NBA trade rumors have been picking up steam during the early portion of the 2020-21 season following the blockbuster James Harden and Derrick Rose deals.
As teams position themselves for a playoff run, we’re going to hear a whole heck of a lot more moving forward until the March 25 NBA trade deadline. While there might not be a lot of top-end talent on the block right now, that promises to change with teams falling out of playoff contention.
Bookmark this page for updated NBA trade rumors ahead of the deadline.
Related: NBA power rankings – The Los Angeles Lakers are in deep trouble
Update: March 24, 9:49 PM EST
New Orleans Pelicans looking to move Steven Adams and Eric Bledsoe
Most of the rumors surrounding New Orleans heading into Thursday’s NBA trade deadline have involved impending restricted free agent Lonzo Ball. For good reason. He doesn’t fit into the team’s long-term plans and is going to be an expensive option once free agency comes calling.
According to Joe Vardon of The Athletic, New Orleans could actually use Ball to move off the bloated contracts of veterans Steven Adams and Eric Bledsoe. With the team still in rebuild mode, this makes sense. Adams and Bledsoe are set to count nearly a combined $90 million against the cap over the next two seasons. There’s no reason to keep them aboard.
Read More: 4 ideal Lonzo Ball trade scenarios
Whether other teams are interested in the duo remains to be seen. The underrated Adams continues to play stellar ball. He’s averaging 8.1 points and 9.2 rebounds on 61% shooting from the field. Acquired in the blockbuster off-season trade of Jrue Holiday, Bledsoe is a different story. He’s struggled to a 42% mark from the field and is set to count a combined $37.5 million against the cap over the next two seasons.
More than a dozen teams in talks with the Raptors about Norman Powell
One surprise trade candidate is 27-year-old Raptors guard Norman Powell. The former second-round pick from UCLA has turned in an absolutely tremendous 2020-21 season. The likely impending free agent is averaging 19.5 points on 43% shooting from three-point range on the season. He’s also been a solid perimeter defender.
According to Marc Stein of The NY Times, over a dozen teams are in talks with the Raptors to acquire Powell ahead of Thursday’s NBA trade deadline. Interest in Powell isn’t surprising. The Raptors willing to move him is surprising. It could be an indication that they believe Powell will opt out of his contract and be met with a strong free-agent market. Among those potentially interested, the Indiana Pacers will likely make a huge run for him this coming summer.
New York Knicks emerge as potential Andre Drummond destination
Previous reports ahead of the NBA trade deadline suggested that Drummond was headed to the Los Angeles Lakers via the buyout market. Of course, that’s dependent on the Cleveland Cavaliers not being able to deal the two-time All-Star center. Now, according to Kevin O’Connor of The Ringer, there’s a chance he could be moved before Thursday afternoon.
The NBA insider suggests that the surprising New York Knicks have emerged as a serious candidate for the impending free agent’s services. O’Connor did not say whether it would be via a buyout or a trade.
What we do know is that New York needs more help in the low-post with Mitchell Robinson going through an injury-plagued season. The Knicks also have the cap room to absorb a lot of Drummond’s contract without having to give up much in return. Something to the tune of Frank Ntilikina, Austin Rivers and Reggie Bullock could actually get it done.
March 24, 4:16 PM EST
Indiana Pacers going into fire sale mode?
At 19-23, the Pacers are in the midst of a disastrous season. Indiana has lost 14 of its past 21, leading to speculation that stars such as Malcolm Brogdon and Domantas Sabonis could be on the move. While that seems highly unlikely (they are seem as building blocks), the Pacers might be willing to move other core pieces.
According to Jake Fischer of Bleacher Report, that includes Aaron Holiday, Myles Turner and Doug McDermott. All three would be seen as good gets for contending teams while bringing Indiana back a nice return. In particular, Turner could be a noticeable move. The enigmatic big is averaging 13.2 points, 6.5 rebounds and a league-leading 3.4 blocks per game. That type of all-around play would draw interest on the trade block.
Chicago Bulls becoming serious suitor for Lonzo Ball
For the vast majority of the season, the Chicago Bulls have been mentioned as sellers ahead of the NBA trade deadline. Now that Chicago finds itself as the surprising ninth seed in the Eastern Conference, that might not be the case. In fact, ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski noted during the station’s trade deadline special on Wednesday that the Bulls have become a serious suitor for Lonzo Ball.
For Chicago, this would be as much about its future as the remainder of the 2020-21 season. The Bulls would be able to match any offer for Ball during restricted free agency this coming summer. They have an obvious need at point guard. Acquiring Ball might also lead to All-Star wing Zach LaVine wanting to remain in the Windy City over the long term. New Orleans is said to be demanding a first-round pick and a young player in exchange for Ball.
Update: March 23, 5:00 PM EST
J.J. Redick could be headed for the NBA buyout market
The New Orleans Pelicans have been attempting to trade this 36-year-old sharpshooter for a while. On the surface, it would seem contending teams might have interest. Redick is a career 42% three-point shooter and can provide much-needed scoring off the bench. He’s also in the final year of his contract.
Unfortunately, Redick is in the midst of a career-worst campaign. He’s averaging just 8.6 points and shooting a mere 36% from distance. According to Bleacher Report’s Jake Fischer, this means there’s a better chance New Orleans buys Redick out rather than being able to find a trade partner.
Fischer points to the Boston Celtics and New York Knicks as potential fits. The insider also notes that Redick would prefer to play closer to his native Brooklyn. That could lead to some interest by the Nets, who have already added Blake Griffin via the buyout market.
Read More: Miami Heat looking to flip Andre Iguodala in impact deal ahead of NBA trade deadline
Chicago Bulls listening to offers for Lauri Markkanen
Chicago sits at 19-23 on the season and in ninth place in the Eastern Conference. The team would love to make a run for its first playoff appearance since 2016-17. It also needs to balance that with what is looking likely an increasingly bright future under head coach Billy Donovan. That’s where pending restricted free agent Lauri Markkanen could come into play ahead of the NBA trade deadline.
Shams Charania of The Athletic notes that Chicago is listening to offers for the 23-year-old forward as it weighs acquiring assets for him rather than play the restricted free-agent game in the summer.
It seems like Markkanen would have a tremendous market. He’s averaging 17.7 points and 6.0 rebounds while shooting 40% from distance on the season. He’s still young and has not yet hit his prime. That’s also one of the reasons why Chicago’s brass has to seriously consider keeping the Finland native over the long-term.
Update: March 23, 1:25 PM EST
Indiana Pacers taking calls on Malcolm Brogdon, Domantas Sabonis
According to Yahoo Sports’ Vincent Goodwill, the Pacers are “listening to pitches” on Brogdon and “monitoring” Sabonis. They’re also seeking a first-round pick for Aaron Holiday, but the bigger story here involves the two stars.
This development is rather baffling for Indiana, who’s still in the playoff hunt in the East and have Caris LaVert still knocking the rust off through six starts with his new team.
The core of Brogdon, Sabonis, LaVert and Myles Turner is quite strong, and it’s also worth bearing in mind that T.J. Warren has missed all but four games this season due to injury. None of them are crushing the salary cap with a max contract as of now, either.
It’s unclear what a potential package would yield in exchange for Brogdon or Sabonis, but even if one of them returns a good haul of assets, it’s probably not worth it. Brogdon is one of the NBA’s best two-way guards, while Sabonis is among the most skilled, well-rounded big men in the game. Neither are easily replaced.
