NBA Rumors: Latest Trade Rumblings on Lakers, Clippers and More
Break out the trade machine and start crunching salary-cap numbers—NBA bartering season is here and the fun is only beginning to ramp up.
And if you've got an appetite for compelling rumors, the following batch should satisfy your cravings.
With both Tinseltown franchises testing trade waters and the Toronto Raptors reportedly exploring the possibility of dealing one of their centerpieces, the start of free agency has not disappointed.
Let's get to it.
Lakers Trying to Clear Cap Space
It's the golden rule of NBA free agency: Never discount the Los Angeles Lakers' ability to pull off a stunner.
According to Yahoo Sports' Adrian Wojnarowski, the Purple and Gold are making a late push to clear cap space in order to extend offers to two superstars:
Not to rain on the Lakers' parade, but pairing LaMarcus Aldridge and DeAndre Jordan together is effectively impossible if they're both requesting four-year max deals in the range of $81 million.
Salary cap guru and CBAFAQ.com's Lary Coon explains:
"Jordan and Aldridge will both have starting salaries of around $18.8 million. We can fit one easily. But once we sign one of them, that brings our total to $55.6 million (one of the cap holds goes away), and reduces our cap room to about $11.5 million.
That’s about $7.3 million away from signing another player who will command an $18.8 million starting salary. I already think we’re at the minimum roster the Lakers would have, and even if they dump everyone else but Kobe, they’re still short.
Even if the roster consists of just Kobe and no one else, the Lakers could not afford both Jordan and Aldridge at their market value.
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As Coon later explains, the only way for the Lakers to feasibly orchestrate those two signings would be to trade Kobe Bryant or convince one or both of the free-agent prizes to take a pay cut.
Conceptually, the Lakers' pursuit of a rapid revival is commendable. But monetarily, it just doesn't appear possible barring some serious sacrifices from players in their primes.
Clippers Pondering Chandler Sign-and-Trade
With DeAndre Jordan reportedly harboring split feelings regarding his decision to return to the Los Angeles Clippers or sign with the Dallas Mavericks, according to ESPN.com's Chris Broussard, L.A. is prepping for all scenarios that include life sans its bouncy big man.
According to ESPN.com's Ramona Shelburne, the Clippers could be interested in a sign-and-trade for a certain Dallas center who just became an unrestricted free agent:
Should Jordan land in Dallas, Los Angeles would be a natural spot for Chandler. The Clippers will be in desperate need of a reliable rim-protector to anchor their defense, and Chandler's offensive skill set is a near-carbon copy of Jordan's.
A fearsome dive man around the bucket who could wreak havoc in 1-5 pick-and-rolls with Chris Paul, Chandler fits the mold of what Clippers head coach Doc Rivers is looking for in a frontcourt complement to Blake Griffin.
The Clippers may need to move fast, though.
According to the Journal Times' Gery Woelfel, the Milwaukee Bucks are interested in signing Chandler:
"I’ve been told by some league officials the center most likely to join the Bucks from that group is Chandler. If Dallas can land Jordan, which seems likely, the Mavericks will be more than happy to let Chandler walk – even though he averaged an impressive double-double of 10.3 points and 11.5 rebounds last season at the age of 32.
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CBS Sports' Ken Berger reported information along similar lines:
"At the end of the day, I get it," Chandler said of Dallas' impending decision, according to ESPN.com's Tim MacMahon. "The franchise [has] to make the best decision for the franchise. Of course, I still feel like I can go, still have a lot to give. But at the end of the day, I feel like I’ll make the best decision for myself and my family and the Mavericks will make the best decision for the organization."
Jordan's shoe will be the first to drop, but Chandler's decision could shift the balance of power in either the Eastern or Western Conference.
DeRozan on the Block?
Toronto Raptors general manager Masai Ujiri has never been one to shy away from bold decision-making, and that adjective may function as a prefix to his official title in perpetuity should he choose to explore a big trade this summer.
The Toronto Sun's Ryan Wolstat provided the details: "Ujiri also could swing a deal involving part of his core. Whispers continue to circulate that DeMar DeRozan’s camp will be after the new mid-max (a whopping $25.3 million) a year from now and there is no way the Raptors will be comfortable footing that bid."
While DeMar DeRozan is slated to earn $10.1 million next season, according to BasketballInsiders.com, he can exercise a player option for the following year (when he's also slated to earn $10.1 million) and become an unrestricted free agent.
And if DeRozan makes it clear he's focused on reaping the benefits of a generous new salary cap, as Wolstat noted, it stands to reason Ujiri could look to extract some value while the 25-year-old swingman is still under contract.
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