With the NBA's February 6 trade deadline looming, and the 2019-20 season well and truly in its dog days, it’s understandable that many eyes and ears have gravitated toward speculation as to how teams will (or at least try) to reconfigure their rosters for a potential championship run - or a retool to generate future assets.

Last week, Jason Oliver did a great job examining the premier contenders while assessing just how they can upgrade their rosters ahead of the deadline.

Today, we’ll work back from the outside in, identifying 10 of the league’s most wanted players, while also a proposing a hypothetical trade for each candidate.

• NBA FUTURES: Every Team's NBA Title Probabilities
• TRADE DEADLINE: Potential Trades That Could Help A Contender Win The NBA Championship
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ROBERT COVINGTON

Minnesota’s ‘three and D’ specialist, Robert Covington is the kind of player teams will be clamouring for should the Timberwolves make him available ahead of the deadline.

A defensive nuisance who has averaged nearly two steals per game throughout his NBA career, Covington has also hit 859 three pointers at a respectable 36%, with a pronounced ability to play multiple positions, and, whose willingness to get down and dirty on defense is admired by players and teams far and wide.

With $36 million still owed to ‘RoCo’ over the next three seasons, adding him to a contender isn’t the most difficult proposition, however the Wolves and GM Gersan Rosas won’t let him go cheaply.

Proposed Trade: Rosas’ former employer, the Houston Rockets, acquire both Covington and Jake Layman. As compensation, Minnesota receives Eric Gordon, Austin Rivers and two future-Rocket second-round draft picks.

Rationale: Houston's defense is very much middle of the road, conceding 109.7 points per 100 possessions which is ranked 15th in the league. Covington has a career 105 defensive rating while Gordon is statistically the Rocket's worst contributor on defense. Adding in the perennially injured Jake Layman might make up for what's lost in shooting. 

As for the Wolves, the picks will be integral should they want to package them further down the track for help around franchise star Karl-Anthony Towns. Meanwhile, Gordon's scoring prowess and three point shooting (career 37.7%) would be of immense help on a team ranked 29th in the league when it comes to hitting the three-ball. Austin Rivers would provide assistance at the guard positions, especially as the Jeff Teague era in Minneapolis has ended. 

EDIT: Robert Covington has been traded to the Houston Rockets in a sensational 12-player, 4-team deal with the Atlanta Hawks and Denver Nuggets. 

CJ MCCOLLUM

Portland’s CJ McCollum is no stranger to trade speculation, with the former Lehigh Mountain Hawk constantly nominated as a trade piece should the Trail Blazers want to break up their illustrious Damian Lillard-led backcourt.

And, with Portland’s seven-year playoff streak in serious jeopardy, now may well be the time GM  -and Seinfeld super-fan - Neil Olshey pulls the trigger, and trades out his star shooting guard in order to cut salary and bring in some draft capital.

The problem for the Blazers is that McCollum still has $157 million attached to his name, along with four and a half years of future service time. If a championship aspirant indeed wants his services, they’d not only need to be enamored with his game, but also be comfortable absorbing such a massive contract into their books.

Proposed Trade: The Dallas Mavericks get a second star guard to pair with Luka Doncic and power forward, Kristaps Porzingis, while the Blazers rebuild begins in earnest with a couple of future Dallas first-round draft picks, along with the expiring contracts of both Courtney Lee and Tim Hardaway Jnr.

Rationale: Adding McCollum without losing a starter to a team already boasting the league's most efficient offense would unquestionably make Dallas a formidable championship contender. Losing Hardaway and Lee meanwhile wouldn't be a travesty as both are on expiring contracts, with neither presently contributing much from a defensive standpoint. Two first-round picks would be an enormous cost for Dallas, however it could kickstart a Portland re-build, while also freeing itself from an exorbitant future pay-roll.

BOGDAN BOGDANOVIC

For the 14^th straight season, the Sacramento Kings and the NBA playoffs don’t appear to be compatible, with this long-suffering franchise once again needing to evaluate just how they’ll claw their way back to league relevance.

A starting point could be finding a home for their 27-year old Serbian sharp-shooter, Bogdan Bogdanovic, who, while not starting a single game this season, has been a prolific scorer off the bench, averaging a career-high 18.5 points per 36 minutes, while already hitting 80 threes this season at an excellent 38.1% clip.

Most importantly, Bogdanovic has a very modest $8.5 million contract, which will expire at the end of this season, ensuring both he and the Kings will have plethora of suitors knocking at the door.

Proposed Trade: The LA Lakers get Bogdanovic as some assistance for a bench unit only producing 38.1 points per night. The Kings receive the Lakers’ 2020 first-round draft pick along with backup point guard, Quinn Cook.

Rationale: There are concerns in Laker-land regarding how precipitous the fall-off is from LeBron James and Anthony Davis. While Bogdanovic isn't remotely in their league, he would provide much needed help to a rotation which has been outscored 96-65 in its two losses against the Clippers this season. 

