With the Indiana Pacers continuing to climb the Eastern Conference ranks, postseason success is becoming a less lofty aspiration by the day. However, a player previously believed to be highly coveted by the Pacers may not be where they turn to for a move to bring them closer to championship contention.

Heading into the peak of NBA trade season between Thanksgiving and the Feb. 6 trade deadline, the Indiana Pacers were struggling and were expected to make a large roster move. However, since Jan. 1, Indiana is 8-1 and is surging up the standings, looking the part of a postseason team.

The Indiana Pacers could be one of the few teams to be active as the highly anticipated NBA trade deadline approaches.  The Pacers are one of the hottest teams

whose name has been connected in reported trade discussions for the one player the Pacers have been most consistently connected to so far this cycle — Brooklyn Nets wing Cameron Johnson.

Cam Johnson and the Nets are doing their best to block out trade speculation with the Feb. 6 deadline approaching.

The night before, Tyrese Haliburton, the Pacers' franchise player, had said following a loss in Toronto that they were putting an embarrassing product on the floor and needed to start matching or exceeding their opponents' energy level.

Victor Wembanyama inspires the San Antonio Spurs to a 140-110 victory against the Indiana Pacers at Accor Arena in Paris, France.

The latest NBA intel on Cam Johnson trade talks, Clint Capela’s new role and future, what’s potentially next for the Cleveland Cavaliers, and interviews with Hawks forward De’Andre Hunter and

Who knows if Butler will end up on the move, but there is a nice consolation prize waiting to find out where his next home might be. Cam Johnson, the soon-to-be 29-year-old Brooklyn Nets wing, has been arguably their best player overall this season.

The Sixers have a veteran-laden roster full of players who should theoretically be of interest to contending teams. There are five Sixers who may be the most likely to generate trade calls from those buyers, but their markets -- both in terms of salary and draft compensation -- will vary quite a bit.

Oklahoma City showed how dominant its defense can be in shutting down Cleveland last Thursday, earning some revenge for the week before (and with that win, the Thunder move back to the top of these rankings).

Nets forward Cam Johnson is sidelined a nagging ankle injury as trade speculation grows ahead of the Feb. 6 deadline.