Orlando Magic want this in an Aaron Gordon trade package
As the Magic continue to hold court in conversations for versatile forward Aaron Gordon, they’re seeking a young, promising player in addition to a first-round pick, per Goodwill.
That’s a price any trade suitor would likely be willing to incur, yet it also comes down to who Orlando deems as the viable young player in a trade proposal. Also, any contender who wants Gordon won’t give the Magic a high first-round draft pick, so that doesn’t leave a ton of likely buyers.
Goodwill reported that the Minnesota Timberwolves are “very interested” and implied that Jarrett Culver has been floated as a possibility, but that Orlando isn’t a big fan of his since he’s struggled to develop in the NBA to date. This means a contending team would need to come over the top with more compensation offered in order to land Gordon.
Read More: How an Aaron Gordon trade to the Denver Nuggets might look
Atlanta Hawks interested in Lonzo Ball
Headed for restricted free agency this summer, Lonzo Ball is one of the most intriguing names on the market. The 23-year-old guard has received attention from the New York Knicks, Golden State Warriors and many others. Now, another team is in the mix for his services.
According to Shams Charania, the Hawks are expected to call New Orleans about Ball this week. Furthermore, there is a price point that would make the Pelicans comfortable moving him. After a slow start to the season, Ball is starting to turn things around. He’s averaging 13 points and 7.1 assists per game, shooting 41.5% from the field. A pairing of Ball and Trae Young would give the Hawks one of the most explosive guard tandems in the NBA. If they were to land him, though, a John Collins trade might be paired with it.
Read More: Lonzo Ball interested in the New York Knicks once NBA free agency opens
NBA trade rumors: Houston Rockets offering strong package for Aaron Gordon
We’re just days away from the NBA trade deadline and it’s more evident that Oladipo will be playing elsewhere by the weekend. But the Rockets don’t just want to be sellers, seemingly making a strong push to acquire forward Aaron Gordon from the Orlando Magic.
According to The Athletic, the Rockets have offered two first-round picks to Orlando for the 25-year-old forward. While a deal isn’t close, there are significant discussions between the two sides and it seems like there’s an increasing chance Gordon isn’t with the Magic past March 25.
After the James Harden and P.J. Tucker trades, Houston has more than enough ammo to make a run at Gordon. He also fits the team’s youth movement and would be under contract through the 2021-’22 season. Orlando likely wouldn’t net high first-round picks, but the Rockets are one of just a few teams capable of packaging multiple firsts.
Related: This is how a Victor Oladipo trade to the Golden State Warriors might look
Multiple teams interested in Spencer Dinwiddie trade
The Brooklyn Nets had high hopes for Spencer Dinwiddie this season, hoping he either took the next step in his career or served as a top trade asset. An ACL tear ruined some of those hopes, but it hasn’t quite stopped NBA teams from calling about a trade for the young guard.
According to The Athletic’s Shams Charania, the Detroit Pistons, Miami Heat and Toronto Raptors have all expressed interest in Dinwiddie. While the 27-year-old won’t return to the court this season, clubs want to acquire him because of his contract.
Dinwiddie will likely exercise the opt-out clause in his contract, turning down $12 million to become a free agent. The appeal for a general manager is Dinwiddie’s Bird rights and the opportunity to offer him a five-year contract. After averaging 20.6 points in 2019, Dinwiddie will have quite the market this offseason. So, it’s only fitting that interested teams want an advantage over their competition.
Update: March 21, 3:26 PM EST
Detroit Pistons among teams interested in Victor Oladipo
He’s the biggest name on the block ahead of the March 25 NBA trade deadline. We’ve read rumors at nearly every turn linking Oladipo to the likes of the New York Knicks, Miami Heat and Golden State Warriors. However, a surprise team has emerged as a potential landing spot.
ESPN’s Brian Windhorst noted on Sunday that the Detroit Pistons have surfaced as a team that’s interested in Oladipo (h/t Bleacher Report).
This is somewhat surprising given the Pistons’ 12-29 record and the fact that Oladipo is slated to become a free agent this coming summer. There’s no guarantee that he’d re-sign with Detroit, making a potential acquisition risky for general manager Troy Weaver. Windhorst also reported that Houston wants a first-round pick and change in return for Oladipo after he turned down a contract extension offer earlier in the season.
Washington Wizards willing to trade Davis Bertans?
He was among the top free agents this past offseason after opting out of the NBA restart in Orlando due to COVID-19. Unfortunately, things have not panned out for Bertans and his Wizards after he signed a five-year, $80 million contract. It could now potentially lead to a trade here soon.
“The organization took a small stride recently by making Davis Bertans available in trade talks with select teams, but not to much avail as his 2020-21 campaign, loaded with poor conditioning, shooting woes, and now a nagging calf injury, have decreased his value league-wide in the first year of his five-year/$80 million contact,” NBA reporter Quinton Mayo noted recently.
Indeed. Bertans might not have much value on the trade block given that he’s currently sidelined to injury and is in the midst of a terrible season. The stretch four is averaging just 10.8 points and 2.9 rebounds on 39% shooting from the field. This comes after a 2019-20 season that saw him average north of 15 points on 42% shooting from distance.
Update: March 18, 9:57 PM EST
John Collins deal unlikely ahead of NBA trade deadline
An impending restricted free agent, rumors have suggested that the Atlanta Hawks could move this star forward. It makes some sense after he turned down a long-term extension during the offseason. Collins, 23, is also looking for a max contract. Apparently, his status as a pending free agent and the Hawks’ asking price is an indication that Collins will not be moved ahead of the NBA trade deadline.
Read More: 4 ideal John Collins trade scenarios from the Atlanta Hawks
“John Collins, I think, is unlikely to leave Atlanta. I don’t think they can find value on a rookie contract for him. They’re 6-0 since Nate McMillan took over as head coach,” ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski noted recently. “I think they can figure out John Collins’ future. There was a limit they were willing to go in negations, around $90 million on an extension. He’ll be a restricted free agent. They can figure that out after the season.”
Multiple teams have shown interest in a Collins trade over the past few weeks with the Hawks’ asking price said to be a lottery-level pick. A first-round selection back in 2017, Collins is averaging 18.0 points and 7.8 rebounds on 53% shooting from the field this season.
Houston Rockets asking price in Victor Oladipo trade seen as too much for the Warriors
Rumors have linked the All-Star guard to the Golden State Warriors for some time now. Whether that happens ahead of the March 25 NBA trade deadline remains to be seen. It was previously noted that Houston could sell off the impending free agent on the cheap. Apparently, that’s no longer the case.
Read More: This is how a Victor Oladipo trade to the Golden State Warriors might look
“He is among the players they’ve (the Warriors) sniffed around. But the asking price, to this point, has been too steep to even realistically consider, I’ve been told,” Anthony Slater of The Athletic noted. “That can always change as the deadline ticks closer.”
Reports suggest that Houston could be demanding either rookie No. 2 pick James Wiseman or the valuable Minnesota Timberwolves’ future first-round pick for Oladipo. The Warriors are not going to make that trade. However, Houston’s asking price will have to drop between now and next week’s trade deadline. If not, the team faces the real possibility of losing him for nothing in free agency.
