NBA Rumors: Highlighting Market's Top Recent Trade Candidates
The NBA rumor mill does not typically spoil fans. Yet this year is already different, thanks to Rajon Rondo rumblings that came to fruition.
As if the Boston Celtics staple's departure for greener pastures is not enough, there is almost a month to go before the deadline. Then again, perhaps nothing should surprise at this point, what with the Los Angeles Lakers and New York Knicks picking up scraps at the bottom of the barrel.
Alas, right now the biggest names left on the block are not all that big. It should come as no surprise, though, that Rondo's former team and the reeling Cleveland Cavaliers head up some of the loudest chatter.
The Tayshaun Prince Saga
Remember Tayshaun Prince, one of the critical pieces of the once-dominant Detroit Pistons?
Prince just joined the Celtics as an afterthought in a deal that featured Jeff Green and the Memphis Grizzlies. Now 34 years old, nobody seems to know what to do with him. That includes Celtics coach Brad Stevens.
According to the Boston Herald's Steve Bulpett, Stevens might just keep the veteran around if nobody comes calling:
"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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This should not come as a shocking development. While the Celtics are smack dab in the middle of a 15-win campaign, even Stevens understands there is a value to keeping Prince around so that he can impart his experience on younger pieces of the team's future.
Prince's cap hit on an expiring deal should not be that big of a concern. Neither should his 7.1/1.3/3.1 slash line or 10.54 PER, according to ESPN.com.
If a contender does not believe Prince is worth the one-year rental, it wouldn't be too far-fetched for Stevens to keep him on board to guide younger players.
As this year's open market shows, though, anything can happen.
Brendan Haywood's Emergence
Speaking of veterans many possibly forgot: Brendan Haywood might be available for the right price.
Actually, there does not seem to be any "might" about it, as the Cavaliers want to get out from under the 35-year-old center's strange contract and boost another position at the same time.
The Akron Beacon Journal's Jason Lloyd provides the details:
"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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According to Spotrac, Haywood's deal is a doozy that escalates to $10.5 million next season. He makes $2.2 million this year. When folks talk about back-loaded contracts, Haywood's takes the cake.
At 25-20, and with Kyrie Irving averaging a non-sustainable 38.0 minutes per game, the Cavaliers must be swift in their pursuit of a backup point guard.
Haywood has plenty of value as a rotational piece, not that he has been able to show it much after another demotion thanks to the acquisition of Timofey Mozgov. At 7'0" and 263 pounds with fresh legs for a key postseason run, there is a lot to like about the veteran.
The Cavaliers' ability to dump his contract on another team is another conversation entirely.
All stats and info via ESPN.com unless otherwise specified.
