TheNBAtrade market has officially heated up with next weeks Feb. 9 deadline upon the league, and conversations among team executives are expected to become more serious as the next few days unfold.

Across the NBA, its no secret theToronto Raptorsare viewed as a swing team in this years trade market. Raptors vice chairman and president of basketball operations Masai Ujiri and general manager Bobby Webster have whats seen as a talented core of attractive pieces inPascal SiakamFred VanVleet, O.G. Anunoby andGary Trent Jr.

Because of the Raptors disappointing season thus far (they are currently 23-28 and in 12th place in the East), rival teams have been informed that the franchise will make a decision about being a buyer or seller or standing pat near deadline day, according to league sources who, like all the other sources in this story, were granted anonymity so that they would be able to speak freely.The Raptors are currently 2-1 on their six-game road trip that concludes on Feb. 5.

The Raptors surely have high price tags on their core pieces, such as VanVleet and Anunoby. Will Toronto hold firm with the talent its amassed or enter the lottery sweepstakes and build increasingly aroundScottie Barnes?

Whats more, Nick Nurses future as Raptors head coach is expected to come into focus this summer, when sources say he will be entering the final year of his contract going into next season. After the 2019-20 season, Nurse who guided the Raptors to the 2019 NBA championship, won Coach of the Year in 2020, and is regarded among the leagues best coaches signed a contract extension through 2023-24 worth $8 million per year. The length of the deal has not been previously disclosed by the team. Sportsnet first reported in early January that Nurse is entering the final year of his deal. Theres been frustration throughout the roster and staff with the teams play at points of this season, and that has been directed toward Nurse at times too, according to sources.

Meanwhile, the two players whose names have been part of trade talks since the early part of the season arePhoenix SunsforwardJae CrowderandAtlanta Hawksbig manJohn Collins. Its expected both teams will continue strong dialogue regarding both as Feb. 9 nears.

In a new development, the Suns have given permission to theBucksto meet with Crowder and they met over the weekend, league sources tellThe Athletic. The Bucks are believed to be the only team that has received permission to visit one-on-one with Crowder, those sources have also indicated. Multiple teams, including theMiami Heatand Hawks, remain interested in Crowder, who is seen by championship-contending teams as a fortifying acquisition at the deadline.

Both the Suns and Bucks have engaged in serious trade talks for months, with current proposals surroundingJordan NworaGeorge HillSerge Ibakaand second-round draft compensation to Phoenix for Crowder, according to sources. The Bucks and Suns have searched for a third team to provide Phoenix with a forward sowhat outcome will emerge between now and next Thursday?

For their part, the Hawks, under new head of basketball operations Landry Fields, have won six of their last nine games since Jan. 13 and have taken a patient approach with trade talks. Fields has made clear to rival executives that the team views Collins as a valued asset, not one the franchise will simply dump in any form, according to sources. The newfound approach could lead to more traction in the Collins market over the next two weeks.

TheJazzremain among the teams with strong interest in Collins, andThe Athletics Kelly Iko reported last weekthat theRocketsare also pursuing Collins. When the Jazz and Hawks discussed a Collins deal early in the season, Atlanta asked forMalik BeasleyandJarred Vanderbilt, according to sources. The Jazz countered by asking for a first-round pick in return, and when the Hawks declined, talks stalled.

It remains to be seen where conversations unfold between Fields and the Jazzs front office led by CEO Danny Ainge and GM Justin Zanik.

The NBA is less than two weeks from one of the biggest days on the leagues calendar. The buyers and sellers will reveal themselves, and the moves will begin to come. Team executives believe that a championship opportunity is wide open this season, increasing the urgency for some while providing a prolonged marketplace situation. We will have much more to come as talks develop across the league.

The Hornets are discussing centerMason Plumleeand forwardKelly Oubre trade conversations, sources say.

ForwardJalen McDanielscontinues to be a name several teams like the Suns, Raptors, Jazz,PacersandSpursare closely monitoring, but the Hornets value the 6-foot-9 forward whom they have developed over the past four seasons. Teams with interest and cap space this offseason, such as the Jazz, Pacers and Spurs, may opt to wait until free agency to court McDaniels, who will be unrestricted, instead of trading an asset to acquire him now while having to compensate him in July.

The Jazz are expressing strong interest in Mavericks forwardDorian Finney-Smith, as teams have gotten the impression that Dallas would be open to moving the 29-year-old in the right deal for a star-caliber player, sources say. The Mavericks have an incredibly high price threshold for teams reaching out about Finney-Smith, rival executives say.

In seven seasons with the Mavericks, Finney-Smith has established himself as a critical two-way wing, well-liked teammate and important for the teams culture, including being a favorite of MVP candidateLuka Doncic. But its clear that Finney-Smith has also become one of Dallas main pieces if the organization is to pull off a blockbuster deal for an All-Star player ahead of the deadline or in the offseason.

Finney-Smith signed a four-year, $55 million extension last season, placing him under contract through 2024-25 with a player option for 2025-26.

The Nuggets are in active trade conversations around guard Bones Hyland, with teams such asMinnesotaexpressing interest, according to sources.

Timberwolves guardJaylen Nowellis leaning toward leaving the team in the offseason via free agency, sources say. Nowell a 23-year-old guard who is averaging a career-high 10.9 points in 19.7 minutes per game will be a sought after unrestricted free agent in July. While Nowell has had moments of dynamic scoring this season, he is shooting 43.9 percent from the field and 27.6 percent from 3-point range.

Nowell, who is earning $1.9 million in the final season of his rookie deal, is currently eligible for a maximum extension of four years and $58 million.

Several teams are increasing their pursuit of Spurs centerJakob Poeltl, and it appears a move to the Eastern Conference could be possible ahead of the deadline. The Raptors andCelticsare among the teams expressing interest in Poeltl, sources say. The 27-year-oldwill be arguably the top unrestricted free agent big man in July.

TheKnicksand Suns are among the interested suitors in Raptors forward O.G. Anunoby, sources say. New York has shown a willingness to offer multiple first-round picks for Anunoby, according to those sources. The Suns, meanwhile, have control of all of their first-round picks eight in total through 2030. SNY first reported the Knicks interest last week.

(Top Photo of O.G. Anunoby and Fred VanVleet: Cole Burston/Getty Images)

Get all-access to exclusive stories.

Subscribe to The Athletic for in-depth coverage of your favorite players, teams, leagues and clubs. Try a week on us.

Shams Charaniais the Senior NBA Insider for The Athletic. He is also an NBA analyst for Stadium. From 2015-18, Shams was the national NBA Insider for Yahoo Sports.Follow Shams on Twitter@ShamsCharania