NBA Trade Rumors: Latest on Josh Smith, Alec Burks and More Rumored Deals

With the 2012-13 NBA season well under way, teams are beginning to realize what they have, where they need to improve and which players are expendable.

Let’s take a look at the latest buzz on trade rumors that are starting to heat up around the NBA.

 

Alec Burks on Block?

The Utah Jazz drafted Alec Burks with the No. 12 overall pick last year, hoping to add some firepower to the SG position. However, with Gordon Hayward capably manning the 2 spot (averaging 13.5 points, 3.3 rebounds and 2.4 assists), Mo Williams able to slide over and backup Randy Foye playing admirably, there doesn’t seem to be many minutes for coach Tyrone Corbin to play the second-year man out of Colorado.

Therefore, it’s come as no huge surprise to learn that FOX Sports Ohio’s Sam Amico has found that the franchise is taking trade offers for Burks.

"

Word around NBA is Jazz G Alec Burks is available. Burks, the 12th overall draft pick in 2011, has played in just 5 of Jazz's 10 games.

— Sam Amico (@SamAmicoFSO) November 17, 2012"

Burks has only seen time in half of Utah’s games, averaging just 1.4 points, 0.6 assists and 0.6 rebounds. It’s a significant drop from his rookie production, when he played in 59 games and put up 7.2 points, 2.3 rebounds and 0.9 assists.

With the Jazz attempting to move past the rebuilding stage as soon as possible (and may already have after making the playoffs last year), it wouldn’t be a stretch to see them jettison the young guard.

Lakers Targeting Josh Smith?

As if the Los Angeles Lakers didn’t make enough offseason moves to acquire elite NBA talent in Steve Nash and Dwight Howard, there are now rumblings that the organization is having discussions on how they can bring in Josh Smith of the Atlanta Hawks.

According to ESPN’s Marc Stein, L.A.’s brass would ideally like to move PF Pau Gasol for the versatile and highly athletic Smith, who is set to become an unrestricted free agent following the 2012-13 campaign.

As of right now, there is no interest from Atlanta, and this isn’t likely a deal that would get done until closer to the trade deadline. The Lakers have yet to see how their current group of stars—Nash, Howard, Gasol and Kobe Bryant—perform under new coach Mike D’Antoni.

While Smith is obviously an upgrade at the 4 over Gasol, and six years younger, the Lakers can’t afford to give up much and don’t have any first-round picks available to package. It would take a serious push on Smith’s end to get a trade done.

 

Timberwolves Looking to Make a Move?

The injury-ravaged T-Wolves could be positioning themselves to make a major trade in the near future.

According to 1500 ESPN’s Darren Wolfson, league sources are indicating that there is reason to believe that there is a shakeup coming in Minnesota.

"

An agent who's trying to get his guy on Wolves: "I think the team is trying to make a trade. No one has said as much, but that’s my guess."

— Darren Wolfson (@DarrenWolfson) November 14, 2012"

If this agent is correct, the Twin Cities-based squad would be making yet another move following their recent acquisition of free-agent swingman Josh Howard. They are currently without superstars Ricky Rubio and Kevin Love, and need to remain afloat until they return in order to keep the postseason dream alive.

We’ll keep you updated right here with any breaking news, updates, opinions and analysis on any trades or rumors surrounding the Timberwolves.