Welcome to the NBA trade deadline

The 2017 NBA trade deadline arrives at 3 p.m. ET on Thursday. Plenty of big names remain in play to some extent, led by Jimmy Butler and Paul George. We’re not sure if the Bulls or Pacers will trade those guys, but there has been enough smoke to keep a close eye on the situation.

As of Wednesday, it appeared that Jae Crowder was the hold-up on a trade sending Butler to the Celtics. There’s also rising concern that instead of signing a $200 million supermax this summer — one that hinges on George making All-NBA teams — the Pacers’ superstar might wait until 2018 free agency and bolt to the Lakers.

We did get a couple of smaller deals on Wednesday. The Wizards shot their shot, sending a protected first and bad contract Andrew Nicholson to the Nets for Bojan Bogdanovic. The Hawks sent a second-round pick to the Sixers to get out of Tiago Splitter’s contract, picking up Ersan Ilyasova.

We’ll see if Carmelo Anthony’s name gets brought up on Thursday. He has a no-trade clause, so moving him at the deadline is extra difficult. Other names we could hear include Derrick Favors, Andre Drummond, Reggie Jackson, Goran Dragic, pretty much every Sacramento King not named Buddy Hield, Brook Lopez, Ricky Rubio, Derrick Rose, and Jahlil Okafor. Buckle in.

SB Nation NBA will have full coverage all day long. Check out our NBA trade rumor tracker to keep up.

NBA players are trolling us all with emojis on Twitter.

The Pacers and Lakers are fighting over the future of Paul George, which means Larry Bird and Magic Johnson are officially battling once again.

Let’s talk Magic. Zito Madu wants you to give Earvin a chance. I want you to see the Jeanie Buss-Magic coup for the heartwarming story of justice and inspiration it truly is. Bill Plaschke has some words of caution about Magic’s task. Lee Jenkins looks at what the Lakers have and how well-suited Magic is to pull it together.

Marc Spears writes that qualified black GM candidates feel snubbed by Magic’s quick hiring of Rob Pelinka. There are only two black GMs in the NBA.

Here’s Bill Oram on how Jim Buss ended his own career.

Whoa. Chris Paul might play ... like, right now.

Why the Pistons might trade Andre Drummond or Kentavious Caldwell-Pope.

Lauri Markkanen seems like a gem. Oh, he also appears to be a fine basketball player, too.

DeMarcus Cousins was introduced in New Orleans. That gave him an opportunity to call the Kings “dishonest” for their handling of his trade. He also revealed that Kings GM Vlade Divac only reached out after news of the trade had broken. Cousins didn’t answer, and hasn’t spoken to him.

Also, asked how competitive he is, Cousins responded “about 17 technicals worth.” Long live Boogie.

Chris Herring writes that Cousins is slow and the Pelicans are fast, so something’s gotta give.

Meanwhile, Buddy Hield revealed that in the Pelicans’ two previous games in Sacramento this year, Kings owner Vivek Ranadive approached the guard and said he was going to find a way to bring him to town.

The Pelicans are far from a sure thing to make the playoffs.

Your man Richard Jefferson wore a t-shirt that said “flat world champions.”

Inside Damian Lillard’s rap album, track by track.

Ken Berger on how Tyus Jones is navigating rough seas in the NBA.

Don’t fix Lonzo Ball’s shot!