5 Potential Blockbuster NBA Trades to Shake Up the League
There are few things that get NBA fans as excited as a potential blockbuster trade.
The mere whisper that a superstar player might be coming to their favorite team is enough to make a hardcore fan's day. Before a deal is even announced, social media is flooded with premature boasts about how Player X is the missing piece that will bring home a championship.
On the flip side, the wrong rumor can make fans' blood boil. If they feel like they'll be giving up too much or acquiring someone they don't approve of, they'll start calling for front offices to be cleared out.
The range of emotions involving a blockbuster deal is understandable. A good trade can turn a franchise around. For instance, the Cleveland Cavaliers went from being in the NBA's basement to elite after they traded for Kevin Love and paired him with LeBron James.
On the other hand, you've had deals that have backfired, such as the Philadelphia 76ers' acquisition of oft-injured center Andrew Bynum a couple of years ago.
To help raise the level of excitement (or outrage, depending on your take), here are five potential deals that could shake up the NBA. It's important to keep in mind that these are merely suggestions based on three requirements.
- The trade must work financially
- The trade must also make sense for all teams
- All of the deals must involve players with a chance of being traded. In other words, there will be no hypothetical "What if LeBron got traded to the Los Angeles Lakers and teamed with Kobe Bryant?" scenarios.
All of the trades have been worked out in ESPN's Trade Machine.
Minnesota Timberwolves Acquire Eric Bledsoe in 3-Team Trade
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Minnesota Timberwolves Receive: PG Eric Bledsoe
Phoenix Suns Receive: C Roy Hibbert
Indiana Pacers Receive: PG Ricky Rubio, SG Kevin Martin and SF Chase Budinger
The standoff between Eric Bledsoe and the Phoenix Suns comes down to a disagreement of value. Bledsoe believes he's worthy of max contract. The Suns feel otherwise and offered their star guard a four-year, $48 million deal, per ESPN's Chris Broussard. Bledsoe turned his nose up at the offer, and the two sides remain far apart.
Adding fuel to the fire, the Minnesota Timberwolves have shown a willingness to give Bledsoe a max contract worth $63 million over four years, according to ESPN's Brian Windhorst. However, as Windhost points out, the T'Wolves would need to clear cap space via a sign-and-trade to make room for Bledsoe.
Unfortunately for Minnesota, the Suns have "no interest" in agreeing to a sign-and-trade, per Yahoo Sports' Adrian Wojnarowski. In fact, Phoenix seems willing to take its chances with Bledsoe hitting the market after the season.
"Phoenix is willing to let Bledsoe sign a $3.7 million qualifying offer before training camp and become a free agent in July 2015. Phoenix could still offer Bledsoe the most lucrative contract on the market next year." Wojnarowski wrote.
That means the Timberwolves will have to come up with a more intriguing alternative to land Bledsoe.
Why Phoenix Should Do This Deal
The longer the saga drags on with Bledsoe and the Suns, the less likely it will be that Bledsoe re-ups after the season. How content would you be to work for an employer that thinks less of your value than you do, especially when there's someone else willing to pay you what you deserve?
The free-agent acquisition of Isaiah Thomas gives the Suns a little leverage. It's easy to play hardball when you have a Plan B. However, there's an interesting tidbit in Wojnarowski's column.
"The Suns would want an All-Star – or potential All-Star – in return for Bledsoe and had only considered Kevin Love in a possible sign-and-trade scenario with the Timberwolves, league sources told Yahoo Sports."
That's where Roy Hibbert comes in. The former Georgetown standout had a rough 2013-14 campaign. He averaged 10.8 points (his worst output since his rookie season) and 6.6 rebounds (lowest since his second season) per game. He also had games during the playoffs where he seemingly disappeared.
You can attribute it to a lack of confidence or just poor team chemistry, but reports of Hibbert's demise seem premature. He's a two-time All-Star who still managed to make Second Team All-Defense last year. The Suns have a need at center, and now is a good time to buy low on the 27-year-old.
