NBA Trade Rumors: Latest on Cavaliers' PG Pursuit, Rudy Gay and Omri Casspi
As always, the first month of the NBA season has come with a relative calm on the trade market. Teams are still getting their rotations in a rhythm, even bad teams haven't totally hit the tank button yet, and superstars haven't yet become disgruntled (but they are a little gruntled).
Most importantly, however, we haven't hit Dec. 15, aka the true opening of the NBA trade season. That's the first date on the calendar players signed this offseason can be moved. While teams don't go heaving all their major offseason signings off the wagon, the freedom of moving short-term deals and aging veterans makes those conversations easier.
Trades of impact players before Dec. 15 are the exception, not the rule. We're also in a somewhat odd situation where there aren't any teams actively trying to lose games at this point. The Philadelphia 76ers have moved on from "the process" and embraced The Process, the Los Angeles Lakers are suddenly spry under coach Luke Walton, and even the Brooklyn Nets play hard each night despite their competitive disadvantages.
The rumor mill is more of a trickle than a flood at this point. But there are a few names to keep an eye on who could be on the move soon after that Dec. 15 date. Here's a look at a few notable rumors floating around.
Cavs Being Patient on the PG Front
Perhaps the most amazing feat of the Cleveland Cavaliers' 10-2 start is the fact they've been doing it all without a primary backup to Kyrie Irving. Matthew Dellavedova's in Milwaukee, Mo Williams is retired, and Kay Felder is nowhere near ready.
Felder, a rookie second-round pick, has played all of 32 minutes all season. The Cavs have kept Irving's minutes to a manageable 33.8 per night by staggering their lineups, with LeBron James getting a ton of time as the primary ball-handler with bench lineups. That's part of the reason James is averaging a career-high 9.0 assists per night.
The league knows this is unsustainable. Eventually, the Cavs are going to need a reliable hand—even if it's just for 10 or so minutes a night come May and June. Williams played a vital role off Cleveland's bench last season when Dellavedova struggled, and the Cavs can't expect to beat the Golden State Warriors without firing every bullet in their chamber.
Joe Vardon of Cleveland.com reported speculation about former James teammate Norris Cole is premature. Cole signed with a team in the Chinese Basketball Association after going unsigned this summer and may not be available until the spring.
Vardon threw out the names of Deron Williams and D.J. Augustin as more realistic options. Both players signed new contracts this offseason—and are thus unavailable until Dec. 15—but are part of struggling teams that may be eager to shed salary and get out from under those deals.
The Cavs have leftover trade exceptions and a 2017 first-round pick they can use to sweeten any offer, though they're short on young disposable talent.
Omri Casspi the Odd Man Out in Sacramento?
In 2015-16, Omri Casspi had a career year and emerged as a potential member of the Kings' next competent core. He played decent defense, hit 40.9 percent of his threes and was long enough to play in small-ball lineups alongside DeMarcus Cousins.
In 2016-17, Casspi is nowhere to be found. He regularly sits by coach's decision, averages barely more than half as many minutes a night as last season when he does play and has understandably been out of rhythm.
The reasons aren't entirely clear. The Kings have a new coaching staff in place, but Dave Joerger has made the decision to hand Matt Barnes, an objectively worse player at age 36, Casspi's former spot in the rotation. Barnes adds toughness to any team, but he's a 35 percent shooter from distance who has understandably lost a step. It seems like a pretty clear case of Joerger's comfort with Barnes winning out.
With Garrett Temple, Arron Afflalo and Anthony Tolliver also getting minutes, Casspi's small-ball skills are basically irrelevant under Joerger.
"It's difficult," Joerger told reporters, according to Ailene Voisin of the Sacramento Bee. "... It can change from season to season. Roles change. Players change. We have a lot of new faces. But we got those guys for a reason. And at some point, you have to go with something for a while."
Voisin reported that while Casspi has not requested a trade, one would be "welcomed." He's understandably grown frustrated with his diminished role and is an unrestricted free agent this summer; millions of dollars go down the drain the longer this lasts.
The good news is the Kings won't have a lack of suitors. Casspi would be the perfect bench cog for a dozen teams around the league. That said, there could be more minutes opening up if...
Thunder Still Open to Trading for Rudy Gay
...the Oklahoma City Thunder make their long-rumored push for Rudy Gay. According to Adrian Wojnarowski of The Vertical (h/t Erik Horne of The Oklahoman), even before the season began, the Thunder were reportedly considering a move for Gay, the disgruntled Kings small forward.
Things have been stagnant on that end—especially with Cameron Payne, OKC's best tradable young asset, yet to make his season debut—but it doesn't appear the Thunder have given up. Zach Lowe of ESPN.com reported OKC remains interested in Gay and a bunch of bigger wings around the league.
The Thunder are making getting bigger on the wing a priority because it allows them to shift players into ideal spots. Victor Oladipo can come off the bench as a sixth man and resume a heavier ball-handling load, Andre Roberson can go back to defending shooting guards, and the Thunder can at least look like a poor man's version of their 2015-16 team.
Payne's injury threw a monkey wrench into those plans and will continue to do so until he returns. OKC might not even wind up using Payne in a trade package, but his injury hampers the team's flexibility. Semaj Christon's lack of success handling the backup point guard role isn't helping matters, either.
I don't expect the Thunder to be ultra aggressive making a move unless they clearly establish themselves as a potential top-four seed.
