bets on him could heat up ahead of the NBA trade deadline.
3. Alex Caruso (9.9 points, 1.3 steals, 49.1% shooting)
The Chicago Bulls' core should all be available before the NBA trade deadline, while players like Zach LaVine and DeMar DeRozan will make a lot of noise, and some teams that want to be a real threat in the playoffs will also be interested in adding Alex Caruso to their roster.
Caruso doesn't have high scoring stats, but he's an efficient scorer. In 38 games, he averaged 9.9 points per game while shooting 49.1 percent from the field and 42.0 percent from three-point range.
Defensively, he has the ability to suppress ball carriers, chase cover players, or prevent them from getting the ball. He's also very dynamic and fights hard in every round and is a valuable addition to any team that wants to add a versatile defender to help them compete for the title.
4. Mattis Tibble (5.5 points per game, 1.6 points on shooting, 36.7% three-point shooting)
Matisse Tibble is an all-around defender who can contain the best outside scorers on any team. His size and strength will make it tougher for the smaller guard in front of him, and he also has a low-cost contract of $33 million over the next three years.
His defensive talents make him a very attractive asset ahead of the NBA trade deadline, and while he's not a primary offensive option, the team can't let him defend alone, especially when he's hovering around the corner, as Thibullier shoots 48.3 percent from the right corner and 40 percent from the left.
5. Malcolm Brogdon (15.6 points, 5.3 assists, 42.2% three-point shooting)
The Portland Trail Blazers are in a rebuilding phase, so there's no point in keeping 31-year-old Malcolm Brogdon while he's still in his prime. So far this season, he's averaging 15.6 points and 5.3 assists per game, but those numbers could also be hollow if he isn't traded to a team that can make the playoffs.
Luckily, no matter which team gets him before the NBA trade deadline, he's available. Brogdon's trade is unlikely to be considered a blockbuster, but he's the kind of player who fits the "missing puzzle" type of role and can propel a playoff team to the ranks of championship contenders.
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