Updated: March 16, 10:12 PM EST
Orlando Magic fire sale could be coming within the next week
Recent reports suggest that the struggling Magic could very well opt to move off multiple veteran players during the next week. That includes Evan Fournier and Aaron Gordon. Now, according to this report from Chris Mannix of Sports Illustrated, only Markelle Fultz and Jonathan Isaac are considered the only untouchables on Orlando’s roster.
Surprisingly, this could mean that star center Nikola Vucevic is on the block. That would qualify as one heack of a blockbuster ahead of the March 25 NBA trad deadline. Vucevic, 30, is averaging 25.0 points, 11.6 rebounds and 3.7 assists on 42% shooting from distance on the season. He’s been among the most-skilled bigs in the game. Teams such as the Boston Celtics have already showed interest in acquiring him.
Miami Heat discussing Trevor Ariza trade with the Oklahoma City Thunder
The Miami Heat are expected to be active ahead of the March 25 NBA trade deadline. While they are looking for an impact move, one smaller deal could prove the Heat with some much-needed help out on the wing. According to Kevin O’Connor of The Ringer, Miami is in discussions with the Thunder regarding veteran forward Trevor Ariza.
The report notes that OKC is seeking a second-round pick in exchange for Ariza, who has not suited up for the team this season after being involved in three different trades last offseason. With a $12.8 million cap hit, Miami would have to send a cap-filler back to the Thunder to make this work. Ariza, 35, averaged 11.0 points and 4.8 rebounds on 40% shooting from distance for the Blazers a season ago.
Updated: March 15, 2 PM EST
Sacramento Kings rumors: Team could keep Harrison Barnes, trade for impact player
Early in the season, when the Sacramento Kings were within a few games of a playoff spot, it looked like this team could be buyers. The woes hit soon after that, leading to rampant trade speculation. As the March 25 deadline drew closer and the club’s record got worse, a Harrison Barnes trade seemed inevitable. Much to Boston’s dismay, that may not be the case.
Read More: Sacramento Kings reportedly lost $100 million due to COVID-19 pandemic
According to The Athletic’s Sam Amick, Sacramento might still try to be buyers at the NBA trade deadline. The organization believes it has a shot at getting in position for a spot in the play-in game. To help make that happen, the Kings are thinking about adding a potential impact player. As all of this is going on, Boston is still trying to land Barnes. But, per Amick, the Kings are telling everyone it would take a huge offer to pry the veteran forward away from them.
NBA trade rumors: Los Angeles Clippers interested in trade for George Hill
Struggles before the trade deadline can spur action and the Clippers are sliding down the NBA standings. Despite the recent skid, there is no sense of panic in Los Angeles. Instead, the organization is sticking to the same evaluation it had before the season began. Now, with players actually available for deals, Los Angeles is exploring the trade market for a point guard.
According to The Athletic’s Shams Charania, Oklahoma City Thunder guard George Hill is generating trade interest from the Clippers. A respected veteran with extensive playoff experience, Los Angeles also likes that he is under contract next season ($10 million, only partially guaranteed). The 34-year-old, who OKC acquired this offseason in the Jrue Holiday trade, is averaging 11.8 points and 3.1 assists in under 27 minutes per night. The combination of leadership and his skills as a distributor make him very attractive to contenders needing a guard. Whether it’s the Clippers or another title contender, it would be a surprise if Hill isn’t playing elsewhere by the end of the month.
Updated: March 15, 1:10 PM EST
Detroit Pistons rumors: Team sets asking price for Wayne Ellington trade
As the NBA trade deadline draws closer, the Detroit Pistons are one of the few teams known to be sellers. In the Boston Celtics’ dream scenario, Detroit accepts their huge for Jeramy Grant. That’s unlikely to happen, but another key contributor on the Pistons’ roster is available and could be moved in a matter of weeks.
According to The Athletic’s Shams Charania, Detroit is seeking a second-round pick for Wayne Ellington. The 33-year-old guard has caught the interest of contenders in need of outside shooting. On the season, Ellington has made 42.2% of his shots from beyond the arc. He’s very comfortable in a bench role and when March 25 hits, it wouldn’t be a surprise if the Pistons get what they want and a championship-caliber team adds some more three-point shooting.
Updated: March 14, 7:47 PM EST
Quiet NBA trade deadline for the New York Knicks
At nearly every turn over the past few weeks, NBA rumors have pointed in the direction of the Knicks making another notable trade following the acquisition of Derrick Rose. They have been linked to the likes of Victor Oladipo, among others. In the midst of a surprising season, fans in New York might want to brace themselves. President Leon Rose and Co. are not expected to be active.
“With less than two weeks to go before the deadline, the Knicks have plenty of time to sort through potential deals,” Ian Begley of SNY reported. “New York has been checking in with multiple teams in recent days, which is what you’d expect. But several teams said the Knicks haven’t taken an aggressive approach yet in any trade talks.”
In no way does that mean something can’t happen. Specifically, recent indications are that Oladipo could be had from the Houston Rockets on the cheap after he turned down a contract extension offer. New York is expected to be interested in the All-Star guard once free agency opens up. Acquiring him now for pennies on the dollar might make sense.
With that said, the Knicks seem to be happy where they are at. All-Star forward Julius Randle is no longer on the trade block. The same thing can be said for young wing R.J. Barrett. Despite boasting a 20-19 record on the season, it doesn’t seem like the Knicks are prepared to go all in and mortgage their future. That might be the best course of action right now.
NBA trade rumors: Minnesota Timberwolves getting calls about Ricky Rubio
At 8-30 on the season, Minnesota is at the point where it wants to start seeing youngsters take up the bulk of the minutes. It’s proven to be a good thing with rookie No. 1 pick Anthony Edwards looking solid as of late. However, it could also mean the departure of multiple veterans ahead of the NBA trade deadline.
According to Michael Scotto of Hoops Hype, that includes guard Ricky Rubio. The NBA insider notes that other teams have called Minnesota up about the former top-five pick. Reacquired this past offseason, the 30-year-old Rubio is averaging 8.0 points and 6.5 assists on a substandard 39% shooting from the field.
Interest in Rubio is somewhat surprising given his lack of shooting and the fact that the veteran has $17.8 million guaranteed to him next season. With that said, he’s a capable ball distributor and can run an offense at an elite-clip. That could be of interest to contending teams with issues at point guard, the Los Angeles Clippers included.
Updated: March 11, 11:57 PM EST
P.J. Tucker inactive, upset with Houston Rockets unwillingness to trade him
The Houston Rockets are about to enter into fire sale mode ahead of the NBA trade deadline. That couldn’t come soon enough for veteran forward P.J. Tucker. According to multiple media reports, the three-and-D wing is upset over the Rockets’ inability to trade him to a contender. It’s now gotten to a point where Tucker was a healthy scratch for Thursday’s game against the Sacramento Kings.
It was previously noted that Houston was looking for two second-round picks in exchange for Tucker. That’s been replaced with other reports suggesting the team is looking for a young player. Either way, there’s a decent market for a player in Tucker who was shooting at 37% from distance in the three seasons leading up to the 2020-21 campaign.
Updated: March 11, 6:35 PM EST
NBA trade rumors: Miami Heat interested in LaMarcus Aldridge
When news broke earlier this week that the San Antonio Spurs were going to move the seven-time All-Star, we looked at three potential scenarios. That did not include a Miami Heat team which most expect to be active ahead of the NBA trade deadline. Now, according to Barry Jackson of the Miami Herald, the Heat have in fact engaged in discussions with San Antonio about Aldridge.
