NBA Trade Rumors: Latest Early-Season Buzz Around the Association
The 2014 NBA season is still young, but a bevy of interesting NBA trade rumors have already made their way through the rumor mill.
Despite not being far into the season, many of the Association's teams have already shown their true colors. We know what some squads lack, as well as what some have an abundance of. Naturally, that leads to some interesting trade ideas.
It's unlikely that we'll see any blockbusters this early in the season. That said, there are a handful of complementary players who could find themselves packing their bags and relocating within the coming weeks.
There are two rumors in particular that are worth noting.
Steve Nash a Salary-Dump Candidate?
The Los Angeles Lakers came into the 2014-15 season with hopes of receiving some type of contribution from 40-year-old point guard Steve Nash. The 18-year-veteran has played just 65 games the past two seasons due to various injuries, but that didn't stop the Lakers from putting a good bit of faith in the future Hall of Famer.
Unfortunately for the Purple and Gold, their plans backfired.
A recurring back injury has forced Nash out for the season, and the Lakers are now stuck with his hefty salary.
ESPN's Marc Stein reports that the team might look to deal him away as an expiring contract: "As ESPN.com reported last month when Nash was ruled out for the 2014-15 season because of recurring nerve issues with his back, Lakers officials are planning to explore the trade market for potential deals between now and the February trade deadline with Nash's $9.7 million expiring contract."
An expiring contract of that size is an extremely valuable trade chip for when the trade deadline comes closer. At that point, teams who are out of contention will look to deal players they no longer need in order to free up cash to spend in free agency.
They could take on Nash's contract and then be free of it at the end of the season.
Because the Lakers are going to try and give themselves payroll flexibility as well, they'll likely look to acquire younger players on partially guaranteed contracts. This would give them flexibility for either the upcoming free agency or the following one.
Nash's career with the Lakers is probably over, and his NBA career is certainly in question. The Lakers didn't get much production from him when they acquired him prior to the 2012-13 season, but they have a chance to at least get something for him at the trade deadline.
The League is Looking for Big Men Who Can Shoot
Finding a big man that can shoot isn't that easy of a task. Naturally, several teams around the league are looking for such a player, according to Mary Stevens of Basketball Insiders.
One player Stevens lists as a possibility is Ryan Anderson of the New Orleans Pelicans, as the emergence of Anthony Davis as a budding superstar makes him expendable.
Anderson is a solid overall player who would command a nice return for the Pelicans, who lack depth, and the price for him would be large. There's absolutely no need for New Orleans to trade him, so they'll probably wait to move him until there's a deal that works.
The 6'10" forward is currently shooting a robust 42.5 percent from distance, the best mark of his career. He would be a fantastic addition to contending clubs looking for another shooter who can also rebound a bit (5.6 per game for his career).
Teams in need of an extra shooter include the Los Angeles Clippers, who are apparently looking for a small forward. Anderson is oversized for the position, but he has played there a great deal early this season.
Adrian Wojnarowski of Yahoo Sports reported that the Clippers need help at the position on on The Home Team radio program, via www.kfwbam.com: "The Clippers have to find a way to get better at small forward. They’re just not good enough there. They’ve scoured the league trying to find a small forward, but I don’t know that they have the assets or players to give up to get that kind of player back in a trade."
It could prove difficult to acquire Anderson without assets, but don't be surprised if the Clips try hard to bring him to L.A. Of course, other teams will show interest as well.
Because there are so few big men who can shoot in the NBA that will be available, Anderson will be a hot commodity.
Follow Kenny DeJohn on Twitter: @kennydejohn