If all it will cost to upgrade your frontcourt is dealing a player that is likely to bolt next summer, why not jump at that opportunity?
Why Indiana Should Do This Deal
With Lance Stephenson now on the Charlotte Hornets and Paul George sidelined with a leg injury, this has the makings of a lost season for the Pacers. Hibbert may be coming off a rough year, but he still has value. Indiana could use the Bledsoe drama to its advantage by grabbing some of the crumbs that fall off the table.
Like Bledsoe, Ricky Rubio is having his own issues with getting an extension. Jerry Zgoda of The St. Paul Star Tribune recently reported that negotiations between Rubio and the T'Wolves are still "a good distance apart." Minnesota's recent interest in Bledsoe is sure to make those matters worse.
In Indiana, Rubio would get a one-year trial to prove he's worth the money. If he signs long term, the team can pair Rubio's ability to make plays with George's determination to come back strong next season.
In the meantime, Martin can fill the void left by Stephenson, while Budinger adds depth at small forward.
On the flip side, if they can't lock up Rubio, they still have control over him as a restricted free agent next season. They can try to trade him or force him to play for the qualifying offer. Either way, they get Hibbert's contract off the books and get a 23-year-old rising star in the process.
Why Minnesota Should Do The Deal
Everything works out perfect for the Timberwolves in this scenario. They get the guy they want in Bledsoe, they avoid any messy contract issues with Rubio and they shed a couple of pricey contracts in the process.
With their new point guard in the fold, Minnesota now has a core of Bledsoe, Andrew Wiggins, Thaddeus Young, Nikola Pekovic and Anthony Bennett. Does that make them contenders? No. However, in the wake of Kevin Love's departure, this new look gives T'Wolves fans something to get excited about.
Bledsoe and Wiggins together in the backcourt gives Minnesota two athletic scorers who can hold their own defensively. It's a bit of a risk to pay Bledsoe close to $16 million annually, given his injury history, but he's proved worthy of the money when he's on the court.
Boston Celtics Send Rajon Rondo to the Milwaukee Bucks
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Milwaukee Bucks Receive: PG Rajon Rondo
Boston Celtics Receive: C Larry Sanders, PG Brandon Knight and SF Damien Inglis
With the Kevin Love debacle finished, the focus of trade rumors shifts to enigmatic Celtics point guard Rajon Rondo. Rondo is a free agent after the season, and his future with the team remains uncertain. The Celtics are still in the midst of a rebuilding phase, and the constant losing is sure to take its toll on a 28-year-old superstar that enjoyed plenty of early success.
Celtics president of basketball operations Danny Ainge has routinely shot down any whispers of moving Rondo, while also finding a way to keep the door open. For example, here's Ainge's response when asked recently about the possibility of moving his team's best player, per Worcester Telegram's Billy Doyle:
"The truthful answer is I really don't know. I have no intention. I'm not trying to trade Rondo, but because he's a free agent this summer, he assured me that he wants to stay in Boston. We'd love to keep him in Boston."
That's not exactly a definite "no," right, Danny?
"The possibility of a trade is not out of the question. Nobody is untradeable."
Ainge went on to say that he doesn't see a Rondo deal happening, but is he unwilling to make a deal or just holding off for the right offer to come along?
Why Boston Should Do This Deal
It's understandable for Ainge to want to wait. He has an entire season to convince Rondo to stay, and the former Kentucky guard isn't forcing the team's hand, despite a recent report that he wants out. That being said, every day that passes without a commitment from Rondo has to make Ainge feel uneasy.
This isn't like the NFL. Ainge can't just franchise tag Rondo next summer and go from there. Is there a chance Rondo re-signs? Absolutely, but how good do Celtics fans feel about those odds? Are you willing to put them at 50-50? 60-40?
This deal allows the Celtics to get a good return for a player who could bolt after the season. The crown jewel of this package is Larry Sanders. Yes, Sanders has had his issues. He played in just 23 games last season, thanks to injuries and a suspension for drug use.