Read More: 3 ideal LaMarcus Aldridge trade scenarios
It remains to be seen what Miami’s level of interest is in Aldridge. However, the team is looking for power forward help with Meyers Leonard out and rookie Precious Achiuwa struggling recently. The hard-capped Heat would also have to trade both Andre Iguodala and Kelly Olynyk while enticing San Antonio with either a young player or draft capital. That doesn’t seem to make much sense unless Miami can add Rudy Gay in the trade while moving off lesser assets.
Updated: March 10, 4:12 PM EST
Philadelphia 76ers showing interest in four veterans ahead of NBA trade deadline
New 76ers front office head Daryl Morey is not going to sit idly by and let their championship window narrow. He was in on James Harden prior to the blockbuster deal that sent the former NBA MVP to the Brooklyn Nets. Now, with two weeks to go until the deadline, Philadelphia is being linked to numerous veterans.
According to Jason Dumas of Bleacher Report, that includes guard Delon Wright (Pistons), George Hill (Thunder) and Will Barton (Nuggets) as well as Houston Rockets forward P.J. Tucker.
Read More: 4 intriguing Philadelphia 76ers trade scenarios before NBA trade deadline
Philadelphia seems to be targeting more of a traditional point guard behind Ben Simmons. Both Wright and Hill would fit that mold. Meanwhile, there’s a chance Barton could be on the trade block if the Nuggets are able to find an upgrade at the two-guard position. However, Tucker seems to be the most notable option.
Despite some struggles this season, the veteran is seen as a three-and-D wing. He can also pretty much play four different positions. That type of flexibility could loom large with Philadelphia attempting to compete with the Brooklyn Nets back east.
NBA trade rumors: Golden State Warriors will not move James Wiseman, valuable draft pick
There’s been suggestions coming out of San Francisco that the Golden State Warriors are looking to pull off a notable deal ahead of the March 25 NBA trade deadline. Most recently, the Warriors have been linked to both Lonzo Ball and Victor Oladipo. However, they’re unwilling to part with two big assets unless it means bringing back a generational piece.
“According to a team source, the Warriors ‘almost definitely’ wouldn’t surrender that Timberwolves selection or Wiseman unless they got back someone generational such as Joel Embiid or Giannis Antetokounmpo,” NBC Sports Bay Area reported.
Read More: 5 ideal Victor Oladipo trade scenarios
To be clear, Golden State is seen as one of the top favorites to land Bradley Beal in a trade should the Washington Wizards put him on the block. With the team looking like a legit playoff contender, that’s unlikely to happen — at least until the summer. Embiid is an MVP candidate with his Philadelphia 76ers being seen as a top-end title contender. Meanwnhile, Giannis just inked an extension with Milwaukee.
There’s a chance Golden State could pull off a trade for someone like Oladipo without offering up those two assets. It also wouldn’t be a surprise if the Warriors went with a more minor trade while regrouping this coming summer and checking in on the trade market ahead of the 2021 NBA Draft.
Update: March 9, 11:00 PM EST
Houston Rockets interested in Aaron Gordon ahead of NBA trade deadline
Most Rockets rumors have included the struggling team being major sellers before the deadline. In fact, a recent reports suggests that general manager Rafael Stone could hold a fire sale. That’s why it’s interesting that the Rockets, losers of 13 consecutive, reportedly have interest in Orlando Magic forward Aaron Gordon.
“League sources said the Rockets were expected to be a major suitor for Gordon if he’s made available,” Matt Moore of The Action Network noted recently.
Read More: 4 potential Houston Rockets trade scenarios ahead of NBA trade deadline
In a way, this makes some sense. Despite seemingly being in the league for a decade, Gordon is just 25 years old. He’d fit into a long-term rebuild in Houston next to Christian Wood in the Rockets’ frontcourt. The former top-four pick has seen a downtick in production recently. He’s averaging a mere 13.8 points, 7.2 rebounds and 4.2 assists on the season. A change of scenery could be good for him as the Magic look to trade the forward.
NBA trade rumors: Toronto Raptors star Kyle Lowry believes he will be dealt
There’s been suggestions that the Raptors might be willing to move their longest-tenured player in that of veteran guard Kyle Lowry. He apparently has been playing into these rumors behind the scenes.
The Ringer’s Ryen Russillo reported recently that Lowry has “been telling everybody for over a month that he is getting traded.” In some ways, this seems to make sense. Toronto is handing over the keys to the kingdom to Fred VanVleet after signing him to a massive contract during the offseason.
Read More: 4 ideal Kyle Lowry trade scenarios
For his part, the 34-year-old Lowry continues to play at a high level. He’s averaging 18.0 points, 5.5 rebounds and 7.0 assists on 40% shooting from distance on the season. Set to become a free agent after the season, it would behoove Toronto to get something for the six-time All-Star. Among those reportedly interested in Lowry, the Philadelphia 76ers and Miami Heat make sense.
Washington Wizards could be buyers at NBA trade deadline
Throughout the course of the first half of the season, Wizards rumors surrounded the struggling team potentially trading away NBA leading scorer Bradley Beal. With Washington in the midst of a tremendous stretch, that’s not going to happen. In fact, Chase Hughes of NBC Sports Washington suggest that the Wizards could actually add some perimeter help ahead of the NBA trade deadline.
“Shooting could actually fit the bill. If the front office doesn’t see much potential for improvement from within, either from guys already in the rotation or someone further down their bench (maybe Anthony Gill?), then it would be smart to seek outside help,” Hughes noted.
Read More: 6 most realistic Bradley Beal trade packages
Washington has won nine of 14 since a disastrous 5-15 start to the season. It is currently the 12th seed in the Eastern Conference, a mere two games out of the eighth spot. With that said, outside shooting is a need. The Wizards rank 28th in the Association in three-point percentage. Despite almost averaged a triple-double, Russell Westbrook is shooting just 29% from distance. Perhaps, someone like JJ Redick could be an option for the surprising Wizards.
Update: Nov. 8 3:30 PM EST
Los Angeles Lakers a threat to land Andre Drummond
With the NBA trade deadline approaching, the Los Angeles Lakers don’t have many options. The team is near the hard cap and has little draft capital to offer a team selling off its core contributors. Once the deadline passes, though, expect Los Angeles to be active in the buyout market.
As of now, the Cleveland Cavaliers are still shopping Andre Drummond. However, his massive contract is proving to be an Achilles’ heel in negotiations, with an increasing likelihood that nothing comes to fruition. If that happens, with the Cavs already sitting him out, he’ll likely be bought out and allowed to hit the open market.
According to the New York Times’ Marc Stein, the Los Angeles Lakers have optimism that Drummond will give them strong consideration if he becomes a free agent. The 27-year-old center has already earned more than $130 million in his career, but has only played in eight playoff games and never reached the second round. An opportunity to compete for a ring with the Lakers or Brooklyn Nets, who The Ringer’s Kevin O’Connor reports would be the favorites, certainly could appeal to the All-Star center.
Sacramento Kings open to Marvin Bagley trade
According to The Athletic’s Sam Amick and Jason Jones, Sacramento Kings power forward Marvin Bagley III is up for discussion leading into the NBA trade deadline. While the Kings don’t want to be sellers this season, the former Duke star hasn’t lived up to his pre-draft hype and the team is constantly reminded it chose him over Luka Doncic.
