There seems to be a never-ending fire when it comes to trade chatter, and Zach LaVine and Nikola Vucevic happen to be the never-ending flames. Both players have been mired in trade talks for what seems like an eternity. While it’s been closer to two years and counting, the fire remains flickering.

LaVine was most recently linked to the Denver Nuggets. It was reported in mid-December that Denver was “canvassing the league in pursuit of a player who can offer significant help offensively.” That player was said to be LaVine, a two-time All-Star averaging north of 23 points and shooting better than 44 percent from three.

However, that fire was soon extinguished when the Bulls were at odds of acquiring a player Denver wished to send elsewhere. The Nuggets sought a way to rid themselves of big man Zeke Nnaji’s four-year, $32 million contract. Chicago had other plans, balking at the Nuggets’ potential inclusion of the 6-foot-9 power forward. Despite the Bulls’ adamant refusal, the sparks of a future trade remained.

Nonetheless, the sparks were snuffed when HoopsHype’s Michael Scotto stated there’s a “growing pessimism that Chicago Bulls two-time All-Star Zach LaVine would be traded to the Denver Nuggets in a package for Michael Porter Jr.” It wasn’t just Nnaji’s contract this time, it was also the Nuggets’ front office’s skepticism of a LaVine and Jamal Murray-led backcourt.

LaVine, alongside other stars, is a long shot to be traded, according to ESPN Insider

A week later, a broad generalization was made, extinguishing the flame once again. In an NBA roundtable discussion of the looming trade deadline, ESPN Insider Tim Bontemps responded, “No one,” when asked which star other than Jimmy Butler is likely to be moved at the trade deadline.

Bontemps’ rather grim outlook directly affects LaVine and Vucevic’s futures. While 34-year-old Vooch might not be classified as a star anymore, what Bontemps says after declaring no stars will be traded is notable. The Insider clued us into his trade discussions with scouts, executives, and league personnel. Bontemps reiterated that his conversations have revolved around “how stiff the trade market is due to the combination of money on teams’ books, the lack of draft capital among contenders, and most importantly, the collective bargaining agreement coming fully online this season.”

Bontemps finished his thought by alluding to the only type of major trade that can occur—a star player for a star player. There’s no longer the culmination of draft picks and role players for All-Star. Say goodbye to teams sending numerous mid-level salary players to acquire the James Harden’s of the world like the old days.

Nowadays, teams are pressed to find trade partners for their disgruntled stars. Just look at the Miami Heat with Jimmy Butler. Despite his trade request, Butler’s $48.8 million salary makes trading him improbable. Furthermore, $50 million guard Bradley Beal was recently favored to land in Chicago if traded. As implausible as it is, a LaVine for Beal swap works financially thus, the Bulls are reasonable trade partners for Beal’s Phoenix Suns.

A LaVine trade seems less and less likely as the season wears on. However, there still seems to be a chance that Vucevic is sent elsewhere. Raking in $20 million, the 6-foot-10 big man is far easier to acquire than the $43 million LaVine.