NBA Trade Rumors 2013: LaMarcus Aldridge Out Of Trading Block For Now, Chicago Bulls' Luol Deng Attracting Interest

LaMarcus Aldridge is one of the biggest names that could potentially be on the NBA trade market later this season, but the Portland Trail Blazers are out of trade talks-- at least for now.

Aldridge, who reportedly wanted out of Portland during the summer, was aware of the trade talks surrounding him, but the All-Star power forward said that he is happy with the team right now, saying that he believes he is on a team that can win.

"I'm happy here right now," Aldridge said in an interview with USA Today. "I feel like we have a team that can win, that can make noise, and I feel like if we buy in then anything is possible. So I'm happy, and it's still my team and I'm playing well. I feel like the team has jelled around me."

Blazers head coach Terry Stotts, who has put more trust and responsibility on Aldridge's shoulders, also said that the 28-year-old forward is indeed happy with his current situation in Portland.

"He's playing at a very high level. He's certainly in a rhythm. I think he appreciates the roster moves that we made and knows that we're going to be a competitive team this year. I think he has seen the growth in the young guys. He was frustrated with losing. He wants to win," Stotts said.

Blazers general manager Neil Olshey has been reluctant about trade talks involving Aldridge, who has two years left on his contract worth $30 million. But USA Today sources confirmed that most front office executives of different teams believe that Aldridge will be traded if the Blazers get another All-Star in return.

Meanwhile, another All-Star that could be wearing another jersey in the near future is Luol Deng. Marc Stein of ESPN believes that Deng's days in Chicago are  already numbered after the Bulls did not offer an extension to Deng this past offseason.

"Deng will be a free agent in July and rest assured, at 28, he's going to attract significant interest. We're talking about a pro's pro, so you won't see any dismay seep into his game, but the overwhelming likelihood is that Deng and the Bulls -- after years and years of trade speculation that never begat an actual trade -- will finally be going their separate ways in July," Stein reported.

The Bulls are expected to entertain trade offers for Deng before the deadline instead of dealing with the risk of losing the All-Star forward without getting any pieces in return.