Bagley is in his third NBA season, but has only played in 109 games to this point in his NBA career. After showing flashes as a rookie, injuries sidelined him for a majority of the 2019-’20 season. He dealt with COVID-19 before camp this year and took time to get back into playing shape. Meanwhile, his father has publicly called for the Kings to trade his son.
As of now, the 21-year-old isn’t generating a ton of trade interest. He could be appealing to the Atlanta Hawks, who are open to moving John Collins. A swap, with other pieces involved, would give Atlanta a young forward who might benefit from a change of scenery. Meanwhile, Collins would land with a team that might be willing to give him the contract he wants and would certainly view him as an upgrade over Bagley.
NBA trade rumors: Denver Nuggets ‘inquired’ about Terrence Ross
The Ringer’s Kevin O’Connor reported Monday that the Denver Nuggets reached out to the Orlando Magic about a trade for veteran guard Terrence Ross. Orlando is expected to be sellers at the NBA trade deadline, shopping multiple contributors as they try to obtain future assets amid a disappointing season.
NBA rumors: Boston Celtics, Miami Heat among teams pursuing Nikola Vucevic trade
Ross would certainly add a scoring punch to Denver’s bench. The veteran is averaging a career-high 15.5 points per game this season in nearly 30 minutes per night as a rotation player for the Magic. He’s also been a steady three-point shooter, sinking 34.4% from beyond the arc. Ross is owed $13.5 million this season and a combined $24 million over the next two years. He would fit nicely in Denver’s contention window, especially for a team that might need more outside shooters.
Updated: March 7, 1:10 PM EST
Multiple teams interested in Larry Nance Jr. before NBA trade deadline
The NBA trade deadline is drawing closer and we’re starting to see distinct buyers and sellers emerge. Among the teams willing to move a lot of talent, the Cleveland Cavaliers are working the phone lines with multiple players available. However, it’s a player Cleveland is reluctant to move that is drawing the most interest.
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According to Cleveland.com’s Chris Fedor, the Boston Celtics, Philadelphia 76ers, New Orleans Pelicans, Dallas Mavericks and Miami Heat have all shown interest in Larry Nance Jr. Furthermore, the Minnesota Timberwolves are aggressively pursuing him as he is a beloved former teammate of D’Angelo Russell.
It might cost a contender at least one first-round pick, plus more draft-pick compensation, to convince the Cavaliers on a deal. Nance signed a four-year contract worth $48 million and will play under that deal through the 2022 season. He’s a strong defender, capable of guarding multiple positions, with a steady three-point shot. Even more valuable for tteams, his salary declines with each year.
Related: 4 intriguing Philadelphia 76ers trade scenarios before NBA trade deadline
Updated: March 5, 12:10 AM EST
Boston Celtics reportedly eyeing Jerami Grant
On the surface, it would seem forward Jerami Grant is off limits. He signed a three-year, $60 million contract with the Detroit Pistons in the offseason. Grant, 26, is also having a career year. He’s averaging 23.4 points and 5.3 rebounds on 43% shooting from the field. Most figured he fit into the Pistons’ rebuild plan. That might not be the case.
Related: 4 intriguing Boston Celtics trade scenarios before NBA trade deadline
This report indicates that the Boston Celtics are interested in acquiring the still-young forward. In fact, Shams Charania concludes that he’s one of the Celtics’ top targets. Boston’s interest is not necessarily a surprise. General manager Danny Ainge is looking for a forward that can play both the three and four. Grant fits that mold. Whether the Celtics would be willing to pay a huge bounty to acquire Grant remains to be seen.
NBA trade rumors: Multiple teams interested in Nemanja Bjelica
It’s become relatively clear that the Sacramento Kings are going to move stretch-forward Nemanja Bjelica at some point ahead of the March 25 NBA trade deadline. We’re now hearing more information on contender who might be interested in the sharpshooter. The number of teams are not limited.
Shams Charania of The Athletic specifically points to the Boston Celtics, Golden State Warriors, Miami Heat, Milwaukee Bucks and Philadelphia 76ers as having interest in the Serbian. Bjelica, 32, has been in and out of the Kings’ rotation this season. For his career, the power forward is shooting an eye-opening 39% from distance.
Updated: March 4, 1:30 PM EST
NBA trade rumors: Chicago Bulls interested in trade for All-Star center
As the NBA trade deadline approaches, contenders keep approaching the Chicago Bulls hoping to convince them on a Zach LaVine trade. Those efforts are unlikely to be successful, especially with Chicago reportedly gauging the market to be a buyer in March.
According to The Athletic’s Shams Charania, the Bulls have registered interest in All-Star center Andre Drummond. Held out of the lineup for weeks, with the Cleveland Cavaliers shopping him around the NBA, it’s only a matter of time before the big man finds a new home.
On paper, Drummond is an attractive piece. He is averaging 17.5 points, 13.5 rebounds, 1.6 blocks and 1.2 steals per game this season. An absolute force on the glass with great size, he offers many of the things that contenders in the Eastern Conference need right now.
Chicago’s interest in him is a bit surprising. The Bulls hold the No. 10 seed currently in the conference, but aren’t exactly viewed as a quality playoff-caliber team. They are 7-8 against conference opponents this season and 7-11 when playing at home.
Drummond is owed $28.75 million this season and will be an unrestricted free agent in the summer. As of now, per Charania, there is skepticism that a deal comes to fruition. If that’s the case, a contract buyout becomes Cleveland’s next option.
Updated: March 3, 6:56 PM EST
Denver Nuggets and Dallas Mavericks interested in JJ Redick
Despite being in the midst of his worst season since 2008-09, veteran sharpshooter JJ Redick of the New Orleans Pelicans has been bandied about in NBA trade rumors over the past several weeks. There’s good reason for this. Redick, 36, is in the final year of his contract and has proven himself to be among the most-consistent three-point shooters in modern NBA history. Since entering the league back in 2006, he’s shooting a resounding 42% from distance.
Read More: NBA rumors: Dallas Mavericks open to Kristaps Porzingis trade
We’re now hearing some more information about who might be interested in the veteran guard. According to The Ringer’s Kevin O’Connor, two Western Conference rivals in the Nuggets and Mavericks are intrigued about Redick ahead of the trade deadline.
Specifically, Denver has a need at the two-guard position with Gary Harris struggling through the 2020-21 campaign. He’s averaging just 9.7 points, which would be the 26-year-old guard’s lowest scoring output since his rookie season back in 2014-15. As for the Mavericks, getting some more perimeter help for Luka Doncic is ideal. However, said help was rumored to be on the defensive end. Redick provides very little value in that regard.
NBA trade rumors: Los Angeles Lakers targeting JaVale McGee
It’s not surprise that Lakers general manager Rob Pelinka is still attempting to be a player ahead of the March 25 NBA trade deadline. Even with limited assets and no cap room, the expectation here is that the defending champions will make at least one move of substance.
We’ve heard rumors about Los Angeles targeting depth in the frontcourt with Anthony Davis sidelined to an Achilles’ injury. But for the first time, former Lakers center JaVale McGee is being bandied about.
