NBA Trade Rumors: Latest Reports Before Start of All-Star Weekend
As we head into All-Star Weekend, every NBA team knows exactly where it stands for the remaining portion of the 2014-15 season. Bad teams know they're bad, and they'll be looking to offload big contracts before the trade deadline in an effort to free up cap space for eventual rebuilds. Contenders, on the other hand, are looking to bolster their rosters for impending playoff runs.
Of course, with so much potential player movement around the Association at this time of year, trade rumors are plentiful.
Recently, some big names have been deemed available by their current teams, and some of them already have multiple interested franchises. So here's the burning question: Which players are likely to be moved, and where will they end up? Let's take a look at the latest chatter.
Arron Afflalo
If a playoff contender is looking for some added offense from the wing, Afflalo is a solid answer. The veteran swingman is having a bit of a down year with the Denver Nuggets, shooting 42.8 percent from the floor; however, that could be attributed to the team's system and supporting cast more than anything.
Ramona Shelburne of ESPN.com tweeted the teams interested in Afflalo, followed by Denver's asking price:
A first-round pick for the guard seems quite hefty. After all, he's slated to make $7.5 million this season and has a player option for next season, according to Spotrac.com. While Afflalo could certainly help propel a team to the NBA Finals, he could also opt out of his contract at the end of the season and seek a new home once again.
While the Chicago Bulls, Portland Trail Blazers, Los Angeles Clippers, Miami Heat and Sacramento Kings are all in the mix for Afflalo, a front-runner for his services has yet to be named.
Andrew Nicholson
A former first-round pick, Nicholson could be an intriguing developmental option for a team looking to rebuild. He's shown promise at times; however, his inconsistency has left him spending more time on the bench than on the court this season.
ESPN's Marc Stein tweeted the news that the big man was officially on the trade block:
In his third year with the Orlando Magic, the power forward is averaging 3.1 points and 1.3 rebounds while shooting 35.8 percent from the floor in 8.9 minutes per game. The decline in his shooting percentage and free-throw percentage (42.9 percent) is concerning, and he shouldn't be viewed as more than a role player at this point.
So far, there hasn't been a rumored suitor for Nicholson, and there may not be before the deadline unless Orlando's asking price is rather low.
Goran Dragic
Dragic's name has been thrown around the rumor mill for quite some time now, as the impending free agent will be expensive to re-sign for the Phoenix Suns, leading to speculation of a trade. Back in December, Ken Berger of CBSSports.com noted Dragic was the Suns player who's "garnering the most attention" around the NBA.
Berger also noted which team was thought to be Dragic's most likely suitor: "The team to watch here is Houston, which has been after Dragic since he left as a free agent in 2012. Dragic can, and will, opt out of his $7.5 million contract for next season."
Well, the asking price for Dragic has now been revealed, via Gery Woelfel of the Racine Journal Times, and he seems to think Houston is still interested:
Since becoming a full-time starter three years ago, Dragic has really come into his own. This season, he's averaging 16.2 points, 3.6 rebounds and 4.1 assists per game while shooting 50.1 percent from the floor and 35.5 percent from downtown. He's an extremely capable shooter and a solid facilitator. Adding Dragic will make a good team an instant contender, so expect him to move for the first-round asking price.
Enes Kanter
While some players are being made available by their teams in an effort to build cap space or acquire draft picks, Kanter is in the exact opposite situation. The Utah Jazz haven't expressed interest in moving the center, but that hasn't stopped the disgruntled big man from asking for a trade.
According to Aaron Falk of The Salt Lake Tribune, Kanter is frustrated and wants out of Utah immediately: "Frustrated by his role during his three-plus years in Utah, center Enes Kanter told The Salt Lake Tribune he hopes to be traded before this year's deadline."
Kanter is enjoying a productive season; however, he doesn't appear to be happy with the 19-34 Jazz. So far this season, he's averaging 13.8 points and 7.8 rebounds per game while shooting 49.1 percent from the floor in 49 contests (48 starts). That kind of production should make him a coveted addition for contenders, although this will all be determined by Utah's stance on a potential trade and the team's asking price.
According to Spotrac.com, Kanter is set to make just shy of $5.7 million this year, and he's set to become a restricted free agent following the season's conclusion.
