NBA Trade Rumors: Buying or Selling the Latest Buzz from Around the League

The 2013 NBA regular season is less than one month in, and there is already an abundance of trade rumors. From contenders who are looking to move disgruntled stars to low-profile franchises that are building for the future, there are a number of different reported deals in the works.

Whether or not those trades will come to fruition has yet to be seen. What is clear, however, is that the rumor mill is already up and running.

The question is, which rumors should you take with a grain of salt and which should you believe in?

Knicks Get Faried, Nuggets Get Shumpert

The New York Knicks are an Eastern Conference contender that has aging and injured players scattered throughout their interior. The Denver Nuggets are a Western Conference contender that has a deep interior and a lack of defensive prowess along the perimeter.

It's hardly surprising that rumors have been created about a potential trade between these two teams.

Marc Stein of ESPN reports that the Knicks and Nuggets have engaged in talks about a deal that would send Iman Shumpert to Denver in exchange for Kenneth Faried. Both players are highly regarded for their respective skills, and each possess limitless upside.

That doesn't mean the deal works out.

Shumpert is in his third year in the league, but he's already one of the best perimeter defenders in the world. Faried is also in year three, and he's one of the most powerful players in the league as a transition finisher and rebounding menace.

Both teams would benefit from acquiring said players, but they'd also lose critical pieces by dealing the other.

The reason I'm selling this deal transpiring is that the Knicks and Nuggets simply cannot afford to lose Shumpert and Faried, respectively. Shumpert is the top perimeter defender on the Knicks, while Faried is a popular player whose level of two-way aggression helps to mold the team's identity.

It's a very intriguing idea, but it's unlikely to get done.

Verdict: Sell

Knicks, Celtics Swap Big Contracts

If the Knicks are going to make a trade, then the most likely player to be dealt is Amar'e Stoudemire. It's the most difficult move to make due to his monster contract, but STAT is now a highly paid benchwarmer.

Through eight appearances, Stoudemire is currently averaging 12.5 minutes per game.

According to Bleacher Report's Jared Zwerling, sources say that Stoudemire could end up with the rival Boston Celtics. Boston is looking to get rid of the contracts possessed by Kris Humphries and Gerald Wallace, which would create the necessary financial balance to execute the deal.

According to Chris Broussard of ESPN, the Celtics are indeed interested in this deal, but it's not Humphries who would be dealt. It's Courtney Lee.

Both deals would make sense, specifically the one that includes Humphries.

Stoudemire is receiving $21,679,893 to ride the bench in 2013-14 and has an early-termination option for the 2014-15 season. If he remains with the team he's playing for, he'll be paid $23,410,988 next season.

As for Boston, Wallace is set to receive $10,105,885 in each of his next three seasons. Humphries, meanwhile, has an expiring contract, but he will be paid $12,000,000 in 2013-14, which makes the financials line up to near perfection.

Stoudemire is underutilized in New York, and Boston needs interior veterans. Wallace is overpaid, but he's still a strong perimeter defender, and New York would be in a significantly better financial position by executing this deal.

I'm buying.

Verdict: Buy

Rockets Deal Asik to Mavericks

Ever since the Houston Rockets signed three-time Defensive Player of the Year Dwight Howard, Omer Asik has been seeking a trade. Jonathan Feigen of The Houston Chronicle reports that Asik came forth with yet another trade request during the week of Nov. 14.

According to Bill Ingram of HoopsWorld.com, a potential destination has emerged: Dallas.

Where to begin?

This is no slight on Asik, but Shawn Marion is one of the top 10 all-around defensive players in the NBA. He can dominate along the perimeter, frustrate interior scorers, take over the defensive glass and has routinely contained LeBron James and Kevin Durant.

Unfortunately, Marion is also 35. This one comes down to short term versus long term.

The trio of Monta Ellis, Marion and Dirk Nowitzki is strong enough to lead the Mavericks to a postseason berth in the Western Conference. Paired with Jose Calderon and Samuel Dalembert, that's a dangerous starting lineup with offensive balance.

There just isn't a lot of defense.

Without a high number of defensive specialists, it's risky for the Mavericks to move Marion. Asik is a physical energy player, but the Mavericks' perimeter would be left with Calderon, Ellis and Vince Carter shining on defense.

This is a case of Dallas deciding between it's short-term and long-term goals. Mark Cuban has never displayed a commitment to the future, so I'm selling.

Verdict: Sell

Sacramento Kings Searching for Picks

The Sacramento Kings are a promising organization with a franchise player (DeMarcus Cousins) and a high-upside head coach (Mike Malone). There's also a Sixth Man of the Year contender in Isaiah Thomas and a sharpshooter in Ben McLemore.

Fortunately, there's new management in place, and this group reportedly recognizes the need to improve.

According to Scott Howard-Cooper of NBA.com, the Kings are, "pushing hard for trades." Howard-Cooper reports that the Kings have already reached out to several teams and are looking to make moves as soon as possible.

The target: prospects and picks.

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NBA.com has learned, with one executive saying the team is looking to swap veterans for prospects and picks.

While it is believed some conversations have advanced beyond preliminary talks, it is not immediately clear whether any deals are imminent. One league source rated Sacramento’s interest level in making a move soon as “very high,” and said the new front office led by owner Vivek Ranadive and general manager Pete D’Alessandro has had discussions with several clubs in hopes of generating activity long before the Feb. 20 trade deadline.

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Buy hard.

The Kings are a team that has the pieces in place to build around but are still a few years away from contending. In a deep 2014 NBA draft class, Sacramento must take advantage of a year in which there appear to be multiple star-caliber prospects.

Even if the Kings fail to acquire another lottery pick, pairing their potential top-10 selection with a second first-rounder would be a major step in the right direction.

Verdict: Buy