Read More: 5 potential Los Angeles Lakers trade scenarios ahead of NBA trade deadline
According to Dan Woike of the Los Angeles Times, rival executives believe McGee could be a target. This is a bit convoluted in that the Lakers dealt McGee away to the Cleveland Cavaliers last offseason. NBA rules prohibit them acquiring him in a trade. Rather, the hope in Los Angeles is that Cleveland buys McGee out. The veteran center is averaging 7.4 points and 5.1 rebounds for the Cavs this season. He fit in well during the Lakers’ run to the championship in 2019-20.
Update: March 1, 6:20 PM EST
Could Victor Oladipo be available after turning down Rockets’ extension offer?
It was noted this past weekend that the former All-Star turned down a two-year, $45.2 million max-level extension from the Rockets. That’s the most Houston can offer the pending free agent ahead of this summer considering that it just recently acquired him in the James Harden trade.
It’s not a surprise Oladipo would turn down said extension. The Rockets can actually offer the 28-year-old guard a five-year contract worth up to $195 million once NBA free agency opens. Hence, why it’s not a surprise he turned down said extension offer.
Read More: New York Knicks rumors: Team reportedly interested in Victor Oladipo trade
With that said, the struggling Rockets might not want to face the real possibility of losing Oladipo for nothing this summer. He’s played well since coming over to Houston, averaging 18.9 points, 4.9 rebounds and 4.8 assists in 13 games. If made available, Oladipo would be one of the top guards on the NBA trade market ahead of the March 25 deadline. He’s been linked primarily to the Miami Heat and New York Knicks back east.
NBA trade rumors: New Orleans Pelicans expected to be sellers
We’ve heard the rumors surrounding Lonzo Ball in recent weeks. An impending restricted free agent, the former No. 2 overall pick and his team were unable to come to terms on an extension ahead of the start of the season. It’s led to speculation that Ball could be available.
According to Bleacher Report’s Jake Fischer, guards Eric Bledsoe and JJ Redick could also be on their way out of town ahead of the March 25 NBA trade deadline.
Read More: 4 ideal Lonzo Ball trade scenarios
“They’ve been calling, and where there’s smoke, there’s fire,” one assistant general manager told Fischer.
All three make sense. Ball would be the prized possession on the NBA trade market with one Western Conference team being bandied about as a possibility. After some initial struggles, the 23-year-old Ball has been stellar as of late. He’s averaging 16.6 points, 4.6 rebounds and 5.5 assists on 45% shooting over the past 17 games.
As for Bledsoe and Redick, it would be all about a retooling New Orleans team finding younger assets to team up with Brandon Ingram and Zion Williamson. Bledsoe was acquired in the Jrue Holiday trade this past offseason, pretty much as a salary filler. An impending free agent, Redick is averaging a mere 8.0 points on what would be a nine-year worst 36% from distance on the season.
Updated: Feb. 28, 1:47 PM EST
Could the New York Knicks trade Austin Rivers?
Signed to a three-year contract this past offseason, Rivers is now out of the Knicks’ rotation. That came to a head during Saturday’s win over the Detroit Pistons. Rivers was not on the team’s bench as head coach Tom Thibodeau made the decision not to play him. This comes after he’s lost playing time following the trade for Derrick Rose.
Now comes this report from Marc Berman of The NY Post indicating that Rivers’ stay with the Knicks could be shirt-lived. While the guard was at Madison Square Garden getting treatment for a sore ankle, his lack of presence on the team’s bench is somewhat alarming.
Read More: New York Knicks rumors: Team interested in Karl-Anthony Towns trade
As noted above, Rivers signed a three-year contract with New York during the fall. However, only the first year of said contract is guaranteed. It makes him a potentially valuable trade chip. The 28-year-old guard is averaging 7.3 points on 43% shooting from the field this season. He could potentially net the Knicks a rotational player or draft pick assets as they look to be active ahead of the March 25 NBA trade deadline.
NBA rumors: Detroit Pistons interested in Spencer Dinwiddie trade
Despite being lost for the season with a partially torn ACL, Brooklyn Nets guard Spencer Dinwiddie is drawing trade interest. It makes some sense in that he’s the only true asset Brooklyn has as the team looks to upgrade its depth following the James Harden trade.
On the other hand, Dinwiddie has a team option for next season. Any team acquiring him would face the threat of losing the star guard for nothing without him playing a game. With that said, Ian Begley of SNY notes that the Detroit Pistons are interested in a trade for Dinwiddie.
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There would likely have to be some type of a handshake agreement that Dinwiddie picks up the $12.3 million option for next season or signs an extension in order for this to come to fruition. But it’s an interesting option for the rebuilding Pistons. Dinwiddie, 27, averaged 20.6 points and 6.8 assists on 42% shooting for the Nets a season ago a before suffering the above-mentioned torn ACL back in December.
Any Dinwiddie trade would have to net Brooklyn a veteran or two to join the team’s shrinking rotation following the move for Harden. It’s in this that guards Delon Wright and Wayne Ellington as well as center Jahlil Okafor could be options.
Updated: Feb. 24, 8:55 PM EST
Detroit Pistons having hard time finding Blake Griffin trade partner
This really can’t be seen as too much of a surprise. Detroit is sitting the six-time All-Star in hopes of trading him. The alternative being an expensive buyout. According to Michael Scotto of HoopsHype, the Pistons are having a hard time finding interest in a Blake Griffin trade.
“I know they’ve been trying to trade him for months and can’t find a taker,” one Western Conference executive told Scotto. “Part of it is Blake also saying there are certain teams he would prefer to go to. This is a weird one. Non zero chance they buy him out, which just seems crazy.”
Averaging 12.3 points on just 37% shooting from the field in 2020-21, Griffin has a contract option for nearly $39 million that he is going to exercise for next season. No one is going to take on that contract for a player that’s a shell of his former self. A buyout seems to be the most-likely scenario with the Miami Heat interested.
Updated: Feb. 23, 10:58 PM EST
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Brooklyn Nets waive three players
In three moves that could have wide-ranging ramifications moving forward on the season, the Nets have reportedly waived veterans Noah Vonleh, Iman Shumpert and Andre Roberson. We already know that Brooklyn was going to go heavy after the NBA buyout market. But moving on from three players before their contracts became guaranteed for the remainder of the season could change the dynamics a bit here.
Perhaps, Brooklyn is going to either put in a claim for DeMarcus Cousins or attempt to sign him outright now that his release from the Rockets is official. Fellow big man Blake Griffin could soon be on the buyout market after the Pistons opted to bench him in order to find a trade partner. The same thing can be said for Cleveland Cavaliers center Andre Drummond. Either way, something is up here.
Updated: Feb. 23, 10:58 PM EST
NBA trade rumors: Mavericks reached out to Warriors about Kristaps Porzingis trade
It’s not yet known whether Dallas will bite the bullet and move Porzingis ahead of the March 25 NBA trade deadline. What we do know is that this one report from SNY’s Ian Begley indicates that the Mavericks reached out quietly to the Warriors in order to gauge their interest in the Unicorn. Mavericks owner Mark Cuban has since denied said report.
A little over two years after acquiring Porzingis in a blockbuster trade with the New York Knicks, it’s become clear that he’s not a tremendous fit in Dallas. Despite averaging north of 20 points per game this season, issues on defense have magnified that even further.
Read More: 3 ideal Kristaps Porzingis trade scenarios
Whether the Warriors are interested is another story. It’s pretty apparent that Dallas called up Golden State inquiring about the availability of rookie No. 2 pick James Wiseman and/or the Timberwolves top-three protected pick in 2021 (unprotected in 2022). The Warriors are not going to be interested in either option.