However, before that, Sanders was one of the league's premier rim protectors. He averaged 2.8 blocks per game in 2012-13. That same season, he nearly averaged a double-double, contributing 9.8 points and 9.5 boards a night.
Sanders will be 26 years old in November, and he'd be playing for a franchise that has taken chances on the likes of Vin Baker and Rasheed Wallace. With the right mentoring, Sanders can put his personal demons behind him and be a solid big man.
Additionally, Brandon Knight could be an adequate starting point guard. He's only 22 years old and coming off a season where he averaged 17.9 points a game for a lowly Bucks team. Imagine what he can do with better players around him.
Knight is still a work in progress, but he has a ton of upside. He can play either guard spot and would give the Celtics a nice trio of guards along with Avery Bradley and rookie Marcus Smart.
Lastly, there's Damien Inglis. The rookie from France is a physical marvel. He's a 6'8" small forward with a ridiculous 7'3" wingspan. This is what DraftExpress.com's Jonathan Givony had to say back in May about the 19-year-old:
"Inglis is a unique prospect in terms of the versatility he displays, but his best attribute from a NBA standpoint likely revolves around his defensive potential. He's got great instincts and fundamentals to compliment his outstanding size, length and strength, making him capable of guarding up to three positions (2-3-4) at the NBA level.
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Inglis will need time to grow into a viable NBA role player, but the physical tools are there to keep Ainge intrigued. With Smart, Bradley, Sanders and Inglis, the Celtics could put one of the NBA's best defensive units on the court.
Why Milwaukee Should Do This Deal
Obviously, the key component to this deal would be getting Rondo to stick around past this season. Still, the Bucks have the young talent to convince him to re-sign. Rondo would join Giannis Antetokounmpo and rookie Jabari Parker to give the Bucks one of the most exciting, young trios in basketball.
"The Greek Freak," as Antetokounmpo is known, showed flashes of brilliance as a rookie last year. He averaged just 6.9 points and 4.4 rebounds a game, but he displayed a a grasp for the pro game that is remarkable for a 19-year-old.
Parker was this year's No. 2 overall pick. His immense offensive skills have NBADraft.net comparing him to New York Knicks superstar Carmelo Anthony. With Rondo setting him up, Parker could have the inside track on Rookie of the Year honors.
Up front, John Henson proved capable of replacing Larry Sanders last season. In 70 games (23 of them starts), the North Carolina big man averaged 11.1 points, 7.1 rebounds and 1.7 blocks per game. At just 23 years old, there's plenty of room for Henson to grow, and his numbers will only increase with more playing time.
The Bucks also have European stretch 4 Ersan Ilyasova. The 27-year-old from Turkey struggled shooting the ball last season (28.2 percent), but still holds a career three-point mark of 36.6 percent. He also has two seasons of shooting better than 40 percent.
As for what Rondo brings to the table, he's a two-way point guard who makes others around him better. He's led the league in assists per game twice and has finished in the top six of total assists three times during his eight years in the NBA.
Rondo has made some form of the All-Defensive Team four times. He's led the league in total steals once and finished in the top 10 four other times. He's also a veteran leader with championship experience under his belt.
He may not transform the Bucks overnight, but he can help a team with a ton of potential to grow. On paper, Milwaukee has a better supporting cast than Boston currently does, and that should be one of the Bucks' top selling points in their effort to re-sign him.
The New Orleans Pelicans Finally Trade Eric Gordon
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New Orleans Pelicans Receive: SF Danilo Gallinari
Philadelphia 76ers Receive: SG Eric Gordon
Denver Nuggets Receive: Philadelphia's 2015 2nd round pick and SF K.J. McDaniels
This may not be quite the "blockbuster" that the others are, but it still has a chance to swing momentum in both conferences. Eric Gordon was gem of New Orleans' trade with the Los Angeles Clippers that sent Chris Paul to Lob City.
Since then, things haven't gone quite as planned. In 2012, Gordon was enticed by the Phoenix Suns' four-year, $58 million offer and seemed miffed when New Orleans opted to match it. Since then, the former Indiana Hoosiers star has struggled to stay healthy and uplift a young Pelicans team.
