NBA Trade Rumors: Hottest Chatter at Onset of All-Star Weekend Festivities
The NBA's schedule is taking a short break for the Association's All-Star Weekend, but the league's general managers should remain busy ironing out deals to improve their rosters for the future.
Multiple teams in both the Eastern and Western Conferences are fringe playoff contenders. A small acquisition or two for some teams can make the difference between a playoff berth or a premature end to a season.
It's not always the big-ticket acquisitions that make the difference. While several of those players are available, sometimes role players can have a larger impact. Depth is key in the NBA, as is having veteran leaders capable of instilling calm in the younger players during a playoff push.
The rumor mill is buzzing. Will a deal be struck during the festivities this weekend? Stay tuned to reports regarding the following players to see if they'll finish the season in a new city.
Goran Dragic
Perhaps the top guard on the mill at the deadline, Goran Dragic is a free agent this summer who will prove to be a hot commodity given his skills as both a scorer and facilitator.
Interest is already high on Dragic, reports ESPN.com's Marc Stein:
"The Houston Rockets and Los Angeles Lakers are among many teams expected to try to persuade the Phoenix Suns to part with star guard Goran Dragic before Thursday's NBA trade deadline, according to league sources."
Houston would immediately benefit from bringing Dragic aboard. Patrick Beverley and Isaiah Canaan have been decent this season, however, their collective lack of playmaking ability is glaring. Dragic would complement James Harden and the team's other top players well.
Gery Woelfel of the Racine Journal Times tweeted that Houston might just pay a high price to get him:
A first-rounder is definitely something teams don't part with easily, but would a team dish that out faster than it would surrender $80 million? That's what the Rockets have to ask themselves, as Stein wrote that the Lakers are gearing up to spend big to lure him to Hollywood:
"Sources say L.A. plans to chase Dragic this summer anyway with an aggressive four-year offer that would be valued as high as an estimated $80 million if it approaches max-contract territory."
Los Angeles may not benefit much now from Dragic, as its record at the break of 13-40 puts the organization on track for a high pick in the lottery—which is a good thing, given the current status of the franchise.
But adding Dragic during the offseason gives Kobe Bryant a capable running mate. Couple in a healthy Julius Randle and presumed improvements from rookies Jordan Clarkson and Tarik Black, and the Lakers could be dark-horse contenders in the West. Add in another free-agent signing or trade acquisition, and there's no doubt that Los Angeles can bounce back from this dismal season.
Andrew Nicholson
Now to the less impactful players on the mill.
Andrew Nicholson is averaging just 8.9 minutes per game this season and has been a healthy scratch more times than he'd like during his third season in the NBA. The No. 19 pick in the 2012 draft, Nicholson has yet to reach his full potential.
One can argue that it's not his own fault, as the Orlando Magic are clearly holding him back from playing enough minutes to progress his career. Of course, his play hasn't really warranted a ton of minutes. Career-lows in shooting percentage (35.8) and free-throw shooting (42.9 percent) make it hard to justify committing 20 minutes per night to him.
Young players need time, though, and the Magic don't want to give it him. Naturally, Stein's report shouldn't come as a surprise:
Nicholson is not a player that contending teams want to look at right now. Sure, he could turn the corner in a hurry, but it's unwise for a team to put their season in the hands of a 25-year-old who has yet to prove anything at this level.
Instead, younger teams hoping to rebuild and make a run at it next year or the year after could be in the mix. Brian K. Schmitz of the Orlando Sentinel opined that one team could take a look at him, even if they currently stand at 36-19:
"There is one possible suitor for Magic's Andrew Nicholson: Dallas. Mark Cuban liked his game at one point.
— Brian K. Schmitz (@MagicInsider) February 12, 2015"
Whether or not a deal can be reached between Orlando and Dallas is up in the air, but it's clear that Nicholson's future isn't bright with the Magic.
In need of a former postseason hero? Luckily, there's one potentially available—at the right price.
Steve Bulpett of the Boston Herald has the latest on the Boston Celtics forward Tayshaun Prince:
"But it’s fair to assume the club wouldn’t mind weakening its roster and, at the same time, strengthening its future over the next nine days. With the Feb. 19 league trade deadline bearing down, sources say Danny Ainge and his lieutenant, Mike Zarren, have continued to work to find warm and caring homes — and a draft pick — for some of the veterans who are helping them be competitive.
As it stands, NBA execs are telling us that Tayshaun Prince has the greatest immediate value on the market. He’s on the last year of his contract ($7 million), and, despite a recent hip issue, he’s shown he can still play.
"
Bulpett added the opinion of one source he spoke to about Prince.
"He knows how to play, and he’s played in big games," the source said. "Someone hoping to make a playoff run is going to want him, even if it’s just for depth or insurance."
The 34-year-old lefty is still productive in his 13th NBA season, averaging 7.6 points on 44.6 percent shooting split between Memphis and Boston. In nine games with the Celtics, he's averaging 8.4 points on a ludicrous 55.9 percent mark from the floor.
Prince is famous for his run of seven-consecutive playoff seasons with the Detroit Pistons from 2002 through 2008, as he was one of the emotional leaders of several very successful teams. He's also famous for the following swat, among other things:
Prince isn't that same athlete anymore, but he's still a quality perimeter defender with the length to disrupt shooters and make it difficult for those driving in the lane.
Any playoff contender in the NBA would benefit from his presence.
Follow Kenny DeJohn on Twitter: @kennydejohn
