NBA Trade Rumors: Rounding Up Hottest Talk Around the League
Not nearly enough time has passed to crown an NBA champion, but some teams have suffered enough losses to already enter panic mode.
In a sport plagued by inequality, it becomes apparent which squads can make a postseason push and which are simply biding their time to the draft. After enduring such shaky openings to the season, some clubs are searching for ways to gut the roster.
While two entertaining yet maddening guards aren't drawing much interest, a Western Conference squad that won't make the cut is peddling two strong role players to intrigued contenders.
Let's take a look at what has everyone chirping around the Association.
Charlotte Hornets Already Shopping Lance Stephenson
Less than two months into the season, the Charlotte Hornets are already looking to move offseason signee Lance Stephenson. According to Yahoo Sports' Adrian Wojnarowski, the Hornets have called the shooting guard's former team to see if it wants him back.
"The Charlotte Hornets are targeting the Indiana Pacers and Brooklyn Nets as destinations to unload guard Lance Stephenson, league sources told Yahoo Sports.
Stephenson becomes eligible to be traded on Monday, and Charlotte has rapidly lost hope that its brief partnership with Stephenson can stand the test of time.
Indiana hasn't ruled out the possibility of bringing back Stephenson, but appears unwilling to seriously engage the Hornets without the inclusion of a first-round pick in a potential deal, sources told Yahoo Sports.
So far, Charlotte has shown no inclination to package a future draft pick to move Stephenson, league executives told Yahoo Sports.
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The unpredictable 24-year-old has faltered in his new home, shooting just 38.7 percent while making eight three-pointers through 24 games. Pegged as a team to fill a playoff seed in the Eastern Conference, Charlotte has instead gone 6-18, getting outscored by 7.3 points per game.
With Stephenson on the court this season, the Hornets have mustered a minuscule 88 points per 100 possessions, which had to led to minus-0.9 offensive win shares for Stephenson.
Indiana could hope to rekindle his breakout season in a familiar environment, but the club isn't eager to orchestrate a reunion. While Stephenson is a Brooklyn native, the Nets would want the Hornets to absorb one of their veterans' bloated contracts in return.
Wojnarowski added that "Stephenson's inability to co-exist on the floor with point guard Kemba Walker is among the primary reasons for the franchise's desire to trade him." They'll entertain offers, but it's not good business to jettison someone with his stock at rock bottom.
Contenders Interested in Mozgov, Chandler
According to SI.com's Chris Mannix, a pair of championship hopefuls are looking to acquire someone Denver obtained for Carmelo Anthony in 2011.
"Teams continue to look at Denver as an appealing trade partner," Mannix wrote. "The Cavs have been trying to acquire center Timofey Mozgov, and league sources said the Thunder have inquired about swingman Wilson Chandler."
Mozgov, 28, has become a stout force up the middle, possessing a 54.7 field-goal percentage while averaging 11 rebounds and 1.8 blocks per 36 minutes. As a team, the Cleveland Cavaliers rank No. 21 in boards and No. 20 in blocks, lacking a legitimate force to clog the paint.
Standing at 7'1" and 250 pounds, Mozgov would add some size, which will especially come in handy during the playoffs.
With Russell Westbrook and Kevin Durant back in business, the Oklahoma City Thunder have zoomed back into the playoff picture by winning seven of their last eight games. NBA TV documented their prowess with both stars in the lineup.
A brutal November proved how reliant the Thunder are on those two, and a lack of depth has crushed them in past postseasons. A two-way pro with size and shooting ability, Chandler would provide some essential insurance on the perimeter.
The 27-year-old is scoring 14.5 points per game this season on 44.0 percent shooting. Andre Roberson can play defense, and Anthony Morrow can shoot, but Chandler would relieve Scott Brooks from picking just one.
Landing Chandler would go a long way for the Thunder, who have a steep hill ahead to climb back up the crowded Western Conference.
Who Wants J.R. Smith?
The New York Knicks are a dysfunctional soap opera that keeps on spinning. Since peak Michael Jordan, Scottie Pippen, Kobe Bryant and Shaquille O'Neal didn't come with Phil Jackson, a weak roster has delved to the bottom of a middling Eastern Conference, ahead of only the Philadelphia 76ers (2-22) at 5-21.
It's gotten so bad that reports have surfaced about Anthony's willingness to waive a no-trade clause attached to his recently signed five-year deal. While those talks are premature, the Knicks are looking to do something to avoid mass hysteria in Manhattan.
According to ESPN The Magazine's Chris Broussard, they're still hoping to make J.R. Smith the scapegoat.
"With free agents who signed before Sept. 16 becoming available for trade Dec. 15, the Knicks could look to make roster changes soon—with sources saying J.R. Smith is the player they'd most like to trade," Broussard wrote.
Scoring 10.3 points per game with a 49.1 true shooting percentage, few New Yorkers will miss the mercurial shooting guard. Injuries, however, will make any deal tougher to manufacture.
Not only is Iman Shumpert out with a dislocated shoulder, but Smith also has a partial tear in his plantar fascia. He told the New York Post's Fred Kerber that he thought he was just dealing with a bruised heel.
"I had problems with that early on in training camp," Smith said. "But when I heard it was like a small tear I kind of got nervous. They told me there’s nothing really they can do but keep treating it, treating it. Some days will be better than others. Just got to figure it out.
His subpar numbers alone will deter teams from making an offer, but any trade talks would get effectively shelved if Smith must miss significant time. Either way, New York would not get much in return unless it took on an ugly contract, which interferes with its plans to retool in ensuing offseasons.
All advanced statistics courtesy of Basketball-Reference.com.
