NBA Trade Rumors: Latest Gossip Before Season Openers

Though the 2014-15 NBA season has yet to tip off, the nature of basketball's limited mobility means that teams are already preparing for the future before a single minute has been played.

That does not necessarily need to detract from the on-court product, but for several organizations, the front office will play a more crucial role this year than the players.

No movement is imminent, as there is little incentive for any team to move decisively at this point. Sellers do not yet hold significant leverage, while top and quasi-contenders still need to see the fruits of their offseason labor before tinkering with the delicate on-court formula.

Nevertheless, these early whispers provide harbingers of what movement may occur in the winter. When examining some of the buzz surrounding the biggest names ostensibly on the market, there are a handful of players who could potentially affect the postseason's complexion if they do indeed move.

Rondo Update

With Kevin Love traded and LaMarcus Aldridge seemingly content, Boston Celtics point guard Rajon Rondo looks like he's next in the line of All-Stars on the block.

However, having broken his hand after a subpar return from a torn ACL, the battered Rondo might be seeing his value dip, according to Basketball Insiders' Lang Greene:

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The market for Rajon Rondo is indeed shrinking. Point guard position is stacked throughout the league. Rondo is approaching 30 (28), coming off an ACL injury, an unrestricted free agent next summer, doesn’t shoot a good FT percentage and doesn’t have the best mid range jump shot. All of that is true. Plus there are rumors he’s not the most warm and fuzzy guy to deal with on a day to day basis. This is might be true.

"

Last season, Rondo posted just .054 win shares per 48 minutes, the lowest of his career. Without the old Big Three, Boston's poor supporting cast illustrated how Rondo needs a specific environment to thrive.

Rondo still possesses upper-echelon vision and pick-and-roll command, but without the personnel to finish those juicy setups, he is unable to carry a team due to his shaky shooting and oft-irresponsible gambling on defense.

Still, there are very few players who thrive regardless of surrounding, superstars included. As long as Rondo demonstrates no limitations in health, his trade value figures to shimmy back up to its previously lofty levels.

Though Boston.com's Brian Robb reports that Rondo is still practicing with a pad on his fractured hand, Mark J. Murphy of the Boston Herald suggests he could make a quicker-than-expected return to the lineup:

Boston signaled its intentions this summer by drafting Marcus Smart, a similarly constructed point guard and alpha-male personality. With general manager Danny Ainge stockpiling draft picks for an eventual big move, letting Rondo go may simply be a requirement based on the Celtics' current circumstances.

Budinger Available?

Jim Mone/Associated Press

After receiving a nice haul from Cleveland for their All-Star forward, the Minnesota Timberwolves now face a significant glut on the wing.

As Yahoo Sports' Adrian Wojnarowski reports, that could leave veteran Chase Budinger phased out and on the block:

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The Minnesota Timberwolves are shopping forward Chase Budinger in trade talks, league sources told Yahoo Sports.

Among talks with several teams, the Detroit Pistons and Houston Rockets have shown an interest, league sources said.

Houston is reluctant to take on the $5 million player option Budinger’s deal has in 2015-16, as are the Pistons, sources said. Nevertheless, the Pistons are taking a long look at Budinger and considering the possibility of making a deal. No trade is considered imminent for Budinger.

"

Since Budinger arrived in Minnesota two seasons ago, he has experienced career lows in most per-36 minute numbers, including a disturbing dip in field-goal percentage.

With Andrew Wiggins and Anthony Bennett in need of playing time as the Wolves invest their future in the former top picks, it no longer makes sense to preserve a rotation spot for the disappointing Budinger.

Of the rumored fits Wojnarowski mentioned, the Rockets would make sense. Houston unearthed Budinger as a second-round pick, and his departure stemmed mostly from cap issues while GM Daryl Morey plotted for a superstar trade.

However, 5 Eyewitness News' Darren Wolfson suggests Budinger's current contract could be a stumbling block toward a reunion:

Despite signing veteran Jason Terry and retaining Francisco Garcia, the Rockets still likely need more playable and stable depth behind James Harden and Trevor Ariza.

Budinger would provide a familiar name who has already played under head coach Kevin McHale, increasing the likelihood of a seamless midseason integration.

Nuggets Shopping Miller?

David Zalubowski/Associated Press

Quincy Miller showed flashes of promise in his first full season as a rotational wing, but with the Denver Nuggets seeing the return of numerous injured players, Miller has faced a tough numbers crunch.

On Oct. 25, it appeared Miller was acknowledging his own release from the Nuggets:

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All the kicks I had in my locker  pic.twitter.com/NayOHzLArl

— Quincy Miller (@qmillertime) October 26, 2014"

However, the Nuggets do not need to formally submit the transaction until 5 p.m. ET on Oct. 27, when all NBA rosters must be set at 12 players. Thus, as ESPN's Nick Borges (subscription required) suggests, Denver could still trade Miller if enough of a market forms for his services:

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The Nuggets did not waive Miller on Wednesday as Connelly is likely shopping him in hopes of landing something for the small forward. Connelly probably won't release Miller, should he not find a taker, until Monday's deadline since the team owes him $150,000 and that amount will count towards their books whether they waive today or wait until Oct. 27. 

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A team in need of wing depth like the New Orleans Pelicans or Los Angeles Lakers figures to swipe Miller quickly if he reaches waivers. Denver is unlikely to receive much more than a second-round pick for Miller's services, but that would still trump simply letting the 21-year-old go for free.

All stats via Basketball-Reference.com.