In three seasons, Gordon has played a total of 113 games. The main cause for Gordon's inability to stay on the court has been his troublesome knees. To his credit, he led the team in scoring during his first two seasons and played 64 games last season (his highest total since his rookie year).
However, with the arrival of Tyreke Evans and the ascension of Anthony Davis, Gordon has fallen down a few rungs in the Pelicans' pecking order. The team has already flirted with the idea of making Gordon its sixth man and giving the starting shooting guard job to Evans, per NOLA.com's John Reid.
At just 25 years old and coming off his healthiest season in a long time, this could be a good chance for another team to buy low.
Why Philadelphia Should Do This Deal
In the past two drafts, the 76ers have drafted or acquired players with extensive injury histories in Nerlens Noel and Joel Embiid. That's proof that a player's lack of durability doesn't scare them. It's also proof that the team isn't interested in winning now.
While there's a dearth of NBA-ready talent throughout the Sixers roster, their biggest hole is at shooting guard. Tony Wroten did an admirable job last season, averaging 13 points in 72 games (16 starts), but Gordon represents an upgrade.
The price tag on Gordon may be a bit steep and might fly in the face of general manager Sam Hinkie's plan to keep spending down and build draft assets. However, Gordon is still a talent and, if he stays healthy, he can be someone who helps Philly rebuild.
Gordon has a career scoring average of 17.5 points per game. He's a good finisher at the rim and a dangerous shooter when he gets hot (career 36.8 percent from three). The obvious concerns are his knees and his contract (owed a little over $30 million for the next two seasons combined).
Those two reasons make it understandable to not like this move. The flip side is that Philadelphia would be getting an established veteran for next to nothing. There's no pressure on them to win now, so they can take a gamble that Gordon's knee troubles are behind him.
Naturally, there's always the risk that Gordon gets hurt, but that didn't stop the team from adding Embiid or Noel. If Gordon bounces back, you get a potential star (albeit a pricey one). If he doesn't, you're not any worse than when you first started.
Why New Orleans Should Do This Deal
Like Philadelphia, New Orleans has a hole of its own to fill. In this case, it has a need at small forward. The team will likely try out some combination of Tyreke Evans (in smaller lineups), Ryan Anderson (in bigger lineups) and John Salmons (in desperation lineups) at the position.
With Evans proving capable of handling the starting job (19.9 points, 6.3 assists and 5.3 rebounds in 22 starts last season), Gordon becomes a bit more expendable. With his contract and injury woes, it will be tough for the Pelicans to move him without taking back someone equally as risky.
That's where Danilo Gallinari comes in. Gallo has dealt with knee troubles that have kept him sidelined since the 2012-13 season. He's owed a little over $22 million for the next two years, which is still $8 million cheaper than what the team owes Gordon.
In a recent interview with NBA.com, Gallinari said his goal was to make it back for training camp. If he's able to return to his '12-'13 form (16.2 points per game, 37.3 percent from three), he could be a huge addition for the Pelicans.
The team already solidified its center position with the acquisition of Omer Asik. Power forward Anthony Davis continues to climb the NBA ladder. Point guard Jrue Holiday will look to bounce back from an injury-riddled debut season in New Orleans, and Tyreke Evans is a strong starter.
A starting five of Asik-Davis-Gallinari-Evans-Holiday, with Ryan Anderson coming off the bench, could put New Orleans right in the playoff hunt and could make it contenders before too long.
Why Denver Should Do This Deal
At first glance, it seems like the Nuggets aren't getting much in return for a 26-year-old forward not far removed from his best season as a pro. On paper, you might be right. The benefits of this deal for Denver are two-fold.
First, getting Gallinari's contract off the books opens up cap space to extend power forward Kenneth Faried. ESPN's Marc Stein tweeted out that Faried would like to stay in Denver and that extension talks are underway.
