NBA Trade Rumors: Washington Wizards Exploring Luol Deng for Trevor Ariza, Otto Porter Deal; Detroit Pistons Also in Mix

With the playoffs in their sights, the Washington Wizards are expected to stay active on the trading front before the midseason trade deadline. Needing another star to play alongside franchise point guard John Wall, the Wizards could make a play for Chicago Bulls small forward Luol Deng in exchange for swingman Trevor Ariza and rookie Otto Porter.

SB Nation writer Amin Vafa provided a nice breakdown of what could be a blockbuster deal between the Wizards and the Bulls.

Deng, who is set to become a free-agent after this season, has been targeted by several ball clubs because he can make an impact on both ends of the floor. However, getting the service of Deng would require the Wizards to surrender a serviceable veteran in Ariza and their third overall pick in 2013 Draft in Porter.

Ariza has been playing tremendous basketball this season, averaging 15.2 points and 5.9 rebounds in 36 minutes per game. Meanwhile, Porter logged in just 12 minutes per game in his first season with the Wizards, though he's expected to be a solid player in the future.

"This is a pretty direct trade. Swap Trevor Ariza two-way play and Otto Porter's untapped potential for Luol Deng's two-way play and his big ol' contract that expires in July. The Wizards would certainly miss Ariza's corner 3s and the chemistry he's built with the team, but Deng is a very good player (especially on defense), and he's got over $14 million coming off the books this summer. Chicago seems like it's about ready to move in a direction that's not as Derrick Rose-dependent as it is now," wrote Vafa.

Wizards-Pistons Deal?

Aside from potentially exploring the trade for Deng, the Wizards might also work out a deal with the Detroit Pistons, a team loaded with trade assets.

In another proposed trade by Vafa, the Wizards will get Greg Monroe, Charlie Villanueva and Will Bynum from the Pistons, who will receive Trevor Ariza, Otto Porter and Al Harrington in return.

Monroe and Villanueva will add beef and maturity to the Wizards frontline while Bynum finally answers the Wiz's search for Wall's backup. On the other hand, the Pistons will finally move Josh Smith to power forward position with the arrival of Ariza and Porter while Al Harrington provides additional scoring punch off the bench.