NBA Trade Rumors: Latest Updates on Trade Chatter Around League
The trade winds have started to calm down around the NBA after a hectic start to the offseason. That doesn't mean all of the wheeling and dealing has come to an end for the summer, though. There are still teams looking to make moves.
With that in mind, let's take a look at some of the latest news from around the league. Even though the focus of the basketball world will be on London for the next few weeks, general managers will be busy at work trying to get deals done.
Three-Team Trade Nearly Complete
The New Orleans Hornets, Phoenix Suns and Minnesota Timberwolves are closing in on a trade that would include Robin Lopez, Hakim Warrick and Wesley Johnson, according to Adrian Wojnarowski of Yahoo! Sports.
Lopez and Warrick would head to New Orleans. Both former first-round picks have struggled to live up to the hype and would benefit from a change of scenery where playing time should be more readily available as the Hornets rebuild.
Johnson would be sent along with a draft pick to the Suns. He's another young player in need of a fresh start and has a good chance to excel in Phoenix. The Timberwolves would clear cap space to use at a later time for another deal.
On the surface it looks like a pretty good trade for three teams trying to figure out a direction for the future. It will also help the players involved get a chance to show their skills to a different set of eyes.
Dwight Howard Staying?
After all the drama, discussion and speculation, is it possible that Howard could remain on the Orlando Magic heading into next season? ESPN's Chris Broussard says definitely because the team doesn't want to trade him without getting a top-notch deal.
It's amazing how poorly the entire situation has been handled by Howard and the Magic. Instead of just going their separate ways, they have caused the process to get drawn out and it has the potential to remain in the headlines all the way through next summer.
Sooner or later Orlando will have to realize Howard can walk away at season's end, which gives them limited leverage. Instead of enduring an entire season of turmoil, they should take the best offer they can find and move on.
Carl Landry Deal Unlikely
One move that hit the rumor mill last week was a potential sign-and-trade deal that would send Landry to the Charlotte Bobcats. The power forward is an unrestricted free agent, but the Bobcats preferred a trade to get him.
Rick Bonnell of the Charlotte Observer reports an agreement is unlikely, though. Landry averaged 13 points and five rebounds for the Hornets last season, numbers that make him one of the best players left on the free-agent market.
That means he shouldn't have much trouble finding a new home even though it appears the Bobcats won't be able to pull off a deal. It would have been a nice addition for Charlotte as it looks to build around second overall pick Michael Kidd-Gilchrist.
