Washington Wizards center Ian Mahinmi is reportedly hoping he could return to the court soon while trade rumors have emerged that he might be traded before the February deadline.

Mahinmi, who turned 30 earlier this month, spent the last four seasons with the Indiana Pacers as a backup big man. He had a breakthrough year last season when he became part of the Pacers starting lineup and averaged career-highs of 9.3 points, 7.1 rebounds, and 1.5 assists in 25.6 minutes per game.

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He was signed by the Wizards to a four-year, $64 million deal during the summer's free-agency period when he became an unrestricted free agent.

However, the 6-foot-11 Frenchman suffered a partially torn medial meniscus in his left knee in October and underwent surgery to repair it. Mahinmi was ruled out for four to six weeks and is said to be right on schedule with his rehabilitation.

SB Nation reported that Mahinmi was back on the basketball court last Saturday, practicing with his new Wizards teammates and participating in "shootaround and drills for the first time" since the knee injury.

Mahinmi is not yet allowed to join full-contact scrimmages, but he reportedly said that he is hoping he will be cleared before December, which is only about a week away.

Washington is currently third from the last place in the Eastern Conference standings with a 4-9 record, and the team could really use Mahinmi to deepen their thin frontcourt in the coming games.

At the moment, Wizards head coach Scott Brooks only has Marcin Gortat and undrafted rookie Daniel Ochefu rotating at the center spot with Jason Smith and Andrew Nicholson available only in spot minutes.

Having Mahinmi around is expected to make the number five position as well as the bench steadier and more solid.

However, CSN Philly indicated that if Mahinmi fails to "stabilize the second unit," then the Wizards could deal him in or before the February trade deadline.

At the moment, there are still no indications where Mahinmi could potentially land when that time comes.

TagsNBA Trade Rumors, NBA Trade Rumors 2016, Ian Mahinmi, Washington Wizards, Washington Wizards rumors