NBA Rumors: Whispers Surrounding Taj Gibson, Arron Afflalo and More
The NBA trade deadline is the great February hope for teams looking to load their roster up before the playoffs approach. It also represents a golden opportunity for struggling squads to expedite their rebuilding process with timely trades.
As is the case almost every season, there are plenty of rumors circulating around the Association as that deadline (Feb. 19) approaches.
Here is a look at a few of them.
Taj Gibson
Joe Cowley of the Chicago Sun-Times provided an update on Taj Gibson: “A source indicated the Bulls have made no calls about trading Gibson, especially because they have health concerns about center Joakim Noah.”
Chicago Bulls coach Tom Thibodeau also commented on the situation, via Cowley:
"Because of his ability to guard both positions [power forward and center] and to play both positions and [because] Jo’s still working his way back [from offseason knee surgery], I think Taj is critical for our team. Taj has played well. He’s been consistent. He’s been our best defender up front. That’s something that we need.
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The fact that Gibson’s name is even popping up in discussions is more of a testament to Chicago’s recent struggles than anything else. The Bulls have lost three of their last four and four of their past six and are currently sitting in the No. 4 seed in the Eastern Conference instead of battling for the top spot like so many expected before the season began.
Perhaps the team feels like it needs to make some type of change.
On paper, it wouldn’t make much sense if that change was moving Gibson. After all, he just signed a four-year deal with Chicago before last season and is making a team-friendly $8 million this year and $8.5 million next year.
He is also averaging 11 points and seven rebounds a game (as of Saturday) and gives the Bulls a security blanket down low when Joakim Noah is battling injuries or the 34-year-old Pau Gasol needs a breather. Gibson is a critical cog in the Chicago machine and will likely have to be on the roster if this team is going to challenge for an Eastern Conference crown after all.
Chicago may not be playing lights-out basketball, but all of its early goals are still attainable. Trading Gibson would seem like something of a panic move in the middle of the season.
Christopher Dempsey of The Denver Post noted that the Denver Nuggets have a high price tag for Arron Afflalo:
"The Nuggets are holding firm to seeking a first-round pick from teams wanting to trade for shooting guard Arron Afflalo, according to NBA sources.
There have been no takers, although interest remains high for Afflalo’s services. Teams don’t want to relinquish a first-rounder for a player that might walk on them at the end of the season. Afflalo has a player option for the final year of his contract.
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It is really no surprise that the Nuggets are trying to get a favorable draft pick in return for Afflalo. After all, they are an abysmal 19-32 in the loaded Western Conference and don’t have a realistic chance of competing for the playoffs, let alone a championship.
It is all about the future in Denver now, and trading Afflalo’s 14.9 points per game and ability to hit from downtown is a good way to get an asset or two back in return.
The problem, as Dempsey mentioned, is a first-round pick is a hefty price for someone who may hit free agency after the season. It would take a team in full-blown win-now mode to pull the trigger on something like that in a similar fashion to the draft picks that the Cleveland Cavaliers gave up for Timofey Mozgov.
Perhaps the Nuggets can strike trading gold twice in one season.
Jordan Crawford
Barry Jackson of The Miami Herald passed along an update on the Miami Heat and Jordan Crawford: "The Heat has stayed in occasional contact with Crawford’s camp over the past several months but never summoned him for a workout in the past year. Crawford (12.2 career scoring average) would be a clear upgrade, but inside the Heat, there was concern that several teams have parted with him."
While there is something to be said for using caution with a player like Crawford who hasn’t necessarily found a long-term role on any team he’s played for, the Heat need more scoring. They are a lowly 29th in the NBA in points per game at 92.4 (as of Saturday) and shoot a mediocre 34 percent from three-point range as a team.
What’s more, Dwyane Wade is a constant health risk, and adding someone like Crawford would give Miami a security blanket in the backcourt for when Wade is out with injury (like he is now).
The Heat currently check in as the No. 8 seed in the tight race for the last couple of Eastern Conference playoff spots. Improving the depth in the backcourt and finding another scoring option with Crawford would only bolster Miami’s chances of sneaking into the playoffs down the stretch.
At this point, that would be considered a successful season for the Heat.
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