Secondly, the Nuggets already have a quality small forward in Wilson Chandler. Chandler averaged 13.6 points and 4.7 rebounds in 62 games last season. He also shot 34.8 percent from behind the arc. Those numbers may not be what Gallo put up in 2012, but they are still respectable.
Behind Chandler, there's Quincy Miller, an intriguing young player who could use some more minutes. Now, the Nuggets would be adding a promising rookie in K.J. McDaniels. McDaniels is a 6'6" guard/forward with a 6'11" wingspan. He averaged 17.1 points, 7.1 rebounds, 2.8 blocks and 1.1 steals for Clemson last season.
That's a pretty healthy stat sheet to me. With time, McDaniels could develop into a solid two-way player. Given Philadelphia's lack of interest in winning, the 2015 second-round pick could be pretty high.
Now, I know what you're thinking: "That's not enough for a player with Gallo's potential, and the Nuggets could get a better offer if they hold on to the talented Italian."
My retort: That's a huge gamble to make. Gallinari would have to come back strong and prove that his knees are just fine to become the kind of huge trade asset that his potential suggests.
The Nuggets have clearly hedged their bets on Gallinari returning to form. They've replaced his shooting touch with Arron Afflalo and have an adequate replacement in Chandler. Gallinari could bounce back. He could also never be the same again. A shooter's best friend are his knees, and Gallinari's aren't sturdy right now.
You can roll the dice that he'll make a comeback or you can use they money you're using to pay him on something more reliable.
The Houston Rockets Pull off Another Blockbuster
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Houston Rockets Receive: PF Tristan Thompson
Cleveland Cavaliers Receive: PF Terrence Jones, SF Robert Covington and G Jason Terry
It seems like it's only a matter of time before Rockets general manager Daryl Morey pulls together all of his young talent and trades them for a proven star. With Kevin Love now in Cleveland, Tristan Thompson becomes one of the best players not currently in a starting lineup.
Also, since the Rockets recently acquired Jason Terry from the Sacramento Kings, he wouldn't be eligible to be traded until mid-November.
Why Houston Should Do This Deal
While Terrence Jones had a breakout year last season (12.1 points, 6.9 rebounds, 1.2 blocks per game), Tristan Thompson has flirted with averaging a double-double in each of the last two years. He doesn't offer the same shot-blocking presence or threat from the outside like Jones does, but he's on his way to being a star.
In the past, Daryl Morey hasn't been afraid to move young talent for bench guys with the chance to be good starters. He did it with James Harden a couple years ago, and this would be no different. Thompson is still only 23 years old, and his path in Cleveland is now blocked by Love.
In Houston, he could be a solid fourth option behind Harden, Dwight Howard and Trevor Ariza. Meanwhile, he and Howard would give the Rockets a fine young duo up front. This deal may not have the flash of adding someone like Chris Bosh or Rajon Rondo, but it could be a huge coup for Houston, if Thompson continues to grow.
Why Cleveland Should Do This Deal
With Love in the fold, Thompson is now moved to the bench. There will be times where the two may play together, but their combined lack of defensive chops could pose a problem. Another potential issue is that Thompson is a restricted free agent next season. Since they have Love, there's less of a need to extend the former Texas Longhorn.
So, what do you do with a young commodity that you have no plans of hanging onto long-term? You trade him. Jones is a capable big man who can rebound, block shots and provide some offense. He's only 22 years old and made huge strides last season. He could be a quality backup to Love, while also being passable at center in a pinch. At 6'9", he has the size to play either forward position. He could be a wild card if he's given the right opportunity.
Terry and Covington would provide depth. Terry has been one of the league's best reserves for a long time, and he helped the Dallas Mavericks win a championship a few years ago. Covington dominated the D-League last season, averaging 23.2 points, 9.4 rebounds and 2.4 steals per game.
