NBA Trade Rumors: Analyzing League Buzz as Deadline Day Approaches
The 2015 NBA trade deadline is now less than a week away, and a palpable buzz is beginning to build around the league. Teams are making their final plans in a season where there's a large number of title contenders still firmly in the mix.
Prices near deadline day are often high. Sellers know interested teams are desperate to add the piece they feel could put them over the top during the playoffs. But if a certain acquisition or two ends up making a difference in the end, it's worth the investment.
Furthermore, it's also an entertaining time for fans, as they get to examine different possibilities, even if they don't come to fruition in the end. So let's check out some of the latest rumors worth tracking leading up to the Feb. 19 deadline.
Goran Dragic On The Move?
Dragic is set to become a free agent at season's end. It sounds like he may not even last with the Phoenix Suns for that long. He's averaging 16 points and four assists this season and has emerged as a popular target for teams looking to upgrade at point guard.
Marc Stein of ESPN reports the Los Angeles Lakers are interested but may wait until the summer and then offer him a sizable contract. He notes the Houston Rockets, which are in more of a win-now mode than LA, are also involved in the process:
"Sources said that the Rockets, who let Dragic go in free agency in the summer of 2012 but have him high on their list of free-agent targets this summer, are prominent among the teams hoping to engage the Suns in serious discussions about Dragic before the league's annual trade buzzer next week.
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The Rockets are a very nice fit on paper. Dragic has played in Houston before during his two stints with the Suns and really began his rise during the second season there. He represents an upgrade to Patrick Beverley for one of several contending teams in the West.
It's a tricky decision to make for Phoenix, though. It still holds the eighth spot in the conference, but the Oklahoma City Thunder and New Orleans Pelicans both lurk close behind. Moving Dragic would hurt the Suns' playoff chances, but at least they would get something before he walked to free agency.
Sacramento Kings Casting Wide Net
The Kings have struggled to keep pace in the tougher conference this season. They sit at 18-34 and have lost eight of their past 10 games. Following the arrival of George Karl, however, it doesn't seem like the team will wait until the offseason to improve the roster.
Sean Deveney of Sporting News states the team has already begun working hard behind the scenes to key in on players who could fit its new coach's aggressive approach. He mentions a group of players being considered:
"They've had discussions with the former team of both Karl and general manager Pete D’Alessandro—the Nuggets, who are seeking to deal Arron Afflalo and Wilson Chandler.
Sources said the Kings also expressed interest in the Pistons' Jonas Jerebko and Thunder guard Reggie Jackson, though those talks were only preliminary.
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Sacramento has three promising pieces in DeMarcus Cousins, Rudy Gay and Darren Collison. It really falls off beyond that, though. So it should be no surprise the team is being linked to some complementary players to fit around that core.
Afflalo is the name that stands out most. He would represent a step up from Ben McLemore, who could excel in a bench role. Whether it's him or somebody else from the list, it appears the building process begins now for the Kings.
Cleveland Cavaliers Rounding Out Roster
As expected, the Cavaliers finally started to find their stride heading into the All-Star break. They had a 12-game winning streak to establish themselves as major threats in the East after some early question marks. Things are once again looking up.
"The front office has been great and put together a good group. We will be good with what we have if we can stay healthy," coach David Blatt told Brian Windhorst of ESPN. That said, Windhorst notes there may still be some shopping left:
"They've been offering around Brendan Haywood, who has a unique contract that could make him a trade asset next summer because he has a $10 million non-guaranteed deal perfect for flipping. One player they've targeted is the Denver Nuggets' veteran, Jameer Nelson, who has already been traded twice this season.
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The report notes that along with a backup point guard, the Cavs may also seek another big man. It doesn't seem like they are in the market for any marquee names—rather, players who can help fill out the roster and potentially provide some valuable minutes come playoff time.
Nelson has already played for three teams (Boston Celtics, Dallas Mavericks and Denver Nuggets) this season. He's a battle-tested veteran capable of providing some security for Kyrie Irving. A solid target for a team in Cleveland's position.
