NBA Trade Rumors: Pau Gasol to Minnesota, Kaman to Miami & Free Agent Talk
We're almost halfway through the 2011-2012 NBA season and the NBA trade rumors are flying. With the NBA All-Star break quickly approaching, there will be plenty of time for teams to reach out to officials and players.
Let's get into it:
Pau Gasol
Fox Sport's Chris Tomasson reports that the Minnesota Timberwolves are looking into trading for the Los Angeles Laker's big man, Pau Gasol.
While Kevin Love and Ricky Rubio are reportedly "untouchable", the T-Wolves are offering rookie and L.A-native Derrick Williams and draft picks for the seven footer.
Gasol is averaging a double-double (16 and 10), and would undoubtedly be an upgrade over the rookie Williams, who's averaging 7.5 points and 4.2 rebounds a game. Gasol may be attracted to be playing with fellow Spaniard RIcky Rubio in Minnesota.
It's hard to imagine the Lakers trading away one of their best options for a player not named Love or Rubio, but the Lakers need to make a move.
They currently rest at No. 2 in the Pacific Division, 2.5 games behind the Los Angeles Clippers, at 17-12.
Chris Kaman
The Miami Heat need a center in the worst way.
And as Chris Tomasson of Fox Sports is reporting, they may get one in Chris Kaman.
In order for Miami to obtain Kaman, his current team, the New Orleans Hornets, would have to buy out his current contract by the trade deadline on March 15.
It's still unclear as to whom Miami would give up to acquire Kaman, but the Heat did recently release rookie center Mickell Gladness to make room on the roster.
The 29-year-old Kaman had his best season in two years ago when he averaged 18.5 points and 9.2 rebounds a contest. Since that time, Kaman has missed time due to injury, but has shown that he can still be effective averaging 10.9 PPG and 7.5 RPG in 2012.
At this point, any center would be an upgrade over the undersized Joel Anthony, who is scoring a mere 3.4 PPG and grabbing 4.3 RPG.
If the Heat upgrade at center and remain healthy, they'll be the favorite heading into the playoffs. They currently sit atop the Southeast division at 23-7.
J.R. Smith
After spending the past few months oversees in China, J.R. Smith is ready to light up the NBA once more.
Howard Beck of The New York Times reports that the New York Knicks are the front-runners to land Smith.
Understandably, there's still some debate between Knicks' officials as to whether they want to bring in an explosive personality like Smith, especially with the newfound chemistry brought on by sensation Jeremy Lin.
If the Knicks do pull the trigger on Smith, Bill Walker is likely out in order to clear roster space.
Smith would likely serve as a role player at the guard and small forward position for New York, as he averaged 12.3 PPG for the Denver Nuggets in '10-'11.
The Knicks have won seven in a row and currently sit third in the Atlantic Division at 15-15.
Gilbert Arenas
Surrounding the dismal play of the Los Angeles Lakers in 2012 is their play at point guard.
Dave McMenamin of ESPN writes that the Lakers have been working out free agent Gilbert Arenas in hopes of improving their play at the point guard position.
Arenas, is coming off of surgery on both his knees and hips, can surely help the Lakers, but could also be volatile in the locker room.
He's a career 21.2 PPG and 5.4 APG guy, which is definitely an improvement over Fisher and backup Steve Blake.
The Lakers cut forward Derrick Caracter on Tuesday to free up roster space for a new PG.
If Arenas doesn't pan out, the Lakers also have their eye on Cleveland Cavalier's Ramon Sessions and and Houston Rocket's guard Jonny Flynn.
One thing is clear t,he 15-year veteran Fisher is no longer capable of handling the starting PG position.
Kyrylo Fesenko
Since Andrew Bogut went down with a fractured ankle, the Milwaukee Bucks have been struggling to find a capable center.
The Journal Times reports that the Bucks are looking into signing free agent Kyrylo Fesenko to play center.
Fesenko spent the last four seasons as a backup for the Utah Jazz, but tore the meniscus in his left knee while playing for Ukraine in the EuroBasket Tournament.
Milwaukee could use some help, as backup Center Jon Leuer is averaging a mere 5.3 PPG and 3 RPG.
The Bucks are 11.5 games back in the division and are 12-17 overall.
Allen Iverson has announced his comeback to the NBA, except he may not be playing in the NBA.
ESPN's Chris Broussard is reporting that Iverson is willing to play oversees or in the D-League if it leads to an NBA contract.
Iverson and his representatives have reached out to several NBA teams, but have yet to find anyone interested in acquiring the 36-year-old.
Broussard also writes that if Iverson doesn't sign a contract by All-Star weekend (Feb. 26), he'll likely call it quits.
