NBA Trade Rumors: Latest Buzz Surrounding Evan Turner, Rudy Gay and More
We are less than two weeks into the 2013-14 NBA campaign, but the amount of trade rumors surrounding a number of stars throughout the league continues to increase at a drastic rate.
While the deadline is still months away—taking place at 3 p.m. ET on Thursday, Feb. 20, 2014—the sheer volume of whispers seems to indicate that this is going to be a busy season in terms of deals.
Let’s take a look at some of the hottest trade buzz around the Association in Tuesday’s rumor roundup.
Sixers Have Suitors for Evan Turner
The Philadelphia 76ers and swingman Evan Turner are off to a strong start, as the club has been surprisingly competitive out of the gate.
Turner has taken a step forward and deserves credit for his team’s success, averaging 23.4 points, 6.7 rebounds, 3.3 assists and 1.3 steals per game through seven contests.
Unsurprisingly, Fox Sports Ohio’s Sam Amico has found that the organization would have no shortage of suitors should it try to deal the former No. 2 overall pick at some point during the current campaign.
Amico noted that the Oklahoma City Thunder and Minnesota Timberwolves would reportedly try to acquire the emerging 25-year-old star, while the writer suggested that the Dallas Mavericks represent an ideal landing destination and trading partner.
Turner is being paid over $6.6 million in the last year of his contract, although a team can dole out a qualifying offer of approximately $8.7 million in restricted free agency this coming summer.
It will be interesting to see if the Sixers decide to keep Turner or deal him by the deadline. Their record will likely have a lot to do with that decision, as a regression out of contention could expedite any potential trades involving the young man.
Toronto Willing to Dump Rudy Gay
The Toronto Raptors brought in a new general manager in Masai Ujiri ahead of this season, and it looks like he is preparing for some drastic changes in the near future.
According to ESPN’s Marc Stein, the former Denver Nuggets boss is reportedly exploring all trade options and prepared to deal anyone on the roster with the notable exception of Jonas Valanciunas.
That means that star swingman Rudy Gay could be out of Toronto almost as quickly as he came in, as the organization only acquired him from the Memphis Grizzlies at the end of January.
However, the Raptors aren’t championship contenders. Gay's production—solid but predictable—has not been worthy of his massive contract, something Stein noted may make it difficult to find a taker for his services.
As per Stein, Gay is currently making almost $18 million for the current season, but he has a player option worth $19.3 million for the 2014-15 campaign. He has averaged 17.9 points, 7.0 rebounds and 1.6 assists per game over the first seven games and clearly could still make an impact for a contender.
Whether he is worth the cost for one of those hopeful squads will be one of the more intriguing subplots in the league until he’s dealt or the deadline passes.
Jimmer Fredette Receiving Interest
The Sacramento Kings made the decision not to pick up the team option on Jimmer Fredette’s contract at the end of October, denying the No. 10 overall pick in the 2011 draft a $3.1 million payday for the 2014-15 campaign.
While that wasn’t the best news for the third-year guard out of Brigham Young, there has been some buzz that at least a handful of rival franchises are interested in acquiring Fredette.
According to Sam Amick of USA Today, two clubs have inquired about Fredette’s availability, with the Utah Jazz surprisingly not among them.
Fredette is continuing his downward trend and is hardly receiving minutes in 2013-14, averaging a mere three points, two assists and two rebounds in just two appearances thus far.
He’s barely a part of the Kings rotation, and the organization would be wise to pounce on the first decent offer that comes through for the 24-year-old’s services.
