NBA Rumors: Analyzing the Latest Chatter from Around the Association
As the 2012-13 NBA season continues to ramp up and focus turns to on-court action, the league's rumor mill begins taking a backseat for most fans.
With the high-flying hysterics of players like Blake Griffin, the nightly cabal of great matchups like Heat-Celtics and storylines like the Los Angeles Lakers' struggles, it's hard to blame them.
Nonetheless, just because the focus has shifted doesn't mean teams have stopped looking to make moves. In fact, the beginning of the regular season is where teams first get a look at their true deficiencies and start laying the groundwork for change.
For that reason, here's a look at all the latest rumors flying around the NBA.
Bulls and Quentin Richardson a Match?
Coming into the 2012-13 season, the Chicago Bulls are in sort of a roster limbo. Though Tom Thibodeau's rotation seems mostly set until Derrick Rose comes back from injury, the team has openly been courting a final bench piece.
However, salary cap circumstances leave the Bulls with just the prorated veteran's minimum to play with, meaning the team has to twiddle its thumbs until that opportunity arises. When Chicago does choose to make a move, it could be for recently-waived forward Quintin Richardson, according to CSNChicago's Sam Aggrey:
"Apart from Gibson, the one other early-season transaction the Bulls are monitoring is acquiring a minimum-salary contract when they have the cap space to add a 14th player next month. Veteran wings such as recently-waived Quentin Richardson, a Chicago native, are among those under consideration, a league source told CSNChicago.com, but the Bulls also have the option of waiting until later in the season and signing two players if an addition doesn't seem necessary early on in the campaign.
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On paper, Richardson seems like a perfect fit. The Bulls are in desperate need of help from beyond the arc, and even at a massively reduced skill level, the 32-year-old can still hit the three-ball.
Chicago would be smart to wait the situation out and see if any better options get waived. But if we hit Thanksgiving and Richardson is still the best match, it seems likely Q-Rich will get to play in his hometown.
"Everything's" on the Table in Milwaukee?
It's little secret that this is a make-or-break season for the Milwaukee Bucks. Coach Scott Skiles and team stars Brandon Jennings and Monta Ellis are all in the last year of their contracts, meaning the rumor mill likely won't stop at all in Milwaukee.
And according to ESPN's John Hollinger, it's a "given" that the Bucks will be actively searching for a trade this season.
"I think it's pretty much a given that Milwaukee will be active in the trade market this season. It takes two to tango so we don't know what they'll be able to accomplish, but I'd say everything's on the table there right now.
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When taking a look at the roster, it's pretty obvious that "everything" mostly pertains to Jennings and Ellis.
The Bucks passed on giving Jennings a multi-year extension, which gives the 23-year-old point guard a chance to test restricted free agency next summer. If a team comes through with an offer similar to what Milwaukee would get in a sign-and-trade, don't be shocked if they pull the trigger.
Ellis, meanwhile, is your more traditional expiring contract with a ton of talent. The Bucks will probably move Ellis only if they get a nice haul that will help a rebuilding project.
Jose Calderon Still Available for Right Price?
Seemingly the subject of a never-ending stream of rumors over the offseason, the Toronto Raptors shockingly did not move Jose Calderon.
Now a backup after Kyle Lowry's acquisition, Calderon dropped 15 points and had three assists in his first game with the second unit. Despite the fact he'll be an integral member of the bench, Calderon is still readily available for the right price, according to Hoopsworld's Alex Kennedy:
"It’s no secret that Calderon is available. When the Raptors acquired Kyle Lowry over the offseason, the Raptors worked with Calderon’s camp and tried to find a new home for the 31-year-old point guard. Toronto didn’t find a deal that they liked, but they’ll continue to explore their options in the coming months. Calderon remains on the block and his name is going to come up a lot between now and the trade deadline.
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While I understand the Raptors holding out for the best deal, it's baffling that some team hasn't stepped up with a solid offer. Despite his plentiful defensive flaws, Calderon is one of the five best passers in the NBA and a guy who almost never takes bad shots.
Calderon is undoubtedly the guy atop my wish list if I'm a general manager running a playoff team that's trying to make a leap to the next level.