Miami Heat granted disabled player exception
The season-ending injury to big man Meyers Leonard might have impacted Miami’s depth. However, the team now has some flexibility heading into the March 25 NBA trade deadline. The Heat have been granted a $4.7 million disabled-player exception by the Association.
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What exactly does this mean? Miami can either sign a player to a one-year contract worth $4.7 million off the street or acquire a veteran via trade that’s on the final year of his current deal. Options are limited in this case. Wayne Ellington, JaVale McGee and James Ennis are among those who could be options via a trade.
Update: Feb. 21, 4:36 PM EST
Houston Rockets coach calls DeMarcus Cousins’ departure “rumors”
It was reported Saturday evening that the Rockets were going to waive four-time All-Star center DeMarcus Cousins in order for him to catch on with a contender. Things seemed imminent on this front mere hours ago. Not so much anymore.
Silas continued by saying that Cousins should play Monday against the Chicago Bulls. Whether that happens remains to be seen. There’s a good chance that a decision to guarantee Cousins’ salary in an effort to waive him has not been finalized. Hence, Silas’ comments.
Cousins, 30, is already drawing interest from his former Los Angeles Lakers team. For good reason. He’s averaging 9.6 points and 7.6 rebounds on the season. Sure Cousins is not playing at his pre-injury All-Star level, but he can still be a big time contributor on a contending team.
Updated: Feb. 21, 12:30 PM EST
NBA trade rumors: Los Angeles Lakers, Brooklyn Nets among teams interested in P.J. Tucker
The Houston Rockets are in a transition, trading away James Harden and recently agreeing to part ways with DeMarcus Cousins. With the NBA trade deadline approaching, Houston could now look to move veteran P.J. Tucker to a championship contender.
ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski reported that the Los Angeles Lakers, Brooklyn Nets, Miami Heat and Milwaukee Bucks are among the NBA teams pursuing Tucker. Calls have been made to Houston, with the front office reportedly seeking a player who they can plug into their lineup instead of future draft picks.
Owed $7.9 million this season, the 35-year-old makes a ton of sense for contenders. While he doesn’t bring a ton of size at 6-foot-5, he is one of the NBA’s toughest players. He provides defense, versatility on the court and leadership when it’s needed off the bench. He also likely wants out of Houston, so a change of scenery might also elevate his game.
It’s only a matter of time until Tucker is traded. While he won’t be the best player moved ahead of the trade deadline, any NBA contender that lands him should feel confident that he will make an impact in the playoffs.
Updated: Feb. 16, 1:30 PM EST
NBA trade rumors: Cavaliers receiving interest in JaVale McGee
When Cleveland acquired McGee from the Lakers in a salary dump this past offseason, it became clear that he didn’t have a long-term future with the team. Having turned a questionable earlier-career performance into some solid play in recent years, the 33-year-old McGee could be of interest to contending teams.
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That might now come to fruition. In addition to Andre Drummond, the Cavaliers are receiving calls about the veteran center. McGee’s $4.2 million cap hit this season coupled with solid play makes him an attractive option. He’s averaging 7.8 points and 5.6 rebounds on the campaign. Teams like the Golden State Warriors, who have been playing Draymond Green at center, make sense in this regard.
Andre Drummond interested in joining the New York Knicks
At 14-15 and as the sixth seed in the Eastern Conference, it’s apparent that the surprising Knicks will be buyers ahead of the March 25 NBA trade deadline. That pretty much became true once they acquired Derrick Rose earlier in February. There could now be another veteran looking to join New York.
According to Marc Berman of the New York Post, Cleveland Cavaliers All-Star center Andre Drummond is interested in New York. Drummond, 27, has played his final game as a member of the Cavaliers as the team looks to find a trade partner. He’s been solid this season, averaging 17.5 points and 13.5 rebounds.
Read More: 4 ideal Andre Drummond trade scenarios
New York could be an interesting potential destination in that it still has $17 million to spend under the NBA salary cap after the Rose acquisition, meaning that only about $10 million would have to head back to Cleveland. Perhaps, the Knicks offer up former lottery pick Kevin Knox and a cap filler to Cleveland for Drummond. This scenario would enable to Knicks to avoid sending a first-round pick to the Cavaliers.
Updated: Feb. 15, 8:35 PM EST
NBA trade rumors: Atlanta Hawks seeking lottery pick for John Collins
By now, it’s already known that Atlanta is listening to offers for the star big man after the two sides failed to come to terms on an extension last offseason. We’re now hearing what it might take to pry Collins away from Atlanta. According to Shams Charania of The Athletic, the Hawks are seeking a “lottery-type” pick for Collins.
This makes a ton of sense. Set to become a restricted free agent this summer, the 23-year-old Collins continues to morph into an elite-level offensive player. He’s averaging 20.2 points and 9.2 rebounds on 57% shooting from the field since the start of last season. The one issue here is his restricted free-agent status after the 2020-21 campaign.
Teams such as the Golden State Warriors, New York Knicks, Oklahoma City Thunder and New Orleans Pelicans have the draft capital to pull off a trade for John Collins. It’s something to watch ahead of the NBA trade deadline.
Related: If you’re a fan of the Hawks, check out #TrueToAtlanta rumors, rankings, and news here.
Philadelphia 76ers interested in point guard help
Philadelphia was not able to pull off the James Harden blockbuster earlier in the season after the team failed to meet the Rockets’ asking price. However, it now appears that front office head Daryl Morey is looking for some depth behind Ben Simmons.
According to NBA reporter Jason Dumas, Philadelphia is interested in trading for Delon Wright (Pistons) and George Hill (Thunder) ahead of the March 25 deadline. Financially, Hill would make the most sense in that only $1.3 million of his salary for next season is guaranteed. Unfortunately, he’s also going to miss the next month with a thumb injury. The veteran is averaging 11.8 points and 3.1 assists on 51% shooting from the field.
Wright, 28, has been a much better all-around player this season. The veteran is averaging 10.4 points, 4.7 rebounds and 4.9 assists while shooting 45% from the field. However, he’s owed $8.5 million fully guaranteed next season.
Related: If you’re a fan of the 76ers, check out #PhilaUnite rumors, rankings, and news here.
Updated: Feb. 14, 2:56 PM EST
NBA trade rumors: New York Knicks looking to trade for star power
It’s not a secret that Knicks president Leon Rose has been big-name hunting in his short time in that role. The recent acquisition of former NBA MVP Derrick Rose adds another layer to this. With New York sitting at a surprising 13-15 and as the seventh seed in the Eastern Conference, that’s not going to change any time soon.
“They’re going to be in the mix when a star becomes available,” an unnamed source told Stefan Bondy of the NY Daily News recently. “That’s been the plan.”
This represents a complete 180 from the MO of former Knicks president Steve Mills. New York has not dealt a first-round pick in eight years. It has not helped the team become relevant on the broader NBA stage, leading to this change of philosophy from within the organization. The Knicks are not reportedly open to trading assets and picks to bring in a star player.
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Obviously, the primary focus in Broadway would be current NBA leading scorer Bradley Beal with the Washington Wizards. While their brass has indicated he won’t be traded, it’s part of a longer-term plan for the Knicks to add star power after missing out on Kyrie Irving and Kevin Durant to the Nets ahead of the 2019-20 season.
