NBA Trade Rumors: Analyzing the Latest Buzz Around Biggest Names on the Block
The season may still be young, but there are plenty of NBA trade rumors swirling around the rumor mill. Naturally, there are some pretty big names on the block.
Several teams this season are already looking to make changes as a result of poor performances or disgruntled stars. Whether or not these players will actually be dealt remains to be seen, though there is plenty of legitimacy to the chatter surrounding them.
Teams looking to acquire these players will need to be willing to part with some decent talent or draft picks in exchange, though, as those available are all quality.
Here's the latest on the biggest names.
Dion Waiters
The Cleveland Cavaliers are looking to deal second-year player Dion Waiters, reports Chris Broussard of ESPN.com, and there are multiple teams that could be interested in acquiring the volume-scoring shooting guard.
Broussard lists the New York Knicks, Chicago Bulls and Philadelphia 76ers among the interested organizations, though it's unknown as to what it would take to pry Waiters away from the Cavs.
Waiters was taken fourth in the 2012 NBA draft, and it's a bit surprising that Cleveland is actively looking to unload him. He does have a poor relationship with a few of his teammates (including superstar point guard Kyrie Irving), and that is likely playing into their decision.
He's averaging 14.7 points per game on the season—the same as last season—and is shooting 41.2 percent from deep. Despite his questionable personality, Waiters has the chops to be a successful volume scorer in the NBA.
Any team acquiring him would be lucky to pick him up so young in his career.
Omer Asik
Ken Berger of CBSSports.com reports that the Houston Rockets are being deemed "delusional" because of their asking price for center Omer Asik, so a trade may not actually occur until they lower their demands.
That being said, Asik wants out, and the Rockets might not want a disgruntled star for very long. He has seen sporadic minutes all season, but he does have starting experience and can be an impact player on the right roster.
He averaged 10.1 points and 11.7 rebounds per game last season in his first season as a starting center, but the addition of Dwight Howard this offseason left Asik's role in question. Asik knew this from the onset of training camp, and he requested a trade as a result.
Unfortunately for Houston, it won't be able to deal him until it becomes more reasonable with its asking price. If the Rockets lower what they want for him, then multiple teams should be willing to get into the mix.
Rodney Stuckey is in the midst of a career year with 21.6 points per game, but Berger believes that he could be available via trade.
His name has been tossed about a bit, but a league source familiar with the Detroit Pistons says they "are not trading [him]." Regardless, Detroit could probably be coaxed by the right deal. Honestly, the Pistons would be smart to consider moving him.
A younger veteran like Stuckey would command a big return, especially considering the fact that he's averaging more than 20 points per game for the first time in his career. He is also enjoying career highs in field-goal percentage (49.5) and three-point percentage (37.5).
Stuckey may not be available just yet, but his name is out there on the block. The right package should be enough to pry him away from Detroit.
