NBA Trade Rumors: Analyzing Latest Talk Around the Association
The early portion of the NBA season is when coaches and team executives have an opportunity to analyze their respective teams and look to see which players aren't fitting into the equation. Adversely, some teams are able to see which positions need a player who fits in a certain system.
That's the case this year, as two teams in particular are analyzing the way their current rosters are constructed.
The New York Knicks and Los Angeles Clippers haven't started the season like they would have liked. Entering Wednesday, the Knicks are 2-6 and the Clips are 4-3. There are glaring issues on both teams, but what steps will their front offices take to solve the problems?
Keep reading below to get an idea of what will (and won't) be done.
The Knicks are scuffling offensively, scoring 91.1 points per game this season—second worst in the league. Their ability to grasp the new triangle offense has been questioned early on, as new head coach Derek Fisher boasts a roster with a few players who like to do it all themselves.
Carmelo Anthony is the team's star, so it makes sense for him to take around 20 or so shots per night. J.R. Smith also likes to take a lot of shots, though, and he's not a guy the Knicks want taking too many jumpers.
The purpose of the triangle is to move the ball around to get it to the best option. Smith would be the best option when open or when he has a lane to the basket—not when he has a defender right in his face.
Smith needs to adapt to the triangle for this team to have more success. If not, he could be on his way out. One team that probably won't be in on Smith is the Indiana Pacers, tweets Bob Kravitz of WTHR.com:
The rumor Kravitz is alluding to is this one from Marc Berman of the New York Post: "One of president Phil Jackson’s big decisions this season is whether to trade J.R. Smith, and the club had recent conversations with the Pacers regarding ex-Knick Chris Copeland, according to a league source."
Chris Copeland, a former Knick, would give Fisher added depth to work with in the frontcourt. That said, it doesn't appear as if this deal will come to fruition.
That doesn't mean Smith is exempt from the rumor mill. He's a guy who could reappear in the coming months, especially if the Knicks continue to struggle. Jackson wants players in his system who are capable of learning and playing unselfish basketball.
Getting high-percentage shots is a big part of the triangle offense. Smith is just a career 42.5 percent shooter.
Los Angeles Clippers
The Clippers are above .500 entering Wednesday, but the team apparently isn't too happy with its overall play. Adrian Wojnarowski of Yahoo Sports reported on The Home Team radio program that the Clips are in search of help at small forward, 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."
The current trio of Matt Barnes, Chris Douglas-Roberts and Reggie Bullock simply isn't getting it done. Douglas-Roberts has been the most potent offensively, scoring 4.5 points per game in his last 10 contests.
Given Wojnarowski's report, it doesn't look like it'll be easy for the Clips to bring in a small forward. There simply aren't enough assets on the team.
There is an internal option to the Clips' problem, though. Head coach Doc Rivers could move one of J.J. Redick or Jamal Crawford into the starter's role at the position. The two currently split minutes at shooting guard.
This would represent a smaller lineup for Rivers, but one that would certainly perform better offensively. Defense is an entirely different story.
The Clippers have struggled to get over the hump in the Western Conference. They are always a competitive team, but Rivers is hoping to finally take them into the same conversation as teams like the San Antonio Spurs and Oklahoma City Thunder.
They can't do that without a definitive option at a crucial position like small forward.
Follow Kenny DeJohn on Twitter: @kennydejohn