Detroit Pistons Trade Josh Smith to Sacramento for Rudy Gay
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Detroit Pistons Receive: SF Rudy Gay
Sacramento Kings Receive: F Josh Smith and F Jonas Jerebko
The Pistons and Kings discussed a deal that would bring Josh Smith to Sacramento back in June, according to ESPN's Marc Stein. Per DraftExpress.com's Jonathan Givony, those talks eventually fell through. The initial deal involved Smith going to the Kings for Derrick Williams, Jason Terry and Jason Thompson.
Terry is now with the Houston Rockets. Smith, however, is still in Detroit, where he is a part of a logjam in the Pistons frontcourt. With Andre Drummond and Greg Monroe already in the fold, Smith has been forced to play small forward, which isn't an ideal fit for him.
It would make more sense for Detroit to deal him to fill an obvious area of need.
Why Detroit Should Do This Deal
As mentioned before, Josh Smith isn't a small forward. Of course, everyone seems to know that except Josh Smith. Despite being a career 27.9 percent three-point shooter, J-Smoove still felt compelled to launch 265 treys last season.
Needless to say, his conversion rate wasn't great (26.4 percent). With no-nonsense head coach Stan Van Gundy now at the helm, Smith's poor shot selection isn't going to fly. That's why a trade out of Motown seems inevitable for the 28-year-old.
The problem is Smith has one of the worst contracts in professional basketball. He has three years remaining on his deal with a combined price tag of $42 million. Naturally, if the Kings were interested before, it's only right that Detroit gives them a call again.
Rudy Gay isn't exactly an efficient scorer either, but he's a natural small forward with a decent outside shooting touch (career 34 percent from three). He's averaged 18.2 points per game during his eight-year career, which could come in handy for a team that finished 14th in scoring last season.
Most importantly, Gay is in the final year of his deal. While it's tough to wrap your head around paying a gunner like Gay $19.3 million, at least it's only for one season. It may not be the perfect trade for Detroit, but it will benefit in the long run from having Smith off the roster.
Why Sacramento Should Do This Deal
For starters, there's always the chance Rudy Gay bolts after this season. Back in July, Gay told reporters that he's open to the idea of sticking around in Sacramento, but it would depend on the team's direction, per Jason Jones of The Sacramento Bee.
"I’m not saying no extension is going to happen. I’m just trying to see where we’re going as a team and how we plan on getting better." Gay said.
The Kings clearly think highly of Gay. Head coach Mike Malone enjoys the luxury of having a player that can do a variety of things and can play different positions.
"I think that’s the luxury you have in a guy like Rudy Gay” Malone said. “Two, three four, he can play a lot of different positions. He can post up, he can play pick-and-roll, he can isolate and he’s a guy that has a high basketball IQ."
While Gay's talent can't be ignored, the team will spend the season on pins and needles until the star forward decides his future. If Gay's decision is tied to the team's direction, what will it take for him to agree to stay? A modest jump from the team's 28-54 record last season? A playoff berth?
While the Kings are talented, it's going to be tough for them to make the kind of leap Gay might be hoping for in a tough Western Conference. With the exception of the Minnesota Timberwolves, all of the non-playoff teams in the West got better this summer. If Gay's future in Sacramento is tied to the team's success, maybe they should start parting ways now.
Like Gay, Josh Smith has his flaws. He's a notorious chucker that tends to get under his coach's skin. Unlike Gay, Smith is under contract beyond this season. Also unlike Gay, Smith is a solid defender. By pairing Smith with center DeMarcus Cousins, the Kings would have one of the most formidable frontcourt duos in the league.
Cousins is a beast in the paint who averaged 22.7 points, 11.7 boards, 1.5 steals and 1.3 blocks per game last season. Smith is an explosive athlete that has finished in the top 10 in blocks per game six times. He also made the 2009-10 All-Defensive Second Team.
The downside to swapping Gay for Smith is that the offense takes a hit. The team already lost point guard Isaiah Thomas in free agency. He and Gay were two of three Kings players to average more than 20 points per game last season (Cousins being the third). It also leaves a void at small forward.
Still, it allows the team to get something of value in return for an expiring contact. What the Kings lose on offense with Gay, they will gain back defensively and on the boards in Smith.
