NBA Rumors: Analyzing Trade Reports on James Harden, C.J. McCollum and More
The 2022 NBA trade deadline on Feb. 10 is quickly approaching, and some of the league's hottest stars are on the market as teams look to improve ahead of the playoffs.
While players like Caris LeVert, Norman Powell and Robert Covington are off the board, some of the names still available include Brooklyn Nets guard James Harden, Portland Trail Blazers veteran C.J. McCollum and Boston Celtics guard Marcus Smart.
Trading for players like Harden, McCollum and Smart could help put title contenders over the edge, or it could help teams on the playoff bubble earn a spot to compete against the league's best.
That said, let's take a look at some of the latest trade buzz around the NBA with the deadline on the horizon.
Nets 'Open' to James Harden for Ben Simmons Deal if Seth Curry Included
It appears the Philadelphia 76ers would have to sweeten a James Harden-Ben Simmons swap by at least including one more player. And, according to The Ringer's Bill Simmons, that player is veteran guard Seth Curry.
"Brooklyn is open to it, but Curry has to be in the deal. You can aggregate it, I don't care. But for them, Brooklyn is looking at it this year because they have Durant and Durant we assume is going to be healthy pretty soon and the East is wide open and they want a chance to win. And for them, it's like, the trade that makes sense for us is Simmons and Curry for Harden. This is what I heard."
It's not necessarily surprising that the Nets are looking for Curry in a potential Ben Simmons deal. According to Michael Kaskey-Blomain of CBS Sports, rising star Tyrese Maxey is "untouchable" in Harden trade discussions. In addition, Keith Pompey of The Philadelphia Inquirer reported Matisse Thybulle "is close to being untouchable."
The Ringer's Kevin O'Connor also added that Philly was more likely to trade an older player in a deal for Harden. Curry is 31 and will turn 32 in August, so he certainly fits the bill.
Curry is also in the midst of his best season in the NBA, so acquiring him wouldn't be unrealistic for the Nets, especially considering Harden could decline his player option and become a free agent during the offseason.
The North Carolina native is averaging a career-high 15.3 points, in addition to 3.3 rebounds and 4.1 assists while shooting 49.1 percent from the floor and 40.6 percent from deep. If traded for Harden, he'd likely serve as a starter alongside Kyrie Irving.
However, trading Harden for Ben Simmons could be risky for the Nets. The latter has yet to play for Philadelphia this season and, at this point, it's unclear what kind of shape he is in or if he'd be able to suit up for the Nets immediately.
As for the Sixers, adding Harden would instantly make them better. They sit fifth in the Eastern Conference with a 32-21 record, just two games behind the first-place Miami Heat.
With Joel Embiid playing at an MVP-level, Philadelphia would be crazy to not try and pair him with Harden for at least the remainder of the season. In addition, it's also possible Harden would be interested in remaining with the 76ers after this season given his relationship with president of basketball operations Daryl Morey.
Knicks Emerge as 'Legitimate Trade Suitor' for C.J. McCollum
McCollum has been included in various trade rumors leading up to the deadline. However, another team has reportedly entered the sweepstakes for the Blazers veteran.
The New York Knicks are "a legitimate trade suitor" for McCollum, according to NBA insider Marc Stein. This should come as no surprise after SNY's Ian Begley reported that teams expect Portland to listen to offers for McCollum after trading Powell and Covington.
The Knicks, who are 12th in the Eastern Conference with a 24-30 record, could use a veteran like McCollum. The 30-year-old is an above-average shooter and ball-handler, averaging 20.5 points, 4.3 rebounds and 4.5 assists while shooting 43.6 percent from the floor and 38.4 percent from deep in 36 games.
Outside of Julius Randle and RJ Barrett, the Knicks have had difficulty shooting and ball-handling. Kemba Walker is in the midst of his worst season in the NBA, averaging 11.9 points, 3.2 rebounds and 3.3 assists while shooting 40.5 percent from the floor and 37.1 percent from deep.
Walker's struggles have only brought the Knicks down. Evan Fournier also has not lived up to the hype, averaging 14.1 points, 2.9 rebounds and 1.8 assists in 51 games. McCollum would represent an upgrade over both players and would inject some life into a Knicks offense that hasn't been great this year.
New York's 108 offensive rating ranks 24th in the league. Only the New Orleans Pelicans, Los Angeles Clippers, Houston Rockets, Orlando Magic, Detroit Pistons and Oklahoma City Thunder have been worse offensively.
A big question surrounding a deal for McCollum is what his price tag would be. It's unclear what the Blazers' asking price is or what the Knicks would be willing to give up. However, considering the former 10th overall pick has been a consistent scorer since his third season in the league, averaging at least 20 points since the 2015-16 campaign, he won't come cheap.
Celtics' Marcus Smart Drawing Interest from Hawks, Timberwolves
The Celtics are reportedly open to trading anyone except Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown. And while the franchise has been hesitant to move Smart in the past, it appears he's once again drawing interest this winter.
The Minnesota Timberwolves are reportedly interested in Smart, according to Bleacher Report's Jake Fischer. KTSP and SKOR North’s Darren Wolfson reported Minnesota would possibly have to give up Malik Beasley and either forward Jaden McDaniels or a first-round pick in exchange for Smart.
Adding Smart to the mix, pairing him with D'Angelo Russell in the backcourt to line up with Karl-Anthony Towns and Anthony Edwards up front, would make the Timberwolves a more difficult team to play against.
Smart is one of the best defenders in the NBA, and while he isn't a great scorer, he does a solid job of running Boston's offense and leads the team with 5.4 assists per game. He's also still averaging 11.3 points per game while shooting 41.1 percent from the floor and 30.7 percent from deep this season.
If Smart were to join the Timberwolves, he'd likely take over for Patrick Beverley, who the franchise is shopping, and could see time in the starting lineup alongside Russell.
In addition to the Timberwolves, The Athletic's Chris Kirschner reported the Atlanta Hawks are interested in Smart, which should really come as no surprise.
While the Hawks have been one of the best offensive teams in the NBA this season, they have also been one of the worst defensively. Atlanta ranks 27th in the league with a 113.1 defensive rating. Only the Trail Blazers, Sacramento Kings and Houston Rockets have been worse defensively.
Considering Smart plays elite defense and can also create shots for himself and other players, he would be a good fit in Atlanta. The question is, who would the Celtics want in return?
Kirschner mentioned Bogdan Bogdanovic as a potential target. However, it's unclear if Boston would be interested in acquiring him.
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