Remember when we thought the Cubs would be trade-deadline buyers?

At what point will the Cubs move from trade-deadline buyers to trade-deadline sellers?

The Cubs went 10-18 in May, 10-14 through Thursday in June. Baseball Reference rates their chances to make the playoffs at 5.5%, a number they seem intent on strangling the life out of.

If Cubs bats don’t set off fireworks in July, general manager Jed Hoyer can start planning for next year.

At the trade deadline, July 30, that means dealing established veterans for prospects who will at the very least improve the ranking of your farm system. Maybe they’ll even become established veterans who can someday be dealt at the trade deadline.

Remember a couple of years ago when Javy Baez, Anthony Rizzo and Kris Bryant became the established veterans traded at midseason? Now Pete Crow-Armstrong, Alexander Canario and Owen Caissie are the prospects playing well in Triple-A Iowa or trying to establish themselves in the majors.

That begs the question: Whom do the Cubs have to trade?

Ian Happ and Seiya Suzuki reportedly have no-trade clauses, not that either is playing so well that rival general managers are drooling with envy. That might be too bad. The Cubs might love to clear space in the outfield for the likes of Canario, Caissie and Brennan Davis, though those prospects all seem to need more time in the minors, not to mention better health.

Cody Bellinger just signed a three-year contract in the off-season. He probably isn’t going anywhere either.

Many teams look for bullpen help for a pennant race, but the Cubs bullpen looks like it was put together by Picasso, with limbs akimbo. There is no closer to trade. Set-up men Julian Merryweather and Mark Leiter Jr. are among the many on the injured list. The rest are young, inexperienced pitchers who have been on a yo-yo between Chicago and Des Moines because they haven’t proved themselves capable of sticking around.

Maybe Tyson Miller will be traded. He’s been very good out of bullpen with a 2-0 record and 1.53 ERA in 16 games. He didn’t start the season with the Cubs, arriving via early-season trade with the Mariners. If he’s fortunate he won’t end the season here either, going instead to a playoff team.

Hector Neris might attract a club looking for a good guy in the clubhouse and a need in the seventh or eighth inning. Just as long as they don’t need him to be a closer. The Cubs won’t get much for Neris and his 4.40 ERA and 1.60 WHIP, though.

If a team needs a DH, Christopher Morel could go. He probably won’t play the field much for his new team, however.

Nico Hoerner and Dansby Swanson are the double-play combination of the future, but there’s a reason neither of them is going to the All-Star Game this year. Still, the only way either of them is going is for a highly ranked prospect or two. Not likely.

Here’s a thought: The White Sox, as bad as they are, have more trade prospects than the Cubs do.

Luis Robert Jr. could be worth a lot to a team with a need in center field. Garrett Crochet could be an ace on a lot of playoff teams. Tommy Pham won’t bring much in return, but he should be dealt for a lower-level youngster.

Antioch native Paul DeJong could go to a team that needs a shortstop with 14-homer power. His return home could be short.

Michael Kopech is the closer the Cubs don’t have. His 2-6 record and 4.59 ERA don’t put fear into opposing hitters, but that 99 mph fastball earns respect. Maybe he becomes a set-up man on a team that already has its closer.

Anyone need a starting pitcher? Erick Fedde is 5-3 with a 3.23 ERA for the worst team in baseball. What could he do on a team with something to play for and good players to support him?

It’s almost July, and once again both Chicago baseball teams might be looking to deal their most valuable players before August arrives.

Wait til next year.