NBA trade rumors: Lakers to trade Jeremy Lin? George Karl to Kings?

With the NBA trade deadline of February 19th less than two weeks away, the rumor mill is heating up. Check out all of the latest rumors below.

Jeremy Lin

The Lakers are not heading to the playoffs, making them one of the many teams looking to move assets at the trade deadline. While point guard Jeremy Lin is having a solid season (10.4 points, 4.7 assists), his contract is going to be a problem if the Lakers try to dump him onto a contender looking for a veteran backup, writes ESPN Insider Nick Borges.

Lin is on the salary cap this season for $8.37 million, but he's actually making close to $15 million as part of the offer sheet he signed with the Houston Rockets in July of 2012. Lin is currently still owed $6.05 million this season. For that reason and his lack of production, the Lakers can only deal Lin if they are willing to take back an equally bad contract.

George Karl

It isn't often a head coach is the biggest name added to a team at the trade deadline, but that might be the case if the Sacramento Kings are able to land George Karl.

Karl, who last coached the Denver Nuggets in 2013, gong 57-25, is reportedly in talks to become the Kings next head coach. Here is what Ailene Voisin of The Sacramento Bee writes of the possibility:

While a change is not imminent, multiple sources told The Bee late Friday that the combination of Karl's innovative coaching and immediate availability has won over team officials who weeks ago expressed concern about a possible personality clash with All-Star center DeMarcus Cousins.

Amar'e Stoudemire

Even though he is in the final year of a contract that is paying him $23 million, there don't seem to be many teams out there clamoring to get their hands on Stoudemire — at least not at that price tag.

If the Knicks offer Stoudemire a buyout, the Knicks forward would consider it, and the Dallas Mavericks have emerged as a possible landing spot if he does hit the free agency market before the end of the season.

Marc Stein of ESPN with the latest:

The Dallas Mavericks would be considered front-runners to sign Amar'e Stoudemire if the 13-year veteran opts to pursue a contract buyout from the New York Knicks, according to league sources. ... sources told ESPN.com that Dallas has quickly emerged as a prime landing spot if he becomes a free agent.