NBA Rumors: Latest Buzz Surrounding Jeff Green, Brandon Bass and More
We're roughly 14 games into the new NBA season, and we have a pretty good idea which teams are good and which are bad. Some of the gutter-dwellers, such as the 0-13 Philadelphia 76ers, were expected. Others, like the 3-12 Oklahoma City Thunder, came as quite a surprise. However, almost all of them come with interesting rumors.
Some players have recently expressed frustration with their respective clubs, prompting trade speculation to emerge. Other players are performing well on underachieving teams, again bringing trade rumors into the picture. At this point of the year, just about anything can spark a new piece of gossip—and we're always intrigued to hear it.
A few recent rumors have surfaced from sources around the Web, so let's take a look at the chatter that's currently consuming the Association.
Jeff Green's Future
Boston Celtics forward Jeff Green has been one of the few bright spots on a struggling team. Through 11 games this season, he's averaging 18.4 points, 5.3 rebounds, 2.2 assists and 1.1 steals per contest. He's certainly proved to be a valuable asset.
The forward hasn't been overly pleased with the way his team has been performing, and his frustration prompted trade talk and speculation. According to A. Sherrod Blakely of CSNNE.com, one league executive says there's plenty of interest in Green:
"A league executive told CSNNE.com on Saturday that the market for Green is as strong, "if not stronger", than it is for Rajon Rondo, who will be an unrestricted free agent this summer.
"They're two totally different players and their roles with a team are different, too," he said. "But Green can do a lot of things to help just about any team, as long as you're not making him the guy you build around. Green's the guy you add to the guy you're trying to build around."
"
That's quite a compliment, as Rajon Rondo is one of the NBA's best point guards, if not the best point guard. However, despite this talk, Green has reiterated his intentions to stay in Boston, via Gary Washburn of The Boston Globe:
Green has a player option for the 2015-16 season and will be paid $9.2 million if he remains in his current deal, according to Spotrac.com. However, if he continues to put up some good numbers and interest around the NBA remains high, it may be tough for him to keep away from testing the waters in free agency.
Brandon Bass Generating Interest
Celtics power forward Brandon Bass is in his fourth season with the team, and while his role has decreased this season—he's now coming off the bench and averaging roughly nine minutes less per game—he continues to play very well.
Through 11 games, Bass is averaging 8.4 points, 3.0 rebounds and 1.1 assists while shooting an impressive 53.8 percent from the floor. His production has led to interest from other teams, according to Steve Bulpett of the Boston Herald:
"Scouts and opposing front-office types have begun to speak and inquire about the 29-year-old forward, a practice that's generally a precursor to discussing a trade. Danny Ainge could not be reached on whether teams have called about Bass — not that he would say anyway — but it certainly makes sense.
"
There are plenty of franchises that could use the services of a talented, scoring power forward—the Los Angeles Lakers immediately come to mind—and it does make sense that other teams are highly interested in possibly acquiring Bass.
The forward is in the last year of his current deal and is making an affordable $6.9 million this season, according to Spotrac.com. The Celtics may be wise to offload Bass while they can still get some compensation rather than allowing him to hit free agency in 2015.
Teams Watching Kirilenko
There has been plenty of buzz surrounding Brooklyn Nets forward Andrei Kirilenko of late. His role on the team began shrinking, and it became evident he wasn't going to be a part of the team's future plans. A leave of absence followed, and that was met with rumors of a possible departure from the team.
Stefan Bondy of the New York Daily News tweeted the scenario:
As it turns out, the Nets may be able to offload the forward to one of a couple of interested teams.
Ohm Youngmisuk of ESPN.com tweeted the possibility of the team shipping Kirilenko to the 76ers:
Philadelphia is attempting to get closer to the NBA's cap floor, and taking on Kirikenko's $3.3 million contract, via Spotrac.com, would be a step in the right direction. Although, Chris Haynes of The Plain Dealer reported another team's interest soon after:
"The Cavaliers are monitoring Andrei Kirilenko's state of affairs in Brooklyn, Northeast Ohio Media Group has been told - though it's more due diligence at this point than anything else.
Cleveland is in dire need of an athletic wing defender who can guard shooting guards and small forwards; and a rim protector. The Cavaliers, on all fronts, are busy these days.
"
The Cleveland Cavaliers would be getting that defender in Kirilenko, and while he was relegated to a role off the bench in Brooklyn, he did shoot 51.3 percent in 45 games last season, the highest of his career.
