NBA Rumors: Buzz on Trade Candidates and Upcoming Free Agents
The NBA trade deadline often passes by without a whisper, rarely resulting in any high-impact deals. Yet one major transaction has already unfolded with Rajon Rondo leaving the Boston Celtics, so who's to say another won't follow?
For now, the names permeating the rumor mill are of far lesser significance. Two veterans, both boasting potentially expiring contracts as their top selling point, could move before the Feb. 19 deadline. Neither, however, will draw a major market.
Looking even further down the road, a future restricted free agent reportedly has a preferred landing spot for next season. This team hardly holds positive stock at the moment, but it will flaunt ample cap room while playing in prime basketball real estate.
Here's the latest NBA rumor roundup.
Tayshaun Prince Staying in Boston?
Once a prominent part of the Detroit Pistons' championship squad, Tayshaun Prince no longer holds much cache as anything more than a veteran role player. As part of the Jeff Green trade, the Memphis Grizzlies sent the 34-year-old packing to the Boston Celtics as filler.
His time with the retooling Celtics figured to be short-lived, but it's possible he plays out the season with his new squad. According to the Boston Herald's Steve Bulpett, they're not guaranteed to dump him if they can't flip him before the deadline:
"According to league sources, the Celts would still like to move Prince for a draft pick before the Feb. 19 NBA trade deadline. But it’s what could happen if he’s not dealt that may be up for more discussion in the coming days.
There was strong word that if Prince wasn’t moved by the deadline that the Celtics would seek agreement with him on a buyout of this final year of his contract (he makes a bit more than $7.2 million).
But coach Brad Stevens has taken a strong liking to Prince, who had four points in 17 minutes in last night’s 100-99 win against the Nuggets. It’s fair to assume he may lobby to keep him on the squad the rest of the season if he is not traded.
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Prince has averaged 7.1 points and 3.1 rebounds per game this season, but his defensive tenacity may win over his head coach. At 15-26, however, the Celtics are playing for lottery balls. Teams in that situation are better off auditioning young talent rather than letting a declining contributor go through the motions.
A contending team may appreciate Prince as much as Stevens, finding him a home at the end of the bench before the playoffs. Although he shouldn't command anything more than a second-rounder at this stage of his career, Boston's front office will take whatever it gets.
Tobias Harris "Wants to Win a Championship with the Knicks"
As the New York Knicks bulldoze their roster in hopes of starting from scratch, there's a giant elephant in the Garden to address: Why would any free agent actually sign with the Knicks right now?
Many kids dream of playing in New York, but fewer desire getting vilified on a bottom-feeding squad in the most unforgiving sports town. Yet according to the New York Post's Marc Berman, the Knicks have one interested suitor in Tobias Harris:
"Harris has a big summer ahead, electing to become a restricted free agent rather than signing Orlando’s four-year, $36 million extension offer. A source told The Post in November the Knicks are tops on his list.
Thursday night, a close friend of Harris told The Post, 'He wants to win a championship with the Knicks.'
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No word on if he also wants to fly on Daenerys Targaryen's dragons as well. He might have slightly better odds of fulfilling that wish.
The 22-year-old forward has scored a career-high 17.8 points per game for the Orlando Magic this season, shooting 46.6 percent while grabbing 6.7 rebounds. After missing five games with a tibia injury, he has resurfaced in a bench role.
He'd easily become New York's second-best player behind Carmelo Anthony, but that probably says more about its depleted roster. Without a significant perimeter shot, Harris will struggle to get looks in an offense dominated by the scorer. Obtaining a lesser version of Anthony isn't an ideal method for building around him.
As a restricted free agent, Orlando can make this all moot by matching any offer Harris signs. As they nourish their young nucleus through a long rebuilding cycle, someone would probably have to overpay to pry him away from the Magic.
Cleveland Cavaliers Shopping Brendan Haywood
Yes, Brendan Haywood still plays for the Cleveland Cavaliers. Only seen during sizable blowouts, the 7-foot center has played 85 total minutes this season. Acquiring Timofey Mozgov dug him even deeper down the depth chart.
An unconventional contract also gives him a massive raise next season, when he's slated to earn $10.5 million, per Spotrac. That salary, however, is not guaranteed. This gives Cleveland a great bargaining chip, using that figure to match payrolls with the other party knowing it can cut bait.
With that in mind, his stock will rise along with his contract, which stands at $2.2 million this season. Yet the Cavaliers, anxious to amend their disappointing 24-20 start, may not wait to dump their seldom-used big man. Per the Akron Beacon Journal's Jason Lloyd:
"There have been whispers throughout the season the Cavs may trade Brendan Haywood’s unique contract before this summer, when it reaches its maximum value. Those whispers are growing louder. In fact, if the Cavs are to upgrade their backup point guard position through trade, they will inevitably have to include Haywood just to make the money match. And from all indications, they’ll have no problem moving Haywood’s contract if the right point guard becomes available. But they won’t know that until closer to the Feb. 19 trade deadline.
The Cavs have been privately telling people for months that when they originally acquired Haywood’s contract, worth $10.5 million non-guaranteed next season, they didn’t have any max players on the roster. Now they have three.
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Cleveland has aggressively accumulated insurance for its newly assembled Big Three, landing Mozgov, J.R. Smith and Iman Shumpert already this season. With Kyrie Irving logging 38 minutes a night—only Jimmy Butler stays on the court longer—the club needs some depth behind the 22-year-old point guard.
Haywood's contract could intrigue someone with a veteran floor general to spare. The 35-year-old's nonexistent production certainly won't win anyone over.
