NBA Trade Rumors: Latest on Potential Kobe Bryant, Corey Brewer Deals
No one is immune to NBA trade rumors.
Even the most recognizable faces in basketball find their way onto the rumor mill now and again. It's shocking when their names appear, and it often leads to a wide array of speculation and outlandish trade ideas.
We have one of those situations already, and it's probably because the team this superstar plays for is sitting at a cool 2-9.
The current rumors surrounding the Association address some of the league's biggest questions. Continue reading to learn more.
Kobe Bryant's Los Angeles Lakers have not started the 2014-15 campaign well. They're 2-9, last place in the Pacific Division. The Black Mamba is playing well, however, averaging 27.3 points per game to lead the NBA in scoring.
That would make him an attractive trade target, but would the Lakers be willing to move the face of their franchise? Mitch Lawrence of Forbes addressed the rumors:
"But from what we can tell, talking to industry sources familiar with the Lakers’ thinking, No. 24 isn’t going anywhere. He’s got a no-trade clause and the Lakers have a no-trade mindset."
An NBA team president echoed the rumor, via Lawrence: "I don’t see them trading Kobe, not at all. The Lakers almost have to keep him, as much for business reasons as anything else, and I believe that’s what they’re going to do."
That seems to represent the most logical thinking. Why on Earth would the Lakers deal their star? This team is nowhere near contending. Trading Bryant for salary relief or multiple players wouldn't make this team deeper or more competitive.
Acquiring draft picks would be the only reasonable compensation, but few teams in the NBA have both the cap space and the draft picks necessary to make a deal work.
It's best for the Lakers to carry on and stay the course with the Black Mamba running the show. The business reasons Lawrence outlines should prove to be the deciding factor in the Lakers' decision.
Go ahead, trade Bryant. Who's left to attract the big-name fans? Jeremy Lin? Carlos Boozer?
Exactly.
But, business reasons aside, Bryant is the reason why the Lakers have enjoyed so much success in recent memory. They won't give up on one of the franchise's brightest stars.
Corey Brewer
The Minnesota Timberwolves are in a complete rebuilding phase. Trading Kevin Love to the Cleveland Cavaliers got that process started, and the team could expedite it by making another move.
Corey Brewer, 28, is a pretty valuable trade chip. He's a very good bench player capable of contributing offensively, plus he's only under contract with a player option for 2015-16. At just under $5 million this year and next year (if he picks up the option), Brewer is an affordable talent.
As such, ESPN's Marc Stein reports that Brewer is drawing some interest:
"The Minnesota Timberwolves, fresh off heavy back-to-back losses in New Orleans and Dallas and in the latest indication of their growing focus on the future, are in active trade discussions with multiple contending teams pursuing veteran swingman Corey Brewer, according to league sources.
Sources told ESPN.com that the Cleveland Cavaliers and Houston Rockets have emerged as the most serious suitors for Brewer, whose arrival would be a notable boost for either team in terms of depth.
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Houston, one of the top teams in the Western Conference, would certainly benefit from adding more depth to the roster. But the Cavs have an even more pressing need.
After bringing back LeBron James and trading for Love, the Cavs were thought to be the class of the Eastern Conference. They have underperformed thus far, posting a 5-4 record and dropping notable games to the Denver Nuggets and Utah Jazz.
A big problem for the team has been its depth.
Shawn Marion, Dion Waiters, Joe Harris and Mike Miller have rotated at shooting guard and small forward (when King James takes a rest), and while Marion has been great from three of late, it's hard to rely on just the aforementioned players.
Waiters is streaky. Harris is just a 23-year-old rookie. Miller and Marion are aging veterans. Brian Dulik of the Chronicle-Telegram tweeted about Miller's struggles thus far:
Brewer, a former No. 7 overall pick, is a solid role player who can help out the offense by hitting open shots. When hot, he's difficult to contain.
Look for the Cavs to pursue him aggressively. He'd be a strong addition to a team lacking firepower off the pine.
