Fact or Fiction: Kyrie Irving to Houston Rockets, and Other NBA Rumors

The new year brings a new crop of NBA rumors, especially as we're under six weeks from the Feb. 9 trade deadline.

Not all rumors are to be believed of course, as there's a continuous game of leverage being played by teams, agents, players and their camps.

As we enter trade season and even look ahead to an interesting 2023 free-agent class, it's time to separate fact from fiction with the latest collection of rumors.

Cavs to Go Wing Hunting at Trade Deadline

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SAN ANTONIO, TX - DECEMBER 12: Josh Richardson #7 of the San Antonio Spurs shoots the ball during the game against the Cleveland Cavaliers on December 12, 2022 at the AT&T Center in San Antonio, Texas. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2022 NBAE (Photos by Michael Gonzales/NBAE via Getty Images)

At 23-14 and in fourth place in the East, the Cavs are quite good but still look a few pieces away from being a championship contender.

The starting small forward position is still a weakness, as Caris LeVert, Isaac Okoro, Lamar Stevens and Dean Wade have all taken turns filling in as the glue between Darius Garland, Donovan Mitchell, Evan Mobley and Jarrett Allen. Cleveland has shuffled through 16 different starting lineups already this season.

Unsurprisingly, the team's focus going into the trade deadline remains at small forward. Per ESPN's Zach Lowe, the Cavs are expected to pursue a "short-term wing option" around the deadline.

There should be a number of wings on expiring deals that become available between now and Feb. 9, a list that could include Eric Gordon, Jae Crowder, Josh Richardson, Kyle Kuzma, Kelly Oubre Jr. and Terrence Ross.

The Cavs are extremely limited on trade assets, as their 2023 first-round pick is owed to the Indiana Pacers in the deal for LeVert, while their other tradeable firsts (2025, 2027 and 2029) are owed to the Utah Jazz for Mitchell.

Okoro, the fifth overall pick in 2020, carries some value to a rebuilding team, and the Cavaliers have multiple second-rounders to include in a deal, including the most favorable of their and the Golden State Warriors' 2023 second-round selection.

After the deal for Mitchell, Cleveland doesn't have a ton to offer and won't be in the market for any stars who could become available. Expect a smaller deal for a player that, as Lowe stated, will only be around for the short term.

Fact or Fiction: Fact. The Cavs don't have the pieces to go star chasing, but upgrading the wing in any capacity is important for a playoff run.

Phoenix Suns Holding out for 'Certifiable Starter' in Jae Crowder Trade

AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin

Phoenix Suns forward Jae Crowder argues a foul called against him during the first half of Game 5 of an NBA basketball second-round playoff series against the Dallas Mavericks Tuesday, May 10, 2022, in Phoenix. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin)

Veteran forward Jae Crowder is still away from the Suns as Phoenix looks to find a suitable trade for him.

Swapping Crowder for a draft pick or young talent isn't the Suns' preference. According to Marc Stein via his Substack, "Phoenix is said to be holding out for a certifiable starter in a Crowder deal."

This is the message that the Suns should be sending out, at least for now.

The 32-year-old is on the last year of his contract, however, meaning if Phoenix doesn't end up trading Crowder before the Feb. 9 trade deadline, it will likely lose him for nothing in the offseason.

His $10.1 million contract will be easy to flip, and there's not a contender out there who couldn't use Crowder's defensive versatility, toughness, playoff experience and ability to knock down threes. Crowder averaged 9.4 points, 5.3 rebounds, 1.4 steals, made 36.2 percent of his catch-and-shoot threes and improved the Suns by 4.7 points per 100 possessions when he was on the floor last season (77th percentile, via Cleaning the Glass).

Teams wanting to trade for Crowder will be playoff contenders not wanting to part with their own starting-caliber talent, however, which is probably why no deal has taken place thus far.

Phoenix understandably wants win-now talent, but losing Crowder as a free agent with nothing in return would be a huge mistake.

In the end, expect Crowder to be dealt for a lesser talent and more draft equity, likely to an Eastern Conference team so as not to hurt the Suns' own playoff run.

Fact or Fiction: Fact that Phoenix is holding out for now, fiction that the Suns actually get a starter back from a playoff contender for Crowder. They'll eventually settle on a package of younger talent and/or draft picks instead of losing him for nothing as a free agent.

Kyrie Irving to Houston Rockets Not Being Ruled Out

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BROOKLYN, NY - APRIL 5: Kevin Porter Jr. #3 of the Houston Rockets high fives Kyrie Irving #11 of the Brooklyn Nets after the game on April 5, 2022 at Barclays Center in Brooklyn, New York. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2022 NBAE (Photo by Nathaniel S. Butler/NBAE via Getty Images)

Things couldn't be going much better for Kyrie Irving or the Brooklyn Nets right now.

The Nets are the hottest team in basketball, riding an 11-game winning streak while climbing all the way to second place in the Eastern Conference. Irving is a major reason, averaging 29.6 points, 6.1 rebounds, 5.3 assists and shooting 43.4 percent from three over this stretch.

Of course, there remains a great deal of uncertainty surrounding the 30-year-old point guard, especially since he'll become an unrestricted free agent in a few months.

If Brooklyn is hesitant to give him a long-term deal this summer (and understandably so), the Houston Rockets and their plethora of cap space represent an intriguing destination.

