NBA Trade Rumors: Latest on Jamal Crawford, Markieff Morris and More
The NBA trade market is beginning to heat up as teams start to get desperate to improve for next season.
While a number of teams benefited from free agency (hello, San Antonio Spurs), most of the top players have already agreed to deals. This leaves those looking to keep up with few options to improve their team on the open market.
As a result, these squads will have to look toward potential trades in order to upgrade the lineup. Although this mostly requires either giving up useful assets or taking on a lot of salary, this is what is necessary to win a championship.
With this in mind, stay on the lookout for these players to be on the move in the coming weeks.
Jamal Crawford, Los Angeles Clippers
Although ESPN.com's Brian Windhorst reported a rumor that the Cleveland Cavaliers were going after veteran guard Joe Johnson, ESPN.com's Chris Broussard reported these talks are no longer ongoing (via colleague Mike Mazzeo):
As Marc Stein of ESPN.com noted, the organization has its sights on a different target:
Jamal Crawford might not be the same level of scorer as Johnson. But his salary next season will be about $20 million cheaper, and he still provides plenty of value on the court. He averaged at least 15 points per game in each of the last three years with the Los Angeles Clippers and has twice been named Sixth Man of the Year.
Crawford would provide some much-needed depth to the Cavaliers attack, and he could possibly be the difference in a championship run, as noted by ESPN's Jay Williams:
On the other hand, Brendan Haywood has a lot of value despite scoring just 35 total points during the 2014-15 season. As Chuck Myron of Hoops Rumors explained, the $10.5 million he is owed is not guaranteed, which could help create plenty of cap space for whichever team acquires him.
Another team interested in bringing in the quality bench scorer is the Miami Heat. As Ira Winderman of the Sun Sentinel noted, the organization will keep an open mind about a potential move:
It's clear Crawford will have a lot value on the open market. For the Clippers, they have to decide if they even want to get rid of him and, if they do, whether cap space would be more valuable than players or picks the Heat could provide.
Shabazz Napier, Miami Heat
Not only are the Heat looking to add players like Crawford, but they also need to find ways to clear cap space themselves.
Zach Lowe of Grantland discussed the ripple effect of re-signing Dwyane Wade:
"Bringing Wade back on a one-year, $20 million deal puts the Heat about $13 million over the projected tax line, and Miami wants no part of the harsh repeater penalties that would come with paying the tax for a fourth time in five seasons. Mario Chalmers and Chris Andersen are available for nothing, per several league sources, and the Heat have even put out Shabazz Napier feelers with an eye on carving out extra cap room next summer.
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Although Mario Chalmers and Chris "Birdman" Andersen are more proven, Shabazz Napier is a more intriguing option to follow thanks to his upside. The 23-year-old point guard averaged 19.8 minutes in 51 games last season (10 starts) and displayed plenty of the talent college basketball fans saw for years at UConn.
Despite averages of just 5.1 points and 2.5 assists per game, Napier hit 36.4 percent of his shots from three-point range while playing solid defense.
One of the biggest questions is his health after he missed the end of the season with a sports hernia. Tim Reynolds of the Associated Press noted he remains questionable for the summer league:
With a number of teams around the league having a need for depth at point guard, however, it makes sense for an organization to take a chance on Napier for cheap.
Markieff Morris, Phoenix Suns
In an effort to clear cap space to sign LaMarcus Aldridge, the Phoenix Suns sent three players to the Detroit Pistons, including Marcus Morris. Although this won't be a huge problem for the Suns, it could be a big issue for brother Markieff Morris:
The two players explained how great it was to be teammates in a 2014 article by Jeff Allen of the Rolling Stone, where Marcus Morris explained, "We want to stay together as long as possible."
Now that one player is gone, though, there is no major need to ensure the other sticks around. This is especially true for Markieff Morris, who has apparently not been getting along with the coaching staff, as Jordan Schultz of the Huffington Post reported:
Complicating the situation, the Morris twins were recently charged with felony aggravated assault.
Still, the current Suns forward still has plenty of value on the court. Markieff Morris averaged 15.3 points and 6.2 rebounds this season in his first full year as a starter. He is a versatile offensive player who knows how to get easy baskets inside while also having a knack to stretch the floor with a jump shot.
Not only could he provide depth for teams in the frontcourt, but Morris has become a legitimate starter who could be a key contributor on a winning squad. This is worth giving up the draft picks it would likely require to bring him to town.
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