NBA Rumors: Latest Speculation Entering Final Stretch
The final stretch of the NBA regular season is upon us, as the postseason is just over a month away.
While some franchises are evaluating the talent on their roster before securing a lottery pick, others are refining their rotations in hopes of making a deep postseason run.
Under the new punitive CBA, the financial aspects of potential moves influence general managers around the league more than ever. That trend will only continue, as the penalty for being over the luxury tax will be too harsh for the majority of owners.
The trades involving James Harden and Rudy Gay are perfect examples of how the new financial landscape has affected the association this season.
Although the championship hopes of many teams were expunged long ago, the future still holds promise if the front office builds the roster the right way.
While the trading deadline has passed, that hasn't stopped the rumor mill from churning out new tidbits on a daily basis.
Greg Oden
Greg Oden has not played in an NBA game since December 1st 2009, as knee injuries have hampered the Ohio State product.
While even Oden's most ardent supporter would have to accept the fact that the seven-footer may never play in the association again, it's hard to write off a player with so much talent and potential.
According to Jason Lloyd, who is a columnist for the Akron Beacon Journal, Oden attended the Cleveland Cavaliers and Memphis Grizzlies game that occurred on March 8th.
While Oden's presence could be chalked up to supporting childhood friend and Grizzlies starting point guard Mike Conley Jr, it could also signify his thoughts in terms of his basketball future.
In Lloyd's article, Oden said the following:
"I live in Ohio. It’s home now ... They have a great organization and I really do think they’re up and coming ... With my process, one of the top two things I have to think about is the medical staff and how is it going to help me ... I want to play and I want to play for some time. Not just come in and see what happens. I want to be able to have a career.
"
Most analysts would agree with Oden's outlook, as the Cavs are young and talented. In his second season, Kyrie Iriving has emerged as one of the league's best point guards, which is even more impressive considering that the Duke product is just 20 years old.
In the past two drafts, Cleveland acquired Tristan Thompson and Dion Waiters, both of whom were drafted fourth overall.
While they are still a couple of pieces away, the Cavaliers' state of affairs is at its highest since the departure of LeBron James.
As a member of the Cavs, Oden would be under far less scrutiny compared to the amount of attention he would receive as a member of a team in a bigger market. Also, the Ohio State product would feel comfortable in Ohio, which could aid in his final comeback attempt.
Andrea Bargnani
It's been a rough couple of seasons for the top pick in the 2006 NBA Draft, as injuries have hampered Andrea Bargnani.
After missing almost half of the lockout-shortened 2011-12 season, the Italian big man was unable to play 26 games earlier this season due to a combination of elbow and wrist injuries. Once Bargnani returned to the court, he failed to give the Toronto Raptors' offense the boost they had hoped for.
Now news has surfaced that Bargnani is suffering with another wrist injury, as The Star reported that the seven-footer may miss another extended period of time.
With over $20 million due to Bargnani over the next two seasons, the Raptors will probably continue to shop him once the offseason commences. That shouldn't surprise anyone, as the team was actively moving him prior to his slew of injuries.
In an article by Yahoo! Sports columnist Marc Spears, it's noted that Toronto will attempt to move Bargnani for a more conventional post player. Whether or not Raptors GM Bryan Colangelo can find a suitor for Bargnani is still up in the air, but it certainly won't be easy.
One way or another, Bargnani may have played his final game as a member of the NBA's only Canadian franchise.
The Milwaukee Bucks backcourt is crowded, as the team added JJ Redick hours before the trading deadline despite the presence of Brandon Jennings and Monta Ellis. Oddly enough, each member of that trio has the potential to be a free agent this summer.
Redick will be an unrestricted free agent after the season, while Jennings will enter the market as a restricted free agent. Ellis directly controls his future, as he has a player option for $11 million that he can pick up for next season.
Throughout the season, most assumed that Ellis would opt-out in hopes of securing another long-term contract. As it turns out, Ellis may decide to pick up his option as reported by Mark Evans of YardBarker.com.
Simply put, Ellis' market may not be strong enough to entice an offer that would equate to the $11 million he can earn next season with the Bucks.
It will be interesting to follow this situation, as Milwaukee GM John Hammond will have to make a few important decisions in regards to the future of his team's backcourt.
