Sacramento Kings swing-man Rudy Gay, Atlanta Hawks guard Jeff Teague and the New Orleans Pelicans' Eric Gordon top a list of veteran players who could be moved before the February 18 trade deadline.

According to ESPN, the Kings are more than willing to move Gay for the right combination of quality young talent. Sacramento could also be moved to listen to an offer of a player with at least a year remaining on his current deal after this season, thereby assuring they have something to show for the career 19 points and six rebound performer over the long haul.

Word is the Kings recently rejected an offer from New Orleans of three-point specialist Gordon and forward Alonzo Gee.

Meanwhile, Atlanta is said to be "taking the temperature" around the league in gauging interest in both Teague and backup guard Dennis Schroder. In the case of Teague, ESPN previously reported the New York Knicks have expressed interest, though one league source deemed what they might be able to offer back in return as less than overwhelming.

The Chicago Bulls were also once potentially expected to be key players in any deadline dealing given their front-court logjam, but a rash of recent injuries and ailments have almost assured that their roster will be remaining as it is currently constructed. 

Veteran big man Joakim Noah underwent surgery earlier this month for a separated shoulder, and even more recently Nikola Mirotic was pronounced out until at least after the All-Star break after undergoing an emergency procedure to have his appendix removed.

Over the first half of the season, the Bulls have grown more committed to finding regular playing time for promising rookie forward Bobbie Portis.

Another team that could be looking to make a splash are the youth-oriented Boston Celtics, whose current roster boasts nine players (Avery Bradley, Marcus Smart, Jae Crowder, R.J. Hunter, Kelly Olynyk, Terry Rozier, Jared Sullinger, James Young and Jordan Mickey) 25 or younger.

General Manager Danny Ainge is rumored to be enamored with the idea of dealing for an established young star such as DeMarcus Cousins or Kevin Love, but neither of them is reported to be in play.