As for Sacramento, they'd jump at the opportunity to bring in a first-round pick for a player who'll likely leave in free agency, while Cook is a handy backup guard to have around, and whose maturity might help the Kings over the coming seasons. 

JRUE HOLIDAY

New Orleans’s Jrue Holiday is one of the most admired and respected figures in the NBA. He may also be available to the highest bidder, considering the Pelicans don’t appear to be playoff bound, and also conscious of the mega-deal that breakout sensation, Brandon Ingram, will command in the off-season.

There will be no shortage of suitors should New Orleans genuinely explore the idea of trading their star leader, who not only brings a decade’s worth of experience at point guard, but brings an elite combination of creativity and defensive know-how.

With two more seasons and $52 million owed to Holiday, adding him to a championship contender won’t be the easiest of tasks, however it’s not every day such an asset is available, and one that could greatly enhance a team’s post-season prospects.

Proposed Trade: The Denver Nuggets receive both Jrue Holiday and E’Twaun Moore’s $8 million expiring deal. The Pelicans receive Louisiana-native Paul Milsap and his expiring $30 million contract, along with Juan Hernangomez, Montee Morris and a future Nuggets first-round pick.

Rationale: Losing 4-time All-Star Paul Milsap wouldn't be a small loss for Denver, however at 34 years of age, his production has declined significantly, and, if it meant landing Holiday, the Nuggets would have a hard time saying no. 

Though losing Holiday would be a major blow for New Orleans, especially less than a year after trading out Anthony Davis, ridding themselves of his contract could actually be a wise move. Adding in a capable point guard in Morris and a potentially excellent Hernangomez would help, as too would another first-round pick, which the Pelicans could always on-trade to rebuild around Ingram and Zion Williamson.

ANDRE IGUODALA

Despite not yet suiting up for his current employer - the NBA’s biggest surprise packet - the Memphis Grizzlies, the NBA’s worst kept secret is that three-time NBA champion, and former Finals MVP, Andre Iguodala, is available at the right price and would constitute a serious acquisition for any team with championship aspirations.

A defensive leviathan and basketball savant with 145 games of playoff experience, Iguodala is understandably seen as the kind of player who’d fit seamlessly into any squad.

An issue for suitors may well be the $17 million Iguodala is still owed, along with the fact he is 35 years of age, and whose health might have some question marks.

Proposed Trade: Along with a future second round pick, the Los Angeles Clippers add Iguodala to pair with Kawhi Leonard and Paul George in their furious bid to land a maiden franchise championship. As compensation, Memphis receives Mo Harkless’ expiring deal, 2019 first-round pick, Mfiondu Kabengele, along with the Clippers' 2020 first-round pick.

Rationale: At 30-13 and within striking distance of the Western Conference #1 seed, the Clippers don't present as a team in desperate need of help, however the problem is when the Clippers have been beaten its usually been because of defensive shortcomings. They boast just a 9-10 record when they've shipped 110 points or more. Conversely, they are 19-1 when they hold opponents to 106 points or less, which is the kind of territory an Iguodala addition would more regularly have them in. 

While losing Harkless and his relatively expensive deal would be obvious from a salary matching perspective, parting ways with even more draft capital would be painful for the Clippers considering what they gave up to get George last off-season. Memphis would however feel that's a reasonable return for such a recognised talent. 

EDIT: Andre Iguodala has been traded to the Miami Heat, signing a 2-year, $30-million extension. NBA.com reports that Miami's Justise Winslow will head to Memphis in return.

LUKE KENNARD

Since Luke Kennard entered the league as a first-round pick out of Duke University, he’s demonstrated elite-level shooting, this season hitting 77 three pointers at 39.9% while also adding an extra element of creativity to his game, producing 4.1 assists per night, which is second only to Derrick Rose on the Detroit Pistons.

While Kennard is owed a relatively paltry $9 million over the next two seasons, a fear for teams wishing to acquire his services is his proclivity for injury, not yet passing 1,500 minutes in a season, while his sub-standard defense is also something to be concerned about, with Detroit leaking 116 points per 100 possessions when Kennard is on the court.

Proposed Trade: The Oklahoma City Thunder get Luke Kennard, while the Pistons receive OKC's 2020 first-round pick (via Denver), along with a future second-round pick.

Rationale: While the Thunder have been one of the season's surprise packets, presently occupying what was once figured to be an unlikely playoff spot, they haven't excelled from a shooting perspective, hitting just 34.4% of their threes which is ranked 23rd in the league, just one spot above the hapless Cleveland Cavaliers. 

Detroit would be entitled to ask for more from Oklahoma City, especially knowing how flush they are with future draft capital, and would be hoping for both of the Thunder's first round picks at this year's draft. To do so, OKC would likely want an extra playing asset.

DAVIS BERTANS

It’s not often the exceptionally-run San Antonio Spurs let a player of Davis Bertan’s quality slip through their fingers, however the playoff-questionable Spurs are living that reality as the Latvian thrives in Washington, playing a central role on one of the league’s most efficient offenses.