"I'm just saying, don't rule that one out, either," ESPN's Tim McMahon said on The Lowe Post podcast about the possibility of Irving signing in Houston as a free agent.

The Rockets will possess max cap space, as more than $50 million worth of dead money currently being paid to John Wall, Derrick Favors and others will come off the books. Eric Gordon's $20.9 million contract is non-guaranteed, and after Kevin Porter Jr.'s $18.2 million salary, no Rocket will even make eight figures.

With rumors that Houston isn't convinced Porter is a starting point guard, Irving and James Harden (player option) would be the best options on the free-agent market.

Brooklyn's hot play as of late ultimately means little if the Nets suffer another early playoff exit, however, a factor that will dictate Irving's future with the franchise more than anything.

While the Rockets won't be ready to win a title anytime soon, their potential need for a point guard and ridiculous amount of spending money mean we shouldn't rule out Irving signing with Houston just yet, especially if things go south (again) in Brooklyn.

Fact or Fiction: Fact. It's all love between Irving and the Nets for now. Obviously, we know this can change, and the Rockets should be major spenders in free agency and on the lookout for a point guard.

Klay Thompson Could Join Los Angeles Lakers or Portland Trail Blazers

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SAN FRANCISCO, CALIFORNIA - OCTOBER 18: Klay Thompson #11 of the Golden State Warriors controls the ball as LeBron James #6 and Patrick Beverley #21 of the Los Angeles Lakers defend during the 1st half of the game at Chase Center on October 18, 2022 in San Francisco, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Ezra Shaw/Getty Images)

It's hard to imagine Klay Thompson wearing anything but a Golden State Warriors jersey for the remainder of his career, although finances are becoming increasingly more complicated by the Bay.

Thompson has just one year remaining on his contract after this season, a fully guaranteed $43.2 million that represents one of five Warriors deals valued at $24.3 million or more.

Golden State already has $138.8 million of salary committed for the 2024-25 season, and that's before factoring in new deals for Thompson, Draymond Green, James Wiseman and/or Donte DiVincenzo.

If the Warriors are unable to offer the kind of contract Thompson desires (likely his last big deal as he'll be 34 in the summer of 2024), the Portland Trail Blazers and Los Angeles Lakers could serve as landing spots, according to one Western Conference executive.

"He could consider it. You know, he grew up with his dad as a player, mostly for the Lakers, so they're a team he could look to leave for. And he grew up near Portland, so the Blazers, there has been talk he wants to play for them," the executive told Heavy.com's Sean Deveney. "But really, he is kind of engrained in the Warriors now. He is such a part of that team and the culture, everything he went through with the injuries, and just his whole laid-back attitude and approach. They love him. It would be hard to imagine him actually suiting up in another uniform."

In terms of pure basketball fits, Thompson joining LeBron James and Anthony Davis with the Lakers or Damian Lillard in Portland would be terrific for all involved. Both teams should be highly interested in landing Thompson, especially if it means weakening the Warriors in the process.

There's much to be sorted out between now and then, however.

Green's contract situation could affect Thompson's, and both James and Davis hold player options to return to the Lakers in 2024-25.

The Warriors haven't been afraid to spend, either, giving Jordan Poole and Andrew Wiggins $100-plus million extensions before the season began.

While Portland and Los Angeles could be good fallback options for Thompson if Golden State doesn't pay up, he seems like a Warriors lifer alongside Stephen Curry.

Fact or Fiction: Fiction. We have to believe both Thompson and the Warriors will work something out in the summer of 2024.

Lakers Saving Draft Picks for Star, May Ride out the Season Without Major Trade

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LOS ANGELES, CA - DECEMBER 18: LeBron James #6 of the Los Angeles Lakers talks with Bradley Beal #3 after the game on December 18, 2022 at Crypto.Com Arena in Los Angeles, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2022 NBAE (Photo by Adam Pantozzi/NBAE via Getty Images)

The Lakers' continued decision to do little to improve the roster around a now 38-year-old LeBron James has led to a 15-21 record and a 13th-place standing in the Western Conference.

Despite sitting on a massive expiring contract with Russell Westbrook and multiple tradeable first-round picks, Los Angeles apparently is fine doing nothing at the trade deadline, again, wasting yet another one of the few prime seasons James has left.

"Internally, sources said, there's been serious consideration given to riding out the season without making a major deal if they can't find one that would make the team a realistic contender," Dan Woike of the Los Angeles Times wrote.

This likely means no longer pursuing Myles Turner, Buddy Hield, Bojan Bogdanović or Kyle Kuzma, all of whom can shoot and would be valuable starters next to James.

According to Marc Stein via his Substack, rival teams believe the Lakers want to keep those picks in case a player like Bradley Beal becomes available.

While Beal would be a perfect fit next to James and Davis, he's under contract for the next five years and has never been made available by the Washington Wizards. Even if Beal were to request out, Washington could almost certainly get a better offer for the three-time All-Star than anything the Lakers could offer.

Normally, patience is smart practice in the NBA. For a Lakers team that is tasked with maximizing the legacy of perhaps the greatest player in league history, keeping future picks while ignoring a roster full of holes around James is borderline basketball malpractice.

Riding out the season shouldn't be an acceptable path for these Lakers, yet it is one they'll almost certainly take given their recent history of failing to do anything of (positive) significance since the trade for Davis in June 2019.

Fact or Fiction: Fact. The Lakers should use their resources to put the best roster possible around a 38-year-old James but probably won't as another wasted season passes by.