NBA Rumors: Latest Buzz on Chase Budinger and More
Which teams are interested in acquiring an athletic, 26-year-old, recently injured small forward who has made 36 percent of his threes in a five-year career?
The Minnesota Timberwolves are apparently trying to find out. Per Adrian Wojnarowski of Yahoo Sports, the Wolves are shopping Chase Budinger. The Detroit Pistons and Budinger's former team, the Houston Rockets, are said to be interested.
With the addition of Andrew Wiggins, who can play the 2-guard or small forward, and the presence of Corey Brewer, Shabazz Muhammad and Robbie Hummel, the Wolves have depth at the 3.
Apparently, this has made Budinger expendable. Because he's in the prime of his career from an age standpoint, Budinger could certainly have value for a few teams who might still believe in him. That said, he didn't have his best season last year. In the 2013-14 campaign, Budinger averaged a career-low 6.7 points per game while appearing in just 41 contests.
Budinger has been hampered by a torn meniscus and other related injuries over the last two seasons. Since the 2012-13 campaign, Budinger has missed 110 games. The Timberwolves signed Budinger to a three-year, $15 million deal before last season, despite the fact that he had battled injuries the season prior.
With the Wolves looking to shed the deal, which potentially interested team could best use his skill set? Assuming he's healthy, the Pistons seem like the best fit. Last season, Detroit was 29th in the NBA in three-point percentage at 32 percent.
In the offseason, the team did add Jodie Meeks, but he fractured his back and will miss two months, per ESPN.com. Budinger would seemingly fill a need as shooter off the bench behind Josh Smith at small forward.
Stay tuned.
Shopping Award Winners?
In other news, talk of a potential deal sending Michael Carter-Williams out of the Philadelphia 76ers organization has resurfaced. Per Zach Lowe of Grantland:
"They tried hard during the draft, but they couldn't draw the trove they envisioned or guarantee that the player they wanted with an acquired pick would be there, per several league sources. Expect Philly to repeat the exercise. It's not a shot at Carter-Williams, or even a signal that the Sixers are dying to trade him. He may well end up a long-term cog in Philly.
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Carter-Williams is the reigning Rookie of the Year, but it seems apparent the Sixers don't necessarily look at him as an untouchable building block for the future. If they did, these types of rumors probably wouldn't exist.
Last season, he averaged 16.7 points, 6.3 assists and 6.2 rebounds per game for an awful team that finished 19-63. Perhaps the team's futility is preventing MCW from getting the respect a ROY would normally receive.
He is currently nursing an injured shoulder that required surgery. Per Bob Cooney of the Philadelphia Daily News, the 23-year-old could be out until February.
Because of that, any deal would likely not occur until very close to the trade deadline. If things do get serious, expect a few teams to seriously pursue the versatile young point guard.
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