New York has also been linked to Lonzo Ball of the New Orleans Pelicans and stud Chicago Bulls wing Zach LaVine, both of whom could be dealt ahead of the March 25 NBA trade deadline. It’s certainly something to keep an eye on over the next several weeks.
Updated: Feb. 12, 12:20 PM EST
Sacramento Kings could be buyers at NBA trade deadline
Entering the season, many expected the Sacramento Kings to be in a rebuild. They made the right move by hiring general manager Monte McNair, who wants to build around De’Aaron Fox, but the team lacked enough surrounding talent to compete. Following a 5-10 start to the campaign, Sacramento looked like a seller at the NBA trade deadline.
Things can change quickly. Fox is playing at an All-Star level, recently earning Western Conference Player of the Week honors. In the team’s past nine games, the Kings have a 7-2 record. Some of those victories came against top competition, knocking off the Toronto Raptors, Boston Celtics, Denver Nuggets, and Los Angeles Clippers. Sacramento’s losses, a 105-104 loss to the Miami heat and a 119-111 defeat against the Philadelphia 76ers, still showed this team could compete on almost any night It takes the floor.
Sitting at 12-12, Sacramento’s mindset could be changing. According to The Athletic’s Sam Amick, the Kings becoming buyers is very much in play as the trade deadline nears. While it would take this team sustaining a .500-plus level of play, putting itself in a position to make the play-in tournament, making a run at it this season is possible.
The Kings also have trade assets, unlike several other contenders. Marvin Bagley, the No. 2 overall pick in the 2018 NBA Draft, might benefit from a change of scenery. Sacramento also has the rights to all of its future draft picks, which is not something many NBA contenders can say.
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Ultimately, it’s likely that the Kings will slide back down a bit. Fox has proven he is worth the massive contract signed this offseason and the Kings have a legitimate Rookie of the Year candidate in Tyrese Haliburton. Even if regression hits this team and they fall into the NBA Draft lottery mix, they’ll have plenty of pieces who championship contenders want.
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No trade market for Cleveland Cavaliers big man Kevin Love
While the struggling Cavaliers could very well move Andre Drummond and JaVale McGee this season, there’s a firm belief that five-time All-Star Kevin Love won’t be going anywhere. That’s primarily due to his bloated contract and injury issues.
“Kevin Love will need to prove he can stay healthy before anyone would trade for him and the $60.2 million remaining on his contract after this season,” Kevin O’Connor of The Ringer reported recently.
Love, 32, has played in a mere two games this season due to a calf injury. There’s no telling when the NBA champion will be back on the court. At this point, it makes very little sense for any team to take on his contract. After all, he’s taken part in just 80 games since the end of the 2017-18 season.
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Updated: Feb. 9, 9:15 PM EST
Could a Kyle Lowry trade be in the cards?
It was reported recently that some within Toronto’s brass prefer the idea of moving Lowry while he still provides some trade value. At 34 years old, Lowry is in the back end of his prime. He’s also still playing at a high level, averaging 17.0 points, 5.7 rebounds and 6.7 assists per game while shooting 37% from three-point range.
Read More: 4 ideal Kyle Lowry trade scenarios
Among the teams bandied about as a potential trade partner, the Miami Heat seem to make the most sense. Up until recently, Tyler Herro was the struggling team’s starting point guard. He’s a more traditional two-guard. Adding Lowry to the mix ahead of the trade deadline would be huge for Miami.
NBA trade rumors point to Andre Drummond deal
The Brooklyn Nets are among those hoping that the Cleveland Cavaliers buy out Drummond. Given that the impending free agent has been stellar thus far this season, that doesn’t seem to make much sense. The two-time All-Star is averaging what would be a career-high 18.5 points to go with 14.2 rebounds and 1.7 steals while shooting 48% from the field.
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Drummond is a valuable asset in that he’s earning a salary of $28.75 million this season. Cleveland could potentially take on a long-term deal while receiving draft assets for the big man. The Toronto Raptors have been among those talked about as it relates to Drummond. Meanwhile, Brooklyn doesn’t have the cap room or assets to acquire Drummond short of him being bought out.
Could the Chicago Bulls trade Zach LaVine?
In the midst of an All-Star campaign, there’s certainly some talk about LaVine’s future in Chicago. He’s under contract through next season with a modest average annual salary of $19.5 million. For someone who is averaging 27.4 points on 51% shooting and is just 25 years old, LaVine could net Chicago a huge return ahead of the NBA trade deadline.
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In what can’t be considered too much of a surprise, Tom Thibodeau and the New York Knicks are reportedly interested in LaVine. Remember, the head coach worked with the wing during their days together with the Minnesota Timberwolves. While that marriage resulted in an ugly divorce, things seem to be better between the two. Meanwhile, the Golden State Warriors and Denver Nuggets out west could also make sense. They have the assets to entice Chicago.
NBA rumors point to the Washington Wizards retaining Bradley Beal
To say that the league’s leading scorer is not happy in D.C. would be an understatement. Washington has lost 15 of 21 to open the season after acquiring Russell Westbrook in a blockbuster offseason trade. Beal, 27, is averaging an absurd 33.3 points to go with 5.1 rebounds and 4.5 assists on the season.
Read More: 6 most realistic Bradley Beal trade packages
Despite the issues behind the scenes, Beal’s camp has yet to request a trade. Washington has no intention of moving the All-Star guard. Even then, that might change over the next several weeks. The Wizards are in full-scale rebuild mode. Beal would net them more than what the Rockets received for James Harden. Odds right now favor the New Orleans Pelicans and Golden State Warriors landing Beal should he be placed on the block. However, that likely won’t come until after the season.
New Orleans Pelicans looking to move Lonzo Ball, Eric Bledsoe
A recent hot streak on the Pelicans’ part coupled with Ball’s improvement could change the dynamics here. What we do know is that New Orleans has already engaged in trade talks with the Warriors regarding the impending restricted free agent. Kelly Oubre was among the names bandied about heading back to New Orleans in a hypothetical deal.
Read More: 4 ideal Lonzo Ball trade scenarios
At this point, New Orleans might be smart to let this play out a bit as a way to help increase Ball’s trade value. After all, the former No. 2 pick is averaging 17.0 points, 5.8 rebounds and 4.7 assists on 49% shooting over the past six games. But something will happen between now and March 25.
Meanwhile, Bledsoe could be a trade target for contending teams. He was acquired as a salary throw-in this past offseason when New Orleans sent Jrue Holiday to the Milwaukee Bucks. Bledsoe remains a quality starter, and should draw interest leading up the NBA trade deadline.
NBA rumors tell us something is happening with the Boston Celtics
Mired in a 12-10 slump to start the season, Celtics general manager Danny Ainge has made it clear that a trade will likely be in the cards in the next several weeks. A more-recent report suggests that Boston is looking to add either another wing or a big man. The team certainly has assets to make a substantial move. That includes the $28.5 million trade exception stemming from the Gordon Hayward sign-and-trade with the Charlotte Hornets.
Read More: Boston Celtics rumors: 4 trades to help the struggling team
If Boston is looking at wing help, the above-mentioned LaVine could make some sense. The same thing could be said for San Antonio Spurs All-Star DeMar DeRozan. Meanwhile, a bigger trade for frontcourt help could come in the form of Magic center Nikola Vučević. It’s certainly something to watch moving forward.
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