Bertans is a career 41% three-point shooter, who this year has added a pronounced aggressiveness to his game, collecting a career-high five rebounds per outing, while also averaging 2.2 free-throw attempts per 36 minutes which is a significant jump from what he achieved in Texas.

At six-foot ten - and with one of the sweetest strokes in the league - Bertans and his 42.8% three-point shooting would make for a huge acquisition for any team ahead of the deadline.

Proposed Trade: The Toronto Raptors receives Davis Bertans and veteran point guard, Ish Smith. The Wizards receive Toronto’s 2020 first-round pick and Norman Powell.

Rationale: The Wizards are in severe need of draft assets, and young, reasonably priced talent. While losing Bertans would be painful, getting back a first-round pick as well as Norman Powell would help soothe the wound. 

As for the Raptors, adding in Bertans to such a sophisticated offense that already hits the three at 37.5% (the third best mark in the league) would make the reigning champions even more potent, while Ish Smith is the kind of mature body the Raptors have always done well accommodating and finding a decent role for. 

KEVIN LOVE

Kevin Love is certainly one of the most high-profiled deadline names, with his championship pedigree and high-calibre game a salivating prospect for trophy-hunting franchises.

The problem is Love is still owed a massive $120 million over the next three and a half seasons, which would make any deal for the forward highly problematic and complicated to achieve.

His incredible talent, however, will mandate that teams explore all options, and if Portland isn’t yet ready to give up hope this season, there is a way they could add Love while also keeping their backcourt mainstays, McCollum and Lillard. 

Potential Trade: The Portland Trail Blazers receives Kevin Love. The Cleveland Cavaliers get back Hassan Whiteside’s expiring deal, 2019 first-round pick, Nassir Little, along with Portland’s 2020 first-round pick.

Rationale: The Cavs and Kevin Love is anything but a modern day love story with Love making it known how much he despises being a part of such a struggling team. Just one first-round pick might seem like unders, however it's likely the most the Cavs could garner considering the size of his contract. Little was a star at North Carolina, and the kind of high-upside talent that's sorely needed in Cleveland. 

As for the Blazers, this deal would be entirely contingent on how much they like playing roulette. Taking on Love's contract, in concert with the money already owed to both McCollum and Lillard, would be a gamble from a front-office perspective, however it could be the kind of move that gets them back in the playoff hunt once more.

SPENCER DINWIDDIE

Despite all the fireworks surrounding the Kyrie Irving and Kevin Durant acquisitions, it is Spencer Dinwiddie who has kept the good times rolling in Brooklyn, playing in every game this season as the Nets look to qualify for back-to-back playoff appearances.

At 26-years old, Dinwiddie has emerged as one of the league’s most potent scorers, averaging a preposterous 25.4 points per 36 minutes while also taking 8.3 free throws.

With just $22 million owed to the former Colorado star over the next two seasons, he’d constitute a major addition for any title aspirant, while the Nets may look to cash-in on a player who the franchise has deemed significantly less important than Irving or Durant.

Proposed Trade: The Philadelphia 76ers get Dinwiddie, and veteran, Wilson Chandler. The Nets receive Zhaire Smith, Mike Scott and two future first-round picks.

Rationale: For a team with championship pretensions, the Sixers' offense doesn't exactly fit the bill, ranked 20th for overall efficiency while their 13.2 turnovers per 100 possessions is worse than league average. Dinwiddie would help on both fronts. If indeed Dinwiddie is used off the bench, he'd be of enormous help to a rotation bench unit averaging just 29 points per night, which is the fourth worst mark in the league. 

The Nets are headed to the playoffs and a couple of first round picks to potentially use for help around Durant and Irving going forward would make them one of the favourites for next season's title.

JULIUS RANDLE

The Knicks have understandably received much criticism for not just the roster they’ve built, but the chorus line of elite players that have turned them down in recent seasons.

One acquisition, however, that has worked out, and who has some currency among championship hopefuls, is former LA Laker, Julius Randle.

Randle is an elite forward and defensive match-up nightmare, and with less than $20 million per season remaining on his deal, will be an attractive proposition for teams who might be just a piece or two away from NBA nirvana. The Knicks, meanwhile, simply must explore adding high-end draft picks to their talent-drained squad at every opportunity.

Proposed Trade: The Oklahoma City Thunder receive Julius Randle. The Knicks get back a future OKC first-round pick, along with Danilo Gallinari’s expiring contract, and 2019 first-round pick, Darius Bazley.

Rationale: The Thunder have so much going right for them at the moment, however production from forwards isn't one of them, ranked just 21st in the league, and shooting just 45.3% from that position. Randle is a career 49.5% shooter and would work very well with Steven Adams down low. 

While Bazley is clearly not near Julius Randle's level, he is a talent with upside, and, coupled with a first-round pick (the Knicks would likely and understandably lobby for two), could give New York fans at least a couple of reasons to not remove themselves entirely from the sport.

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