As the NBA trade deadline looms, Kevin O'Connor and Tom Haberstroh team up to talk the hottest trade rumors, the latest on Jimmy Butler, which teams should start tanking and more.

Embiid, who is averaging 24.4 points and 7.9 rebounds, has already been ruled out against the Kings. George, who averages 17.1 points, 5.6 rebounds, 4.7 assists and 1.7 steals, is day-to-day with an extensor tendon injury in his left pinkie finger.

Sacramento lost, 117-104, at the Wells Fargo Center, against a 76ers team missing former MVP Joel Embiid and All-Star Paul George, and that was also playing on the back end of a back-to-back.

The Sacramento Kings will face a severely short-handed Philadelphia 76ers squad on Wednesday after Philadelphia released a lengthy injury report.

The 76ers are heading into the second leg of a back-to-back, as they handily beat the Los Angeles Lakers at home on Tuesday night. Star guard Tyrese Maxey dominated with 43 points with co-stars Paul George and Joel Embiid sidelined.

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While Fox would work as a fit for a Heat roster lacking a significant contribution at point guard since the declining play and then trade a year ago of Kyle Lowry, that math at the moment appears beyond the Heat’s means, unless Butler is part of such an equation.

De'Aaron Fox is the new name on the market after sending signals he doesn't want to commit long-term to the Kings. Meanwhile, Jimmy Butler remains suspended as the Heat decide his future.

George, 34, has had an underwhelming debut season with the 76ers, averaging 17.1 points, 5.6 rebounds, and 4.7 assists per game. George is set to miss his 16th game of the season, amid his worst statistical year in about a decade.

The Knicks have won five in a row including wins over teams like the Nuggets, Grizzlies, and Kings who have all been surging. New York is sitting at No. 3 in the East and is just a game back of the Celtics for the No. 2 seed. The Knicks are jelling at the right time as they continue to move forward with their season.