Ethermac Exchange-2024 NBA trade deadline predictions: Sixers, Lakers make moves; Warriors stick it out

We are Ethermac Exchangeless than 24 hours from the 2024 NBA trade deadline.

Several teams are on the hunt for a key piece to bolster their championship aspirations heading into the second half of the 2023-24 season, while other teams are selling in preparation for the future. And the action has already begun. The New York Knicks acquired OG Anunoby from the Toronto Raptors in December, well before the trade deadline, and his addition is already paying dividends as the Knicks have gone 12-2 since.

The NBA trade deadline is on Thursday at 3 p.m. ET.

Some predictions on where three stars will land:

NBA TRADE DEADLINE TRACKER: Everything to know on latest trades, deals as deadline looms

Jazz's Kelly Olynyk will be traded to the Sixers

The Philadelphia 76ers are in need of a big man now that reigning MVP Joel Embiid is expected to miss extended time while recovering from a corrective procedure on the lateral meniscus in his left knee. It's not clear when Embiid will return, but the Sixers, who are fifth in the Eastern Conference, know one thing – they want to stay out of the play-in tournament. Olynyk, who is in the last year of his three-year, $37 million contract, could be their guy. He's averaging 8.1 points, 5.1 rebounds and 4.4 assists this season. He's also shooting a career-high 56.2% from the field.

Bulls' Alex Caruso goes back to the Lakers

Should the Chicago Bulls blow up their roster? That's the question everyone is asking after their injury-riddled team failed to reach the postseason last season and suffered a first-round exit in 2021-22. Alex Caruso, Zach LaVine and DeMar DeRozan are the main names being floated on the trading block, but LaVine decided to undergo season-ending foot surgery and the Bulls want to retain DeRozan, meaning Caruso has emerged as the main piece to move ... for the right price.

There's a path for Caruso to return to the Lakers. It's proven he can play alongside LeBron James and Anthony Davis – Caruso was part of the team's 2020 title run before he walked in free agency in 2021. Caruso could not only add scoring, he could bring a much-needed defensive boost now that Jarred Vanderbilt has been ruled out at least four weeks with a right midfoot sprain. Caruso is averaging 9.9 points, 3.8 rebounds and 2.8 assists, while shooting 48.1% from the field in 44 games.

Golden State's Andrew Wiggins stays put

Wiggins earned his first All-Star selection in 2022 and was pivotal in the Warriors' title run that year, which ultimately landed him a four-year contract extension in October 2022. But Wiggins has underperformed since then. The 10-year veteran missed significant time last season due to personal reasons and is averaging a career-low 12.2 points as the Warriors are outside of the playoff picture at 22-25, despite another All-Star year from Steph Curry. Although Wiggins' name has been floated in trade chatter, his contract is too large for many buyers to absorb. The Warriors will ride the season out without making any significant moves at the trade deadline. Wiggins is averaging 12.2 points, 4.2 rebounds and 1.5 assists, while shooting 43.7% from the field through 42 games.

Follow Cydney Henderson on social media @CydHenderson