NBA Trade Rumors: Latest Gossip on Kevin Love, Josh Smith and More

This would be what you call the calm before the storm. 

While LeBron James and Carmelo Anthony continue to mull over their options, the NBA offseason is essentially at a standstill. Once the two superstars finally make their decisions, though, you can expect the moves to start snowballing. 

That doesn't just apply to free agency, as there has also been plenty of trade talk circulating throughout the league. 

Let's take a look at the most recent buzz. 

Timberwolves Waiting on Kevin Love Talk? 

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Most believe that once James and Anthony sign, that will set the wheels in motion for the rest of free agency. But they are acting as dominoes for the trade market, too. 

According to Yahoo Sports' Adrian Wojnarowski, the Minnesota Timberwolves are waiting until free agency shakes out before furthering talks surrounding Kevin Love: 

Woj also reports that the Cleveland Cavaliers are the team to watch: 

Love would likely have no problem going to Cleveland and signing an extension if LeBron was there, and at the same time, the Cavs have assets like Andrew Wiggins, Dion Waiters, Tristan Thompson, Anthony Bennett and slew of future first-round draft picks to tempt Flip Saunders and Co. into a deal. 

It makes sense, but don't be surprised if the offers for Love increase after teams miss out on the big-time free agents. 

Pistons Not Dealing Josh Smith? 

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Something, presumably, has to give when it comes to the Detroit Pistons' space-clogging frontcourt trio of Andre Drummond, Greg Monroe and Josh Smith. 

Drummond, one of the most talented young centers, isn't going anywhere. Barring a max offer, neither is restricted free agent Monroe, according to new head coach and president of basketball operations Stan Van Gundy, via The Detroit News' Vincent Goodwill: 

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He’s a very high priority for us. We have ideas on who might offer him what. Our strategy is if Greg gets a max offer, what are we gonna do? There’s only three things we can do. He can sign a qualifying offer, sign him (to a long term deal) or do a sign-and-trade.

"

That leaves Smith, but according to USA Today's Sam Amick, reports of Detroit's desire to move him have been overstated: 

Of course, this could also just be a smokescreen, with teams reportedly taking advantage of Detroit's particular situation:

Smith, coming off a season in which he finished with a career-worst player efficiency rating (14.1), is set to make $13.5 million annually over the next three years, per Spotrac.com. 

He's forced to spend a majority of his time at small forward in Detroit, and that just doesn't work. He can't shoot (27.9 percent career shooter from deep), but playing at the 3 forced him to attempt a career-high 3.4 treys per contest last season. 

"Stan knows what he's doing," Drummond said, via MLive.com's David Mayo. "He knows our personnel, I'll put it like that. He knows what each guy can do, what they have to offer, and he knows that Josh is better off at the four. He knows that."

If Van Gundy and the Pistons are indeed intent on keeping their trio together, it's time to consider bringing Smith off the bench.

Amar'e Stoudemire on the Trade Block?

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ESPN's Ian Begley has the report: 

"

Knicks president Phil Jackson has talked to multiple teams in recent days -– including the Philadelphia 76ers –- about moving Amar’e Stoudemire in an effort to clear more cap space this summer, sources say.

"

He may look damn good in a bow tie, but Amar'e doesn't exactly represent great value. 

The 31-year-old can still provide offense in stretches (he averaged 11.9 points in 22.6 minutes per game last year), but his defense is suspect (the Knicks gave up 109.5 points per 100 possessions with him on the court but just 104.8 with him off it, per NBA.com) and he makes over $23 million this season. 

He can still undoubtedly play a role, but being able to offload his salary and better attack free agency would be more valuable for the Knicks. 

Still, for those same reasons, it will be hard to trade him. New York may have to throw in someone like Iman Shumpert or Tim Hardaway Jr. to sweeten the pot, but most likely this is a deal that won't come to fruition.